5 Canceled Fantasy TV Shows That Ended On A Cliffhanger

Fantasyshow cancelations are always disappointing for dedicated fans, but it's especially frustrating when series are cut short on the heels of cliffhangers. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence for streaming shows, especially within the fantasy genre. Numerous fantasy shows have been canceled before completing their original plans, and in some cases, this means major incidents remain unresolved. This can be seen with several of Netflix's recent projects, though it's not the only platform to have this problem.

Fantasy shows tend to have intricate plots, which makes it difficult to end a season on a conclusive note, unless it's the final outing. If there's more story to tell, projects attempt to build momentum ahead of another season. This makes things worse when they're unexpectedly canceled, as there are huge questions and storylines that never get addressed properly.

5 Shadow And Bone (2021-2023)

Canceled After Season 2

Despite Leigh Bardugo's books boasting a committed fan base, Shadow and Bone was canceled by Netflix after just two seasons — and the show's final episode left viewers in a strange place. On the one hand, Shadow and Bone season 2 successfully resolved the issues of the Darkling and the Fold, wrapping some of the biggest storylines in a way that felt like a proper ending. However, that didn't prevent the Netflix show from dropping a major twist in the final moments of season 2. This made its premature conclusion more disappointing.

This cliffhanger raised many questions that even Bardugo's books couldn't answer.

Shadow and Bone season 2's ending diverged from Bardugo's canon, revealing that Alina had manifested the same shadow abilities as General Kirigan during its final scene. This cliffhanger raised many questions that even Bardugo's books couldn't answer. Add in the fact that Alina became the Queen of Ravka — another break from the source material — and viewers were desperate to know where things were headed. Unfortunately, thanks to the series' cancelation, we'll never see how things might have played out.

4 Warrior Nun (2020-2022)

Canceled After Season 2

Warrior Nun has become one of Netflix's most controversial cancelations in recent years, prompting a massive fan campaign to bring back the series — one that led to the announcement of Warrior Nun movies, though there's been little news about them since. And the disappointment surrounding Warrior Nun's cancelation went beyond the fact that it was massively underrated, led by powerful women, and had great LGBTQ+ representation. Warrior Nun season 2's ending also left viewers on a cliffhanger after finally giving them the romance they'd been waiting for.

Ava nearly dies during the fight against Adriel in Warrior Nun season 2's finale, but Sister Beatrice and Lilith send her through a portal to another realm to save her. Ava and Beatrice finally admit their love for one another before this happens, leaving viewers eager for a reunion. Lilith's sentiment that a holy war is on the horizon also makes it seem like there's more to come in Warrior Nun season 3. This finale certainly doesn't feel like the end of the story, and the post-credits scene teases that it isn't. Unfortunately, none of these hints were delivered on.

3 Kaos (2024)

Canceled After Season 1

Kaos was one of Netflix's most interesting new shows in 2024, but sadly, the Jeff Goldblum-led series was short-lived. And like many other canceled Netflix projects,Kaos left viewers on a pretty unfortunate cliffhanger. Hera rallies the troops against Zeus during the final moments of season 1, but she'll never get the chance to go to war with her husband now that Kaos has been canceled. That's not to mention all the other storylines left unresolved, from Zeus' aging problem to Eurydice's destiny.

Kaos is the perfect example of a fantasy project with plenty of potential that wasn't given a chance to find its footing.

Kaos established a clear direction for season 2, and the Netflix series left the fates of the gods up in the air after its season 1 finale. This made it all the more disappointing when the streamer revealed that it wouldn't return. Kaos is the perfect example of a fantasy project with plenty of potential that wasn't given a chance to find its footing.

2 Lockwood & Co. (2023)

Canceled After Season 1

Lockwood & Co. is another fantasy series to meet an early end on Netflix, but fortunately, Jonathan Stroud's books can tell viewers where things are headed next. Lockwood & Co. season 1's ending leaves off on an unsatisfying note, with Lockwood about to reveal important information about his backstory by opening the door to his secret room.

The outing comes to a frustrating close at this point, and the series' cancelation ensures this final scene will remain a frustrating and mysterious moment. While those who have read the books can piece together what comes next, those invested in Netflix's iteration of Lockwood & Co. were left wondering. It's a shame, as this was yet another fantasy series with great potential.

1 Cursed (2020)

Canceled After Season 1

Cursed was one of Netflix's best releases of 2020, but the fantasy show didn't make it past the first season.Cursed was canceled, and its final episode ended on a pretty clear-cut cliffhanger. Nimeu is shot and falls into a body of water during Cursed season 1's ending, but it's never revealed whether she lives or dies. Thanks to the fantasy series' cancelation, there's been no answer to this question. While ambiguous conclusions work for some shows, this one didn't suit Cursed, which easily could have continued.

Despite leaving the fate of its heroine hanging in the balance, Cursed's cliffhanger ending has received significantly less backlash than some of the other canceled fantasy projects of the 2020s. It's still a great example of a fantasy show that was canceled at the worst time, however, making a good argument for giving series more than one season to tell their stories.

trendglee