Prime Video has unveiled the official trailer, poster and new images for The Man With the Bag, an upcoming Christmas action-comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson. The film will premiere globally on December 2, 2026, bringing a holiday heist adventure to audiences in Canada and internationally.
Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, the film marks Schwarzenegger’s return to the Christmas movie genre after approximately 30 years. The Hollywood action star takes on the role of Santa Claus in a story combining festive traditions, criminal misfits, comedy and an elaborate mission to save Christmas.
Directed by Adam Shankman and written by Allan Rice, the 111-minute film is rated PG and features an ensemble cast of established Hollywood performers and comedy personalities.
Prime Video Reveals Trailer for Christmas Heist Adventure
The newly released trailer introduces a different interpretation of the traditional Santa Claus story, placing the legendary holiday figure at the centre of a high-stakes criminal operation.
In The Man With the Bag, Christmas faces an unexpected crisis when Santa’s iconic red bag is stolen by a disgruntled rogue elf, played by Awkwafina.
With Christmas Eve approaching, Santa must recover the missing bag before the holiday is disrupted.
Rather than relying exclusively on his magical abilities, Santa recruits Vance, a skilled thief played by Alan Ritchson, from his notorious Naughty List.
Vance assembles a team of unconventional criminals, with assistance from his daughter, elves and reindeer, to execute an ambitious operation to retrieve the stolen bag.
The resulting adventure combines elaborate heist sequences with seasonal humour and themes of friendship, redemption and second chances.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Returns to Holiday Films After Three Decades
Schwarzenegger’s casting represents a notable return to Christmas-themed entertainment following his appearance in the 1996 holiday comedy Jingle All the Way.
His latest role places him in a different festive setting, portraying Santa Claus as an active participant in an action-driven rescue mission.
Alan Ritchson Joins Schwarzenegger in Leading Role
Ritchson, known for action-oriented performances, plays Vance, the thief recruited to help recover Santa’s stolen property.
The pairing brings together two performers associated with action entertainment, while incorporating comedic elements designed for family audiences.
The supporting cast includes Berkeley James, Michael Cyril Creighton, Liza Koshy, Kyle Mooney and Jane Krakowski, alongside Ken Jeong and Awkwafina.
The film’s combination of established stars and comedic performers is intended to balance action sequences with lighter holiday storytelling.
Amazon MGM Studios Assembles Production Team
The Man With the Bag is directed by Adam Shankman, with a screenplay written by Allan Rice.
The production team includes Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo and Alan Ritchson.
Film Details and Global Streaming Release
The production carries a PG rating and has a running time of 111 minutes.
Its worldwide streaming debut is scheduled for December 2, positioning the film within Prime Video’s holiday entertainment lineup.
The studio has also released promotional materials, including an official poster, film stills and a trailer, ahead of the premiere.
Prime Video Expands Its Holiday Entertainment Offering
The release adds another original feature to Prime Video’s entertainment catalogue as streaming platforms compete for audiences during the year-end holiday season.
Prime Video offers original films and television series from Amazon MGM Studios, licensed entertainment and live sports programming.
In Canada, the service also provides access to additional streaming subscriptions, including Crave, BritBox, Paramount+, Sportsnet and other participating services.
Customers can access selected titles through subscriptions, rentals or purchases, depending on availability.
For Amazon MGM Studios, The Man With the Bag combines recognizable Hollywood talent with a familiar seasonal theme, offering a Christmas adventure built around action, comedy and family relationships.
With Schwarzenegger portraying Santa Claus and Ritchson leading an unlikely criminal crew, the film aims to deliver a contemporary holiday story centred on teamwork and second chances.
The Man With the Bag premieres exclusively on Prime Video worldwide on December 2, 2026.
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