Jingle All the Way (1996)

Arnold Schwarzenegger goes to war with Christmas in this beloved holiday comedy about one dad's desperate last-minute toy hunt.

Jingle All the Way - Movie Information

  • Original Title: Jingle All the Way
  • Release Year: 1996
  • Directed by: Brian Levant
  • Type: Movie
  • Genres: Family, Comedy, Adventure
  • Age Rating (US): PG
  • Runtime: 1h 29m
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • Release Date (Theatrical): November 21, 1996 (Australia - PG), November 22, 1996 (United States - PG), December 6, 1996 (United Kingdom - PG), December 4, 1996 (Germany - 6), December 11, 1996 (France - TP), December 6, 1996 (Brazil - L), December 4, 1996 (Spain - A), December 7, 1996 (South Korea - ALL)
  • Alternative Titles: 万能圣诞爸爸 (CN)
  • Production Companies: 1492 Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Fox Family Films
  • Production Countries: United States of America

Jingle All the Way - Plot

Howard Langston, a salesman for a mattress company, is constantly kept busy at his job, disappointing his son. After he misses his son's karate exposition, Howard vows to make it up to him by buying an action figure of his son's favorite television hero for Christmas. Unfortunately for Howard, it is Christmas Eve, and every store is sold out of Turbo Man. Now, Howard must travel all over town and compete with everybody else to find a Turbo Man action figure.

Jingle All the Way - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see the holiday chaos unfold:

Two dads, one toy, no prisoners.

Where to Watch Jingle All the Way

Looking for where to watch Jingle All the Way?

Jingle All the Way - Cast & Crew

Director(s)

  • Brian Levant

Main Cast

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Sinbad
  • Phil Hartman
  • Rita Wilson
  • Robert Conrad
  • Martin Mull
  • Jake Lloyd
  • Jim Belushi
  • E.J. De la Pena
  • Laraine Newman

Writers

  • Randy Kornfield

Producers

  • Chris Columbus
  • Michael Barnathan
  • Mark Radcliffe

Jingle All the Way - FAQs

What is the Turbo Man toy in Jingle All the Way?

Turbo Man is a fictional superhero action figure that serves as the film's most coveted Christmas gift. Inspired by real holiday toy crazes like the Cabbage Patch Kids and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers frenzies, Turbo Man satirizes the chaos of must-have holiday toys and the lengths parents go to secure them.

Who are the main actors in Jingle All the Way?

Arnold Schwarzenegger leads the cast as frantic dad Howard Langston, with Sinbad playing his rival Myron Larabee. Phil Hartman is the smug neighbor Ted Maltin, Rita Wilson plays Howard's wife Liz, and Jake Lloyd portrays young Jamie Langston, the boy at the heart of all the holiday madness.

Is Jingle All the Way based on a true story?

Not directly, but the film was inspired by real-world holiday toy shortages. Screenwriter Randy Kornfield drew on the cultural phenomenon of parents scrambling for sold-out must-have toys, most notably the Cabbage Patch Kids craze of 1983, which sparked genuine chaos in stores across the United States.

Where can you stream Jingle All the Way?

You can stream Jingle All the Way on Disney Plus with a subscription. It's also available to buy or rent on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home, so there are plenty of ways to enjoy this holiday classic from the comfort of your couch.

Does Jingle All the Way have a post-credits scene?

Yes! Jingle All the Way features a brief post-credits stinger, so it's worth staying through the end credits. The scene adds a fun comedic button to the film's conclusion and is a nice little bonus for viewers who stick around after the main story wraps up.

What is the age rating for Jingle All the Way?

Jingle All the Way is rated PG in the United States, making it a great pick for family movie night. The film features slapstick comedy and some mild peril, but nothing too intense for younger viewers. It's a lighthearted holiday romp that kids and adults can enjoy together.

How long is Jingle All the Way?

Jingle All the Way runs for 89 minutes, or just under an hour and a half. That makes it a perfectly paced holiday watch — long enough to feel like a full adventure, but short enough to squeeze in before bedtime on Christmas Eve, which is fitting given the film's frantic storyline.

What are some movies similar to Jingle All the Way?

If you enjoy Jingle All the Way, you'll likely have a blast with Kindergarten Cop (1990) and Junior (1994), both featuring Schwarzenegger in comedic family-friendly roles. Fred Claus (2007), Deck the Halls (2006), and The Santa Clause 2 (2002) also deliver that same chaotic Christmas comedy energy.

More About Jingle All the Way

Explore further details about the film on these trusted resources:

Help Us Keep Our Content Accurate.

Report an Error