Last Chance To Stream: Alan Ritchson’s Hidden Comedy Gem Leaves Netflix Soon
Stream it before it vanishes: Alan Ritchson’s 2016 R-rated buddy comedy Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland — which he co-wrote and stars in, reviving his unhinged role from the series — leaves Netflix in a few days.
If you blinked, you might've missed that Alan Ritchson, now muscling his way through 'Reacher', once co-wrote and starred in a pretty wild college comedy that’s been quietly hanging around on Netflix for the better part of a decade. Well, that run is almost over—'Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland' is about to disappear from the platform, so if you’ve been meaning to catch it (or rewatch), the clock is ticking.
Netflix's Not-So-Subtle Breakup With Thad
'Blue Mountain State: The Rise of Thadland' is getting the boot from Netflix on Friday, May 1, 2026. This R-rated buddy comedy has been quietly lurking there since 2016, but like a college student who never graduates, Netflix has finally decided it’s time to move on.
The Movie’s Story: Partying Like It’s Senior Year
Here’s the rundown: the movie picks up after the original Spike TV series ('Blue Mountain State') got axed—like three seasons and then see ya. But the fandom didn’t die, and neither did the cast’s urge to party on screen.
The plot cranks the absurdity up: Alex (Darin Brooks) is in his last year at Blue Mountain State. Suddenly, a new dean (Ed Amatrudo) rolls in and threatens everything by seizing the infamous Goat House—pretty much ground zero for all debauched shenanigans and football bro gatherings. Alex figures there’s only one shot at saving it: rope in Thad Castle, played by Alan Ritchson in full manchild mode. Conveniently, Thad is now rolling in NFL cash, but he’s not just handing over a check. Instead, he demands the ultimate rager—the wildest party the college has ever seen, or no deal.
Who’s Who in Thadland
- Alan Ritchson as Thad Castle (also co-wrote the script, because he’s apparently that invested in chaos)
- Darin Brooks as Alex Moran (still trying to graduate, still clinging to the Goat House dream)
- Chris Romano as Sammy (the show’s human cartoon character, back for more stupidity)
- Ed Amatrudo as Dean Olivares (the killjoy)
- Frankie Shaw as Mary Jo, James Cade as Harmon, Omari Newton as Larry, and Lindsey Sporrer as Holly all show up to keep the antics properly ridiculous
Kicked Off TV? No Problem—Let’s Crowdfund a Movie
When the original series got the ax, the folks behind it went to Kickstarter—because why not ask the fans to literally pay for more mayhem? And credit to them, almost 24,000 people opened their wallets, piling up just under $2 million (yep, $1,911,827) to make this thing happen.
Lionsgate took care of getting it out there, releasing it as Premium Video on Demand way back on February 2, 2016. Netflix grabbed it a month later, on March 1 of that year, and that’s where it’s been living ever since.
If You Ever Wondered Why You Don’t Hear About This Movie…
Honestly, 'The Rise of Thadland' didn’t exactly blow the doors off with critics or viewers—unless those doors were of the Goat House, in which case, mission accomplished. On Rotten Tomatoes, the audience gives it a not-so-great 46%. Basically, the movie is loud, messy, and barely tries to be anything other than what the Kickstarter backers wanted: one more chance to see Thad light things on fire (sometimes literally).
'The film ultimately failed to meet viewers’ expectations, resulting in low ratings on review aggregator sites.'
Bottom line: If you’re a diehard Blue Mountain State fan or just want to see Alan Ritchson in his unruliest role, you’d better queue this up before May 1, 2026. Otherwise, those wild days at the Goat House are about to go on permanent hiatus.