1. Supertrain (1979)
Kicking off our list is Supertrain, a show that set the bar for excessive spending in the TV industry. With a jaw-dropping $7 million price tag for the pilot episode alone, this series failed to deliver on its costly investment.
supertrain Cropped
2. Marco Polo (2014 - 2016)
Venturing into the historical drama genre, Marco Polo became known not for its captivating storyline, but for its exorbitant production costs. At $9 million per episode, this ambitious series struggled to attract viewers and met an untimely end after just two seasons.
Poster for Marco Polo tv show
3. The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power (2022 - Present)
Taking a leap into the realm of high fantasy, The Rings of Power shattered records with a staggering $715 million budget for its first season. While visually impressive, the show's astronomical costs raised eyebrows, questioning whether the price tag was justified by the content.
Galadriel standing in armor in a battlefield in The Rings of Power
4. The Get Down (2016 - 2017)
Netflix's ambitious project, The Get Down, aimed to capture the essence of 1970s New York through music and history. However, with a hefty $16 million price tag per episode, the show struggled to sustain its expensive production and bid farewell after a short-lived run.
Justice Smith as Zeke looking serious sitting behind piano in The Get Down
5. Citadel (2023 - Present)
Amazon Prime's Citadel made waves for its eye-watering budget of $300 million for just six episodes. Despite featuring a star-studded cast, including Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the series failed to live up to its financial hype, leaving viewers questioning its value.
Richard Madden looking surprised in Citadel.
6. Hemlock Grove (2013 - 2015)
In the realm of horror, Hemlock Grove was expected to deliver thrills on a budget. However, with $4 million per episode, the series struggled to attract the desired audience, leading to its premature cancellation after three seasons.
Hemlock Grove Bill Skarsgard as Roman Godfrey staring at his reflection in the mirror
7. Terra Nova (2011)
Terra Nova promised a unique blend of sci-fi and mystery, but its $4 million per episode price tag proved to be its downfall. Despite its promising concept, the show failed to meet viewership expectations and was swiftly axed after just one season.
terra nova cast
8. Camelot (2011)
Entering the realm of legend, Camelot dazzled audiences with its $7 million per episode budget. However, despite its grandeur and star-studded cast, the show failed to secure a second season, raising questions about the return on investment.
Jamie Campbell Bower as King Arthur with Scars in a Coat in Camelot
9. Inhumans (2017)
Marvel's Inhumans soared to the skies with a budget of $6-8 million per episode, aiming to bring the comic book world to life. However, the series fell short of expectations, leading to its swift cancellation after a single season.
Black Bolt speaking to Maximus in Inhumans series
10. Joey (2004 - 2006)
Following the iconic Friends, Joey attempted to capture lightning in a bottle with a spin-off featuring Matt LeBlanc. Despite the simplicity of the show, LeBlanc's hefty paycheck and lackluster reception led to the series' demise after two seasons.
Matt LeBlanc as Joey in the Friends spinoff standing with a castmate
