Netflix led the pack in cancelations for 2024, ending more shows than any other network or streaming platform. Altogether, Netflix bid farewell to 22 series in 2024, a mix of outright cancelations and planned conclusions. This reaffirmed their reputation for high turnover in original programming after the outcry over the seemingly abrupt axing of beloved series like KAOS.
According to a new study by Watch In America, the streaming giant canceled 16 English-language shows outright this year, with an additional six being granted final seasons to conclude their stories. Here’s a full list of Netflix shows canceled in 2024:
- Arcane
- Avatar (Renewed for 2 seasons, ending after third season)
- Blood of Zeus (Renewed for third and final season)
- Bad Dinosaurs
- Barbarians
- Break Point
- The Brothers Sun
- Buying Beverly Hills
- Buying London
- Dead Boy Detectives
- Everything Now
- Girls5eva
- Kaos
- My Dad the Bounty Hunter
- Obliterated
- Outer Banks (Renewed for fifth and final season)
- Ratched
- Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
- That ’90s Show
- Unstable
- The Witcher (Renewed for fifth and final season)
What Netflix’s 2024 Cancelations Mean
The Story Behind the Numbers
Although Netflix is often criticized for “canceling everything,” the reality is more nuanced. Some shows labeled as “canceled” in 2024 were always intended to have finite story arcs. Arcane, for instance, concluded naturally after season 2, as decided by its creators. The live-action Avatar‘s upcoming conclusion after three seasons mirrors the structure of the original animated series, which spanned three books to tell Aang’s complete story. Even Outer Banks, ending after its fifth season, was always envisioned as a five-season journey.
The platform’s ability to churn out a massive volume of shows is both a blessing and a curse.
These planned endings differ starkly from shows like Kaos and Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, which didn’t survive past the first season. However, another study analyzing various platforms’ cancelation rates between 2020 and mid-2023, revealed that Max actually had the highest rate of show cancelations, axing 26.9% of its shows compared to Netflix’s 10.2% (via Variety). Netflix’s immense library of original content ensures that its cancellations draw the most attention. Platforms like Peacock, which produce fewer shows, don’t face the same level of scrutiny despite similar percentages of shows being cut.
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10 Netflix Original TV Shows That Didn’t Deserve To Be Canceled
While Netflix is famed for its variety of incredible TV shows and movies, it’s also notorious for canceling beloved TV shows before their time.
Netflix’s unparalleled production scale allows for a wide array of content but also guarantees more cancellations, planned or otherwise. While some endings honor creators’ visions, others leave subscribers longing for more, cementing Netflix’s role in the cultural zeitgeist as both a prolific creator and a ruthless curator of original programming.
Our Take On Netflix’s 2024 Cancelation Record
It Balances Creativity and Closure
Netflix’s sheer output ensures that it will always be at the center of the cancelation controversy. The platform’s ability to churn out a massive volume of shows is both a blessing and a curse. It provides variety for viewers but also results in more noticeable cancellations, creating a perception of unpredictability. While it’s easy to focus on the endings of shows like Kaos and the live-action Cowboy Bepop, the majority of their series were allowed to fulfill their creators’ visions. Ultimately, Netflix’s strategy is a reminder that in the fast-paced world of content creation, change is the only constant.
Source: Watch In America, Variety
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service offering on-demand access to movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. Founded in 1997 as a DVD rental service, it transitioned to streaming in 2007 and now operates in over 190 countries.