Netflix just axed eight shows and it has some unexpected titles
Netflix has been brutal with its lineup this year. The streaming giant has canceled 8 shows from January till now. Besides, these are not low-rated shows, as some of them include global hits such as 'Alice in Borderland' and 'Terminator Zero.' According to PEOPLE, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said that these cancellations are based on performance and budget, not creative success. He explained, "A lot of these shows were well-intended but talk to a very small audience on a very big budget. The key to it is you have to be able to talk to a small audience on a small budget and a large audience at a large budget. If you do that well, you can do that forever."
Here is the list of all the shows canceled by Netflix:
1. Alice in Borderland
The most popular show to be canceled is the Japanese action-thriller, 'Alice in Borderland.' In the second-half of 2025 viewership report, Netflix announced its cancellation. Although the series has been left at an unclear point in the season three finale, the narrative can be considered concluded. The series, adapted from a manga of the same name, had garnered a global fan following due to its thrilling story that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. A reason for the show's discontinuation can be its massive budget. Each episode required a massive set piece, alongside expensive visual effects work. However, no official reason has been provided for the cancellation.
2. Terminator Zero
The animated series developed by Mattson Tomlin was canceled after season one in February this year. Tomlin, who also served as the showrunner, shared on X that the reason behind its cancellation was "not nearly enough people watched it." He also wrote, "I would’ve loved to deliver on the Future War I had planned in seasons 2 and 3, but I’m also very happy with how it feels contained as is." The season was lauded by critics and viewers for its engaging story and innovative visuals.
3. The Abandons
Kurt Sutter created this Western drama series that featured 'Game of Thrones' star Lena Headey and veteran actress Gillian Anderson in lead roles. The show is set in the 1850s, making its production cost extremely high. The series could not stay on the Top 10 charts for over two weeks. And after four weeks, it had garnered less than 20 million views. Hence, the cost to create this series was much more than the return. Besides that, the show’s critical and audience reception was not favorable enough to stop the axe from falling.
4. Billionaire's Bunker
This Spanish series centers around a group of billionaires sheltering in a bunker. However, things turn intense when an old feud between two families resurfaces. The series, created by Álex Pina and Esther Martínez Lobato, debuted on September 19, 2025. However, it was canceled after three months due to average viewership. The show also failed to connect with the critics, who gave mostly unfavorable reviews.
5. The Vince Staples Show
'The Vince Staples Show' follows the American actor and rapper navigating the challanges of everyday life in his hometown. The series was created by Vince himself, alongside Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams. The show received mostly positive reviews from viewers and critics. However, there was a significant drop in its viewership during the second season, as per Deadline.
6. Class
'Class' is the Indian Hindi-language remake of the hit Spanish series 'Elite.' It focuses on the lives of students from an elite school, who live in their own bubble, unaware of the reality of the struggling world around them. However, when three students from financially poor families join the school, all their lives spiral into chaos. The show was canceled in December, 2024, despite having enough existing materials from the original show to produce several more seasons.
7. Miss Governor
'Miss Governor' was the brainchild of Tyler Perry, who created this show with Niya Palmer. Terri J. Vaughn played the lead role of Antoinette Dunkerson, a Lieutenant Governor candidate juggling her personal and professional life. The comedy series blended family comedy with social commentary and political satire. Sadly, these unique themes could not save it from Netflix's axe due to poor reception and average ratings.
8. Pop the Balloon Live
The final entry in the list includes the reality dating show hosted by Yvonne Orji. 'Pop the Balloon Live' has also been canceled due to poor viewership and low ratings, as reported by Deadline. This comedy dating format, where contestant give live feedback to their potential suitors, was inspired by a popular YouTube show. It was also one of the first live entertainment shows on Netflix.
