Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Jingle All the Way Could’ve Lost $19 Million in Copyright Controversy Until Court Reversed the Decision in Studio’s Favor in 2001

Arnold Schwarzenegger became the premier star in the action cinema genre from the mid-80s to mid-90s. But while the ‘Austrian Oak’ was climbing to his throne as a revered action star, he also showcased his versatility by delving into comedy. Even during his peak action hero years, Arnie starred in blockbusters like Twins (1988). In the latter half of his career, the bodybuilding legend also starred in a 1996 comedy, Jingle All the Way.

While the film didn’t receive glowing reviews from critics, it’s become a beloved Christmas Classic over the decades. However, Jingle All the Way landed in a copyright controversy just five years after its release. Initially, the court ordered 20th Century Fox to pay $19 million in compensation. However, a key piece of information turned the case in the moviemaker’s favor.

The Arnold Schwarzenegger film was set to face a huge monetary loss

In 2001, a Detroit high school biology teacher, Brian Webster, filed a case against 20th Century Fox. The teacher claimed that Jingle All the Way had stolen the idea from a script he submitted to the studio in 1994. Webster reportedly alleged that his script for “Could This Be Christman?” was eerily similar to Jingle All the Way’s plot.

Webster also alleged that the studio didn’t credit or pay him despite garnering $129 million in box office collections. In March 2001, a U.S. District Court jury in Birmingham, Michigan, ordered Fox to pay Webster $19 million in compensation. After appeals, the court reduced the amount to $1.5 million. However, 20th Century Fox submitted a document that turned the tide in their favor.

The studio explained that they had “purchased a treatment (summary or outline) of what became the movie’s script”, before Webster submitted his script. After the submission, the court reversed its verdict. The Arnold Schwarzenegger flick narrowly avoided a monetary blow and taint on its image as a feel-good Christmas movie. Keeping all that aside, what’s interesting is that the Schwarzenegger film was indeed based on a real-life scenario.

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The shopping frenzy that inspired Jingle All the Way

In Jingle All the Way, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character strives to redeem himself by getting his son a toy. However, a series of comedic mishaps ensue as Arnie’s character struggles to get his hands on the Turbo Man action figure his kid badly wants. Schwarzenegger’s character Howard faces much difficulty because of the frenzy behind parents trying to get their hands on the action figure.

What’s even more interesting is that a real-life shopping frenzy that unfolded in the 1980s inspired the movie’s plot. In the early 80s, the high demand of Cabbage Patch Toys became a headache for parents. In 1983 alone, even a staggering production figure of three million failed to satisfy user demand. 

Hence, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1996 film portrayed a satirized version of a real-life event. While Webster’s script might’ve had similarities, the court ultimately dismissed the case.

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