15 Netflix Originals That Were Epic Disappointments

What happens when the huge streaming service stumbles? Although Netflix has binge-worthy successes, it has also had its fair number of face-palm events. Television shows can still flop despite large finances and star power, as seen in off-the-mark adaptations and comic misfires. Let’s explore a few of Netflix’s 15 worst flops—that which makes one shudder!

Space Force (2020)

Remember when the US Space Force became a thing? Netflix thought, “Hey, let’s cash in on this!” Throw in Steve Carell and Greg Daniels (from The Office), and boom – an instant hit, right? Wrong. The show was described as lazy and messy by critics, with tonal inconsistencies that’d give you whiplash. Not everything Carell touches turns to gold.

Insatiable (2018)

Talk about leaving a bad taste in everyone’s mouth! This program was criticized before its debut. It received 100,000 signatures seeking cancelation for fat-shaming. Viewers had many opinions. The verdict? It is a clumsy satire that missed by light-years. Note to Netflix: satire” isn’t just a fancy word you can slap on anything.

Marco Polo (2014)

Have you ever heard the phrase “money can’t buy happiness”? It also can’t buy a good TV. Netflix spent a huge $90 million on just the first season. This historical play failed quickly, despite the fancy sets and outfits.Reviewers highlighted a bland protagonist and uninspired storytelling. By the end, Netflix was down $200 million. That, was an expensive history lesson!

Lunatics (2019)

Chris Lilley didn’t get the memo that offensive humor is so last decade. This cringe-fest features the comedian in a fat suit, playing a tall female student and mocking transgender folks. It’s like he threw darts at a board of offensive stereotypes and based characters on wherever they landed. Described as labored, formulaic, and lacking in originality, the show received unfavorable reviews from critics. Surprise, surprise – it didn’t land well with audiences.

Marvel’s Iron Fist (2017)

Superhero fatigue?.Iron Fist’s martial arts misfire left fans wishing they could smooth out its many flaws.. Bad writing, worse fight choreography, and a whitewashing controversy—it’s like they were going for a hat-trick of awful. Even diehard Marvel fans couldn’t defend this one. 

Friends from College (2017)

Another show about friends in New York? Groundbreaking. The comedy tried to ride the coattails of its more successful predecessors but tripped over its shoelaces. With unlikeable characters and a been-there-done-that plot, it made viewers wish they could unfriend this college crew. Those who watched it criticized it for its lack of originality and annoying characters. Netflix quietly showed it the door after two seasons.

Resident Evil (2022)

Zombie fatigue is real, folks. The ‘Resident Evil adaptation shambled onto screens like a walker that’s lost its way. Fans of the franchise were ready to put this show out of its misery faster than you can say “headshot.” It turned a fun zombie-killing romp into a teen soap opera. The poor acting, writing, and directing were widely criticized by both reviewers and fans alike condemned the poor acting, writing, and directing. Even the undead deserve better plotlines!

The Ridiculous 6 (2015)

Adam Sandler and Netflix–a match made in comedy heaven, right? Wrong again! It managed to offend just about everyone, especially Indigenous actors who walked off-set. The movie was slammed for its cultural insensitivity and lack of laughs. Looks like Sandler’s brand of humor works better when it’s not trying to play cowboy.

Cursed (2020)

This Arthurian legend retelling cursed us all with confusion. Was it for teens? Adults? The audience couldn’t tell! The show went from adult material to family-friendly action in a snap. Haters said it had a confused plot and an uneven tone. Even though this show had a lot of loyal fans, The show was cancelled by Netflix . Cursed is a reminder that not all legends are meant to be retold.

Death Note (2017)

Adapting popular manga? What might go wrong? Everything, apparently. Fans and newbies were outraged with the live-action rendition. It eliminated the psychological cat-and-mouse game that made the original interesting. Finally, it faced controversy for using footage from a real train crash, making it a death note for the whole production.

Girlboss (2017)

Based on Sophia Amoruso’s memoir, Girlboss aimed to be a girl power anthem but hit the wrong note. To start off, the timing was awful. It started just after Amoruso’s firm declared bankruptcy. Add in a discrimination lawsuit and claims of design theft, and you have a formula for catastrophe. Netflix canceled it faster than you can say “hashtag fail.

Eli (2019)

This horror flick about a boy allergic to everything tried to be the next big scare. Instead, it left viewers puzzled and wondering. It felt like two distinct movies pieced together, with pacing problems and a hurried ending act. Even Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink couldn’t save this one. Both spectators and critics give it a thumbs-down. Some things belong in the bubble and would be better kept there.

Ghost Lab (2021)

When you mix ghosts, science, and Thai humor, you get a hot mess. The Ghost Lab movie jumped genres faster than a cat on a hot tin roof, leaving viewers dizzy. Those who hated it complained about the overly complicated plot, which left too much open to interpretation. Sometimes, ghosts should just stay in the lab. One minute, it’s a jump-scare fest; the next, it’s a weird comedy. 

The Silence (2019)

With noise-hunting monsters on the loose, this film struggled to make an impact. It’s basically A Quiet Place’s less impressive cousin. Despite featuring Stanley Tucci, this apocalyptic movie failed to generate much buzz. Critics panned it for its lack of tension and terror. It looks like silence isn’t always golden, especially when it comes to keeping audiences engaged.

Diana: The Musical (2021)

Who thought Princess Di’s life needed jazz hands? The filmed-in-advance Broadway musical was such a dissapointment. It racked up Golden Raspberry nominations faster than you can say “Candle in the Wind.” Winning Worst Picture, Director, Actress, Supporting Actress, and Screenplay swept the board. Well, that was a royal flush – straight down the toilet.