Netflix has made the decision to cancel three adult animation series, leaving fans disappointed and without a second season. The shows, which premiered over a year ago, failed to gain significant traction and attention from audiences. What’s on Netflix has reported that at least two of the shows had early work in progress, but ultimately did not make the cut for a season 2. This news comes as a surprise to fans who had grown attached to these animated series, but it is not entirely unexpected given the platform’s recent struggles with original content.
The canceled series include Exploding Kittens, What’s Coming, and another show that remains unnamed. Exploding Kittens, based on the popular card game, was released on Netflix in July 2024. The show was inspired by Norse mythology and followed a mortal king and a shield-maiden who found themselves in the middle of a brutal clash between gods whose power was slipping. Despite its unique premise, the series failed to enter Netflix’s weekly global top 10s, although it did spend several weeks in the daily top 10s across over 60 countries. The show’s failure to gain traction may have been due to its niche premise and lack of mainstream appeal.
Another factor that may have contributed to the cancellation of these series is the recent departure of Zack Snyder from Netflix. The director had been working on several projects for the platform, including Army of the Dead and Rebel Moon, which have been put on hold. Snyder’s departure may have signaled a shift in Netflix’s priorities and a move away from certain types of content. In an interview with What’s on Netflix, Jay Oliva confirmed that the team had hoped for a second season of Exploding Kittens, but ultimately it was not meant to be. Fans of the series will have to wait and see if any of the characters or storylines will be revisited in future projects.
The cancellation of these series is not the only major change happening at Netflix. The platform has been facing increased competition from other streaming services, and has been forced to reevaluate its priorities and content offerings. As a result, several other shows have also been canceled or put on hold, including Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Long Story Short. Fans of these series will have to wait and see if they will be revived or if they will be replaced by new content. For now, it seems that Netflix is shifting its focus towards other types of content and abandoning some of its more niche offerings.
Netflix has declined to comment on the cancellation of these series, leaving fans to speculate about the reasons behind the decision. While some may be disappointed by the cancellation of these shows, others may see it as an opportunity for Netflix to focus on other types of content and attract new audiences. As the streaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Netflix responds to the changing demands of its viewers.
For now, fans of Exploding Kittens and the other canceled series will have to wait and see if any of the characters or storylines will be revisited in future projects. What’s on Netflix has promised to keep fans updated on any developments, and will be including the canceled shows on its list of all 20+ cancellations for 2025. In the meantime, fans can take comfort in the fact that other popular shows are still in production and will be released in the coming months, including a new season of Tomb Raider and Devil May Cry.
