Arnold Schwarzenegger Plays Santa Claus, Recruiting Alan Ritchson for a Christmas Heist in ‘The Man With the Bag’ Trailer
Amazon is putting an action twist on its next holiday movie. ‘The Man With the Bag’, directed by Adam Shankman from a screenplay by Allan Rice, brings together Arnold Schwarzenegger and ‘Reacher’ star Alan Ritchson for a Christmas caper.
The project has been in the works for several years. Shankman and Ritchson were attached in June 2023, Schwarzenegger joined in March 2024 with Amazon MGM Studios distributing, and filming took place in Manhattan in late 2024.
Now fans have their first real look at the film. A new trailer for ‘The Man With the Bag’ has been released ahead of its Prime Video premiere on December 2, and it shows Schwarzenegger’s Santa Claus asking Ritchson’s character to be naughty for once.
The premise is simple but wild. According to Prime Video’s official synopsis, Christmas is at risk when Santa’s iconic red bag is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge. To get it back, Santa turns to someone on his Naughty List.
Ritchson plays an elite thief and father who reluctantly takes the job, then assembles a crew of criminally skilled misfits, with some help from elves and reindeer, to pull off a heist. The trailer also hints at a more personal side to the story. One moment shows Ritchson’s character sitting across from a young girl at a table, as he’s asked what he’s been up to for the last 4 years.
Check out the new trailer for THE MAN WITH THE BAG starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson Coming to Prime Video December 2, 2026 https://t.co/X74zJvEl8Q
— Geek Vibes Nation (@GeekVibesNation) November 2, 2026
The scene suggests he has some catching up to do with his family, adding emotional stakes to the holiday chaos. Nerdist described him as a dad who reluctantly accepts the job, though the film’s full backstory hasn’t been revealed.
The heist won’t be easy. Awkwafina plays Nadia Nyce, a character shown living a lavish life in the trailer, and Nerdist reported that she refuses to give up Santa’s sack without a fight.
That sets up a showdown that will require all of the crew’s skills. The trailer leans into the comedy, with plenty of over-the-top moments as Santa and his unlikely recruit try to save Christmas.
Alan Ritchson in ‘The Man with the Bag’! Releasing December 2nd on Prime Video https://t.co/GVuwxR7mxs
— Alan Ritchson Updates (@alanritchsonhq) November 2, 2026
The film features an impressive ensemble. Alongside Schwarzenegger, Ritchson and Awkwafina, the cast includes Liza Koshy, Kyle Mooney, Ken Jeong and Jane Krakowski. Matty Cardarople, Adrian Martinez, Roger Bart, Michael Cyril Creighton and Murray Hill also appear. Behind the scenes, Jonathan Sela serves as cinematographer.
John Debney is composing the score. He previously worked with Shankman on ‘The Pacifier’ and ‘Cheaper by the Dozen 2’. Casting Schwarzenegger as Santa is one of the film’s biggest selling points. Pairing him with Ritchson, who is best known for playing the hulking hero in ‘Reacher’, gives the movie a playful action-comedy energy.
He’ll be back….Hopefully with presents. Arnold Schwarzenegger is Santa in The Man with the Bag. Coming to @PrimeVideo December 2. https://t.co/OBGKm2CiCM
— Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) September 30, 2026
Collider compared the tone to a mix of ‘The Terminator’ and ‘Elf’. That kind of blend could make ‘The Man With the Bag’ stand out from more traditional holiday releases. ‘The Man With the Bag’ premieres on Prime Video on December 2, just in time for the holiday season.
For fans of both stars, it’s a chance to see them team up in a very different kind of mission. With a heist plot, a big comedy cast, and Schwarzenegger in a Santa suit, the film is shaping up to be one of the season’s more unusual Christmas movies.
Are you excited to watch Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson team up in The Man With the Bag?
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