‘Christmas at the Kringles’ Cast & Characters Guide

Not every neighborhood is filled with holiday cheer. Sometimes, the most festive house on the block is hiding the darkest secrets.

Christmas at the Kringles is an upcoming holiday horror-comedy that puts a sinister spin on the most wonderful time of the year. Directed by Kevin Lewis, best known for the Nicolas Cage-led horror-comedy Willy’s Wonderland, the film follows a family whose seemingly cheerful new neighbors turn out to have some disturbing holiday traditions.

Christmas at the Kringles hits theaters on October 30, 2026, just in time for Halloween. Read on to learn more about the film’s story, cast and characters.

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What is ‘Christmas at the Kringles’ About?

When Mark and Julie Severson move their family into a quiet suburban neighborhood, they’re hoping for a fresh start. But what they don’t know yet is that their new neighbors, the Kringles, are anything but ordinary. With Christmas decorations up year-round and never-ending holiday spirit, the family initially seems like a harmless group of Christmas enthusiasts.

However, the Kringles’ festive obsession soon takes a disturbing turn. As Mark and Julie become increasingly concerned about their son Bobby’s growing attachment to the unusual family, they begin to suspect something unusual is happening next door. When Mark discovers that the Kringles are attempting to hypnotize and indoctrinate his family, he must team up with an unlikely ally, a rogue Santa Claus, to bring his loved ones home.

Christmas at the Kringles blends dark humor, bloody horror and action into an unconventional holiday adventure. Get a sneak peek in the official Christmas at the Kringles trailer:

Ron Livingston as Mark Severson

Known from: The Conjuring, Office Space, The Flash, Band of Brothers, Loudermilk

Ron Livingston stars as Mark Severson, a cautious and protective father who moves his family into a quiet suburban neighborhood, hoping for a fresh start. Unlike his wife and son, who are initially drawn to the Kringles’ seemingly cheerful personalities, Mark is immediately suspicious of their over-the-top holiday spirit. As he begins uncovering the sinister truth behind their festive facade, his determination to protect his family leads him to team up with an unlikely ally: a drunk mall Santa.

Rachel Bilson as Julie Severson

Known from: The O.C., Jumper, The Last Kiss, The To-Do List, Hart of Dixie, Take Two

Rachel Bilson plays Julie Severson, Mark’s friendly and much more trusting wife, who is eager to settle into their new neighborhood and make new friends. Pretty much the opposite of her suspicious husband, Julie is quickly charmed by the Kringles’ enthusiastic holiday spirit and jolly, welcoming personalities. However, her willingness to embrace their quirkiness leaves her vulnerable to the family’s real intentions.

Rob Riggle as Drunk Santa

Known from: The Hangover, Step Brothers, The Internship, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

Rob Riggle plays Drunk Santa, a gruff, booze-loving mall Santa who becomes an unlikely hero in the Severson family’s fight against the Kringles. But he’s far from the jolly Saint Nick most people know. Despite his rougher personality, Drunk Santa proves to be a valuable ally when he teams up with Mark to rescue his family from their neighbors.

Riggle is best known for his comedic roles in The Hangover, 21 Jump Street, Step Brothers and The Other Guys. A former Saturday Night Live cast member and The Daily Show correspondent, he brings his signature over-the-top humor to the character.

Thomas Lennon as Nick Kringle

Known from: Reno 911!, 17 Again, I Love You, Man, Night at the Museum, Supergirl, Cherry

Thomas Lennon plays Nick Kringle, an eccentric and overly enthusiastic neighbor whose love for Christmas borders on obsession. Alongside his wife, Nick welcomes the Severson family to the neighborhood with an overwhelming display of holiday cheer. But behind his jolly personality and seemingly friendly intentions lies a sinister and manipulative side. As Mark grows increasingly suspicious of the Kringles, it becomes clear that Nick’s dedication to spreading Christmas spirit goes far beyond that of your typical festive family.

Arden Myrin as Carol Kringle

Known from: Insatiable, Free Bert, The Righteous Gemstones, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Arden Myrin plays Carol Kringle, Nick’s equally eccentric wife who shares his unwavering obsession with Christmas. Carol is almost relentlessly cheerful, and she loudly welcomes the Severson family into the neighborhood with her Christmas carols and colorful string lights. Carol isn’t the type to take no for an answer, especially when it comes to celebrating Christmas. And as the Seversons soon discover, refusing her holiday hospitality may come with consequences.

Donald Faison as Daryl

Known from: Scrubs, Clueless, Skyline, Kick-Ass 2, The Exes, Pitch Perfect, The Perfect Match

Donald Faison plays Daryl, a recently divorced, video game-loving neighbor who seems to prefer the comfort of his own home over the company of others. A bit lonely and wary of the eccentric Kringle family, Daryl warns Mark that other neighbors who got too close to the Kringles have mysteriously disappeared in the past. Daryl doesn’t seem to have much interest in getting caught up in the Kringles’ twisted holiday traditions, but he isn’t about to let Mark walk in without a warning.

Beverly D’Angelo as Mama K Kringle

Known from: National Lampoon’s European Vacation, Violent Night, The Unicorn, Shooter

Beverly D’Angelo joins the cast as Mama K Kringle, an older member of the Kringle clan who suggests that the family’s unconventional holiday traditions may have been passed down generations. While little has been revealed about her specific role in the family’s disturbing holiday traditions, she’s part of the unusual household that makes the Seversons’ new neighborhood a nightmare.

D’Angelo is best known for playing Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon’s Vacation films, including the holiday classic Christmas Vacation. And if you thought the Griswolds had some unusual holiday traditions, just wait until you meet the Kringles.

Jack Jewkes as Bobby Severson

Known from: NCIS: Origins, 9-1-1, Criminal Minds

Jack Jewkes plays Bobby Severson, Mark and Julie’s young son, who quickly becomes fascinated by the Kringles and their never-ending Christmas celebrations. Similar to his mother, Bobby is drawn to the spirited family. But as he grows closer to them, his parents begin to worry that the Kringles’ influence over him goes far beyond a shared love of Christmas.

Alexis Kemp as Merry Kringle

Known from: Christmas at the Kringles is Alexis Kemp’s first credited acting role.

Alexis Kemp plays Merry Kringle, one of Nick and Carol’s children. Growing up in a household where every day is Christmas, Merry is no stranger to her family’s unusual holiday traditions.

Zeke Jones as Rudolph Kringle

Known from: Ick, Townies, Of the Devil

Zeke Jones plays Rudolph Kringle, another member of the Christmas-obsessed family. Alongside his siblings, Rudolph helps make the Kringle household a particularly strange place for the Seversons’ son, Bobby, to find himself.

Elliott Egler as Elf Kringle

Known from: Christmas at the Kringles is Elliot Egler’s first credited acting role.

Elliott Egler plays Elf Kringle, the youngest in the family. Elf rounds out the Kringle children, whose seemingly picture-perfect holiday lifestyle is anything but ordinary.

Watch More Horror Movies with DIRECTV

Ready for your next scare? October is the perfect time for a scary movie marathon, and DIRECTV has plenty of films to keep the thrills going all spooky season.

From family-friendly Halloween favorites to terrifying horror movies that will have you jumping out of your seat, there’s something for every kind of viewer.

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