“Deeply profound” and a “technical marvel” is what critics had to say about a soon-to-depart modern animated classic still available on HBO Max for just a few more days. The streaming platform is getting ready to kick off 2026 with a rush of fresh arrivals, but before titles like Fargo, John Wick, and Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans drop on January 1st, HBO Max is making room in its streaming library with the departure of a 98% critic-rated animated movie.
HBO Max subscribers only have a few more days to stream the “Certified Hot” on Rotten Tomatoes film Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. Dean Fleischer Camp’s beloved 2021 independent mockumentary film is scheduled to leave HBO Max on December 31st, giving subscribers just a week left to watch it. The movie centers around the titular Marcel, a small shell who lives with his grandmother, Connie, and their pet lint, Alan. When he befriends a filmmaker, Marcel sets out to find his missing family and becomes an internet sensation in the process.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Is a Near-Perfect Stop-Motion Classic With Emotion
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For being such a tiny, 1-inch character, the story of Marcel packs plenty of emotional depth. A heartfelt story for all ages, the movie doesn’t shy away from tackling serious themes like grief, loss, found family, and finding purpose as Marcel embarks on his tear-jerking and hopeful journey, but the movie balances its deep emotion with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. The film’s surprising emotional depth wasn’t the only thing to earn high praise from critics, who also applauded its charming blend of live action and stop-motion animation.
The movie proved to be a critical darling. Empire’s John Nugent dubbed it as a “funny, profound, weird, sad, and gorgeously constructed” film, while Paste Magazine’s Tara Bennett called it “a delicate, whimsical and poignant escape that will make you feel stronger, taller and better for it.”
The movie about the adorable yet small shell achieved some epic feats. In addition to scoring a “Certified Hot” 98% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a “Verified Hot” 90% audience rating, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On racked up plenty of accolades, even earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature Film and a Golden Globe Awards nod for Best Motion Picture – Animated, and taking home three Annie Awards, two Hollywood Critics Association Awards, and a National Board of Review award.
Where to Stream Marcel the Shell with Shoes On After It Leaves HBO Max?
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On seems to be marching off of HBO Max and streaming altogether. The movie currently does not stream outside of HBO Max, and it isn’t currently included on any of the major streaming service’s January 2026 newsletters. The movie will still be available to rent or buy online, and it is possible that it will pop up on a different platform next month or in the near future.
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