If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that no show is ever safe. Long-running favorites, new hits, and even cultural icons were pulled from the air this year, sometimes with barely any warning. Regardless of the reasons behind them – budgets, viewership changes, or industry upheavals – the cancellations stung. Here are the 10 biggest surprise TV show cancellations of 2025—buckle up, some of these still hurt.
10. Goosebumps (Disney+)
The revamped anthology, drawing from R.L. Stine’s original novels, appeared to be hitting its stride at last. But after only two seasons, Disney+ canceled it in August. Season two, titled The Vanishing, will instead be the show’s final fright—disappointing fans of the original novels and this new adaptation alike.
9. The Sandman (Netflix)
Lauded by critics and loved by fans, Neil Gaiman’s dark fantasy was one of Netflix’s riskiest ventures. With its sumptuous visuals and detailed world-building, The Sandman seemed invincible. Instead, it lasted for two seasons. Behind-the-scenes problems and its enormous budget probably played a role, but for fans, losing such a distinctive take feels like a punch in the gut.
8. Resident Alien (SYFY)
Alan Tudyk’s comedic turn as an alien posing as a human provided SYFY with a rare breakout success. After four seasons of offbeat sci-fi adventure, however, the network wrapped things up. Fans will miss Tudyk’s bizarre charm and the small-town eccentricity that made this series so unique.
7. The Equalizer (CBS)
Queen Latifah’s contemporary take on the traditional vigilante show pushed boundaries and earned respectable ratings, so its cancellation after five seasons came as a massive shock. With Latifah’s draw and the show’s cultural significance, many believed The Equalizer would be on the air much longer. Instead, season five’s finale came as a shocking conclusion to the series.
6. The Wheel of Time (Prime Video)
Fantasy fans were devastated when Prime Video ended its relationship with this ambitious reboot after season three. The series had a good creative run—season three received a whopping 97% on Rotten Tomatoes. But stratospheric production expenses and dwindling audiences were more than it could handle. Although the final season attempted to wrap up loose ends, fans feel shortchanged nonetheless.
5. FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted (CBS)
In one of its most daring gambles, CBS killed off two cornerstones of its FBI franchise, leaving the flagship series alone. A brand famous for crossovers and hard-core fans, the spin-offs seemed invincible—until they were not. Wolf’s ever-broadening universe had fans reeling from the double shock.
4. The Residence and Pulse (Netflix)
Two debuts with bright openings did not make it past Netflix’s brutal axe. The Residence, a White House-set comedic murder mystery starring Uzo Aduba, and Pulse, a medical soap drama, both placed in Netflix’s Top 35 for the year. Despite that, expenses and brutal competition cut their runs short at one season apiece. Fans lamented the missed potential.
3. Suits: LA (NBC)
Looking to capitalize on the Suits revival, NBC rolled out this spinoff with Stephen Amell. Lightning didn’t strike twice, though. The show ran just one season before it was cancelled, prompting some to wonder if the Suits franchise should lay its case to rest.
2. Queer Eye (Netflix)
After a decade of feel-good seasons, Netflix is bidding adieu to the Fab Five. The makeover show that warmed hearts and inspired a nation became a cultural phenomenon, lauded for its blend of heart, humor, and unapologetic self-love. Fans aren’t ready to say goodbye, but the legacy of Queer Eye will endure long after its conclusion.
1. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Maybe the biggest bombshell of them all: CBS is canceling late-night’s top-rated program. When Colbert’s contract expires in May 2026, The Late Show is coming with it. Officially, CBS attributed the decision to financial hardship and softening ad revenue, but with merger activity and political pressure brewing, the decision has sparked speculation. Colbert’s biting wit and satire defined an era, and his departure puts the future of late-night in doubt.
TV in 2025 has been merciless, reminding viewers that every wonderful show has behind it the cold truth of the industry. Some shows seemed a given, others came out of left field—but all have had a lasting impact on viewers who only wanted more time with their beloved tales.