10 Underrated Fantasy TV Shows That Deserved a Second Chance

Article Overview

The early cancellation of shows by Netflix has generated a sense of frustration and betrayal among fans. Promising series such as "The OA," "The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance," and "I Am Not Okay With This" came to an abrupt end after just one season.

The streaming service is attempting to recreate the success of shows such as "Game of Thrones" and "Stranger Things" by producing fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural stories that can capture the current cultural climate and attract new viewers. However, not all of these shows have achieved the same level of popularity and viewership.

While some canceled shows like "Warrior Nun" and "Cursed" were able to amass a devoted fan base and even advocate for a movie trilogy, others like "Lockwood & Co." and "The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself" left viewers feeling unsatisfied and disappointed, with unanswered questions. Netflix's decisions to cancel shows often leave fans wanting more.

Netflix has gained a notoriety in recent years for prematurely canceling shows, particularly in the fantasy genre, often after only one or two seasons. At one point, Netflix dominated the streaming landscape without any serious competition. It was the pioneering platform that truly became a household name, surpassing the popularity of other services. However, television enthusiasts have increasingly raised concerns about Netflix, citing rising subscription fees and the consistent cancellation of promising series due to underperformance.

The television landscape has been transformed by popular shows like Game of Thrones and Stranger Things. In a market saturated with TV and various other types of content, streaming services have been eager for original content that can make a splash. For example, when a new season of Stranger Things is released, it quickly becomes a cultural phenomenon, dominating social media and attracting new subscribers. Netflix, in particular, has been trying to replicate this success by experimenting with different fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural stories, hoping to strike lightning in a bottle. While shows like Wednesday and One Piece have been successful, Lockwood & Co. failed to meet Netflix's expectations.

10. The OA (2016-2019)

Canceled after season 2

9. The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance (2019)

Netflix's decision to cancel The OA came as a surprise, adding to a series of puzzling moves by the streaming giant. The show had garnered a positive reception after its debut season in 2016, and over two years later, the second season pushed the boundaries even further, captivating audiences. This made the cancellation even more unexpected. The unconventional sci-fi concept of the show grew increasingly unconventional in its second season, distancing itself from mainstream viewers and resulting in a decline in viewership numbers. For fans of the series, the cancellation following a major cliffhanger was a deeply disappointing betrayal.

Canceled after season 1

8. I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

Recent years have not been favorable to animated TV projects, and unfortunately, the well-received follow-up to Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal was no exception. Netflix's animated fantasy series boasted an extraordinary voice cast, featuring renowned actors such as Mark Hamill, Taron Edgerton, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Lena Headey. Despite being geared towards children, the Skeksis managed to evoke a sense of terror both in the film and the Netflix adaptation. Animation is a costly endeavor and can prove challenging to attract an audience, yet The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance garnered enough acclaim to warrant further exploration.

Canceled after season 1

7. 1899 (2022)

Netflix's attempts at exploring the concept of "teenagers gaining powers" have followed in the footsteps of the success of Stranger Things and the popularity of superhero films. I Am Not Okay With This, adapted from Charles Forsman's graphic novel, portrays the life of a high school girl as she grapples with the complexities of adolescence, all while discovering her own extraordinary abilities. The series, featuring It actors Sophia Lillis and Wyatt Oleff, unfortunately did not capture enough audience interest to warrant a second season. The discontinuation of the show was attributed by Netflix to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, once again leaving viewers hanging after an initially promising start.

Canceled after season 1

1899 stands out from many of the supernatural fantasy shows that have been canceled, as it is geared towards a more mature audience. Created by the same minds behind Dark, the series captivated viewers with its intriguing mysteries and diverse and alluring characters, reminiscent of Lost. The first season was enthralling, promising an ongoing mystery that fans could delve into and speculate about, ultimately leaving them with a shockingly suspenseful cliffhanger ending. Regrettably, 1899 was swiftly axed shortly after its debut. While the show's somber tone may not have appealed to a wide audience, its exceptional quality at the very least deserved a second chance to flourish.

6. Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Canceled after season 1

5. The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself (2022)

Despite garnering popularity and sparking discussions of a potential second season, Lockwood & Co., the latest addition to Netflix's collection of supernatural shows centered around teenagers, faced an untimely cancellation. This decision left devoted viewers, who had swiftly become enamored with the story, outraged and grappling with numerous unanswered mysteries. Adapted from highly acclaimed young adult books, Lockwood & Co. possessed a wealth of untapped material to delve into. However, a decline in viewership prompted the premature termination of the series.

Canceled after season 1

Based on Sally Green's Half-Bad books,

4. The Midnight Club (2022)

The Bastard Son & the Devil Himself was a captivating supernatural series for teenagers that unfortunately ended prematurely. Running for just one season in 2022, the show received praise from both fans and critics. It followed the journey of Nathan, a young protagonist who embarks on a coming-of-age adventure through Europe amidst a brewing conflict between witches. The cancellation announcement from Netflix left a bitter taste in the mouths of the devoted audience, who had quickly become invested in the series.

4. The Midnight Club (2022)

Canceled after season 1

Mike Flanagan has been a valuable asset to Netflix for several years. He has played a crucial role in the creation of successful films such as Doctor Sleep and TV series like Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House. Since 2017, he has consistently provided content for the platform during the spooky season every year. Therefore, it is surprising that one of his shows was canceled by the platform. In all fairness, The Midnight Club was not Mike Flanagan's best horror project, and he has recently entered into a new agreement with Amazon Prime. In fact, Mike Flanagan himself expressed his disappointment with the cancellation of The Midnight Club on Tumblr. He also shared some insights into what his plans for the show were.

3. The Irregulars (2021)

Canceled after season 1

The Irregulars showcased a supernatural mystery series that drew significant inspiration from Sherlock Holmes. Its Victorian Gothic aesthetic set it apart from other similar Netflix series, establishing a distinct vibe. Although the cancellation of The Irregulars lacked specific reasoning, the conclusive ending of the first season prevented an outcry from viewers. While the series potentially deserved another opportunity, fans were relieved not to be left hanging on a major cliffhanger.

2. Warrior Nun (2020-2022)

Canceled after season 2

Warrior Nun is a Netflix teen power story that defied the odds by securing a second season prior to its cancellation. Centered around a 19-year-old who awakens in a morgue only to discover her significant role in an eternal battle between heaven and hell, Warrior Nun instantly captivated viewers with its captivating premise. Although Netflix declined to partake in any alteration, devoted fans remarkably rallied for a change of heart. As a result, the campaign triumphed and Warrior Nun will now transition into an exhilarating movie trilogy.

1. Cursed (2020)

Canceled after season 1

The King Arthur movies have seen numerous adaptations of the Arthurian legend. However, the Netflix series Cursed took a unique approach by drawing inspiration from an illustrated novel written by Frank Miller. This series delves into the intriguing origin story of Nimue, also known as the Lady of the Lake, seamlessly blending classical tales with a contemporary twist. Despite its attempt to revitalize the narrative, Cursed did not receive as much acclaim as other fantasy shows on Netflix and failed to attract sufficient viewers to justify a renewal.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the cancellation of these fantasy TV shows. On the one hand, I am disappointed that I won't get to see more of these stories and characters. On the other hand, I understand that Netflix has to make difficult decisions about which shows to renew and which to cancel.

I think it's important to remember that Netflix is a business, and they have to make decisions based on what they think will be the most profitable. If a show isn't getting enough viewers, then it's likely that it will be canceled. This doesn't mean that the show is bad, it just means that it's not resonating with enough people.

I hope that Netflix will consider giving some of these shows a second chance. There are a lot of fans who are passionate about these shows, and I think they deserve to see them continue.