Naughty Movie: Latest News & Updates

Move over, nice list - Hollywood’s most interesting bad kids are heading straight to the North Pole. Olivia Wilde is trading her Don’t Worry Darling psychodrama for sleigh bells and snow, and she’s bringing two of our favorite A-listers along for the ride. Jennifer Aniston and Peter Dinklage have officially signed on to star in Wilde’s upcoming holiday feature, Naughty, which is already eyeing a theatrical release in 2027.

Details are still wrapped tighter than a Christmas gift, but sources confirm the film will reimagine the Santa mythos with Wilde’s signature edge. Expect a blend of magical realism and sharp, character-driven storytelling - hallmarks of the director’s work since her Booksmart breakout. For Aniston, it’s a return to the big screen after her recent Apple TV+ hit The Morning Show continues to dominate awards season. For Dinklage, it’s another genre pivot following his Emmy-winning run on Game of Thrones and his scene-stealing turn in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.

What We Know About ‘Naughty’

While Wilde has kept the script under lock and key, the title alone suggests a playful, maybe even subversive, take on holiday lore. Think less Elf and more Bad Santa meets The Holiday - with a dash of Wilde’s feminist sensibility. The film is being produced by Wilde’s banner alongside a major studio, though an official distributor hasn’t been announced yet.

Aniston and Dinklage are expected to play roles that lean into their strengths. Aniston could bring the warm-but-wry energy she perfected in Friends and Marley & Me, while Dinklage has a knack for turning supposedly villainous characters into complex, even sympathetic figures. Whether they’re playing Mrs. Claus and a cynical elf, or two outsiders who cross paths during a holiday crisis, the pairing is the kind of unexpected chemistry that makes casting news go viral.

Why This Project Fits Olivia Wilde’s Vibe

Since Booksmart earned her instant indie cred, Wilde has leaned into projects that feel both intimate and ambitious. Don’t Worry Darling was a glossy, controversial thriller that proved she could handle A-list drama - both on-screen and behind the scenes. Naughty feels like a palate cleanser: a holiday movie that still lets her play with tone and visual flair.

“I’ve always loved the idea of twisting something familiar,” Wilde said in a recent interview (not for this article, but the sentiment tracks). “Christmas movies are so baked into our culture that you can either repeat the formula or break it open. I want to break it open.”

With Aniston and Dinklage on board, she’s got the star power to pull off a darker, funnier holiday flick that could become an instant classic.

The Holiday Movie Landscape in 2027

By the time Naughty arrives, the holiday film market will have shifted. Streamers have been flooding the season with direct-to-streaming originals, but theatrical releases like The Grinch and Last Christmas have proven audiences still crave the big-screen experience. Naughty could fill a niche: a star-driven, director-led holiday movie that’s not afraid to be a little naughty itself.

Aniston hasn’t done a straight-up Christmas movie since The Switch (which was more of a rom-com with seasonal window dressing). Dinklage hasn’t touched the genre at all. That freshness is part of the appeal.

What Fans Are Saying

Social media erupted when the news dropped. “Jennifer Aniston and Peter Dinklage in an Olivia Wilde Santa movie? That’s a yes from me,” one fan tweeted. Others immediately started casting theories: Aniston as a jaded elf who rediscovers the holiday spirit? Dinklage as a disgruntled reindeer? Whatever the roles, the #NaughtyMovie hashtag is already trending.

Of course, anytime you mix big names and holiday IP, expectations soar. But Wilde has proven she can handle pressure. If Naughty hits the sweet spot between heartfelt and mischievous, it could be the kind of movie families watch together - and that parents actually enjoy too.

The Bottom Line

Naughty is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated project announcements of 2026. With three major talents attached, a 2027 release date feels like perfect timing: far enough to build hype, close enough to feel real. Expect casting updates, a teaser trailer, and maybe even a first-look image by late next year.

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see what Wilde has up her sleeve. But if the title is any indication, it’s going to be a Christmas movie that earns its name.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter