The holiday season of 2026 promises an intense thrill as Violent Night 2 is officially set to hit theaters on December 4, 2026. Produced by 87North and Universal Pictures, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2022 action-packed movie continues the saga of a mercenary-battling Santa Claus.
David Harbour is confirmed to reprise his role as the unlikely hero Santa Claus. However, industry insiders remain uncertain whether director Tommy Wirkola, who helmed the original film, will return to direct the sequel. According to Deadline, this remains an open question even as writers Pat Casey and Josh Miller are slated to pen the follow-up screenplay.
In the original Violent Night, a team of elite mercenaries infiltrates a wealthy family’s Christmas Eve gathering, taking everyone hostage. What they didn’t expect was Santa Claus—portrayed by Harbour—showing up as an unexpected and ruthless combatant. The film blended elements from various holiday classics and action staples, resembling a bloody mashup of Die Hard, Home Alone, Christmas Vacation, and Bad Santa.
Director Wirkola hinted last year at an expanded narrative universe for the sequel: “There’s stuff we left on the floor like the North Pole, Mrs. Claus, the elves. But story-wise, I think we have a really, really cool idea that expands on the world and scope but still keeping that tone that we love from the first one.”
The original cast also featured John Leguizamo, Beverly D’Angelo (known for Christmas Vacation), Alex Haskell, Alexis Louder, alongside Edi Patterson and Cam Gigandet. The film quickly earned a spot in the film industry as a distinctive blend of horror, comedy, and holiday action. In my review for BD, I praised Wirkola’s signature gore-soaked humor, calling Violent Night “a new crowd-pleasing Christmas-set actioner eager to splatter the snow red.”
Producers Kelly McCormick and David Leitch of 87North return to oversee the sequel’s production. As fans await further updates, the status of Wirkola’s involvement will be a key point of interest. The director is currently focused on his next project, the shark horror Shiver, scheduled for release in 2026.
