Top 10 Biggest TV Bombs of 2025 So Far

#10: The Wheel of Time (2021-25)Season 3

Not every show on this list is bad. Some might even say that The Wheel of Time was among the best modern shows that not enough people watched. That said, this adaptation of Robert Jordans books needed a much larger following to justify its lofty production costs. When it premiered in 2021, there were high hopes that it could be another Game of Thrones. By that point, though, Game of Thrones had been over for two years, and people were over it. Amazon nonetheless spun the wheel for three seasons, which cost around $80-$120 million each. While the show gained a loyal fan base, it never became a cultural phenomenon. Its time ran out this year, with Amazon canceling the fantasy series.

#9: Ironheart (2025)

Its hard to get a read on the reception toward this MCU miniseries. Critic reviews were more positive than negative, but its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is among the franchises lowest. Of course, this can likely be attributed to review bombing. While Ironheart might be better than the trolls will have you think, viewership hasnt exactly reached new heights. After its first three episodes dropped, TV Time reported Ironheart was the third-most-streamed show of that week. Following its finale, JustWatch announced that it was that weeks fifth-most-streamed show. Although the numbers could be worse, the fact that a Marvel show couldnt skyrocket to the top is yet another sign of how the mighty have fallen. Despite its cliffhanger ending, a second season seems doubtful.

#8: The Recruit (2022-25)

Season 2

When The Recruit arrived on Netflix in late 2022, it accumulated over 26 million views during its first three weeks. There was little doubt that the espionage drama would get a second season, which landed in early 2025. Over its initial three weeks, Season 2 only gained around 15 million views. Not long after, Netflix cancelled the series, although this wasnt necessarily due to a dip in quality. Outlets like Deadline argued that Netflix made a mistake bringing back The Recruit only a couple of weeks before releasing the second season of The Night Agent, which has a similar spy theme. It could also be that after more than two years, audiences forgot about The Recruit, and Netflix didnt put much effort into reminding them.

#7: Clean Slate (2025)

Laverne Cox and George Wallace co-created a sitcom that they also starred in? And it was one of the last projects produced by the late, great Norman Lear? How come this is the first were even hearing about it? The fact that were asking these questions might explain why Clean Slate was cancelled after one season, despite strong reviews. Perhaps not enough people knew of the shows existence, and therefore didnt watch it. There could also be more devious reasons for this. With the series centering on a trans woman, some have theorized that Amazon pulled the plug for political purposes. In any case, it felt like the slate was wiped clean before the show was given a real chance.

#6: Étoile (2025)

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino delivered one of Amazons flagship shows with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Its not surprising that Amazon leapt at the opportunity to distribute their next series. Before even debuting, Étoile received a two-season order. The series revolved around two ballet companies from across the pond that trade talent to reverse their fortunes. With Mrs. Maisel alumni like Luke Kirby at the forefront, Étoile seemed destined to land on its feet. Although reviews sang the Palladinos praises, the series didnt spend much time in Prime Videos Top 10. With the show costing a pretty penny, Amazon reneged on the two-season pickup, giving Étoile the vaudeville hook after one. Now might be a good time to make a new season of Gilmore Girls.

#5: The Baldwins (2025-)

Throughout the past few years, the accidental death that occurred on the set of the film Rust has loomed over Alec Baldwins career. With the charges against him eventually being dropped, Baldwin needed a comeback project that could restore good faith. This TLC reality series was the wrong vehicle. We get the sense that the show was meant to humanize Baldwin and his family. Considering the tragedy thats still fresh in the public eye, though, this whole idea came off as tone-deaf and exploitative. You cant even call it profitable exploitation, as ratings havent been up to TLCs usual standards. Along with the Rust trial controversy, Hilaria Baldwin has only brought the show more baggage with her Spanish accent scandal resurfacing.

#4: Pulse (2025)

In a golden age of television, medical dramas were starting to seem like relics of a bygone era. With The Pitt becoming a smash hit for HBO, though, people found that there was still value to this genre. Around the same time The Pitt wrapped up its first season, Netflix released its first English-language medical procedural. Pulse was no The Pitt, however. Reviews were middling at best, with critics feeling that the characters and certain storylines lacked well, a pulse. Its viewership also showed low vital signs, falling out of the Nielsen streaming charts after just two weeks. Three months after its debut, Netflix officially called the time of death. Even if it hadnt been overshadowed by The Pitt, Pulse likely wouldve been DOA.

#3: The Residence (2025)

The Residence shouldve been a certified success for Netflix. It was produced through Shondaland, a company known for churning out hit after hit. Emmy winner Uzo Aduba led an ensemble cast that included Giancarlo Esposito. With a murder mystery at its core and enthusiastic reviews, The Residence had everything it needed to ensure a second season. Everything except an audience. Upon debuting, viewership was below what some industry experts anticipated. Netflix subscribers were more drawn to Adolescence, which premiered a week earlier. People seemed to catch up with The Residence over time. At one point, it topped Nielsens overall chart for streaming shows in the U.S. Apparently, this was still too little, too late. Netflix cancelled the expensive whodunit a couple of months later.

#2: And Just Like That (2021-)Season 3

Being a follow-up to Sex and the City, And Just Like That already had an audience that was guaranteed to watch for the first season, at least. Rather than appeal to its built-in fan base, And Just Like That targeted demographics that it clearly doesnt understand. In an attempt to appear more progressive, the characters we used to love ironically came off as uncomfortably behind the times and out of touch with reality. It took another season for the poor reception to drastically impact the ratings, which fell nearly 60%. Viewership for Season 3 has sunk even lower, suggesting that the only people still watching are the most forgiving Sex and the City completionists and those who just cant resist a cringefest.

#1: Suits LA (2025)

A USA Network staple for nine seasons, Suits didnt become a zeitgeist show until it came to Netflix in 2023. By then, Suits had been off the air for four years. With a renewed interest in the brand, NBCUniversal naturally prioritized a spinoff. Airing on NBC, Suits LA moved the legal action to the other coast. The show didnt bring many familiar faces with it, at least not among the main cast. While Harvey Specter and a few others popped up in guest spots, the new characters led by Stephen Amells Ted Black just didnt click with audiences. With ratings underwhelming and network executives seeing little growth potential, Suits LA lasted one season, proving that the clothes dont make the show. Its who wears them.

What other shows bombed in 2025? Let us know in the comments.