Top 10 Biggest Netflix Flops

Capitalizing on the American cultural landscape, Netflix produced a country-themed original with relatively conservative characters. “The Ranch” examines family dynamics, with Sam Elliott playing the grizzled patriarch and Ashton Kutcher starring as the black sheep that strayed and returned home. With such an accomplished cast - including Debra Winger, Danny Masterson and Elisha Cuthbert – the series has value on a practical level, and it provides a nostalgic feel by filming in front of a live studio audience. Yet, polarizing reviews plague “The Ranch,” with many finding the characters and narrative to be highly predictable.

On paper, this Netflix Original seems like a winner. Will Arnett, known for “Arrested Development” and “BoJack Horseman,” is the creator, executive producer and star. He plays Chip, a Venice Beach native that’s trying to overcome his personal demons. Given the premise, many have noticed similarities to the popular Showtime series “Californication,” which also features a conflicted man living in Venice. Strong as the production values may be, including some direction from the Oscar-winning Wally Pfister, “Flaked” failed to impress critics, considering its plot holes and tendency towards melodrama. Plus, the average viewer could easily find weak spots in the storytelling and the lead character’s all-too-familiar traits.

In July 2016, “Stranger Things” immediately connected with viewers thanks to its charming cast and nostalgic style. One month later, Netflix dropped another youth-centric series, albeit with a much different budget and setting. Created by the iconic Baz Luhrmann, “The Get Down” examines the molding of culture and music in 1970s South Bronx. The series reportedly cost a whopping $120 million, making it one of the most expensive Netflix Originals of the time. The initial six episodes were mostly well received, but viewers, whose numbers were already lower than expected, were kept waiting eight months for the second half, further hurting the numbers. Given the disconnect, Netflix ultimately cut the cord.

Filmed at Denver’s Bellco Theatre, this stand-up special didn’t exactly break the bank in terms of production costs or anything, but it was depicted as a trainwreck by numerous media outlets. Amy Schumer’s crude brand of humor seemingly didn’t connect with many Netflix subscribers, most notably the alt-right. According to various reports, a coordinated effort was actually made to lower the Netflix Original’s rating, resulting in a lengthy Instagram reaction from Schumer herself. Whether you agree with the largely positive reviews from critics or the naysayers and commenters online, the end result was the same for Netflix - a brutal rating and plenty of bad press.

Produced in Canada, this Netflix Original blends science fiction with teenage angst. There’s certainly a market for a series like “Between,” but the Netflix distribution deal didn’t prove to be a success with critics or subscribers. Former Nickelodeon actress Jennette McCurdy adds a certain amount of star power, but the story of Pretty Lake feels watered-down and bland when compared to more popular Netflix Originals, resulting in a 22% Rotten Tomatoes rating. After two seasons totaling 12 episodes, “Between” found itself relegated to a spot in television production limbo, with no word on its future as of September 2017.

As the platform’s first talk show, this Netflix Original broke new ground. Three episodes air each week, featuring interviews between host Chelsea Handler and various celebrities. The star power is there, yet many fans and critics have cited the bland conversation as a major flaw. In fact, “The New York Post” once published an article titled “Why is Chelsea Handler’s new show so awful?” Some viewers may enjoy the mix of edgy conversation and light-hearted topics, but the critics most definitely have issues with “Chelsea,” a series that seemingly bores more than it excites.

To tell an epic story, studios need an epic budget, and Netflix was willing to oblige in order to bring this historical drama to life. They reportedly spent $90 million on the first 10 episodes alone. Despite the quality production design, Season One of “Marco Polo” didn’t impress critics. Season Two delivered a notable bump in quality, but this Netflix Original inevitably flopped because of dollars and sense. All said and done, Netflix reportedly lost $200 million, a deficit from which the series couldn’t possibly bounce back. As a result, “Marco Polo” became the first Netflix Original series not to be renewed for a third season.

Unlike a TV series, films have no second season in which to mature and improve, meaning that when they fail, they can do it in truly spectacular fashion. “True Memoirs of an International Assassin” holds a 0 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating as of September 2017, which some would argue is the film’s greatest feat. The screenplay itself received plenty of hype in the years leading up to production, but the filmmaking and acting failed to keep viewers engaged. Critics were generally scathing in their reviews. Furthermore, the film upset native Venezuelans for the negative depiction of their country, making it a true International failure.

During its initial run, this Netflix Original earned two Emmy nominations. The visual effects and “Hemlock Grove” theme music were praise-worthy, but critics otherwise picked the show apart, particularly the storytelling, with many citing the lack of focus and slow pace as the primary issues. Viewers may find value in the horror experience, as well as all the gore and comedy that come with it, but the series ultimately failed to reach its full potential, even with noted horror director Eli Roth serving as co-executive producer. Netflix put the final nail in the coffin after three seasons.

Adam Sandler’s brand of comedy has always been rather distinct. So when he signed a four-movie deal with Netflix in 2014, many subscribers knew what to expect. However, in addition to failing to deliver the laughs, “The Ridiculous 6” managed to disappoint in surprising ways with its lack of cultural sensitivity. Numerous Native actors reportedly walked off set during the initial production. Despite the backlash and subsequent flops like “The Do-Over” and “Sandy Wexler,” Netflix extended Sandler’s deal in 2017. It would seem that Sandler’s Netflix Original films nonetheless deliver strong streaming numbers. Regardless, “The Ridiculous 6” was widely considered a colossal flop, at least cinematically and culturally speaking.