When Netflix introduces a new show, it’s so easy to get excited about it, but with the rate at which the streaming service cancels shows, it’s also easy to be a little nervous to fall in love with a new show. There have been so many new shows over the years that we’ve fallen in love with, only for Netflix to cancel them abruptly after one season, or suddenly end them with no answers. There are so many shows that we’d love for Netflix to bring back just to get that closure we so desperately want.
The Society
The Society follows a group of teens who have to learn to work and live together to create a thriving community when everyone in their town suddenly disappears. With no way to contact anyone or even escape their town, they need to learn to function as a new society with the limited resources that they have left.
This show was so incredibly popular and had a huge following after just one season on the streaming service, which is why people were so shocked to find out that the show had been canceled, despite being renewed for a second season. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Netflix had to find a way to save money, and The Society met the chopping block. Everyone was shocked, including the cast and crew, as they had already started production on the second season.
Julie and the Phantoms
Julie and the Phantoms is the brainchild of High School Musical director Kenny Ortega. The show followed Julie, a teenager who recently lost her mom, and as a result, her love for music. She meets a group of teenage boys only to find out that they’re actually dead, and only she can see them. Together, they help her find her love of music again, while she helps them piece together their death.
The show was big on music and performances, and quickly formed a huge following. After the first season ended, naturally, fans wanted more, but Netflix left them hanging. The show was in limbo for quite some time. Ultimately, the decision was made to cancel the show completely, leaving fans devastated.
GLOW
GLOW, also known as Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, was a show set in the 80s that followed a struggling actress as she auditions to be a wrestler for the GLOW organization. Once she lands the role, she needs a crash course in becoming the best wrestler she can be.
The show was very successful and even won multiple Emmy awards. There were a total of three seasons, and fans were excited that their beloved show was going to get a fourth and final season to end things; however, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet again, the show was canceled before it could get the proper ending that it deserved.
Sense8
Sense8 follows eight people from all around the world who are connected somehow and could share things with one another instantaneously. From the start, fans loved the show and were excited to find out that there were five seasons planned for the show.
Unfortunately, the show was canceled after just two seasons. Netflix tried to make things right by making a special movie that was more like an epilogue, effectively ending all the stories that were left without any closure. While it wasn’t the five seasons that fans were expecting and deserved, at least they got some sort of ending to the story.
The Get Down
Set in the Bronx, The Get Down took place in the late 1970s when hip-hop and disco music were on the rise. It follows a group of teenagers as they explore their love for music and their lives during that time.
This show was supposed to be the “next big thing” on Netflix, and at the time, it was the most expensive show created for the streaming service, costing approximately $120 million to make. The show was only on for one season, split into two parts. After the second part was released, Netflix made the announcement that the show wouldn’t be continuing.
Warrior Nun
Warrior Nun follows a girl who wakes up in a morgue only to find out that she’s a part of an ancient order, and she has to fight demons found on Earth. With only two seasons, the show quickly developed a huge following. After the second season, Netflix made the decision to cancel the show. Angry fans demanded that the show continue and fought back against the cancellation.
With all of the backlash, the producer made the announcement that instead of another season, the show would get a trilogy of movies. That announcement came in August 2023, and as of now, it doesn’t look like anything will be happening anytime soon. The latest update is that there is no update, and everything is in limbo.
Fate: The Winx Saga
Fate: The Winx Saga follows five fairies as they attend a school for magic called Alfaea, where they learn how to use their superpowers. The show was inspired by a beloved animated show on Nickelodeon, The Winx Club. With fans excited to see the live-action version, it had a huge following from the beginning. However, there were only two seasons made before it was abruptly canceled without any explanation.
1899
1899 follows a steamship that travels from Europe to New York. During their voyage, they encounter another ship adrift at sea. Strange things start happening, leaving the crew and passengers incredibly frightened. After only one season, it was easy to see that there were multiple seasons planned for the show. However, Netflix canceled it after one season. Fans were angered as they were left with cliffhangers and unanswered questions.
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Following the beloved character Sabrina Spellman, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina follows our favorite witch as a sort of partner show to Riverdale. The show had two seasons that were both split into two release dates, but was eventually canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
There were two crossovers with Riverdale in the sixth season of that show that kind of tied up some loose ends for The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It wasn’t what fans necessarily wanted, but it was some sort of closure for the show, nevertheless.
The Santa Clarita Diet
The Santa Clarita Diet is your not-so-typical zombie show. The mother, Sheila, who becomes a zombie after eating some bad clams, now needs to learn how to live life as a zombie… and not eat any humans. There are only three seasons of the show, but fans were sad to see it go after the third season, especially because it ended on such a large cliffhanger, leaving everyone wanting more, but not getting anything else anytime soon.
Why Does Netflix Cancel Shows So Quickly?
According to Dan Goman, the CEO of Ateliere Creative Technologies, Netflix makes its quick decisions to cancel shows based on data and performance metrics.
He said, “The access to this private data gives Netflix a more nuanced view of how a show performs, which could explain why they’re so quick to cancel projects that don’t meet certain thresholds, even if they show potential for growth. Their content subscription business thrives on efficiency, and by prioritizing high-performing content, Netflix ensures its catalog remains sharp and engaging, a necessity in a fiercely competitive market.”
Furthermore, he said, “By quickly eliminating content that doesn’t align with their performance metrics, they can focus resources on shows that have a better shot at sustaining long-term viewer engagement, helping them maintain their position as a leader in the streaming world.”
