#NetflixCancels is currently trending on social media, with subscribers voicing their frustrations about the platform’s pattern of canceling beloved shows.
This isn’t the first instance of subscribers pushing back against a streaming service. In June, Max endured a similar backlash, with #DontStreamOnMax taking over social media platforms, leading to a brief boycott of the service.
Now, Netflix finds itself under scrutiny. The streaming giant is notorious for abruptly canceling series, having axed 18 original shows in 2020 alone, and subscribers have reached their breaking point.
Here’s everything you need to know about #NetflixCancels, what it means, and the current wave of sentiment surrounding it.
What is #NetflixCancels?
#NetflixCancels is a hashtag used on X/Twitter to advocate for a boycott of the Netflix streaming service and to highlight their canceled TV series.
The exact origin of the hashtag is unclear, but the X account @CancelNetflix appears to be spearheading the movement, with the hashtag generating approximately 14.8k posts as of this writing. #NetflixCancels truly gained traction on September 16, becoming a prominent trend on the platform.
As per the account, the hashtag likely emerged from various high-profile fan communities of previously canceled shows on Netflix, such as Warrior Nun, Dead Boy Detectives (canceled on August 30), and Lockwood & Co.
#NetflixCancels is trending …I don’t know who started it but all these fandom seems triggered by it: 1899, Dead Boy Detectives, Warrior Nun, The OA, Shadow and Bone, Fate: Winx Saga, Lockwood & Co. (also mega people think it’s about them cancelling Netflix 🤣)
— Cancelled on a cliffhanger ➐ (@CancelNetflix) September 16, 2024
The #NetflixCancels hashtag should not be confused with the #CancelNetflix hashtag that circulated in July 2024 after news emerged that Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings made a $7 million donation to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. This led many users to publicly cancel their subscriptions, but it is unrelated to the current backlash against Netflix’s show cancellations.
Since the #NetflixCancels tag went viral, frustrated subscribers have taken to social media to share their favorite shows that were prematurely canceled by the service.
“We love a good fandom team-up. Netflix needs to wake up and realize that their actions are ultimately harmful. Nobody’s going to invest in new shows if there’s a fear they will be canceled; they’ve lost the trust of many,” remarked one commenter.
Netflix Criticized for Canceling Shows with Cliffhangers
One of the primary criticisms aimed at Netflix from users of the hashtag is the company’s tendency to cancel shows right after major cliffhanger episodes, leaving viewers frustrated and without resolution.
This includes shows such as 1899, Mindhunter, and Shadow and Bone, all of which ended on significant cliffhangers, ultimately hindering their narrative potential.
The main account, @CancelNetflix, also featured a post showcasing the high Rotten Tomatoes scores of canceled Netflix shows to counter the narrative that the platform has never canceled a successful series.
🍅100% 🍿99% Warrior Nun S02 🍅97% 🍿95% Mindhunter 🍅94% 🍿96% Teenage Bounty Hunter 🍅93% 🍿98% Julie & The Phantoms 🍅98% 🍿93% Santa Clarita Diet 🍅93% 🍿94% Lockwood & Co. 🍅92% 🍿89% The OA S02 🍅98% 🍿91% American Vandal 🍅89% 🍿94% Dark Crystal All 🚫by N. pic.twitter.com/WlywEtsIH3
— Cancelled on a cliffhanger ➐ (@CancelNetflix) August 15, 2023
While success can be measured in different ways, the critical acclaim received by these shows underscores the support they garnered from both fans and critics alike.
As of this update, it does not appear that Netflix has publicly responded to the growing hashtag.
For more information on new TV shows available on streaming this month, check out the latest updates.
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