Netflix Special Sparks Outrage: Tells Kids the Truth About Santa Claus

Netflix is facing criticism after the release of comedian Matt Rife’s new holiday special, Matt Rife: Unwrapped – A Christmas Crowd Work Special. Parents are upset because the special includes a joke revealing that Santa Claus isn’t real.

Many viewers noticed that Netflix automatically plays a preview of the special when opening the app on a standard profile. In the preview, Rife directly jokes that Santa is just parents. Some parents feel this ruins the magic of Christmas for young children.

Social media quickly filled with complaints. On Reddit, one user wrote, “Netflix and Matt Rife are ruining Santa for little kids if you open the app on its default setting.” Others called the autoplay preview “scummy,” suggesting it was a deliberate marketing move to get attention.

The controversy highlights how Netflix promotes its content. By default, the app features autoplay previews, often pushing new specials to viewers’ screens without warning. Critics argue that this approach can be harmful when the content isn’t suitable for all audiences.

Netflix has responded in the past by pointing out that they offer a dedicated children’s profile to avoid exposing kids to inappropriate content. However, some parents say this does not always prevent their kids from seeing previews if they open a regular profile.

While comedy often pushes boundaries, many parents feel this crosses a line by taking away the joy of Santa from children. Autoplay previews make it easy for kids to stumble across content not meant for them. On the other hand, adults may see it as harmless humor.

What do you think? Should Netflix be more careful with previews for families, or is this just part of comedy? Share your thoughts in the comments.