Top 20 TV Shows Netflix RUINED

#20: “Friends from College” (2017-19)

This short-lived series follows a group of Harvard graduates in their post-college lives, navigating romantic relationships. An obvious “Friends” retread, the series received major backlash for its seemingly uncritical portrayal of its vain, selfish, and smug characters. Things improved in the second season, becoming more self-aware of the characters’ flaws and framing them as such. Also, Max singing in a falsetto squeak at his and Felix’s wedding is a genuinely hilarious moment. Although the show got better reviews, Netflix gave it the axe after the second season. We’ll never know now if the show did indeed get better or stayed a pale shadow of its former “Friends.”

#19: “Jupiter’s Legacy” (2021)

The legacy of this show is definitely tarnished. Based on the titular comic series, this show follows the superhero team, Union of Justice, and the struggle of the next generation of heroes to live up to their parents’ ideals. Despite mixed critical reviews, it did excellent numbers in initial viewership, ranking over “The Handmaid’s Tale” and below “Shadow and Bone.” The high production budget didn’t do the show favors, either. Netflix could have given it more of a chance, but as usual, decided to pull the plug early after just eight episodes. Obviously, Netflix understood some of the show’s appeal, for it decided to greenlight an animated spin-off series, “Super Crooks.” Strange.

#18: “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” (2016)

Sorry, “Gilmore Girls” fans. This miniseries sees the return of Rory Gilmore, now a freelance journalist, to her hometown in Stars Hollow, following her love affairs and her relationship with her mother. Although it was a highly faithful reboot, critics were ambivalent over “Year in the Life’s” lack of progression and blatant nostalgia bait. Rory and Dean even meet again for fan service purposes. Fans were also miffed by the lack of progression, the strange anachronism of it all, and lack of character development in general. Your mileage may vary, but Netflix could have done a better job with this revival.

#17: “The Witcher: Blood Origin” (2022)

Do not toss a coin to this “Witcher.” After the success of “The Witcher,” Netflix greenlit this four-episode prequel series. A band of seven misfits and outsiders goes against an empire, and we learn about the creation of the very first Witcher. Cool… except no one really liked it. Critics were unimpressed by the humdrum storyline, weak writing and acting, and lackluster villains. Fans were incensed by “Blood Origin’s” departure in tone and lore from the first series, ignoring the source material. Also, what was with the singing? Fortunately, this was just a miniseries, but Netflix’s choices will live on in infamy.

#16: “Warrior Nun” (2020-22)

This was the deepest cut of all to fans. This series about demon-fighting nuns charmed critics with its good fight choreography and performances, although some felt this was a less witty “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” retread. “Warrior Nuns” did even better with its audiences, with fans praising its queer representation. Its second season was the highest-scored season in all of Netflix at the time, with a 99% audience score! So when Netflix cancelled the series shortly afterwards, shocked fans rallied to action on social media, setting up a petition. There were rumors of a possible revival, but it seems that has died. What a nonsensical decision by Netflix.

#15: “Fate: The Winx Saga” (2021-22)

“Winx Club” fans were done dirty by this live-action remake. The original animated series was a fun and stylish magical girl show still beloved by fans today. Netflix decided to reboot the show as a gritty supernatural teen drama, with underwhelming results. Critics were largely unimpressed. Fans, meanwhile, were miffed by the drastic changes in character and tone. There was huge controversy over whitewashing accusations, with the Lucy Liu-inspired Musa being portrayed by an actress who isn’t East Asian. The Hispanic-coded Flora was also missing from the first season before appearing in the second. As usual, Netflix gave “The Winx Saga” two seasons before quietly pulling the plug. What a mess.

#14: “Blockbuster” (2022)

Workplace comedies are a rare breed nowadays, which made “Blockbuster” hard to watch for most critics. Early aughts nostalgia aside, its toothless comedy and the shallow development of its characters did not win over many viewers. Its resemblance to the more well-received show “Superstore” did not help matters either. There was also a curious lack of irony in the fact that real-life Blockbuster was put out of business by Netflix itself. We must wonder why Netflix even gave such a series the greenlight in the first place. Either way, Netflix cancelled the show very quickly, which was for the best. Still: Why?

#13: “Cowboy Bebop” (2021)

They brought the whole gang together, but they did not jam. “Cowboy Bebop” is legendary by this point, widely praised as one of the best anime of all time with a particularly excellent English dub. Hopes and expectations were high when Netflix announced a live-action remake. Sadly, it was a very mixed bag for both critics and audiences. Critics were disappointed by “Bebop’s” writing and pacing. Fans bristled over the show’s lack of thematic fidelity to the original, although some of the casting choices were well-received. Needless to say, everyone smelled a cash grab more than a labor of love, and Netflix canned it after one season. Maybe someday, space cowboy.

#12: “The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance” (2019)

The original 1982 Jim Henson film developed a bit of a cult following. Who better than Netflix to mess up its revival? The irony is, this reboot was well-received by critics, with praise for the worldbuilding and the puppetry. “Age of Resistance” even won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program and a Visual Effects Society Award. Flush with success, the showrunners were already preparing for a second season. So how did Netflix mess it up? By cancelling it after one season for no reason. Uggg. We’re scratching our heads too, and the fans were none too pleased. Now this was a baffling fumble indeed.

#11: “Fuller House” (2016-20)

This sequel to ABC’s “Full House” came and went after mostly negative reviews. Critics were not pleased by the show’s lazy, derivative writing, crude humor, and the same premise and style, canned laughter and all. The show creator being accused of verbal abuse and sexual harassment was further assault to injury. The show did win a few awards, however, including a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Premium Comedy Series. Despite this mixed reception, Netflix renewed the show, allowing it to continue for a full five seasons. What’s the rationale here? We don’t know.

#10: “Lockwood & Co” (2023)

Based on a book series, this Netflix show had an interesting premise. In this alternate Britain, ghosts are frighteningly real and causing havoc, and only children can sense them. When Lucy Carlyle runs away from home, she is hired by supernatural investigations company, Lockwood & Co. Both critics and audiences enjoyed the series’ charm and sense of adventure. Viewership numbers were also very high: It stayed on Netflix global top 10s for three weeks, and was its number one show by its second. So naturally, Netflix cancelled it after a single season because the numbers weren’t high enough to justify a second season. Okay. It sounds fake, but okay.

#9: “1899” (2022)

This mind-twister of a show should have gotten more seasons. In 1899, a group of European emigrants traveled from Southampton to New York City on a steamship. This trip is far from ordinary, though, and soon supernatural events begin to occur. The series attracted a solidly positive critical response and very high viewership numbers, with “1899” ranking number two on Netflix’s Top 10 just three days after its release and was the most-watched show in 58 countries. Even so, Netflix did not renew the show for a second season, prompting fans to form a petition. Now that’s a mystery that bests even “1899’s” twists and turns.

#8: “Marco Polo” (2014-16)

This historical epic series involves less history and is far less epic than one expects. “Marco Polo” follows the titular explorer at the court of Kublai Khan. Critics, however, found the game more entertaining than this show, by and large finding it bombastic and cheesy. Despite some promising award nominations, “Marco Polo”’s big budget and international cast proved too unwieldy to stand for long. True to form, Netflix cancelled it after only two seasons, losing $200 million in the process. We can only conjecture why and how it even got a second season in the first place. Again, what a waste.

#7: “Julie and the Phantoms” (2020)

Music lovers rejoiced when this musical dramedy dropped on Netflix. The series follows teen Julie Molina as she accidentally summons the deceased band, Sunset Curve, who return as ghosts. Even critics were charmed by the series’ well-executed musical numbers and paranormal drama. It was nominated for a handful of Daytime Emmy Awards, winning three. Plus, it was produced by Kenny Ortega of “High School Musical” fame. Sweet. So, of course, Netflix pulled the plug after just one season. Your guess is as good as ours, but it seems “Julie and the Phantoms” attracted a wider demographic than Netflix anticipated, expecting more younger viewers. Either way…oy.

#6: “The OA” (2016-19)

This supernatural drama follows the reemergence of Prairie Johnson, who has been missing for seven years. She calls herself the OA and tells her story to a team of five locals. “The OA” was a critical darling, with the BBC ranking it as one of the greatest TV series of the 21st century. Its second season was even more well-received. Despite its cliffhanger ending, Netflix cancelled the show. In response, fans circulated petitions and even raised funds for a digital billboard in Times Square. One fan went on a hunger strike! There is a definite willingness among the show creators to bring back “The OA” in some form. What the hell, Netflix?

#5: “Resident Evil” (2022)

This video game franchise is still going strong. This Netflix series is the second TV adaptation and the third live-action one in total. Although viewership numbers were high, “Resident Evil” garnered mixed to overwhelmingly critical negative reviews. The audience scores were arguably even more dismal on Rotten Tomatoes. There was unfortunately some backlash over the casting of people of color, especially Lance Reddick as the usually white Albert Wesker. The fact that this “Resident Evil” had a teen drama plot only vaguely related to the original did not help matters either. Netflix cancelled the series after one season, which sounds about right.

#4: “Space Force” (2020-22)

Another workplace comedy bites the dust. “Space Force” follows a team of people tasked to establish the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces. Despite its all-star cast and great special effects, the series received middling to negative reviews for its first season, with critics citing the show’s uneven blend of humor and satire. Reviews, however, vastly improved in “Space Force’s” second season. Overall, the show was nominated for a host of Primetime Emmy Awards. Despite this, Netflix canned it after its second season. Whether “Space Force” would have steadily improved or been mired in its premise, we’ll never know.

#3: “Iron Fist” (2017-18)

This MCU show could have been a lot better than it was. Danny Rand is Iron Fist, struggling to choose between his company and his duties as his superhero alter ego. Unfortunately, this series has the distinction of being the most unpopular Marvel series on the platform. The first season received low critical reviews. There was, however, an improvement in the second season, although reviews were still heavily mixed. Although Marvel wanted the series to continue, Netflix axed it in 2018, to few people’s surprise. Netflix wound up losing the Marvel shows anyway to Disney+, and were removed from the platform on March 1, 2022.

#2: “Hemlock Grove” (2013-15)

Based on the novel by the same name, this horror series is set in the titular town, following the brutal murders of two teenage girls. “Hemlock Grove” received mostly negative reviews for its first and second seasons, with critics calling it a mess. Audience ratings were more positive, and it did receive high viewership, beating out “House of Cards” on its first weekend. Netflix did allow the series to continue past its second season, but in October 2022, it removed the show entirely from its streaming service. Honestly, we’re astounded the show even got a third season in the first place.

#1: “13 Reasons Why” (2017-20)

This was a highly controversial show by any stretch of the imagination. Based on the titular book, “13 Reasons Why” revolved around several cassette tapes made by a student who took her life. Although the first season was a hit with both critics and audiences, its other seasons were far less so. Moreover, the series’ depiction of depression, sexual violence, and mental health issues was heavily criticized by professionals and advocates. Despite the growing negative reception, Netflix did not cancel the show until after its universally panned fourth season. Truly: What was their reasoning?

Which other show do you know was done dirty by Netflix in some way? Let us know in the comments down below!