Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in the Christmas movie business — this time as Santa Claus himself. The first full trailer for The Man With the Bag, his new festive heist comedy, was released on 2 November 2026, and it has quickly become one of the most talked-about trailers of the holiday season. The film premieres globally on Prime Video on 2 December 2026.
Here is everything we know about Schwarzenegger’s latest news, from the new film to his fitness advice and a sweet family moment over Halloween. For more celebrity updates, visit our homepage.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Plays Santa in The Man With the Bag
In The Man With the Bag, Schwarzenegger plays Santa Claus, whose magical red bag of presents is stolen by a rogue elf with a grudge, played by Awkwafina. With Christmas at risk, Santa recruits a thief — played by Reacher star Alan Ritchson — to help him pull off a daring heist and get the bag back.
The film is directed by Adam Shankman from a screenplay by Allan Rice, and the supporting cast includes Liza Koshy, Kyle Mooney, Ken Jeong, and Jane Krakowski. Filming took place in Manhattan in late 2024, after Schwarzenegger joined the project in March 2024.
A Return to Christmas Movies After 30 Years
The role marks Schwarzenegger’s return to the Christmas genre after almost three decades. His only previous Christmas film was the 1996 comedy Jingle All the Way, in which he played a father desperately hunting for a sold-out toy. This time, the 79-year-old star steps into the red suit himself — a casting choice that has delighted fans and critics alike.
The trailer shows Santa asking Ritchson’s thief to be “naughty for once,” and hints at an emotional thread too: a Santa who has some catching up to do with his own family. Early reactions have praised the unlikely pairing of Schwarzenegger and Ritchson, with the film pitched as a family-friendly action comedy with real heart.
Schwarzenegger’s Fitness Warning: Protein Alone Is Not Enough
Alongside the film news, Schwarzenegger made headlines this week with his fitness newsletter, Arnold’s Pump Club. In the 4 November 2026 edition, he warned that focusing only on protein during a steep calorie cut can hurt workout performance.
He pointed to a study in which active adults followed three diets for five days each. When protein was kept high but overall calories were slashed by roughly two-thirds, participants could not sustain as much power in a 30-second bike sprint. When calories were cut more evenly across protein, carbs, and fat, no clear drop in power was seen. His message was simple: if you are trying to keep training hard while losing weight, the total amount of food matters — not just the protein number.
A Joyful Halloween With the Grandchildren
Schwarzenegger also shared a rare family moment this week. His daughter Katherine Schwarzenegger posted photos from the family’s Halloween celebrations, showing the 79-year-old beaming as he tried his hand at pumpkin carving. Katherine and her husband Chris Pratt’s children — daughters Lyla, six, and Eloise, four, and one-year-old son Ford — all call him “Opa,” and the photos showed the family in matching astronaut costumes.
What Is Next for Schwarzenegger?
With The Man With the Bag arriving on Prime Video on 2 December, Schwarzenegger looks set to be one of the faces of Christmas 2026. At 79, he remains one of Hollywood’s busiest stars — still making action comedies, still writing about fitness, and still finding time for family. If the trailer is anything to go by, his Santa could become a new holiday favourite.