Netflix is famous for being the first major streaming service, its smart recommendation system, and giving second chances to shows canceled by traditional TV networks. They’ve also made some not-so-great films and are known for the distinctive ‘TUDUM’ sound at the start of their content. Recently, however, Netflix has gained a reputation for canceling promising TV shows after only a couple of seasons, even when those shows have a dedicated fanbase.
Many popular and promising TV shows on Netflix have been cancelled after just one or two seasons – a trend often called the ‘Netflix curse.’ This has happened to well-regarded series like Daredevil, Sense8, and Mindhunter, as well as less successful ones like Jupiter’s Legacy, Fate: The Winx Saga, and the Cowboy Bebop remake. What these shows all have in common is that they were cut short, lasting fewer seasons than comparable shows on other streaming services or traditional networks. Unlike platforms like The CW, where a decent sci-fi show might run for years, Netflix’s reliance on algorithms means even appearing in the Top 10 isn’t enough to ensure a show gets renewed.
Despite the challenges, many Netflix series have proven they can run for years and become truly successful. While a lot of these long-running shows started when Netflix was first building its original content library, some newer series have also become major hits. So, what makes a Netflix show last? We’ve highlighted some examples that might offer clues.
10 TV Shows That Survived Netflix’s Three-Season Curse
Black Mirror (2011- )
With 7 seasons available, Black Mirror has been a major success for Netflix. While the show originally aired two seasons and a Christmas special on Channel 4, Netflix picked it up in 2016 and has since released five more seasons, plus the interactive film Bandersnatch. Even though the show’s dark and cynical themes may have become somewhat predictable over time, its popularity is likely due to two key factors. First, as an anthology series, it only requires actors to commit to a single episode, allowing for a diverse and high-profile cast. Second, its unsettling and often eerily relevant storylines make it a compelling watch for many viewers.
House of Cards (2013-2018)
Netflix struck gold early with House of Cards, and it could have easily lasted much longer if the lead actor hadn’t faced serious allegations. The show was a sleek, thrilling, and cynical take on Washington politics – exactly what viewers wanted in the mid-2010s. Each new season was a hit, but the show ended after six seasons in 2018, with a major character unexpectedly killed off due to the circumstances.
Orange Is the New Black (2013-2019)
The Netflix drama Orange Is the New Black ran for an impressive seven seasons. While some fans felt the show overstayed its welcome, it remained popular for a long time. The series, set in a women’s prison, was known for juggling many storylines at once—often six to ten per episode. Even when viewers lost interest in the main characters, the show always had compelling side stories to keep them engaged. After a long run—one of the longest for a Netflix drama—OITNB ended in 2019.
BoJack Horseman (2014-2020)
The animated comedy-drama BoJack Horseman ran for six seasons on Netflix, releasing about one season each year. The show was a critical success, consistently praised for its blend of humor and serious themes, and it quickly gained a dedicated following. BoJack Horseman became strongly associated with Netflix itself, representing the platform’s commitment to unique, intelligent, and thought-provoking content that wasn’t afraid to take risks.
Grace and Frankie (2015-2022)
Spanning seven seasons, Grace and Frankie likely appealed to viewers who preferred more traditional sitcoms. It was one of Netflix’s most successful attempts at this style, boasting a cast of beloved veteran actors like Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sam Waterston, and Martin Sheen. The show became a surprise hit thanks to its witty humor and heartwarming story about an unlikely friendship between two women whose husbands come out as gay. It explored themes of finding joy and new beginnings later in life, proving it’s never too late to pursue your dreams.
The Crown (2016-2023)
With six seasons, The Crown was a huge success for Netflix. The historical drama told the story of a famous modern monarch, featuring a rotating cast of popular British actors playing members of the royal family. The show consistently won awards, like Emmys and Golden Globes, and concluded because the storylines reached contemporary times. As the show progressed, it began depicting events that weren’t truly historical, such as the first meeting of Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2001.
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
As a huge fan, it’s wild to think Stranger Things is wrapping up with season five! Considering how long the show has been on, almost a decade since it first came out, it really highlights how much work goes into making a series of this quality, especially with episodes that often exceed an hour. I think Stranger Things really kicked off this huge wave of 80s nostalgia – suddenly everyone was talking about Stephen King, arcades, and D&D! It also kind of changed TV, making shows feel more like big-budget movies. It’s definitely been one of Netflix’s biggest hits, and I’m curious to see what they focus on after it’s over.
Queer Eye (2018- )
With nine seasons already completed (and a tenth on the way), the Queer Eye reboot is one of Netflix’s biggest hits and its longest-running unscripted series. (Unscripted shows generally perform well – Netflix’s popular dating show Love Is Blind also has nine seasons and is expanding internationally.) This new version of Queer Eye refreshed the makeover show format for a modern audience, with a strong focus on emotional well-being and self-improvement. It’s common for at least one person to have a really emotional moment in each episode.
Love, Death + Robots (2019- )
The animated sci-fi series Love, Death + Robots has quietly become a hit for Netflix over its four seasons. What makes it work is its anthology format – each season features different animation studios adapting short stories or original scripts in a variety of styles. Like most anthologies, some episodes are better than others, but there are always a few standouts. And in today’s world of short attention spans, having a collection of high-quality, short-form content is a smart move for any streaming service.
Virgin River (2019- )
With six seasons already completed, Virgin River is a romantic drama that offers a completely different vibe than shows like Stranger Things. While it might not get the same widespread attention, it’s built a dedicated following and consistently delivers new episodes. The show takes the familiar Hallmark-style story – a woman leaving city life for a fresh start in a small town – and expands it into a long-running series full of unexpected twists and turns. Plus, with a source material of 20 books, there’s plenty of story to tell for years to come.
10 TV Shows That Were Rescued by Netflix
Arrested Development (2003-2019)
Despite being hugely influential and developing a dedicated fanbase, Arrested Development didn’t attract a large enough audience during its original run on Fox to last more than three seasons. When it was cancelled in 2006, creator Mitchell Hurwitz said the show had naturally reached its conclusion after 53 episodes, despite talk of it moving to Showtime. However, Netflix brought the show back in 2013 for a fourth season of 15 episodes, all taking place within the same timeframe and each focusing on a different character. While fans were glad to see it return, the unusual format was confusing. In 2018, Netflix released Arrested Development Season 4 Redux: Fateful Consequences, which re-edited the season into 22 episodes presented in chronological order. The show came back for a fifth, more traditionally structured season, which concluded in March 2019.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020)
As a huge Star Wars fan, I remember a really interesting bit of streaming history. For a little while, Star Wars: The Clone Wars was actually a Netflix Original! It was back when streaming was still figuring itself out, and shows jumped around between networks. The series was canceled by Cartoon Network after five seasons in 2013, but then Netflix stepped in and not only brought it back for a sixth season, but also landed a deal to be the exclusive streaming home for Star Wars content. That lasted a couple of years, until Disney decided to launch Disney+ in 2017. Ultimately, Disney+ released the seventh and final season of The Clone Wars in 2020, bringing the story to a proper conclusion.
The Killing (2011-2014)
For a period, Netflix became known for rescuing shows that other networks had canceled prematurely. A prime example is The Killing, an American adaptation of a Danish crime series. It originally aired on AMC for two seasons before being canceled in 2012. However, a deal between AMC, Fox Television Studios, and Netflix allowed for a third season, with Netflix securing streaming rights after its AMC broadcast. Despite another cancellation by AMC after season three, Netflix stepped in to produce a final season of six episodes, finally giving the series the conclusion it deserved. This back-and-forth—canceled, revived, canceled again—is typical of the rollercoaster ride that The Killing offered.
Longmire (2012-2017)
Before Netflix became known for its original content, it became adept at acquiring popular, critically acclaimed shows that other networks had canceled. These shows often had dedicated fans but weren’t generating enough viewers for traditional cable or premium channels. One example is the Western crime drama Longmire. After A&E canceled it in 2014 after three seasons, Warner Horizon Television looked for a new home, and Netflix picked it up, adding three more seasons before ending the series in 2017. Currently, Longmire isn’t available on Netflix in the US due to expired licensing agreements, but you can now stream it on Paramount+.
Designated Survivor (2016-2019)
Lucifer (2016-2021)
Cobra Kai (2018-2025)
From the beginning, the future of YouTube Red/YouTube Premium looked uncertain, but the series Cobra Kai unexpectedly succeeded despite those challenges – a perfect storyline for a show centered around underdogs. The first two seasons debuted on YouTube, gaining enough viewers that when YouTube decided to stop producing original content, Netflix stepped in to save the already-completed third season and stream it on their platform. Cobra Kai then moved to Netflix for all following seasons, concluding with its sixth and final season in 2025.
Manifest (2018-2023)
The show Manifest became an early example of a new pattern at Netflix. Originally airing on NBC for three seasons before being canceled, it quickly gained a large audience after being added to Netflix. This prompted Netflix to revive the show for one final season, adding it to their collection of original content. However, viewers soon noticed this “final season rescue” was becoming a trend – Netflix would acquire canceled shows, give them one more season, and then cancel them again, essentially delaying the inevitable.
You (2018-2025)
Luckily, You followed a similar path to success with streaming. The show, a dark romance about a serial killer, originally aired its first season on Lifetime, and things seemed promising for Joe Goldberg and his…targets. However, Lifetime cancelled the second season. The show then landed at Netflix, which quickly picked it up after seeing its strong performance on streaming platforms (viewership on Lifetime hadn’t been as good). Netflix aired the second season, plus three more, finally concluding the series in 2025 with Season 5, and thankfully ending the reign of the original, seemingly intellectual bad boy.
Girls5Eva (2021-2024)
Peacock originally created the comedy series Girls5Eva, which followed a former turn-of-the-millennium girl group as they tried to make a comeback. While the show gained a dedicated fanbase over its two seasons on Peacock, it didn’t attract enough viewers for the platform. When Peacock canceled it, Netflix picked up the series for a third season in 2024, much to the delight of fans. However, Netflix ultimately canceled Girls5Eva after that single season.
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2025-10-21 18:29