15 Mind-Blowing Netflix Shows That Left Fans Hanging in Shock

Summary

Netflix's abrupt cancelation of beloved shows dissappoint audiences who become invested in the storylines and characters.

Canceled shows, fueled by captivating stories and loyal followings, always leave audiences craving for more. Despite their untimely demise, these shows possessed the potential to delve deeper into intriguing concepts. Unfortunately, they fell victim to low viewership and Netflix's stringent cancellation guidelines.

Netflix's selection of iconic titles has unfortunately seen some prematurely removed from the streaming service. From the intense suspense of Mindhunter to the mind-boggling finale of the first season of 1899, numerous Netflix originals were cut short before revealing their ultimate storylines. Whether due to lackluster viewer ratings or logistical issues, these shows were unable to continue past a few seasons, or in some cases, only one. However, this does not diminish the fact that these shows have developed passionate fan bases over the years, with many viewers eagerly awaiting a long-awaited conclusion.

Netflix's sudden cancellation of shows like the post-apocalyptic comedy Daybreak and the horror series Archive 81 has disappointed and frustrated audiences. Despite their lower viewership numbers, these highly regarded Netflix originals may have found success with a larger audience if given the opportunity to continue. Shows like Daredevil and Santa Clarita Diet tend to be canceled by Netflix after three seasons, with Daredevil's ending influenced by a Disney reboot. However, even after captivating audiences for three well-received seasons, these shows remained unfulfilled. The mystery drama The OA and David Fincher's Mindhunter, with their unfinished storylines, left viewers yearning for more after only two seasons.

12 The Midnight Club (2022)

11 Daybreak (2019)

Reimagining his own realm of terror, Mike Flanagan produced and directed successful Netflix horror series such as The Haunting franchise and Midnight Mass. Following in the footsteps of these critically acclaimed horrors was the chilling teenage tale, The Midnight Club. Each episode delved into a particular story shared among its youthful protagonists, while an underlying narrative unveiled a sinister secret lurking within the hospice where these characters reside. The seemingly affable Dr. Georgina Stanton concealed her true intentions, as evidenced by her hourglass tattoo, a symbol previously associated with a cult ritual. The abrupt conclusion of The Midnight Club resulted from Netflix canceling the show due to a decline in viewership after its second week.

After a devastating event that wiped out all the adults in America, only the teenagers were left to survive on their own. Outcast teen Josh Wheeler finds himself navigating through a chaotic society run by high schoolers, where road gangs and zombies threaten their existence. Despite the dangers, Josh's main goal is to locate his missing girlfriend, Sam. However, the shocking season 1 finale reveals that Sam has no intentions of reuniting with him. Instead, she becomes the leader of the rebellious group called "The Jocks," turning into the new antagonist of the series. This unexpected twist in Sam's storyline opens up numerous possibilities for further storytelling, but unfortunately, Netflix abruptly canceled the anticipated second season.

10 The OA (2016-2019)

Brit Marling portrayed the leading role in The OA as the titular character. However, prior to adopting the moniker "The OA," Marling's character was known as Prairie Johnson, a woman who mysteriously vanished for a period of seven years. Upon her sudden return, armed with inexplicable powers, she assembles a group of loyal partners and embarks on a journey through alternate dimensions. Despite the sci-fi drama's two-season run, it failed to fully unravel Prairie's disappearance and shed light on the fate of those ensnared in other realms. Although the show's creators had developed a detailed five-season storyline, Netflix decided to halt production following the conclusion of season 2. The elusive ending of The OA generated mixed reactions on the Internet, leaving viewers with uncertain clues hinting at the possibility of Prairie's narrative being fabricated or merely a figment of her imagination.

9 The Society (2019)

The Society, a contemporary adaptation of The Lord of the Flies, follows a group of teenagers who return to their hometown of West Ham after a long camping trip, only to discover that all the adults have vanished. Struggling to adapt to their new reality, they must form alliances and navigate limited resources in the now-renamed New Ham. Season 1's cliffhanger ending revealed that West Ham still exists with its adult population intact, while New Ham appears to be a parallel universe. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Society became one of Netflix's canceled shows, leaving viewers with unanswered questions about the show's alternate dimensions.

8 1899 (2022)

The highly anticipated multilingual period sci-fi drama 1899, created by the same showrunners as Netflix's German hit Dark, generated significant excitement prior to its release. Much like Dark, 1899 captivated viewers with its thought-provoking storyline, following the passengers of a steamship as they found themselves entangled in a mystery reminiscent of the Bermuda Triangle. Drawing from real historical events, the first season of 1899 concluded with a gripping revelation — the ship was actually a simulation. With the passengers' reality manipulated throughout their journey, a potential second season could have explored the depths of this mind-altering simulation, had Netflix given the green light.

7 Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)

Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant made a triumphant return with Santa Clarita Diet. In the show, Barrymore played the role of Sheila, a lively undead woman with an insatiable craving for human flesh. Olyphant portrayed her devoted husband Joel, who lovingly catered to her unconventional culinary needs while trying to keep her true nature a secret. As the couple navigates their misadventures, more and more characters are drawn into their world. The third season of Santa Clarita Diet ended with a cliffhanger, hinting at the possibility of Joel turning into a zombie himself. However, Netflix decided to cut the beloved horror-comedy due to budget constraints, leaving fans wondering about the fate of the characters.

6 Archive 81 (2022)

5 Jupiter's Legacy (2021)

Playing out like a suspenseful enigma filled with eerie supernatural twists, Archive 81 ingeniously defied the clichés of found-footage horror and garnered overwhelming praise from both critics and audiences. Nevertheless, despite its promising reception, Archive 81 became a victim of Netflix's unforgiving cancellation policy. Throughout the initial season, the protagonist, Dan Turner, portrayed by Mamoudou Athie, embarks on a quest to unravel a foreboding collection of recordings. As he uncovers potential ties to a mysterious cult documented in these recordings, the stakes intensify when he inexplicably finds himself transported back in time and awakens in a hospital from the 1990s. A second season could have delved deeper into the time-travel aspect, unearthing darker connections between the cult and its archives.

Jupiter's Legacy, based on Mark Millar's comic of the same name, offers a refreshing and daring take on the superhero genre. The first season revolves around the ideological clash between The Utopian, a Superman-like figure, and his older brother Brainwave. Unknown to The Utopian, Brainwave creates a supervillain called Blackstar. In a shocking season finale, Brainwave goes to extreme lengths by sacrificing his own daughter Raikou to protect his secret about Blackstar. The twist in Jupiter's Legacy's first season hinted at a potential shift in tone for the show. However, the production faced setbacks due to Netflix's budget constraints and behind-the-scenes conflicts, ultimately preventing a second season.

4 Daredevil (2015-2018)

Netflix’s Daredevil introduced a new era of darker and grittier superhero dramas, delving into the philosophical evolution of the titular vigilante. However, the third season left fans hanging with a cliffhanger involving the newly-introduced villain, Agent Poindexter. After impersonating Daredevil and suffering a near-fatal injury at the hands of the hero, a post-credits scene revealed Poindexter undergoing spinal surgery. With a bullseye symbol reflected in his iris, it seemed clear that he would assume the role of the Marvel supervillain, Bullseye. Unfortunately, due to Netflix losing its rights to Marvel Comics properties, the anticipated clash between Bullseye and Charlie Cox’s Daredevil went unfulfilled.

3 I Am Not Okay With This (2020)

In the 2020 Netflix original, "I Am Not Okay With This," Sophia Lillis captivates audiences as a troubled teenager. The show, with episodes ranging from 19 to 28 minutes, effortlessly combines elements of fantasy, drama, black comedy, and superhero genres, while tackling the challenges of adolescence. As the series reaches its climax, Lillis' character experiences a pivotal Carrie-inspired moment during a blood-soaked prom night. This unexpected turn of events reveals her undiscovered powers as she inadvertently causes a fellow student's head to explode. Confronted by a mysterious male figure, the finale leaves viewers stunned. Although Netflix may not have concluded the show as fans desired, those who remain intrigued can explore Charles Forman's graphic novel of the same title.

2 Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020)

Teenage Bounty Hunters revitalized the family comedy genre by centering around two twin sisters who ingeniously paid off their debts through their notorious activities. The show amassed a dedicated following and received overwhelmingly positive feedback until Netflix abruptly discontinued it without providing an official explanation. This decision stunned audiences, especially considering the jaw-dropping finale of the first season, which unveiled the shocking truth that Sterling and Blair were not, in fact, twin sisters. Instead, they were cousins, and their supposed mother Debbie turned out to have an identical twin sister named Dana, who had been masquerading as an "impostor" Debbie. The unraveling of this intricate web of secrets left numerous loose ends to be resolved, notably the revelation that Dana was, in fact, Sterling's biological mother.

1 Mindhunter (2017-2019)

In every episode of the critically acclaimed series Mindhunter, FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench meticulously analyze notorious serial killers such as Ed Kemper and Charles Manson. While exploring the personal journeys of Holden and Bill, the opening sequences of the show subtly allude to the origins of Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK Killer (which stands for "Bind Torture Kill"). Although the show's cancellation leaves Rader's fate open to interpretation, it would have been intriguing to witness Holden and Bill's emotional involvement in the BTK Killer's chilling string of crimes, considering the fact that Rader was eventually apprehended in 2005.