Oh, the year 2025 has been brutal for TV fans: just when you thought your favorite shows were untouchable, streaming platforms and networks have been slashing left and right. Some cancellations hurt more than a plot twist coming straight out of left field. Grab tissues-or pitchforks-and let’s count down the top 10 most shocking TV show cancellations of 2025, from number 10.
10. The Kitchen (Food Network)
After 40 seasons of weekend cooking and casual chatter, The Kitchen officially ends this December. As fans will miss their Saturday mornings filled with recipes, tips, and plenty of kitchen banter, it’s hard to believe Food Network decided it was time to close the chapter on a decade-long run.
9. Catfish (MTV)
MTV’s reality hit Catfish, the show that made us question every online romance, has been canceled after nine seasons and nearly 300 episodes. No more Nev Schulman eyebrow raises or jaw-dropping reveals, at least, not on MTV.
8. The Equalizer (CBS)
Queen Latifah’s action-heavy reboot of The Equalizer has been axed after five seasons. Despite steady ratings and a faithful audience, CBS opted to pull the plug on the show. Sometimes, not even vigilante justice can avoid the chopping block.
7. Goosebumps (Disney+)
Disney+’s reboot of the classic horror tales by R.L. Stine lasted a mere two seasons before its cancellation. The show left fans of both the original stories and their modern retelling hanging in suspense, proving not even the spookiest of series are untouchable.
6. The Recruit (Netflix)
Noah Centineo’s spy drama had a lot of promise, but after a truncated second season-thanks in part to industry strikes-Netflix decided against going further. Not even top-secret agents can dodge cancellation all the time.
5. The Sandman (Netflix)
Critically adored but plagued by controversy behind the scenes, Netflix’s The Sandman ended after just two seasons. Neil Gaiman’s adaptation won hearts but ultimately couldn’t survive the drama behind the curtain.
4. S.W.A.T., FBI: International, and FBI: Most Wanted (CBS)
CBS is all-in on cutting its crime-heavy lineup: S.W.A.T. (season 8), FBI: International (season 4), and FBI: Most Wanted (season 6) were axed. Until network priorities shifted, these procedural mainstays had appeared all but untouchable.
3. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (CBS)
After a decade of sharp political satire and even sharper monologues, CBS announced the end of The Late Show. Although Colbert’s final episode will air in May 2026, news of the cancellation sent shockwaves to late-night fans everywhere.
2. Stranger Things (Netflix)
It’s time to say goodbye to Hawkins, the Upside Down, and a gang of teen monster hunters. Netflix confirmed that Stranger Things will wrap up with its fifth season, bringing an end to a landmark era in sci-fi storytelling.
1. Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (Netflix)
For gamers and adventurers, this one hurts. Netflix’s animated Tomb Raider series will end after its second season in December. Despite a devoted fanbase, creative controversies, and underwhelming performance sealed its fate. Lara Croft might survive the tombs, but not the algorithm.
The year 2025 has proven that no show is safe. If your favorite series survived this round, fingers crossed it’s a long year, and the cancellation gods are still hungry.