Ever since Netflix decided to move from DVD rentals into the streaming world, things have never been the same. Since then, Netflix has invented and perfected the art of binge-watching through the hundreds of original series they put out year after year. In addition, they have given several shows a home that would not have ever found one on traditional television networks.

Netflix certainly lives up to its tagline “see what’s next” by constantly uploading new content. Determined to be the home of the next big hit, Netflix has a history of canceling fan-favorite shows after only one season without ever explaining why.

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Updated on March 10th, 2022 by Danielle Bruncati: Despite being one of the biggest streaming services that can afford to house some “low-performing” shows, Netflix continues to cancel new shows left and right. In the last two years, Netflix has taken the ax to beloved young adult shows with large social media fanbases, multi-cam comedies, and even live-action anime adaptations. It seems like there is no sure way to keep a Netflix show out of dreaded canceled after one season club since they even canceled a show that garnered Emmy wins. 

Julie And The Phantoms (2020)

Based on a Brazillian show Julie and the Phantoms centers on Julie, a young teenager who has lost her passion for music after the death of her mom. After accidentally summons 3 ghosts from a 90s band, the misfit group decides to help each other out by becoming a real band.

Julie and the Phantoms were released on Netflix at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and gave fans a much-needed escape from the terrible world. Despite cultivating a strong fan base online, Netflix refused to renew the show after keeping fans’ hopes up for over a year.

The Get Down (2016)

Created by Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby) and released on Netflix in August 2016, The Get Down follows the rise of hip hop in South Bronx, New York during the late 1970s.

Though the series was released in two parts, it officially only had one season, leaving many fans angry and wanting more from the talented diverse cast. The series received high praise from critics for its innovative storytelling and music, but even the rave reviews weren’t enough to save The Get Down. 

Girlboss (2017)

Inspired by Sophia Amoruso’s real life and her bestselling autobiography #GirlBoss, the series Girlboss centers on Sophia Marlowe, a twenty-year-old who manages to start her own fashion brand inspired by vintage clothing while still in college.

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Girlboss aired in April 2017 but was unfortunately canceled shortly after. The series currently holds a 36% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received mixed reviews with critics who couldn’t decide if the show portrayed a feminist message or not.

Disjointed (2017-2018)

Not even TV-legend Chuck Lorre, who created The Big Bang Theory, is immune from the dreaded canceled after one season club. However, Disjointed did make Netflix history as the streaming service’s first original multi-cam sitcom.

Disjointed centers on Ruth, a middle-aged woman who has spent decades advocating for legal marijuana. Now that it’s legalized, she ropes her son and his friends into helping her run a dispensary in LA.

Everything Sucks (2018)

Everything Sucks is arguably one of Netflix’s best teenage dramedies, and yet the series has joined the ranks of Freaks and Geeks for being a one-season show. Created by Ben York Jones and Michael Mohan, the series was set in the 1990s and focused on a group of high school outcasts from the A/V and drama club who decide to work together to create a movie.

The series found a cult following on Netflix but fell short when it came to critic reviews who found that the show relied too much on 90s nostalgia. However, the show was praised by both fans and critics for its coming out storyline.

Daybreak (2019)

Loosely inspired by Mad Max and based on Brian Ralph’s comic series of the same name, Daybreak centered its action in a post-apocalyptic world where teenagers are the only ones who have survived a bomb that has turned every adult into a zombie.

In typical Netflix fashion, all ten episodes of the first season were released in October 2019, and by December 2019 the series had been canceled.  The series became notable for its ability to break the fourth wall in the same vein as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. 

Soundtrack (2019)

Released on Netflix in December 2019, Soundtrack centers on a group of Los Angeles citizens who are often romantically entwined. The series plays with time, featuring several flashbacks but the core of the show centers on the power of music.

Soundtrack is one of the most underrated musical dramas of all time and it’s a shame the series never got a chance to shine. It features the musical stylings of several iconic artists and sadly, marked the final acting performance for Markie Post.

The Society (2019)

Another Netflix teen show to get the boot after only one season is The Society, a teen mystery created by Christopher Keyser. Inspired by the bestselling novel Lord of the Flies, the series centers on a group of teenagers who return home from an extended camping trip to find all the adults in their town have vanished. The series follows the teenagers as they try and survive without their parents while also trying to discover why they disappeared.

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The Society did find a fan base on Netflix and was originally renewed for a second season, but thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Netflix rescinded its renewal, and thus, the series was canceled after one season.

Tuca And Bertie (2019)

While Netflix’s original animated shows might not be a huge selling point for the platform, the streaming service has had success when it comes to adult animated shows like BoJack Horseman. Unfortunately, Tuca and Bertie did not reach expectations.

The series centered on two 30-year-old bird best friends who live in Bird Town and are navigating their everchanging lives. Ali Wong and Tiffany Haddish lend their voices to the main characters, but even their comedy chops couldn’t save the show from its cancellation.

V Wars (2019)

Inspired by the comic series by Jonathan Maberry and Alan Robinson, V Wars centers on Dr. Luther Swann (Ian Somerhalder), a doctor who finds himself at odds with his best friend when a new disease that turns humans into vampires runs rampant through their town.

The series dropped on Netflix in December 2019 and after several months of waiting was officially canceled in March of 2020. Despite having a fanbase already established and having Ian Somerhalder play the lead, V Wars failed to carve out space in the world of Netflix.

Away (2020)

Netflix’s sci-fi drama series Away centered on astronaut Emma Green (Hilary Swank) as she leads an international crew to Mars while leaving her family behind on Earth.

With so many films and shows centered around space travel, Away failed to stand out amongst the crowd, which ultimately led to its downfall. After only one month on the streaming service, Netflix canceled the series.

I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

Based on a graphic novel created by Charles Forsman, I Am Not Okay With This centers on Sydney Novak (Sophia Lillis), a young teenager who not only is trying to figure out her sexuality but has also discovered that she has superpowers.

I Am Not Okay With This was released in February 2020, was met with rave reviews, and quickly earned a following on Netflix. Unfortunately, the series fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic and was canceled by Netflix in August.

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Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

The latest show to fall victim to the Netflix chopping block is the innovative and hilarious teen drama series Teenage Bounty Hunters. The series centered on Blair and Sterling Wesley, two twin sisters who live in the Southern Bible Belt. Despite going to an elite high school, the girls wind up becoming bounty hunters after a wild night out.

The series earned rave reviews when it dropped in August of 2020 and currently boasts a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%. Unfortunately, none of that was able to save it, and Netflix officially canceled the series in October of 2020.

Cowboy Bebop (2021)

Based on the successful Japanese anime movie and series of the same name, Netflix thought a live-action adaptation of Cowboy Bebop would have been an instant hit. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and the series was canceled less than a month after it was released.

The series, which is set in 2171 and centers on a ragtag group of bounty hunters who track down criminals in the Solar System, was criticized for its poor writing, special effects, and editing. Not even the adorable corgi could save this show.

The Crew (2021)

The Crew premiered on Netflix in February 2021 and was canceled a few months later in July. The multi-cam series centered on Kevin Gibson, a NASCAR crew chief whose garage is turned upside down when his new CEO boss hires a millennial crew who doesn’t always know what they’re doing.

NASCAR is a pretty niche audience which is probably why Netflix decided to cancel The Crew after only 10 episodes. Though it is a shame considering Kevin James is an incredible comedic actor.

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About The Author


Danielle Bruncati
(298 Articles Published)

Danielle Bruncati was born and raised in Southern California and has been a story-teller for as long as she can remember. She is currently a freelance writer for ScreenRant and is also pursuing a Master’s Degree in Television Writing and Producing from a top 10 film school. When she’s not writing, Danielle can be found binging the latest sitcom or teen tv series with her dog by her side or walking around Disneyland with a Mickey-shaped snack in hand.

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