2025 wasn’t quite as bad as 2024 when it comes to cancelations of great sci-fi and fantasy shows, but there were still a few that angered us. While there was good news, such as renewals for shows like Twisted Metal and complete endings for shows that finished as inended this year, it doesn't take away from the several great genre shows that prematurely ended way too soon.
These cancelations came out of left field and were unexpected. Even those many saw coming were still harsh. These are the sci-fi and fantasy show cancelations that galled genre fans, proving yet again that it's tough out there for any show to survive.
7. Solar Opposites
In a world where numerous animated shows seem to run for years, this Hulu series ending after only six seasons seems unfair. While never as famous as other series in the genre, Solar Opposites had massive critical acclaim and a cult audience that adored the misadventures of a pack of aliens stuck on Earth. The show’s off-the-wall humor could be sharper than, say, Family Guy, while packed with sci-fi mockery.
Each season got better than the previous one and the characters evolved and matured while never losing that sardonic edge. It wrapped up pretty well, but fans would gladly have watched another decade of this show. Its short lifespan is the opposite of what this series deserved.
6. Extraordinary
Canceling Extraordinary wasn't totally Hulu’s decision, yet it’s still too bad this delightful British sci-fi show ended after two seasons. The setup was original: In a world where everyone has a superpower, one woman (Máiréad Tyers) struggles to cope with her lack of one. The series put a spin on the superhero formula by presenting these powers as part of everyday life and the fascinating dynamics of how folks can be judged by their power set.
The series retained a quirky edge, wonderfully written characters and performances, crazy twists, a heartfelt romance, and season 2 ended on a cliffhanger to boot. The critical acclaim (a perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes score) only added to its appeal. It’s too bad that not enough viewers watched this truly extraordinary genre comedy.
5. The Bondsman
Prime Video seemed to have no faith in The Bondsman, as proven by canceling it just weeks after it debuted. That’s baffling, as it boasted a major star in Kevin Bacon and an intriguing plot that cast the actor as a murdered bounty hunter resurrected to track demons for the Devil. Bacon was in his usual fine form in the role, throwing himself into the action as a rough and tumble antihero who still won over the audience.
The show was laced with black humor and some gruesome scenes that became more hilarious with Bacon’s performance. The twists were also excellent, building to a cliffhanger for a new season. That it was never given a chance to grow its audience or gain more support from Amazon is appalling, as The Bondsman’s journey ended before it even got started.
4. Goosebumps
A TV series based on the beloved middle-grade novels by R.L. Stine already had potential. This Disney+ show took the smart approach of being an anthology series, with each season mixing elements of various Goosebumps novels into a captivating tale. Given the massive number of books written, surely Disney had enough material to keep this series going for years instead of canceling it after two seasons.
It’s a shame, as the second season had a tale that could appeal to Stranger Things fans, with a pack of kids solving a decades-old supernatural mystery connected to a danger their parents faced at their age. The show’s tone struck the right balance between horror, humor and characters you felt for, and always made a perfect watch for the Halloween season. While the Goosebumps franchise will undoubtedly continue, this intriguing arm of it is done.
3. The Sandman
The reasons for canceling The Sandman seem obvious. There was a high budget for this lavish fantasy show, as well as a scandal involving multiple sexual abuse accusations against Neil Gaiman, creator of the original comic book. The series was given a chance to wrap the story up and even a filmed a special final episode about Death. Yet given how much material the comic had for future seasons that could have tackled more original storylines, two seasons weren’t enough.
The producers admitted they had to speed things up and abandon the multi-season arcs they’d planned. The performances were fantastic and the storylines captured the magic and drama of the comics, so season 2 worked fine as a conclusion. But many fans still wish this series had continued, as The Sandman had plenty of tales to keep going for years.
2. Resident Alien
Yes, it was given a chance to wrap its storyline up, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Resident Alien deserved a far longer life. The delightful sci-fi mystery-comedy succeeded thanks to Alay Tudyk’s marvelous performance as the alien doctor, with every season amping up the story arcs. The fourth season was just as good, adding in more drama as Harry accepted his place on Earth right before a new threat arrives.
Again, the show was at least able to craft an ending that could work as the series finale. That doesn’t excuse how it should have gotten at least one more season to wrap up some dangling plot threads. Not to mention, one more year of Tudyk’s wondrous performance would have been amazing to watch. This Resident should have stuck around far longer.
1. The Wheel of Time
This one truly hurts. The Wheel of Time may have started off slowly, but it improved significantly in the third season. It finally did justice to the epic fantasy series, the cast was now comfortable in their roles, and it came together into a terrific season of action, thrills, drama, romance and more. It was all building up to an epic clash in season 4…only for Amazon to axe the show outright.
There’s been talk the cancelation was due to the budget or poor viewing numbers, yet it doesn’t seem right for Amazon to drop The Wheel of Time while the show was on such a creative upswing. It had finally become the grand epic fans of the novels wanted and should have continued to the end of the tale. To cut The Wheel of Time short before the story could wrap up is a blow to the entire genre.