2025 is primed to be an incredible year forNetflix, but that could end up causing trouble for the streaming platform’s future.Netflix’s 2025 release scheduleconfirms that this year’s lineup is jam-packed with fan-favorite TV shows and highly anticipated movies. In fact, many of themost highly anticipated Netflix releases of 2025are sequels that have been years in the making.
Among those shows and movies audiences are most looking forward to areSquid Gameseason 3,Stranger Thingsseason 5,Youseason 5, andWednesdayseason 2. Even Adam Sandler’s 29-year-old comedyHappy Gilmoreis getting a sequel on Netflix this year.While these 2025 Netflix releases are certainly exciting, though, they also reveal a major problem for Netflix’s future.
2025 Looks To Be Netflix’s Most Exciting Release Schedule In The Streamer’s History
This Year’s Releases Are Some Of Netflix’s Most Highly Anticipated Ever
There are a host of Netflix shows that are consistently going to draw audiences in, and many of them are returning to the streaming platform this year.Stranger Thingsis easily one of Netflix’s most popular shows, and finally, three years after season 4, the show is returning for the fifth and final season. Likewise,You, starring Penn Badgley as serial killer Joe Goldberg, has a massive following. Two years afterYouseason 4, the show is also returning for its fifth and final season.
Wednesdayis also returning three years after its most recent season, although unlikeStranger ThingsandYou,Wednesdayhas only released one season so far. Even so, that show proved to be massively popular, and audiences have long awaited a second season. Some shows, such asSquid Game, have had much more recent releases, althoughSquid Gamewill also be concluding with the new season that is set to drop on June 27th of this year.
Squid Game Season 3: Release Date, Cast, Story & Everything We Know
The smash-hit Korean series Squid Game finally returned to Netflix for its second season in late 2024, and season 3 is already confirmed too.
Netflix’s Massive 2025 Release Slate Hurts The Streaming Service’s 2026 Schedule
2025 will be a thrilling year for Netflix, but that means2026 may be a very difficult year for the platform in terms of its releases. Fan-favorite shows likeYou,Stranger Things,Squid Game, andCobra Kaiare just some of theNetflix shows ending in 2025. Even for shows that are not currently confirmed to be ending, though, such asWednesdayandBlack Mirror, their 2025 releases suggest they won’t be getting additional seasons in 2026.
As mentioned, three years have passed between seasons 1 and 2 ofWednesday. While it’s not entirely out of the question that a new season would roll out soon after,it’s unlikely the show will get a third season as quickly as 2026. Similarly, two years have passed between the most recent seasons ofBlack Mirror, again suggesting that another season wouldn’t be released next year. This means that in 2026, Netflix will likely be without many of its most popular TV shows.
In 2026, Netflix will likely be without many of its most popular TV shows.
Why 2026 Will Be A Big Test For Netflix
Netflix Won’t Be Able To Rely On Many Fan-Favorite Shows Next Year
Without many of these fan-favorite shows,Netflix will have to rely primarily on movies and new original shows. One issue with this is simply that it often takes time for shows to become a major hit. In all likelihood, new originals won’t immediately have a following. Rather, they will need to first get the views and then keep audiences engaged.
This bleeds into another Netflix issue, though. Netflix hasn’t exactly inspired confidence in its viewers that the new original shows they love will stick around. In recent years, Netflix has canceled many shows that viewers loved after just one season because, by whatever metric, they didn’t perform well enough.Kaos, starring Jeff Goldblum, is one great example of this. Although viewers of the show largely enjoyed it (it has a solid 83% audience score onRotten Tomatoes), evidently, the numbers weren’t enough for Netflix to renewKaosfor a second season.
Netflix hasn’t exactly inspired confidence in its viewers that the new original shows they love will stick around.
This history, which extends far beyond just one show, may weaken Netflix’s chances at success if the platform must shift toward new shows. Theoretically, to make a shift towards primarily new shows and movies work,Netflix will need to adjust how success is being measured and how shows are chosen for renewal. That isn’t to say that no popular shows will be returning in 2026.
Bridgerton, yet another very popular Netflix show, is expected to have a mid-to-late 2026 release on Netflix, for example. However, with so many shows ending in 2025 or unlikely to return in 2026, Netflix may have a problem on its hands next year. Netflix’s recent choices regarding the streaming platform’s costs may have just compounded that issue so much more, too.
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The Regency Era romance has kept heart fluttering for three seasons thus far, and Netflix has already renewed Bridgerton for season 4.
How Subscription Prices Will Become A Bigger Factor For Netflix In 2026
Will Netflix’s 2026 Slate Justify The Cost?
Netflix is increasing the prices across all tiers yet again, which will likely only contribute to this problem. The monthly subscription with ads is increasing by $1, to $7.99 per month. The ad-free tier and premium tier are increasing even more than that, with the ad-free tier increasing by $2.50 per month, for a total of $17.99 per month, and the premiere plan is increasing by $2 per month, with a total monthly cost of $24.99.
The cost increase combined with a potentially slow 2026 could mean major trouble for Netflix.
Netflix isn’t alone in this predicament. Other streaming platforms, such as Disney+, have also committed to the 8-episode season structure and have faced similar complaints. However, based on the sheer number of shows ending in 2025 and the likelihood that many 2025 releases will not return in 2026,Netflixmay have trouble on the horizon, only worsened by the recent price hikes.
