Summary
Disney+ has now been around for five years and has canceled many of its original shows in that time frame.In the age of streaming, original shows come and go in rapid successionwhen streaming services are deeply entrenched in a game of finding shows that will make them the most money.All the shows Netflix canceled in 2023illustrate how the industry’s frontrunner will throw things out quickly if it is not an immediate smash hit. Some of Disney+ and Netflix’s cancellation decisions seem hasty, favoring profit over storytelling.
SomeTV shows get better with each season, necessitating time to build the overall story and chemistry among the cast.Disney+ cancels shows right away or after only two seasons if they do not see immediate resultswhen the show might have grown into something hugely popular and, as a consequence, extremely profitable.Netflix’s habit of canceling supernatural showsdemonstrates concerns about money, as this genre tends to be more expensive. It all goes to show that streaming services are rarely willing to risk it on a show that deserves the chance to become bigger and better.
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Disney+ has released several TV shows in 2024, but some of the streaming giant’s offerings this year manage to stand out among the rest.
8Renegade Nell (2024)
Renegade Nell Was A Promising Fantasy Show With A Strong Reception
Renegade Nellwas canceled with 87% on Rotten Tomatoesand is possibly on its way to becoming one of the martyrs of the streaming era. The new TV series blended a period adventure with elements of fantasy, arguably doing better with this than theworstPirates of the Caribbeanmovies.After young Nell Jackson is framed for murder, she finds herself on the run,depending upon supernatural abilities she doesn’t understand, until an enigmatic and friendly spirit offers her some insight.
However, magic also means expensive production, and Renegade Nell was apparently just not successful enough for Disney’s liking.
For a company that has been trying to recapture the success of the firstPirates of the Caribbeanmovie for close to 20 years,Disney gave up onRenegade Nellfast.The show was well-reviewed and well-liked; it found a strong heroine in Nell, who delivers plenty of biting remarks as she campaigns against corrupt and scheming nobles. It has a familiar swashbuckling tone, a clever criminal protagonist, and just the right amount of the supernatural.
However, magic also means expensive production, andRenegade Nellwas apparently just not successful enough for Disney’s liking.They are already dolling out massive budgets for the MCU andStar WarsTV shows and heldRenegade Nellto an impossible standardwhen it came to proving its worth within one season. The result is that multipleStar Warsshows with poorer reviews are languishing in development as Disney refuses to cancel them, whileRenegade Nell’s exploits are cut tragically short.
Renegade Nell
Renagade Nell is a Disney+ original series created by Sally Wainwright. The series follows a young woman named Nell Jackson who becomes a wanted outlaw after she is framed for murder. During her journey, she encounters a magical spirit named Billy, who reveals her true destiny.
7National Treasure: Edge Of History (2022-2023)
National Treasure’s Spinoff Series Put A Great Spin On The Movies' Content
TheNational Treasureseries offers a refreshing take on the basic premise of Nicolas Cage’s moviesby focusing more on Mesoamerican history than that of the Founding Fathers and Freemasons who happened across a fabled treasure. Like withNational Treasure, the histories upon which the story is based are somewhat fictionalized but contain elements of truth. The main cast is decent in their roles and leads another fun adventure for anyone who likes the detective work of theNational Treasuremovies.
There are also a lot of great tie-ins, as one of the main characters is the grandson of the FBI agent who pursued Ben Gates, who has since become very interested in treasure hunting himself.IfNational Treasuregot two movies despite average reviews, Disney+ should have allowed two seasonsbeforeNational Treasure: Edge of Historywas canceled. This would have given them time to tie up some loose threads, even if they were canceled afterward. However, the movies’ success was likely dependent on a much more famous cast than what the series had.
National Treasure: Edge of History
National Treasure: Edge of History expands on the National Treasure movie franchise told from the point of view of young Jess, a brilliant and resourceful DREAMer in search of answers about her family - who embarks on the adventure of a lifetime to uncover the truth about the past and save a lost Pan-American treasure. Jess will partner with her friends, Oren, Ethan, and her best friend, harboring a crush on her since childhood, Liam, to discover their search will lead them into a more profound mystery than they were prepared for.
6Doogie Kamealoha, M.D. (2021-2023)
The Doogie Howser Reboot’s Reviews Indicate An Unfair Cancellation
While it may not have been as popular with audiences as some Disney+ series,Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.still saw a strong run during its two seasons and doubtlessly has some dedicated fans.In this, Disney managed to pull off a halfway decent reboot in a time when they are a dime a dozen. The show earned its second season, while a third could have been used to tell the story in a nice trilogy format (in comparison,Doogie Howser, M.D.got four seasons).
However,Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.was canceled before season 3, getting swept up in a string of Disney+ cancellations in 2023 which also includedThe Mighty Ducks: Game ChangerandBig Shot.This was reportedly part of a strategy to focus more on Disney’s biggest franchises. It was compounded with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes disrupting much of Hollywood; essentially, this show’s quality only forms the smallest part of the logic behind its cancellation.
Doogie Kamealoha, MD
Doogie Kamealoha, MD is a medical dramedy series following the life of Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha, a teenage prodigy juggling her early medical career and the usual ups and downs of adolescence. Set in Hawaii, the show is a modern reimagining of the 1989 series Doogie Howser, MD and features Peyton Elizabeth Lee in the titular role, balancing her dual identities with humor and heart.
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5The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021-2022)
The Beloved Mysterious Benedict Society Didn’t Have Time To Get Off The Ground
However,The Mysterious Benedict Societywas also deemed to no longer be worth the effortwhen Bob Iger started implementing cost-cutting measures (viaThe Verge). Little justification was offered regarding the reasons for canceling each series beyond saving money, prompting some frustrated comments from cast and crew members. Disney+ might have tightened up its streaming lineup in 2023, but it drastically downgraded its variety.
The Mysterious Benedict Society
The Mysterious Benedict Society follows four gifted orphans recruited by the enigmatic Mr. Benedict to infiltrate a secretive institution known as the Institute. With a mission to prevent a global crisis referred to as The Emergency, the children must use their unique talents to uncover the truth and thwart a dangerous conspiracy threatening society.
4The Muppets Mayhem (2023)
Another Offbeat Muppets TV Show Meets An Early End
The Muppets have been struggling to find their footing in the 21st century following their two movies with theatrical releases.2015 saw an interesting take on Jim Hensen’s beloved characters with the mockumentary-styleThe Muppets,a series detailing the gang’s everyday work and personal lives in Hollywood. However, this series fell flat and was canceled after one season; Disney’sThe Muppets Mayhemwould meet the same fate several years later.
The Muppets Mayhemwas canceled before season 2due to some risky story decisions that resulted in it failing to gain the necessary viewership to continue.The series focuses on the band of the Muppets,the most well-known character of which is the drummer Animal. The absence of fan favorites and Muppets icons like Kermit and Miss Piggy did more harm than good. However, if the show had gotten another season, people might have come to appreciate the lesser-known Muppets more.
The Muppets Mayhem
The Muppets Mayhem is a Disney+ original series starring Lilly Singh. The show follows the iconic Muppets band as they set out to record their first album. The Muppets Mayhem also features a ton of celebrity musicians, including Weird Al Yankovic, Tommy Lee, Deadmau5, Lil Nas X, Kesha, and Ziggy Marley.
3Diary Of A Future President (2020-2021)
Elena’s Adventures In Middle School Politics Could Have Used One More Season
Diary of a Future President(along withWillow) was also a victim of the 2023 budget cuts and restructuring of Disney+. Fantasy shows were especially in danger because of the cost of producing them, butDiary of a Future Presidentstill didn’t survive.Diary of a Future Presidentis a heartwarming coming-of-age show filled with lovable charactersplayed by talented young actors. Highlights include Gina Rodriguez as the future Elena, granting the audience some clairvoyance as they are certain about the future present-day Elena frets over.
Diary of a Future Presidentcould also have benefited from the trilogy treatment of three seasons,even if the story might have become bland after that. Again, it is a case where it would have helped the show to know that they were on their last season before producing it. If Disney wanted to cut costs, they could have told some of these shows that they were only getting one more season, and they cut them off for financial reasons.
Diary of a Future President
Diary of a Future President is a coming-of-age comedy-drama series centered on Elena Cañero-Reed, a Cuban-American middle schooler, who chronicles her daily life and aspirations in her diary, envisioning her future path to becoming the President of the United States.
2Willow (2022-2023)
The Creators Intended Willow To Be The Beginning Of A Longer Fantasy Story
Willowis also a byproduct of the boom in epic fantasy, but rather than being an adaptation, it is a continuation of a lesser-known Disney movie from decades ago.Willowthe movie ends with the small mystery of what Elora Danan, who changed the course of history as a baby, will look like as a young woman. Ellie Bamber takes on this role, whilethe show is graced with the talents of returning star Warwick Davis and newer actress Erin Kellyman, among others.
Showrunner Jos Kandan has discussed different possibilities for the future of Willow, including a theatrical return.
WhileDisney axed what could have been a long-term fantasy series,the cast and crew have yet to give up on the possibility ofWillowseason 2. Showrunner Jos Kandan has discussed different possibilities for the future ofWillow, including a theatrical return. This particular example shows how frustrating all of Disney’s abrupt cancellations are for the creators when it is such a disservice to the story they had planned.
Willow
Based on the 1988 film of the same name,Willowfollows a Nelwyn magician and an infant girl who are destined to unite their realms. Set over twenty years after the film’s events; Willow sees a ragtag crew of heroes led by the titular Willow Ufgood as they journey to stop the Gales, an evil group set on conquering the world.
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1American Born Chinese (2023)
The Beloved Graphic Novel Adaptation Didn’t Get The Treatment It Deserves
American Born Chineseseason 2really should have happened, or Disney should have given it one more year to find its footing and audience before calling it quits. The fantasy coming-of-age series is based on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel of the same name about high school student Ben Wang who is pulled into a battle among the gods of Chinese mythology.It is surprising thatAmerican Born Chinesedidn’t get the viewership it needed to continuewhen it had great reviews and the built-in publicity of half of the cast ofEverything Everywhere All at Once.
However, the combined talents of Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu weren’t enough to saveAmerican Born Chinese, likely due to the show’s scale.Yet Disney is still spending massive amounts of money on its franchise shows,which are getting comparatively worse reviews. In the future, Disney might consider cutting some of the shows contributing to growing superhero fatigue, in favor of more variety for its streaming service.
American Born Chinese
American Born Chinese is a Disney+ original series that is based on graphic novels from author and illustrator Gene Leun Yang. The show follows Jin Wang, a typical teenager trying to juggle school and home life, who is thrown into the middle of a battle with Chinese mythological gods.
