Jamie Langston (Jake Lloyd), although just a child, is already quite familiar with the pangs of disappointment. His father, Howard (Arnold Schwarzenegger), has frequently let the boy down by missing important events and not being around to share quality time. Howard, however, has discovered the way to redemption. If he purchases a Turbo Man action figure for Jamie for Christmas, he will squeak back into his son's good graces.
Unfortunately, this discovery comes on the evening of December 23rd, giving Howard just one shopping day to get his hands on the season's most popular toy. Stores everywhere have run out of stock of Turbo Man actions figures, although every now and then Howard finds a slim chance of scoring one by means such as special raffle or through a crooked mall Santa (James Belushi). Obnoxious postal worker Myron Larabee (Sinbad) dogs his every move, becoming Howard's arch-enemy in the Turbo Man hunt. Meanwhile, Howard's long-suffering wife Liz (Rita Wilson) has become the target of a neighbor's (Phil Hartman) romantic advances.
"Jingle All the Way" is a sitcom episode stretched to feature length, given the star treatment, and boosted with special effects. A rose by any other name, however... Funny almost never and predictable almost always, the film holds little appeal for Arnie's core audience. Even kids will see the ending of the film coming from a mile away. Families who go to the film will forge a stronger bond because all in attendance will share in the fidgeting and yawning.