In 2025, Netflix premiered a range of new series and seasons, including highly anticipated titles. While many shows soared to the top of the viewership charts, a significant number struggled to capture audience attention. According to research compiled by What’s On Netflix, 11 series, both returning and new, emerged as the biggest disappointments of the year, revealing the unpredictable nature of streaming success.
FUBAR Season 2: A Major Letdown
FUBAR, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, was dubbed the biggest flop of the year. The second season spent only three weeks in the top 10, with a staggering 76% decline in viewership compared to its debut season. While the first season attracted 30.7 million views in its opening weeks, the second managed just 7.3 million, leading to its swift cancellation. The series follows a father-daughter duo, Luke and Emma, who are both unaware of each other’s CIA affiliations.
The trend continued with other notable series.
The Witcher Season 4 and A Series of Misses
The popular fantasy series The Witcher also faced challenges. The fourth season, released in October 2025, saw a significant drop in audience numbers, losing between 52% and 68% of its viewers compared to previous seasons. This shift coincided with the transition from Henry Cavill to Liam Hemsworth in the lead role of Geralt, alongside the introduction of new threats and returning heroes.
Similarly, the second season of A Man on the Inside, a comedy-drama about a retired professor turned private investigator, struggled to connect with viewers. The show had debuted strongly, spending five weeks in the top 10, but the second season saw a 66% drop in viewership, attributed largely to its release timing coinciding with the highly anticipated Stranger Things season 5.
In the case of The Recruit, another series about a young CIA operative, the long-awaited second season did not meet expectations. After a two-year hiatus, the show experienced a 41% decrease in views compared to its first season, resulting in cancellation shortly thereafter.
Further Disappointments
The second season of The Night Agent, based on a novel by Matthew Quirk, also fell short. Five weeks post-release, it experienced a 45% decline in viewership from its first season. The premise follows an FBI agent whose routine is disrupted when he finally receives a call that leads to a conspiracy tied to the Oval Office.
Another title, The Sandman, faced a unique set of challenges. The second season’s performance suffered due to controversies surrounding its creator, Neil Gaiman, who faced several allegations of misconduct. This season saw a 60% drop in viewership, ultimately leading to its cancellation.
The lifestyle reality show starring Meghan Markle, With Love, Meghan, also failed to gain traction. Despite initial interest, the second season barely cracked the top 10 charts, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining audience engagement.
The mystery comedy drama The Residence, featuring Uzo Aduba as an eccentric detective, garnered only 22.9 million views in its first month, leading to its cancellation.
Another underperformer was PULSE, Netflix’s first medical drama, which attracted just 20.2 million views in its opening month.
Lastly, the black comedy No Good Deed, featuring Lisa Kudrow and Linda Cardellini, managed only 16.6 million views shortly after its launch. Although this series premiered in late 2024, it continued to struggle into 2025.
One of the most surprising disappointments was Black Rabbit, starring Jude Law, which ranked among the lowest in viewership for new English-language titles of the year, attracting just 13.6 million viewers in its first two weeks. The series focuses on a rising restaurateur who becomes entangled in New York’s criminal underworld.
As Netflix continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the contrasting performances of these shows highlight the complexities of audience preferences and the unpredictable nature of streaming success in today’s entertainment landscape.
