The Biggest Netflix Flops of All Time

 

The Biggest Netflix Flops of All Time

Atlas (2024) Despite the star power of Jennifer Lopez and a heavy promotional push, Atlas landed with a thud. Critics slammed its predictable sci-fi plot and wooden dialogue, giving it a dismal 21% on Rotten Tomatoes. Even with a strong initial view count, the buzz quickly faded, and the film became yet another example of Netflix’s struggles with big-budget blockbusters.

Bright (2017) Bright had all the makings of a hit: Will Smith, a $90 million budget, and a unique concept blending fantasy and gritty cop drama. Instead, it was widely panned for clunky world-building, messy storytelling, and tone-deaf social commentary. While it drew huge viewership, critics called it “astoundingly bad in virtually every way.”

See also: 5 players we can’t believe have won more league titles than Cristiano Ronaldo since 2009

The Electric State At over $300 million, The Electric State is Netflix’s most expensive original film to date—and one of its biggest flops. With a star-studded cast and the Russo brothers directing, expectations were high. Unfortunately, the movie was torn apart for being emotionally hollow and unfunny, scoring just 17% on Rotten Tomatoes and failing to attract sustained interest.

The Ridiculous 6 (2015) One of Netflix’s first original films, Adam Sandler’s The Ridiculous 6 was a critical disaster. It earned a rare 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics slamming its offensive humor, lazy writing, and painful stereotypes. Despite high streaming numbers at the time, it set the tone for a wave of underwhelming Sandler comedies on the platform.

The Midnight Club (2022)

From horror maestro Mike Flanagan, The Midnight Club was expected to be a chilling teen horror hit. Instead, it was criticized for lacking the emotional depth and scare factor of Flanagan’s previous work. Viewer interest waned quickly, and Netflix pulled the plug after just one season, despite its cliffhanger ending.

Red Notice (2021) With a mega-budget and a superstar trio—Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot—Red Notice promised blockbuster action but delivered a generic, forgettable ride. Critics called it soulless and overly polished, and while it initially broke viewership records, the buzz didn’t last, and it remains a case study in Netflix’s style-over-substance problem.

The Get Down (2016) Baz Luhrmann’s stylish musical drama The Get Down dazzled visually but failed financially. It was one of Netflix’s most expensive shows at the time and suffered from production delays and creative conflicts. Despite a passionate fan base, it couldn’t justify its cost and was canceled after one season.

True Memoirs of an International Assassin (2016) Kevin James’ action-comedy True Memoirs of an International Assassin was neither thrilling nor funny. Critics lambasted its tired premise and flat humor, calling it a forgettable misfire. It disappeared from public conversation almost immediately after release and remains buried in the depths of Netflix’s catalog.

Space Force (2020) With Steve Carell and The Office creator Greg Daniels at the helm, Space Force looked like a guaranteed comedy hit. Instead, it suffered from an identity crisis—unsure if it wanted to be a political satire or workplace comedy. Viewers found it dull and directionless, leading to its cancellation after two seasons.

The Woman in the Window (2021) Marketed as a psychological thriller in the vein of Gone Girl, The Woman in the Window instead delivered a confusing, melodramatic mess. Amy Adams’ performance couldn’t save the film from its jumbled narrative and awkward editing. It was heavily reworked before release, but the result still failed to impress critics or audiences.

Marco Polo (2014) One of Netflix’s earliest attempts at an epic series, Marco Polo was meant to compete with Game of Thrones but instead became a financial sinkhole. With a reported $200 million budget and lackluster storytelling, the series never gained traction and was canceled after two seasons, earning the title of one of Netflix’s biggest financial failures.

Turn Up Charlie (2019) Idris Elba starred in Turn Up Charlie as a washed-up DJ turned nanny, but the premise failed to strike a chord. Critics pointed to lazy writing and underdeveloped characters, while audiences simply didn’t show up. Netflix quietly canceled it after one season, and it remains a barely-remembered footnote in the platform’s original content library.

Cowboy Bebop (2021) Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the iconic anime Cowboy Bebop was met with fierce criticism from fans and newcomers alike. While the visuals mimicked the original, the soul and charm were missing. Viewership plummeted after a disappointing debut, and Netflix axed the show just weeks after its release.

Jupiter's Legacy (2021) Touted as the beginning of Netflix’s own superhero universe, Jupiter's Legacy crashed and burned. Despite impressive visuals, the series suffered from a slow pace and confusing timelines. Viewers tuned out quickly, and the show was canceled after one season—leaving the ambitious franchise dead on arrival.

The Unforgivable (2021) Starring Sandra Bullock, The Unforgivable aimed for emotional drama but ended up being a forgettable slog. Critics took issue with its melodramatic tone and uneven pacing, while audiences found it too grim and predictable. Despite a strong lead performance, it failed to leave a lasting impression.

Hemlock Grove (2013) Hemlock Grove was one of Netflix’s earliest original series, arriving just after House of Cards. Despite a strong cast and a horror-mystery premise, the show was slammed for its convoluted plot, uneven pacing, and strange character arcs. Critics found it overly gory without substance, and it never quite built a loyal fan base. It lasted three seasons but was largely forgotten, making it an early stumble in Netflix's original programming push.

Away (2020) Despite starring two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, Away failed to launch. Marketed as a gripping space drama about a Mars mission, it instead focused heavily on melodrama back on Earth. Viewers and critics expected thrilling sci-fi but got soap opera instead. It received mixed-to-poor reviews and was canceled after just one season due to high production costs and underwhelming engagement.

Resident Evil (2022) The Resident Evil franchise has a devoted fan base, but this live-action Netflix adaptation alienated both gamers and casual viewers. With a disjointed timeline, questionable dialogue, and significant deviations from the source material, it failed to deliver the horror or action fans expected. Despite high anticipation, it was canceled after one season, making it yet another failed attempt to bring the franchise to the small screen.

The King (2019) Starring Timothée Chalamet as King Henry V, The King had all the makings of a prestige historical drama. However, while the cinematography was impressive, critics and audiences found it dull, historically inaccurate, and lacking in emotional depth. It underperformed in viewership and failed to make an awards-season splash, disappearing quietly into Netflix’s massive catalog.

Diana: The Musical Diana: The Musical was originally a Broadway show that flopped, and its filmed version on Netflix fared no better. Released to scathing reviews, it was panned for being campy, tone-deaf, and unintentionally funny. Many found the musical numbers cringe-worthy and disrespectful to Princess Diana’s legacy. It quickly became a punchline and was considered one of the worst Netflix releases of 2021.

Gypsy (2017) Gypsy, starring Naomi Watts as a therapist who dangerously manipulates her patients’ lives, aimed for psychological thriller territory but ended up muddled and slow. Critics called it pretentious and lacking in substance, and viewers didn't stick around to figure out where the plot was going. Netflix axed it after one season, with little fanfare and no cliffhangers resolved.

Hubie Halloween (2020) Starring Adam Sandler, Hubie Halloween was part of his Netflix comedy deal and intended as a fun, spooky family flick. However, critics and many viewers found it lazy and juvenile, with Sandler recycling old jokes and goofy voices. Despite being watched by millions (thanks to Sandler’s built-in audience), it was widely labeled a creative failure and didn’t impress anyone looking for quality comedy.

The Cloverfield Paradox (2018) Released as a surprise after the Super Bowl, The Cloverfield Paradox had a brilliant marketing stunt but a disastrous critical reception. It was supposed to tie into the Cloverfield universe but instead confused fans with a weak story, poor script, and lackluster special effects. The buzz quickly turned into backlash, and it’s now seen as a cautionary tale about prioritizing hype over quality.

The Crew (2021) The Crew, a NASCAR-themed sitcom starring Kevin James, tried to tap into workplace comedy territory but crashed and burned. Critics found the humor outdated, the writing clichéd, and the characters underdeveloped. Even fans of James’s previous work didn’t find much to laugh about. It was quietly canceled after one season.

The Irregulars (2021) Set in the Sherlock Holmes universe, The Irregulars tried to mix supernatural horror with Victorian drama, but the result didn’t quite click. Despite some intriguing concepts, it lacked coherence and had underwhelming performances. Netflix pulled the plug after just one season, signaling that even tie-ins to beloved properties can fail if not executed well.

Death Note (2017) Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved anime Death Note was met with outrage from fans and confusion from newcomers. The film stripped the story of its depth and cleverness, instead delivering a rushed, poorly acted, and poorly adapted mess. It was widely criticized for whitewashing and for failing to capture the essence of what made the original so compelling.

Iron Fist (2017) Part of Netflix’s Marvel lineup, Iron Fist was supposed to round out The Defenders, but it became the weak link in the chain. Critics and fans tore it apart for wooden acting, poor fight choreography, and a lead character who felt out of place. Despite two seasons, it never found its footing and became the least-loved of all the Netflix-Marvel shows.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (2019) While visually stunning and well-reviewed, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance flopped in terms of viewership. The high production costs couldn't be justified, and Netflix pulled the plug after just one season. It’s considered a cult gem but a financial misfire, illustrating how quality doesn’t always equal sustainability on streaming platforms.

Disjointed (2017) Disjointed starred Kathy Bates as a cannabis dispensary owner, and aimed for stoner comedy with heart. Unfortunately, it was bogged down by outdated jokes, canned laughter, and a tone that wavered between sitcom and drama. Neither critics nor audiences got on board, and it was canceled after one disjointed season.

Daybreak (2019) Daybreak tried to capitalize on the teen apocalypse genre with a mix of Mad Max, Ferris Bueller, and zombie tropes. But its quirky tone, fourth-wall breaks, and inconsistent storytelling turned off many viewers. Despite a dedicated niche fanbase, it was too weird to survive and was axed after one season.

He's All That (2021) A gender-swapped remake of the 1999 teen hit She’s All That, this film starred TikTok influencer Addison Rae in her acting debut. Critics and audiences alike slammed it for poor acting, awkward dialogue, and a lack of charm. It quickly became a meme-worthy flop, showing that viral fame doesn’t always translate to box office—or streaming—success.

Fatal Affair (2020) A by-the-numbers thriller starring Nia Long and Omar Epps, Fatal Affair was widely ridiculed for its predictable plot, laughable tension, and generic production. It felt like a low-effort Lifetime movie trying to pass as a major release, and Netflix viewers weren’t fooled. It was quickly forgotten despite being briefly trending.

See also: Joke of the day!