Arnold Schwarzenegger is getting back into the Christmas spirit, this time as Santa Claus himself in Prime Video’s new festive heist movie The Man With the Bag. Arriving globally on 2 December, the film pairs Schwarzenegger with Reacher star Alan Ritchson for a very different kind of Christmas adventure. When Santa’s famous red bag is stolen by a rogue elf played by Awkwafina, he turns to a thief from his Naughty List for help getting it back before Christmas is ruined.

Prime Video has now released the first teaser, giving us our first look at Schwarzenegger in the red suit and big white beard. You can watch the official The Man With the Bag teaser below.

What Is The Man With the Bag About?

The story follows Santa after his magical bag is stolen by an elf with a grudge, putting his biggest night of the year at risk. With time running out, he recruits Vance, a thief played by Ritchson who already has a place on Santa’s Naughty List.

Vance then assembles a group of criminal misfits to help recover the bag, with elves and reindeer also getting involved in what Prime Video describes as an unexpected Christmas heist. The film will mix festive comedy and action with a story about second chances and unlikely friendships, although judging by the teaser, it is not taking itself too seriously.

Schwarzenegger’s return to a Christmas movie also comes 30 years after Jingle All the Way, although this time he has moved considerably higher up the festive food chain. Rather than desperately searching for a toy on Christmas Eve, he is now the man responsible for delivering them.

Who Is in The Man With the Bag Cast?

Arnold Schwarzenegger leads the film as Santa Claus, with Alan Ritchson starring alongside him as Vance and Awkwafina playing the rogue elf responsible for stealing Santa’s bag. The cast also includes Ken Jeong, Jane Krakowski, Liza Koshy, Kyle Mooney, Berkeley James and Michael Cyril Creighton. Adam Shankman, whose previous films include Hairspray, directs from a screenplay by Allan Rice.

When Is The Man With the Bag Released?

The Man With the Bag premieres globally on Prime Video on Wednesday, 2 December 2026, putting it right at the start of the Christmas movie season.

For CultureCues, this looks absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way. It is only a short teaser, but Arnold Schwarzenegger as Santa has already sold us on it. And yes, having Arnie shout “I’m back” while dressed as Father Christmas really does put the bow on top of the present. Thirty years after Jingle All the Way, he really is back for Christmas, and this looks hilarious.

The Man With the Bag premieres globally on Prime Video on 2 December.

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