Netflix Axes Three Animated Series: ‘Exploding Kittens,’ ‘Twilight of the Gods,’ and ‘Good Times’ Canceled After One Season

In a significant round of cuts to its animated lineup, Netflix has reportedly opted not to move forward with second seasons for three high-profile animated series: the comedy Exploding Kittens, Zack Snyder’s mythological epic Twilight of the Gods, and the animated reboot Good Times.

The streaming giant, known for its rigorous evaluation of viewership metrics versus production cost, has reportedly made the decision based on the first season’s performance, leaving fans of the respective shows disappointed.

A Quick End for ‘Exploding Kittens’

The most recognizable title on the list, Exploding Kittens, was an action-comedy animated series based on the popular card game. Executive produced by King of the Hill creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, the show premiered on July 12, 2024. Despite its established intellectual property and creative pedigree, the series reportedly received mixed to unfavorable reviews from critics. For a platform that quickly gauges a show’s success in its first weeks, the reception and overall performance were apparently not enough to justify a renewal for a second season.

‘Twilight of the Gods’ Saga Ends Prematurely

Perhaps the most surprising cancellation is Twilight of the Gods, the ambitious Norse mythology animated series from director Zack Snyder and showrunner Jay Oliva. The Viking epic, which featured a star-studded voice cast, only recently premiered and reportedly ended its first season on a significant cliffhanger, with the stage seemingly set for the events of Ragnarök.

Sources suggest that Netflix’s decision was based purely on global viewership ratings. Despite the creative team’s stated interest in a “massive roadmap” for future seasons, the show reportedly did not achieve the required viewership benchmarks, marking yet another animated project under the Zack Snyder-Netflix collaboration that will not see a second chapter.

‘Good Times’ Reboot Fails to Find a Second Home

Rounding out the cancellations is the animated revival of the classic 1970s sitcom, Good Times. The reboot drew immediate attention and some controversy after its trailer was released, with commentators and some fans of the original expressing concerns about the new series’ approach.

While the series aimed to update the beloved property for a new generation, the reported cancellation confirms that the animated Good Times failed to resonate strongly enough with audiences or critics to secure a continuation.

The combined cancellations of these three series underscore Netflix’s continued strategy of prioritizing projects that demonstrate immediate and significant global viewership success.