Top 10 Overhyped Netflix Releases

Centered around an ex-FBI agent on the lam, on paper, “The Gray Man” seemed like it was going to break records. It had popular performers like Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, and big name directors behind the camera. Netflix even poured a ton of money into both the film and advertising budgets, proving how much faith they had in it. While it did get tens of millions of views in the first day, some didn’t find it as remarkable as the trailers had made it seem. For a project with this much star power and money behind it, there was no room for error. Despite making a big splash at first, it has unfortunately faded into the background amongst their more popular releases.

This series follows the famous explorer in his youth. It was originally supposed to be aired on cable, but ended up being picked up by the streaming service instead for nearly $100 million. That price was practically unheard of for television, and was enough to pique people’s interest. However, that quickly ebbed once it started airing, While the casting was solid, many found the concept to be unimaginative. First impressions are everything, and the lackluster pilot was enough to turn people away. While the second season was met with a better response, the company decided against renewing it for a third, and pulled the plug – but not before suffering a huge loss in profit.

The success of 2016’s “10 Cloverfield Lane” left fans excited for more of the franchise – and the third installment being set in space only heightened their anticipation. Netflix could tell that the hype was strong, and they advertised it constantly – even at huge events like the Super Bowl. The promotion paid off, and “The Cloverfield Paradox” was seen by millions. Unfortunately, the press wasn’t enough to make it a critical hit. It was viewed by fans as a disservice to the previous movies, with the plot and special effects specifically being called out. It was a shame, given that it would have helped keep a beloved franchise alive.

Netflix had seen previous success with adult animation, so it’s easy to see why they thought “Hoops” would be a hit as well. It focuses on a school’s struggling basketball team and their chaotic coach. While the cast was talented – with “New Girl” actor Jake Johnson at the helm – it wasn’t enough to make it a success. Viewers felt that the writing leaned too heavily on swearing and crude humor, rather than just making good jokes. The fact that the plot was thin at best also didn’t help. While it had potential, it unfortunately couldn’t live up to the success of its predecessors, and was canceled after just ten episodes.

During the pandemic, people were craving a form of escapism while being stuck at home. “Emily in Paris” seemed like the perfect solution. A show about a young woman finding herself while in France was a great setup for a coming of age narrative. Unfortunately, the audience realized soon after starting that this show wasn’t going to cure them of their wanderlust. There were several things that threw people off, from the portrayal of French culture to Emily being extremely out-of-touch. The audience found her unrealistic and unrelatable. What could have been the next great sitcom ultimately ended up as mostly just a guilty pleasure.

It can be easy to let high hopes get the best of you, and that was definitely the case when it came to “Bright.” The studio had a lot of faith in the project, to the point where they were willing to sink $90 million into its production. It had an interesting concept, and attempted to showcase both the buddy-cop and fantasy genres in a new light. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out the way they had hoped. The movie was met with immediate criticism, from the poor worldbuilding to the failed attempts at commentary on various social issues. While executives had been considering turning “Bright” into a franchise with its own universe, the unexpected negative reaction quickly put an end to that idea.

A satirical take on a real branch of the military with the same name, this comedy starred Steve Carell as General Mark Naird. The program was met with a mixed response – while some responded well to the satire, others felt that it was too heavy handed. As time went on, the show seemed to be recycling the same joke throughout the episodes. While Carell and John Malkovich received praise for their work, everything else ultimately fell flat. People felt that it relied too heavily on the topical moment that had inspired it, rather than the characters or plot.

This one had everything it should have needed to succeed: a unique premise, a live audience, and of course, Kathy Bates. The sitcom centers around the owner of a dispensary finding success after marijuana is legalized. It utilized various artistic mediums, from standard live action to animated scenes depicting a character’s trips. It even had a built-in demographic of stoners eager to watch. Unfortunately, while the idea was fantastic, the execution fell short. Viewers found the jokes to be predictable and not as smart as they could have been, and “Disjointed” was discontinued after only one season.

While having huge stars in your film is a great way to reel viewers in, it doesn’t mean it will keep them fully engaged. “Red Notice” stars established actors like Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson working together to pull off a heist. The studio was so certain of its success that it sank hundreds of millions into the budget. The response was incredibly divisive – while fans loved seeing the two titans on screen together, critics felt the opposite. To them, the movie was more of an opportunity for the company to flex its wallet and its ability to cast A-listers rather than a quality story.

When it comes to a franchise as expansive as Marvel, the standards are high. The studio has become known for their intertwined stories and universes. Netflix has also had a great streak of inter-connected shows – such as “Jessica Jones” and “The Defenders.” However, they couldn’t seem to catch that same spark with “Iron Fist.” The hero had popped up throughout the various series, and fans were excited to learn that he’d be getting one of his own. That is, until it actually came out. Many found that it lacked intensity and entertainment value, and that it simply couldn’t measure up to the other Marvel shows. In the end, it felt like a genuinely interesting character had been wasted.