Netflix has produced a vast array of original content since its foray into original programming in 2013. While the streaming giant has found tremendous success with hit shows like "Stranger Things" and "Squid Game", it has also experienced its fair share of high-profile flops. From critically panned series like "Cowboy Bebop" and "Space Force" to big-budget failures like "Marco Polo" or "The Ridiculous 6", Netflix has greenlit numerous projects that have failed to connect with audiences and critics alike. This gallery examines the biggest Netflix originals that missed the mark, providing insight into the challenges of producing compelling content at such a massive scale.

Atlas (2024)

'Atlas', starring Jennifer Lopez, has been widely regarded as a critical flop. It holds a low 19% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 37, indicating a dismal reception from critics who criticized its lack of originality and poor writing. Despite its critical failure, the film managed to achieve significant viewership on Netflix.

Bright (2017)

This fantasy crime film starring Will Smith and Joel Edgerton was intended to be the start of a new franchise, but it received poor reviews and failed to generate enough interest for a sequel.

The Electric State (2025)

Despite a massive $320 million budget and a star-studded cast (Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown), the film failed to attract a significant audience and quickly dropped out of the platform's top rankings. Critically, it was panned, earning a dismal 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers citing shallow writing, poor world-building, and a lack of emotional connection.

The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

This Adam Sandler comedy film was criticized for its lack of cultural sensitivity, with numerous Native American actors walking off the set during production due to offensive portrayals. Despite Sandler's star power, the film received poor reviews from critics and failed to connect with audiences.

The Midnight Club (2022)

At a hospice for terminally ill young adults, eight patients come together every night at midnight to tell each other stories - and make a pact that the next of them to die will give the group a sign from the beyond. It was meant to run for two seasons. However, the series was canceled after one season.

Red Notice (2021)

"Red Notice" is a complex case when evaluating its success or failure. On one hand, it became Netflix's most-watched movie ever, indicating a significant viewership success despite receiving poor reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of just 36%. Despite its viewership success, many critics and viewers felt that the movie did not live up to its potential due to a predictable plot and lackluster script.

The Get Down (2016)

This ambitious musical drama, created by Baz Luhrmann, was one of Netflix's most expensive original productions at the time, with a reported budget of $120 million for the first season alone. However, the series failed to connect with audiences and received lukewarm reviews, leading Netflix to cancel it after just one season.

True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016)

This action comedy film starring Kevin James received a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics panning its weak screenplay, poor filmmaking, and negative depiction of Venezuela. The film's failure was a significant disappointment, as it had generated significant hype in the years leading up to its production

Space Force (2020)

The people tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services: The Space Force. The show received negative reviews from critics and was cancelled after two seasons.

The Woman in the Window (2021)

An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors; only to witness a disturbing act of violence. The film was produced was originally scheduled to be theatrically released, but was delayed and subsequently sold to Netflix due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The excesses of the plot and its contrivances were widely panned by critics.

Marco Polo (2014)

Another high-budget Netflix original, Marco Polo was reportedly a financial failure for the streaming service, with estimates of over $200 million in losses. Despite a notable improvement in quality in the second season, the series was ultimately canceled after two seasons due to its inability to justify the massive investment.

Turn Up Charlie (2019)

Charlie, a struggling DJ and eternal bachelor is given a final chance at success when he reluctantly becomes a nanny to his famous best friend's problem-child daughter. The series premiered on 15 March 2019 on Netflix. In April 2020, the series was cancelled after one season.

Cowboy Bebop (2021)

The series was criticized for its writing, special effects, editing, and action sequences. Netflix cancelled the series after one season, leaving the series on a cliffhanger.

Jupiter's Legacy (2021)

The first generation of superheroes has kept the world safe for nearly a century. Now their children must live up to their legacy in an epic drama that spans decades and navigates the dynamics of family, power and loyalty. The series received mixed reviews from critics, and was canceled after one season.

The Unforgivable (2013)

The film stars Sandra Bullock as a woman who, following her release from prison after serving twenty years for committing murder, is determined to reunite with her estranged younger sister. It received mixed reviews from critics but Bullock's performance was praised.

Hemlock Grove (2013)

This supernatural horror series, produced by Eli Roth, received mixed reviews during its three-season run. Critics cited issues with the show's pacing, storytelling, and lack of focus, despite praise for its visual effects and music. Ultimately, Netflix canceled the series after the third season due to its failure to gain a significant following.

Away (2020)

The series struggled to find a large audience, and Netflix ultimately decided to cancel it after just one season. The cancellation was seen as a disappointment, as "Away" had been positioned as a prestige project for the streaming service, with a reported budget of $6 million per episode.

Resident Evil (2022)

The Resident Evil series, developed by Andrew Dabb for Netflix, was loosely based on the popular video game franchise. Despite high expectations, the series received mixed reviews from critics and negative reviews from audiences. Netflix decided to cancel the series after just one season due to its underwhelming performance in terms of viewership and critical reception.

The King (2019)

This historical drama directed by David Michôd and starring Timothée Chalamet as Henry V received mixed reviews from critics. While the film was praised for its production values and performances, it was criticized for taking significant liberties with the historical facts surrounding Henry V's rise to power. Despite the star power of Chalamet, Joel Edgerton, and Robert Pattinson, "The King" failed to resonate with audiences and was considered a disappointment for Netflix, which had high hopes for the project.

Diana, The Musical (2021)

The dazzling and devastating life of Princess Diana takes center stage in this original musical, filmed in advance of its official Broadway opening. The movie received eight nominations at the 42rd Golden Raspberry Awards, winning Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actress, Worst Supporting Actress and Worst Screenplay.

Gipsy (2017)

This psychological thriller series starring Naomi Watts was praised for its performances but criticized for its slow pacing and lack of focus, leading to its cancellation after just one season.

Hubie Halloween (2020)

The film received mixed reviews from critics, although some critics considered it better than Sandler's other recent comedies.

The Cloverfield Paradox

The film received very poor critical reviews, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of only 22% and a Metacritic score of 37/100, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.

The Crew

Life in the garage swerves off track for a NASCAR crew chief and his tight-knit racing team when a new boss steps in and shakes things up. The show received negative reviews and had a 38% Rotten Tomatoes rating. It was cancelled after just one season.

The Irregulars

Set in Victorian London, the series follows a gang of troubled street teens who are manipulated into solving crimes for the sinister Doctor Watson and his mysterious business partner, the elusive Sherlock Holmes. The series was canceled after one season.

Death Note

The film received criticism for various reasons, including attempts to condense too much of the source material's plot into one feature-length film and issues related to whitewashing in casting decisions.

Iron Fist

Critics and viewers have pointed out significant problems with the series, such as poor writing, unconvincing action scenes, nonsensical characterization, and issues with racial representation and optics.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

Despite receiving critical acclaim for its fantasy elements and puppetry, the series was canceled by Netflix after just one season.

Disjointed

"Disjointed" received mixed reviews from both critics and viewers. While some appreciated its humor and performances, others criticized its reliance on marijuana-themed humor and uneven storytelling. On February 14, 2018, Netflix canceled the series after one season.

Daybreak

This post-apocalyptic teen comedy series received mixed reviews and was canceled by Netflix after just one season.

He's All That (2021)

The film was criticized for its lack of chemistry between the lead actors, as well as its failure to meaningfully improve upon or differentiate itself from the original movie from 1999.

Fatal Affair (2020)

Ellie tries to mend her marriage with her husband Marcus after a brief encounter with an old friend, David, only to find that David is more dangerous and unstable than she'd realized. The film was panned by critics.