Mel Gibson’s Fatman Is a Paramount+ Streaming Hit

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With the holidays just around the corner, a surprisingly gritty and violent take on Santa Claus is becoming a hit. The film Fatman, starring Walton Goggins, is currently topping the streaming charts on Paramount+.

According to FlixPatrol, the movie Fatman has been among the top 10 most-watched films on Paramount+ all week in the United States. It reached number one yesterday, November 20th, after spending much of the week in second or third place. Today, it’s currently at number two, as Tom Cruise’s American Made has climbed to the top spot. Fatman stars Mel Gibson as a cynical and unconventional Santa Claus who’s dealing with problems at the workshop, government meddling, and a particularly frightening threat: a hitman hired by a child who was placed on the naughty list.

The movie ‘Fatman’ blends familiar story elements but presents them as a fast-paced, gritty action film – with varying success. The plot centers on Santa Claus and his wife, Ruth, who are facing challenges as children’s behavior has changed. While the U.S. government has historically supported Santa’s operation because of the economic boost from Christmas, they’ve started reducing funding, leaving Santa feeling disillusioned.

The movie Fatman is a surprising take on the Christmas story, blending dark humor with action – a combination you don’t often see. While it’s currently gaining popularity on Paramount+, it received a mixed reaction when it first came out in 2020. Critics were divided, and it currently has a ‘rotten’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 43% score based on over 115 reviews.

Critics found Fatman surprisingly serious for a movie with such a silly premise—a darker take on Santa Claus—but felt it didn’t quite succeed. However, audiences generally liked it more, giving it an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though this is based on feedback from fewer than 50 verified viewers.

Gibson’s Long-Awaited Passion of the Christ Sequel Remains in Development

Although Mel Gibson’s take on a Christmas story is only gaining recognition now, his 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ, was a huge hit in theaters. A follow-up has been discussed for years, and production has recently begun. Two new films are currently scheduled for release in 2027.

The movie has faced some changes during production. Recently, it was announced that Jaakko Ohtonen will take over the role of Jesus, previously played by Jim Caviezel, and Mariela Garriga will now play Mary Magdalene, replacing Monica Bellucci. Rupert Everett has also joined the cast, though his role hasn’t been revealed yet. The film is currently scheduled for release in theaters on March 26, 2027.

Mel Gibson’s Fatman is now streaming on Paramount+.

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2025-11-21 20:07