The holiday season takes a sinister turn in the latest trailer for Christmas at the Kringles, an upcoming horror-comedy that transforms the familiar neighbourhood Christmas spirit into a blood-soaked nightmare. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Ron Livingston, Rachel Bilson, Thomas Lennon and Arden Myrin, the film promises a twisted take on holiday traditions, complete with disturbing secrets, violent confrontations and an unlikely Santa Claus hero.
Directed by Kevin Lewis (Willy’s Wonderland), the film follows the Severson family as they settle into a quiet suburban neighbourhood in search of a fresh start. Their new surroundings initially appear welcoming, but their next-door neighbours, the Kringles, quickly prove to be anything but ordinary. Obsessed with Christmas, the eccentric family celebrates the festive season all year round.
What initially seems like harmless holiday enthusiasm soon becomes deeply unsettling for Mark and Julie Severson, particularly as their son, Bobby, develops an increasingly close relationship with their unusual neighbours.
The situation escalates when Bobby goes missing at the Kringles’ home. Determined to bring his family back together, Mark ventures next door, only to uncover a disturbing operation involving hypnosis and indoctrination. With his family in danger, he must fight to save them from the Kringles’ sinister plans.
The newly released trailer offers a glimpse of the film’s increasingly chaotic proceedings, balancing the familiar imagery of Christmas celebrations with brutal violence and darkly comic horror. From unsettling encounters to explosive action sequences, the footage makes it clear that this is far from a conventional festive movie. One particularly striking moment features Lennon’s character wielding a chainsaw, hinting at the bloody mayhem awaiting audiences.
The film also introduces a rogue Santa Claus who joins Mark in a desperate, high-stakes mission to rescue his loved ones, adding another unexpected twist to the holiday horror premise.
Alongside Livingston (Office Space) and Bilson (The O.C.), the cast includes Rob Riggle, Donald Faison, Beverly D’Angelo, David Wain and Arden Myrin. Thomas Lennon, known for his comedic work in Reno 911!, takes on the role of one of the film’s unsettling neighbours.
Lewis directs from a screenplay by Zack Imbrogno, with Andrew Ortenberg, Tom Ortenberg, Liam Finn, Lewis and Jordan Dykstra serving as producers.
Christmas at the Kringles is scheduled to arrive exclusively in cinemas on October 30, 2026, giving horror fans an early opportunity to experience a very different kind of Christmas celebration.
