Christmas at the Kringles star Rob Riggle discussed his unique new Christmas comedy movie. Riggle discussed its action sequences, his favorite Christmas movies, and more. The film is in theaters exclusively on October 30, 2026.
“The story follows the Seversons, a family starting fresh in a quiet suburban neighborhood, whose next-door neighbors, the Kringles, celebrate Christmas year-round. What begins as charming quickly turns unsettling, as Mark and Julie grow concerned about their son’s growing attachment to the family. After a heated confrontation, Mark heads next door to bring his family home only to uncover the Kringles’ true intentions: to hypnotize and indoctrinate them. What follows is a life-or-death rescue mission, as Mark teams up with a rogue, badass Santa in a high-stakes, action-packed fight to save his family,” says the official synopsis.
Tyler Treese: Great, thank you so much. So Rob, first off, thank you for your service, and congrats on Christmas at the Kringles. You play the character of Drunk Santa, which is an incredible official name. You’re being funny here, but you’re also kicking ass in this. We’ve seen you get physical in some other roles, like The Other Guys, but usually your comedic delivery is front and center. So what did you like most about getting some cool action sequences here?
Rob Riggle: Yeah, listen, thank you, by the way, and good to talk to you. I don’t get all that many opportunities, so whenever they come around, I love them and pounce on them and jump on it.
And it’s fun. It’s just fun to do these types of things, and hopefully it’ll be believable enough. I mean, it’s a crazy world. This movie is a ride. It’s a ride.
We’re mixing a lot of genres. You’ve got a lot of comedy, you’ve got a lot of horror, and you’ve got a holiday, and you put them all together, and it comes out as Christmas at the Kringles, which to me, I found to be very entertaining.
And that’s a good thing. A lot of movies aren’t original, and they don’t entertain the whole way through. And I feel like this one does.
Tyler Treese: Yeah, this film, just when you think it’s gotten crazier, it manages to top it again. And you’re fighting a Christmas-themed gimp at one point in this film. What is the experience when you’re face-to-face with this giant dude in a festive gimp suit? Do you question your life choices? How is that?
Rob Riggle: You do. At some point, you step back and go, “I’m fighting a Christmas gimp. I’ve really got to talk to my agent.”
No, it’s great, actually, because the people involved, the cast, the director, phenomenal, right? They’re all phenomenal people, phenomenal talents. So, we were all feeling, this is going to sound funny, we were all feeling the joy.
We were feeling it on set. We were having a really good time, and I trust that. I’ve been on sets that have been tough, and I’ve been on sets that have been really fun. I find that the fun sets, you can’t hide it because it does find its way in front of the camera.
You’re working with the great Thomas Lennon in this film, and you two were supposed to do a film together about 15 years ago called The Boondoggle. Was that a nice little full-circle moment to have those scenes with him?
Rob Riggle: Oh my gosh, yeah. I love Tom. I think he’s an unbelievable talent. I mean, he’s an incredible writer, he’s an incredible actor, and an incredible comedian.
And so I so desperately wanted to do that film with him many years ago. I’m amazed that you found that, but yeah, we wanted to do that, and we always have a respect and appreciation for each other.
So when this came up, we were really excited. At least I was. I hope he was too. But yeah, I just think the world of him, and so I’m glad we did finally end up on screen together.
Since this does have more action scenes, I felt like you would be primed for a John Wick-style film maybe down the line. Is that something that would interest you, doing more of an action film?
Rob Riggle: Come on, your lips to God’s ears. Let’s make it happen. I dig it. I would love that.
Obviously, I’m more of a comedic actor, right? I get a lot of opportunities in the comedic acting world, and I love it because comedy is something I cherish and I love. But I have other colors I can paint with.
I’ve done some dramas these past couple of years, and I love that too. So yeah, given the opportunity, I’d be all over it.
Rob, since you’re talking about the joy that this film definitely has, what is your favorite Christmas movie? You’ve got me in the mood already to start watching more Christmas films.
Rob Riggle: Yeah, I’m more of a traditional guy, I guess. It doesn’t feel like Christmas unless I’ve seen It’s a Wonderful Life. That movie, I’ve seen it, I think it’s fair to say, probably a hundred times in my lifetime, and it gets me still. It still makes me misty. It still makes me feel all the feels. So, if you could make a movie like that, that you see so many times and it still affects you, gosh, you’ve really done something right.
So that one is a staple. Of course, then Elf, and probably you throw a Die Hard in there. And now this movie.
Thanks to Rob Riggle for taking the time to talk about Christmas at the Kringles.
The post Rob Riggle Wants a John Wick-Style Movie After Playing Drunk Santa | Interview appeared first on ComingSoon.net – Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
