December brought a storm of streaming surprises, where festive cheer faced off against unexpected contenders and bold moves dominated the digital storefronts. This month showed that the holiday season isn’t just for festive comfort – platforms delivered plenty of unexpected hits to keep audiences engaged. From sci-fi epics to game-changing partnerships, December offered something for everyone. As platforms fought for attention during the busiest month of the year, one big question loomed: who rose to the top? For the full story and rankings, check out December’s US Merchandiser of the Month report.
Prime Video set the tone for the holiday season with Red One, a high-energy action film featuring Dwayne Johnson that quickly became a global sensation. This festive adventure clearly combined action with holiday spirit in a way that resonated with audiences. In just four days, it achieved over 50 million views and delivered Amazon MGM’s biggest debut ever. With an MPV™ score of 1,302, Red One not only resonated with viewers, but it carved out a space for itself among the month’s most prominent titles. Prime Video’s approach balanced big-name appeal with creative storytelling, solidifying its place as a major player this season.
Meanwhile, Dune: Prophecy turned up the heat, climbing significantly in digital prominence from the previous month. This latest installment in the Dune series stood out in a season often dominated by lighter fare, allowing a variety of content even during the holidays. Its striking visuals and compelling narrative made it a key talking point for December. And on the topic of major returns, Netflix’s Squid Game Season 2 debuted to huge fanfare, bolstered by a comprehensive global marketing strategy. With tailored campaigns across multiple regions and clever use of digital storefronts, Netflix ensured the series stayed front and center. Curious about which promotional strategies had the most impact? The full December US Merchandiser of the Month report breaks it all down.
Even the world of sports got in on the action, with FIFA’s groundbreaking $1 billion deal with DAZN paving the way for free streaming of all 63 matches of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. With 12 US venues and a grand finale at MetLife Stadium, this move is redefining what it means to bring soccer to the masses.
And while holiday blockbusters naturally drew plenty of attention, December saw some surprising genre shake-ups. Unexpected thrillers and unconventional titles climbed the rankings, showing that viewers aren’t content to stick with predictable seasonal content. Platforms responded by diversifying their offerings, keeping audiences intrigued throughout the month. With much more news, trends, and insights to uncover, make sure to explore the full December US Merchandiser of the Month report for the stories and strategies that made this season one to watch.