Streaming once felt like an endless buffet of entertainment, but more and more Canadians are starting to push back. Rising subscription costs, oversaturation of content, and shows that no longer feel worth the binge are leading many viewers to hit cancel. From once-beloved franchises that dragged on too long to originals that never lived up to the hype, Canadians are being selective about what earns their time and their monthly dollars. Here are 15 popular streaming shows Canadians are actually cancelling:
Riverdale (Netflix)
Once a guilty pleasure, Riverdale is now one of the most cancelled shows among Canadian Netflix users. The early seasons had dark, twisty teen drama energy, but the later ones spiraled into absurd plotlines that tested even loyal fans’ patience. Many complain that the show lost its grounding in relatable high school struggles, veering instead into bizarre, campy territory. Add in long seasons padded with filler episodes, and the time commitment no longer feels worth it. With so many new shows dropping every month, Canadians are deciding to cut Archie and friends loose for fresher, more engaging stories.
The Crown (Netflix)
The Crown was once one of Netflix’s most prestigious hits, but Canadian viewers are starting to drift away. While the first few seasons delivered riveting performances and sharp storytelling, later ones have been criticized as slower, less engaging, and overly stretched. Many fans claim that the quality of the show declined after the cast transition, with the focus shifting more toward spectacle than compelling drama. Add in some historical liberties that drew backlash, and enthusiasm has cooled. With the final season feeling more like an obligation than a treat, many Canadians have quietly stopped watching this once-essential royal drama.
Emily in Paris (Netflix)
Canadians initially tuned in for Emily in Paris’s lighthearted escapism, but patience is wearing thin among audiences. While the fashion and Parisian scenery still sparkle, many viewers complain that the storylines feel repetitive and shallow, offering little character growth season after season. Critics have also pointed out the overreliance on stereotypes and unrealistic situations, which can be more frustrating than fun. With rising subscription costs, some Canadians feel the show no longer earns its spot in their watchlist. What began as a guilty pleasure rom-com escape has become easy to drop in favor of smarter, more rewarding series.
Grey’s Anatomy (Disney+)
Grey’s Anatomy has a devoted following, but many Canadians say they’re finally letting go. After nearly two decades and countless cast changes, the medical drama’s endless twists feel repetitive. Early seasons carried emotional weight and gripping stories, but the more recent ones struggle to recreate that magic. Disney+ subscribers in Canada increasingly report that they can’t justify dedicating time to a series that seems to be running on fumes. With hundreds of episodes already behind it, new seasons feel more like background noise than appointment viewing, prompting many to cancel the long-standing tradition altogether.
The Witcher (Netflix)
The Witcher once had Canadians hooked with Henry Cavill’s charismatic lead performance and fantasy action. But the announcement of Cavill’s departure, coupled with inconsistent storytelling, has cooled enthusiasm. Fans say the show has become confusing, with timelines and character arcs muddled instead of captivating. Many are also skeptical that Liam Hemsworth can carry the series forward in Cavill’s absence. For a show that required careful attention, some Canadians now feel it’s simply not worth the effort. With other fantasy hits competing for attention, The Witcher is losing its place on Canadian watchlists at a noticeable pace.
The Handmaid’s Tale (Crave/Hulu)
When The Handmaid’s Tale first premiered, it resonated strongly with Canadian audiences, especially given Margaret Atwood’s roots. But after multiple seasons, viewers say the show has become hard to stick with. Complaints include repetitive storylines, overly drawn-out pacing, and an increasingly bleak tone that feels exhausting rather than thought-provoking. While the performances remain strong, many Canadians admit they’ve stepped away because the series stopped offering new insights. What started as a gripping dystopian drama has become a draining watch, leading even longtime fans to cancel before the final chapters arrive.
Stranger Things (Netflix)
Stranger Things remains popular, but Canadian viewers are cancelling in greater numbers than Netflix may like. The long gaps between seasons have frustrated fans, and some feel the show lost its spark after the initial mystery was resolved. While the 1980s nostalgia and strong performances still attract audiences, drawn-out runtimes and a sense of diminishing returns have chipped away at interest. Many Canadians say they’ll tune in for the finale but have otherwise stopped keeping up. With streaming options multiplying, Stranger Things no longer commands the same must-watch urgency it once did.
Outer Banks (Netflix)
At first, Outer Banks delivered adventure, romance, and teen mystery in a breezy package. But over time, Canadians have grown weary of its increasingly far-fetched plots and recycled conflicts. Many point out that the characters haven’t developed much, and the treasure-hunt storylines have started to feel repetitive. While still popular with a younger audience, older viewers who tuned in during the pandemic are cancelling, saying it no longer justifies the binge. For many Canadians, the show’s fun vibes aren’t enough to compete with stronger teen dramas and thrillers available on streaming platforms.
Manifest (Netflix)
Manifest landed on Netflix and quickly found a second life in Canada, but its staying power hasn’t lasted. The premise of a mysterious flight and missing passengers intrigued viewers early on, yet later seasons drew criticism for clunky dialogue, meandering subplots, and inconsistent pacing. Many Canadians admit they kept watching to “see how it ends”, but ultimately lost interest along the way. The supernatural elements stopped feeling fresh, and emotional payoffs didn’t always land. With so many new releases competing for attention, Canadians are quietly cancelling this once-viral streaming hit.
Virgin River (Netflix)
Virgin River became a comfort watch for many Canadians, but even cozy dramas can overstay their welcome. Viewers now complain that the series moves too slowly, stretching small-town storylines over too many episodes. While the setting remains charming and the romance appeals to fans of feel-good TV, critics argue it’s repetitive and lacks real surprises. With Netflix constantly raising prices, some Canadians say they can’t justify paying for shows that don’t hold their attention anymore. The once-soothing pace of Virgin River is now leading many subscribers to cancel and seek fresher storytelling elsewhere.
You (Netflix)
You initially captivated Canadian viewers with its chilling mix of romance, obsession, and suspense. But after several seasons, fatigue has set in. Many complain that the plot keeps recycling the same formula, of Joe moves, Joe obsesses, Joe kills, with diminishing returns. Some say the show has gone from smartly unsettling to over-the-top melodrama. While Penn Badgley’s performance remains strong, Canadian audiences are finding less reason to stay invested. With countless thrillers available on streaming, You no longer feels essential viewing, prompting more subscribers to drop it from their watchlists.
Never Have I Ever (Netflix)
This teen comedy-drama was a breakout hit, but its final seasons didn’t capture Canadian audiences the same way as the beginning. Many say the charm of Devi’s coming-of-age story wore thin, with repetitive conflicts and predictable resolutions. Some viewers felt the writing leaned too heavily on stereotypes instead of pushing characters into fresh territory. While the show remains a solid option for lighthearted entertainment, Canadians are cancelling after realizing it no longer stands out in a crowded teen-drama field. What was once a must-watch Netflix has become a show many are comfortable letting go of.
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix)
Canadians loved the quirky, superhero-family premise of The Umbrella Academy at first. The unique characters and stylish action made it feel like something different. However, by the third season, many say the storytelling began to feel repetitive and disjointed. Long breaks between seasons also drained excitement, with some viewers admitting they forgot the plot. With bigger superhero properties dominating the streaming and movie landscape, The Umbrella Academy no longer stands out. Canadians are cancelling not because it’s terrible, but because the novelty has worn off and fresher, tighter series are now competing for attention.
Selling Sunset (Netflix)
Reality TV juggernaut Selling Sunset once drew Canadians in with its mix of lavish real estate and outrageous drama. But after multiple seasons, many viewers say the formula feels stale. The overproduced conflicts, scripted-feeling drama, and repetitive luxury listings aren’t holding attention the way they used to. Some Canadians also point out that the real estate aspect, which was the original hook, has been overshadowed by constant feuds. With other reality shows offering fresher takes, Selling Sunset is increasingly being cancelled by Canadians who feel they’ve seen it all before.
Big Mouth (Netflix)
Animated series Big Mouth started strong with its bold humor and awkward puberty storytelling. But for many Canadians, the shock value has worn off. Some complain that the show leans too heavily on crude jokes without offering the same cleverness that made it stand out in early seasons. Others say the storylines haven’t evolved enough, making the humor feel repetitive. While it still has a loyal fan base, more subscribers are deciding to cancel it from their queue. For Canadians, Big Mouth no longer feels like an essential animated comedy, but more like background noise.
21 Products Canadians Should Stockpile Before Tariffs Hit
If trade tensions escalate between Canada and the U.S., everyday essentials can suddenly disappear or skyrocket in price. Products like pantry basics and tech must-haves that depend on are deeply tied to cross-border supply chains and are likely to face various kinds of disruptions
21 Products Canadians Should Stockpile Before Tariffs Hit
