Netflix’s 10 Most Criminally Cancelled Series, Ranked By How Much They Hurt

Netflix cancelling shows has become common, but some cancellations feel particularly upsetting. While it’s expected in the world of streaming, it’s always disappointing when a show you love ends suddenly. Certain cancellations are especially frustrating, and fans often remain disappointed about them long after the show is gone.

It’s still frustrating to see Netflix cancel shows, and some cancellations feel particularly unfair. While at least a few of the sci-fi and fantasy series got proper endings, others were cut short, leaving viewers to imagine how the stories could have continued.

10) Sense8

Despite being cancelled in 2017, the sci-fi series Sense8 is still frequently mentioned as a Netflix show that deserved to continue. While it didn’t attract a huge audience, Sense8 developed a dedicated fanbase who passionately fought for its survival. The show, which centers on eight strangers with a mysterious connection, clearly struck a chord with viewers, and their efforts paid off: Netflix created a two-hour movie to give the story a satisfying conclusion.

While it’s good that Sense8 at least finished its story after being cancelled – something many shows don’t get – that closure also means it didn’t reach its full potential. The creators had a five-year plan for the show (according to Collider), and it’s disappointing we never got to see where it could have gone. The first two seasons were so strong, it’s easy to believe future episodes would have been just as good.

9) Warrior Nun

Netflix’s Warrior Nun gained a loyal fanbase but wasn’t popular enough to continue beyond two seasons. The fantasy series, which premiered in 2020, attracted viewers with its engaging story and relatable main character, thrust into a conflict between warrior nuns and demonic forces. While Season 2 arrived in 2022 and received very positive reviews from both critics and audiences, Netflix ultimately decided to cancel the show instead of ordering a third season.

The cancellation of Warrior Nun caused significant upset among fans, who quickly started online campaigns hoping to revive the show – much like what happened with Sense8. Like Sense8, plans were announced to continue the story as a three-part movie series. However, those movies haven’t been made, which makes Warrior Nun‘s cancellation feel even more disappointing. Thankfully, the show does have an ending that feels complete, though viewers were hoping for a happier outcome for Ava and Beatrice.

8) Lockwood & Co.

It’s a shame that Netflix’s Lockwood & Co. didn’t get more than one season, especially since it was based on a five-book series. Adapting fantasy and sci-fi is always risky, but this 2023 show really showed promise. The story followed three teenage ghost hunters in London, and the unique idea was brought to life well. After a strong start – earning high praise from both critics (100%) and viewers (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) – it felt like there was so much more potential to explore, but unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

Sadly, Lockwood & Co. didn’t get a second season. Netflix cancelled the show only a few months after it premiered, reportedly because not enough people were watching, according to Variety. Like many other cancelled Netflix shows with passionate fans, viewers tried to convince the streamer to change its mind, but their efforts weren’t successful. The first season’s finale truly marked the end of the series, which is especially disappointing because it left some storylines unfinished and was just starting to reveal key plot points. Thankfully, the show closely followed the books, so fans can still find closure and answers by reading those.

7) The Society

Netflix also cancelled The Society after just one season, and its ending was even more frustrating than Lockwood & Co., making it a bigger letdown. The show started with a captivating mystery: a group of high school students returned from a trip to find their entire town empty. This created an interesting survival situation, and the show had the potential to be a compelling mystery like Lost or From, though it didn’t quite reach that level of popularity.

Sadly, despite how people liked it (or didn’t), the show wasn’t cancelled because of low ratings. Netflix had actually ordered a second season! But The Society was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – its first episodes aired in 2019, just before production shutdowns caused many shows to be canceled or delayed. To make things worse, the first season ended with a frustrating cliffhanger, which made the cancellation even more disappointing for fans.

6) Shadow and Bone

Netflix’s Shadow and Bone had the potential to become a huge fantasy series, but it was canceled after only two seasons. Based on Leigh Bardugo’s popular Grishaverse novels, the show was one of the most exciting new fantasy offerings since Game of Thrones. Netflix invested significantly in bringing the author’s world to the screen, and the team behind the show were clearly dedicated to the project. Plus, the cast was incredibly well-suited to their roles, creating a truly special dynamic.

The first season of Shadow and Bone generally pleased viewers, but the second season took more liberties with the source material and wasn’t as well-received. Ultimately, Netflix decided not to continue the series, which was a disappointing decision for many fans. Not only did Shadow and Bone deserve a proper conclusion – leaving us without knowing what might have happened with these characters after the altered ending of Season 2 – but the cancellation also meant we lost out on a planned spinoff based on Six of Crows, a show that would have been a fantastic addition to fantasy television. Coming so soon after the end of another beloved series, this cancellation felt particularly painful.

5) 1899

After the success of their three-season Netflix series Dark, creators Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese seemed poised for another hit with 1899. The new sci-fi mystery quickly captivated viewers, demonstrating their ability to create compelling, suspenseful stories. However, despite mostly positive reviews (according to Rotten Tomatoes), Netflix cancelled 1899 after just one season, leaving fans frustrated with a major cliffhanger ending and sparking considerable backlash.

When 1899‘s creator, Bo Odar, revealed on Instagram that they had planned for two more seasons, the show’s cliffhanger ending felt even worse. Knowing that his previous series, Dark, had a satisfying conclusion made fans feel cheated out of what could have been an amazing story. 1899 probably would have unfolded in a similar way to Dark, but now we’ll never find out where the strange plot was going. This makes its cancellation particularly disappointing for many viewers, even though other shows on Netflix have also been cancelled after longer runs.

4) Santa Clarita Diet

I was absolutely gutted when Santa Clarita Diet was cancelled after three seasons – it was a show that really deserved more! It wasn’t just me, though; it had this amazing, dedicated fanbase who loved how weird and different it was. With stars like Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant, it really should have been a bigger hit. The creators even had a five-season arc planned, and it felt so unfair that Netflix cut it short in 2019, according to TV Guide. It was a truly unique show, and I still miss it!

It was genuinely disappointing when Santa Clarita Diet got canceled, especially considering how great the actors were, how clever the idea was, and how much love clearly went into making it. But what really stings is that the show ended on a major cliffhanger! It would have dramatically altered Joel and Sheila’s relationship in future seasons and promised even more hilarious moments. Sadly, despite fans trying to save it, Netflix didn’t renew it. And because there aren’t many shows quite like Santa Clarita Diet, its absence is truly felt.

3) GLOW

Although it wasn’t one of Netflix’s biggest hits, the series GLOW received a lot of praise for being original and innovative. The show, set in the 1980s, centered on two former friends who unexpectedly found themselves cast in the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling. It was a uniquely entertaining concept, and the strong performances from Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin definitely helped draw viewers in. GLOW also stood out for its diverse cast and willingness to address serious issues, all while maintaining a comedic tone.

Many were shocked when GLOW was cancelled, but the decision wasn’t based on the show’s performance. It had actually been renewed for a fourth and final season, but that was later reversed in 2020 (according to Deadline). The cancellation was a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it especially disappointing. The show was well-received, and only needed one more season to finish its story. Fans were understandably upset, and it was a particularly sad ending for such a fantastic series.

2) The OA

When people talk about Netflix shows getting cancelled, The OA always comes up – and for good reason! Fans are still upset about it ending seven years after its release. The show was surprisingly cut after just two seasons, even though critics liked it and the creators had planned five seasons. It seems Netflix didn’t think the devoted fanbase was big enough to justify the cost of continuing it, but everyone involved – the audience, creators, and actors – clearly believed in the show’s quality. Just last year, Jason Isaacs mentioned that both the creators and cast would be excited to revisit the series if given another chance.

The cancellation of The OA felt especially disappointing because it was clear the creators had a lot of exciting ideas planned. The second season ended with an unresolved cliffhanger, leaving viewers wanting more and hoping for answers that might never come. However, recent comments from Isaacs give fans more reason to believe a continuation is possible than with any other show mentioned here.

1) Mindhunter

The cancellation of Mindhunter remains one of Netflix’s most surprising decisions, especially considering how well-received the crime thriller was. While the show wasn’t cheap to produce, it had a loyal fanbase and earned consistently positive reviews (according to Rotten Tomatoes). Mindhunter stood out for its realistic and insightful approach to criminal investigations, focusing on the psychology of criminals rather than sensationalism. The series skillfully fictionalized real-life cases, managing to be both compelling and respectful.

David Fincher’s unique filmmaking style was central to the show Mindhunter, and he had envisioned it running for five seasons. However, Netflix cancelled the series after only two seasons. Fincher explained to Vulture that the show’s high production costs were the reason Season 3 never happened. Despite the expense, the quality of Mindhunter justified the budget, but it wasn’t enough to secure further episodes. Many believe the series had the potential to be one of the greatest crime dramas ever made, and its cancellation remains one of Netflix’s most disappointing decisions.

2026-06-16 05:18