Netflix confirms thatKaoswas its most-watched canceled show in the second half of 2024. Created byThe End of the F*ckingWorld’s Charlie Covell, the dark comedy offered a modern, satirical twist on Greek myths, following a neurotic and insecure Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) as he grapples with an ominous prophecy threatening his reign. Theoriginal Netflix seriesspent four weeks in Netflix’s Top 10 and featured a stellar supporting cast that included Janet McTeer, David Thewlis, and Cliff Curtis.
As reported byDeadline,Kaosracked up 20.3 million viewsbetween July and December 2024,making it Netflix’s most-watched axed seriesin that timeframe. Debuting in August 2024, the Netflix series launched strongly with 3.4 million views in its first two days and gained 5.9 million more in its first September week. However, its viewership slowed significantly over the following weeks andKaoswas canceled in October.
What Kaos' Viewership On Netflix Means
Short-Term Success Isn’t Enough To Guarantee Renewal
Despite its initial popularity,Netflix canceledKaosjust 40 days after its premiere. It appears that if a large portion of viewers don’t complete a show’s season within a month of its release, Netflix assumes they won’t return for another installment—making renewal unlikely. DespiteKaosamassing over 20 million views in six months,its drop-off after the first few weeks of its streaming debut likely sealed its fate.This trend has been evident in other high-profile cancellations, includingObliterated, which was scrapped after one season despite garnering 27 million views in a shorter timeframe.
10 Best TV Shows Like Netflix’s Kaos
After watching Netflix’s dark comedy, Kaos, viewers can move on to these ten shows which explore mythology, dark comedy, and fantastical worlds.
Our Take On Kaos' Viewership
Some Shows Need Time—But Netflix Isn’t Willing to Wait
Netflix’s cancellation ofKaosreveals its hyperfocus on short-term engagement, but history proves that time can push a waning premiere into an iconic hit.Breaking Bad,The Office, andMad Menall struggled in their first seasons before growing into cultural staples. When studios base a show’s fate solely on early viewership data,they disregard television’s ability to evolveinto something greater.Kaoswasn’t given time to find its footing, revealing the greater pitfalls of streaming where promising series are cut short before they have a chance to thrive.
