Netflix looks to have an exciting year ahead, but not all of the streaming service’s 2025 milestones will necessarily result in celebration. Some of the best shows on Netflix have been around for years, whereas others are relative newcomers. So, despite Netflix’s reputation for canceling promising shows before they’ve had the chance to properly conclude, it’s at least promising to see Netflix is still generating long-running content while also bringing in projects to fill the holes their predecessors will eventually leave behind. However, 2025 makes this process far more obvious than usual.
Despite some divisive decisions, such as canceling Kaos after just one season, Netflix tends to let its more successful shows run their course on their own terms. The shows that are consistently streamed and work their way into popular culture tend to enjoy greater longevity, but some of the lesser-known projects are also quietly successful for the streaming service. Netflix’s 2025 is a blend of tearful farewells, the return of up-and-comers, and also the beginning of a whole new era. In a market saturated with competitors, Netflix really is rising to the challenge.
A Lot Of Netflix’s Most Popular Shows Are Ending In 2025
Stranger Things isn’t the only massive Netflix show that’s about to finish
Many of the shows that have been the reason to subscribe to Netflix in recent years are all coming to an end in 2025. Not only does Cobra Kai‘s final season arrive on February 13, 2025, but other enormous Netflix shows are also releasing their final episodes. For instance, You season 5 is expected in early 2025, ending the saga of Penn Badgley’s Joe Goldberg. Similarly, Big Mouth season 8 will serve as the animated comedy’s finale in 2025 – although there is yet to be an official release date provided.
Stranger Things
‘ upcoming animated spinoff show ensures the franchise will remain active.
Netflix’s flagship event in 2025 is the final season of the long-running Duffer Brothers sci-fi/horror show, Stranger Things. Like the other big Netflix shows ending in 2025, it’s still unclear just how and when Stranger Things 5 will be released. If the strategy of Cobra Kai season 6 is followed, as well as Stranger Things season 4, it could be that the show’s final batch of episodes will be split up and released in bursts to prolong the life of the cultural phenomenon. That being said, Stranger Things‘ upcoming animated spinoff show ensures the franchise will remain active.
Netflix’s 2025 Release Slate Also Includes Big Returning Shows
Wednesday & The Sandman are just the tip of the iceberg
The loss of so many beloved shows doesn’t mean Netflix is starting from scratch. The platform has been hard at work curating an impressive collection of replacement shows to fill the void left behind by the glaring absence of Stranger Things, You, and more. Not only will Wednesday season 2 arrive at some point next year, but The Sandman season 2 will also be released in 2025.
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Adding to the more fantastical side of things is the possibility of Star Trek: Prodigy season 3, with Netflix inheriting the show from Paramount+ ahead of the second run of episodes being released. Both current seasons are currently available to stream on Netflix, and although season 3 isn’t yet confirmed, it could be a big pull to the platform for Trekkies. Netflix subscribers can also expect the return of other shows, including (but not limited to):
- Alice in Borderland season 3
- Black Mirror season 7
- Squid Game season 3 (the final season)
- The Witcher season 4 (the first without Henry Cavill)
Away from the world of Netflix’s less-grounded projects, The Diplomat season 2’s ending won’t leave fans waiting long for a continuation, as The Diplomat season 3 is already confirmed and on the way in 2025. Keri Russell’s political thriller was renewed even before season 2 was released, so Netflix is clearly confident that the show will continue to do well. With so much of the story left to tell, The Diplomat has the potential to run for at least another couple of seasons.
Netflix Has Some Exciting Replacement Shows That Are Only Just Beginning
The Duffer Brothers have already been hard at work to replace Stranger Things
As well as there being plenty to enjoy in terms of established Netflix shows in 2025, the streaming giant has big plans for its future. Live-action standouts include Mindy Kaling’s new comedy show, Running Point, a British limited series from the creator of Black Mirror, called Toxic Town, and The Boroughs – the Duffer Brothers’ sci-fi replacement for Stranger Things. However, there are many other live-action shows of varying genres that all look promising.
With the success of previous animated projects like Arcane and Big Mouth, Netflix seems determined not to just keep its success going, but to double down on shows in the same medium. For instance, the video game series Devil May Cry is being adapted into an animated show, and so is the beloved Astérix & Obelix comic strip with 2025’s The Big Fight. In short, there will almost be too much to watch when choosing from Netflix‘s 2025 offerings, which is a great problem to have.
Source: What’s On Netflix
Netflix
Netflix is a global streaming service offering on-demand access to movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. Founded in 1997 as a DVD rental service, it transitioned to streaming in 2007 and now operates in over 190 countries.
