Knives Out 3 Is Still Dominating Netflix, But I Did Not See A St. Nick Lookalike Movie Beating Out George Clooney

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You absolutely should check out the new movie Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery if you haven’t already. It’s a really good and captivating mystery with stunning visuals, though it feels a little different in tone from previous Benoit Blanc films. (You can read our full review here.) It’s no wonder it’s still the most-watched movie on Netflix worldwide! However, it’s surprising to see that a new romantic comedy – which audiences haven’t loved, according to Rotten Tomatoes – is actually being watched more than George Clooney’s Jay Kelly.

Since its limited release in theaters and arrival on Netflix on December 5th, Jay Kelly has consistently been popular, appearing on the Top 10 lists worldwide and in the US. This is especially impressive for a dramedy directed by Noah Baumbach, known for films like The Squid and the Whale.

It seems surprising that a lighthearted romantic comedy is doing better than other films, even though My Secret Santa actually became available on Netflix a couple of days earlier, on December 3rd. And, interestingly, K-Pop Demon Hunters, which came out in June, is still popular in the Top 10 – likely because of its unique and engaging topic.

So, What Is My Secret Santa About?

“My Secret Santa” is a new Christmas film about a mom who cleverly disguises herself as Santa Claus – complete with a fake belly and exaggerated makeup – to earn money for her child’s ski lessons. By working as Santa, she can take advantage of employee discounts at the resort, making the lessons affordable.

While pretending to be someone else, she reconnects with the resort owner – someone she’d met before without the disguise. This leads to a lot of funny chaos. The movie has a certain appeal for some viewers and received a decent 73% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, general audiences aren’t enjoying it as much, making it somewhat unexpected that it’s currently performing better than a George Clooney film.

Here’s how everything is stacking up right now, globally:

  1. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
  2. My Secret Santa
  3. Jay Kelly
  4. K-Pop: Demon Hunters
  5. The Super Mario Bros Movie
  6. Death Wish
  7. The Hustle
  8. The Croods
  9. The Lorax
  10. A Merry Little X-Mas

That’s a good list! Let’s take a closer look at the best order to watch these movies and shows available on Netflix.

I Don’t Think The Subject Matter Is The Only Reason Though.

As a movie critic, I’ve been thinking a lot about why Netflix seems to work the way it does, and it really comes down to how people are using it. I see two main types of viewers: those who go to Netflix with a specific movie or show in mind, and those who are just browsing, hoping to stumble upon something good. Understanding that difference, I think, is key to understanding the whole Netflix experience.

The new film Jay Kelly is gaining attention and awards consideration from those following independent cinema. While it features well-known actors like Adam Sandler and George Clooney, it’s not a typical, widely-appealing comedy. It’s aimed at a dedicated audience who will likely seek it out soon after its release on Netflix in 2025, and may even find some personal resonance with its themes of aging.

Despite featuring Alexandra Breckenridge, known from the popular series Virgin River, My Secret Santa is a movie meant to be discovered by chance. It’s likely to attract viewers interested in the general theme rather than those specifically searching for it, which could mean it stays popular on the streaming service for a long time. And with the holidays here, the timing is perfect.

It’s great to see Netflix succeeding with its original content. Usually, the Top 10 list is filled with movies and shows Netflix has licensed from other studios. But right now, that’s not the case. Currently, the top four titles are all Netflix originals, and as examples like Jay Kelly and My Secret Santa demonstrate, they’re appealing to a wide range of viewers with diverse tastes.

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2025-12-23 16:09