Netflix is Pulling the Plug on Fatman and Happy Christmas

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The holidays are full of Christmas movies and shows, but two popular ones will soon be removed from Netflix before the end of the season.

Starting January 1st, 2026, Netflix will remove the films Happy Christmas (2014) and Fatman (2020) from its catalog. Happy Christmas, an independent film written and directed by Joe Swanberg, features Melanie Lynskey and Anna Kendrick (known for Another Simple Favor). The movie centers on Jenny (Kendrick), a free-spirited woman who moves in with her brother and his family after a breakup, disrupting their lives.

On January 1st, Mel Gibson’s film Fatman will no longer be available. Directed and written by Eshom and Ian Nelms, the movie didn’t perform well in theaters, earning only $1.6 million despite costing $20 million to make. The cast includes Gibson, Walton Goggins (known for Fallout), and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

Fatman is a darkly comedic take on the Santa Claus story, featuring a disillusioned and unconventional Santa (known as Fatman). The film follows Santa and his wife as they grapple with a changing world and increasingly cynical children. A young boy hires a man named Skinny Man (played by Goggins) to kill Santa, who also holds a personal vendetta against him. While critics weren’t impressed, giving the film a 43% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audiences have responded positively, awarding it an 84% score on the same site.

The movie Happy Christmas received generally positive reviews from critics, earning a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the “certified fresh” designation based on 79 reviews. However, audiences didn’t respond as well, giving it a low 37% “spilled popcorn” rating after over 5,000 reviews. This contrasts with Fatman, which had a different reception.

Mel Gibson’s Latest Role is in Hunting Season

Mel Gibson has traded in his jolly Santa Claus persona for a role in a new thriller, now available to rent or purchase digitally. He stars alongside Shelley Henning and Scarlet Rose Stallone in the film, which centers around a mysterious woman found near a river. Her arrival profoundly impacts the young girl who finds her and her protective father, and draws the attention of a dangerous drug lord determined to eliminate her.

CBR Report

CBR Report

The movie Hunting Season has received generally positive reviews, earning a 69% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 13 reviews. Audiences seem to like it even more, giving it a 78% rating from over 100 ratings. Meanwhile, director Gibson is preparing a new film about Jesus, starring Finnish actor Jaako Ohtonen in the lead role, replacing Jim Caviezel. Mariela Garraga, a Cuban actress, will play Mary Magdalene, a role previously portrayed by Monica Bellucci in a 2004 film. The new movie is scheduled for release in 2027.

Happy Christmas and Fatman will leave Netflix on Jan. 1, 2026.

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2025-12-22 01:08