9 Netflix Shows That Weren’t Worth the Binge, According to Fans

Netflix has given us some incredible shows over the years, but not every series hits the mark. Sometimes a show gets hyped up, and viewers settle in for a marathon session only to feel disappointed by the final episode. Fans have spoken loud and clear about which Netflix originals left them wishing they’d spent their time elsewhere. Here are the shows that, according to viewers, just weren’t worth the hours invested.

1. The I-Land (2019)

This survival thriller promised mystery and suspense but delivered confusion instead. Ten strangers wake up on a deserted island with no memory of how they got there, and things quickly spiral into chaos.

Fans compared it unfavorably to better shows like Lost, saying the plot felt rushed and poorly executed. The dialogue came across as unnatural, and character development was practically nonexistent. Many viewers couldn’t connect with anyone on screen.

Critics and audiences alike panned the series for its weak storyline and predictable twists. With only seven episodes, it still felt like a chore to finish. Most people agreed their time would’ve been better spent elsewhere.

2. Another Life (2019–2021)

Science fiction fans had high hopes for this space exploration drama starring Katee Sackhoff. The show follows an astronaut leading a mission to investigate an alien artifact that arrived on Earth.

Unfortunately, the execution fell flat with viewers who found the characters making frustratingly illogical decisions. The crew members constantly argued and acted unprofessionally, which broke the immersion for many fans. Scientific accuracy took a backseat to manufactured drama.

Despite lasting two seasons, the show never found its footing. Reviews pointed out wooden acting and a script that felt like it was written without much thought. Even die-hard sci-fi enthusiasts struggled to defend this one.

3. Insatiable (2018–2019)

Even before its premiere, this dark comedy stirred up serious backlash—and that outrage only escalated after release. At the heart of the story is a teen who, after shedding weight, seeks revenge on those who once mocked her.

Critics slammed the show for its insensitive handling of serious topics like body image, eating disorders, and bullying. The humor often missed the mark, coming across as mean-spirited rather than clever. Fans felt the show tried too hard to be edgy without actually saying anything meaningful.

While some appreciated its over-the-top campiness, most viewers found it uncomfortable to watch. The second season didn’t improve matters, and Netflix quietly canceled it afterward.

4. Echoes (2022)

Twin sisters who secretly swap lives sounds like an intriguing premise, but this limited series left audiences more frustrated than entertained. Michelle Monaghan plays both sisters in this psychological thriller that promised shocking revelations.

Viewers complained about the confusing timeline and convoluted plot that seemed designed to trick rather than engage them. The big twists felt unearned, and the ambiguous ending angered fans who invested hours waiting for answers. Many called it unnecessarily complicated.

Social media exploded with disappointed reactions after the finale aired. People felt cheated by the lack of clear resolution and the manipulative storytelling techniques. For a show that was only seven episodes, it somehow still felt too long.

5. Blockbuster (2022)

What could have been a charming tribute to the video store era ended up disappointing audiences. This workplace comedy, starring Randall Park, centered on employees of the last Blockbuster fighting to keep the dream alive—but the spark never caught on.

Fans expected clever humor playing on video store nostalgia, but instead got generic sitcom jokes they’d seen a million times before. The chemistry between cast members felt forced, and storylines were predictable from a mile away. Nothing about it stood out.

Netflix canceled the show after just one season with ten episodes. Viewers noted the irony that a show about a dying rental chain couldn’t survive either.

6. Girlboss (2017)

Based on Sophia Amoruso’s memoir about building the Nasty Gal fashion empire, this series failed to capture what made the story compelling. Britt Robertson played the lead in this rags-to-riches tale that should’ve inspired viewers.

Instead, audiences found the main character unlikeable and her behavior toward others downright terrible. She came across as selfish and entitled rather than scrappy and determined. The show glorified bad business practices and toxic behavior without consequences.

Critics pointed out that the series lacked depth and self-awareness about its problematic protagonist. After just one season with thirteen episodes, Netflix pulled the plug. The real-life bankruptcy of Nasty Gal didn’t help matters either.

7. Real Rob (2015–2017)

Rob Schneider’s semi-autobiographical sitcom gave viewers an inside look at his life, but most people weren’t interested in what they saw. The show featured Schneider playing a fictionalized version of himself dealing with everyday situations.

Humor fell completely flat for the majority of viewers who found the jokes outdated and cringe-worthy. The self-indulgent nature of the show turned people off, as it felt more like vanity project than genuine entertainment. Production quality seemed low-budget and amateurish.

Despite somehow getting renewed for a second season, the show never gained traction with audiences. Reviews were brutal, with many wondering how it got greenlit in the first place. It quietly disappeared from Netflix’s lineup.

8. Friends From College (2017–2019)

With a cast as strong as Keegan-Michael Key and Cobie Smulders, expectations were high for this comedy about college friends facing their forties. But what could’ve been a smart, nostalgic take on growing up instead felt uneven and forgettable.

Unfortunately, every single character was deeply unlikeable, making terrible decisions and treating each other horribly throughout both seasons. Viewers struggled to care about people who constantly lied, cheated, and acted selfishly without growth. The show seemed to think their bad behavior was funny when it was just exhausting.

Fans hoped the second season would improve things, but it doubled down on the same problems. Netflix canceled it after twenty episodes total.

9. Haters Back Off (2016–2017)

YouTube star Colleen Ballinger brought her Miranda Sings character to Netflix, but the transition from short videos to full episodes didn’t work. The show explored Miranda’s delusional quest for fame with her equally odd family members.

What worked in five-minute doses became grating over twenty-minute episodes, according to most viewers. The character’s annoying traits were amplified without enough substance to balance them out. Even fans of the YouTube channel found the show difficult to sit through.

Critics noted that the show lacked direction and relied too heavily on one-note jokes. After two seasons totaling sixteen episodes, Netflix decided not to renew it. Miranda worked better in small bursts online.