With HBO Max canceling scripted programming due to the Warner-Discovery merger, the longevity of streaming shows has once again been put into question. Abiding by different metrics of success and licensing agreements, some of the most popular streaming shows end up on the chopping block.

Since the first streaming exclusive shows premiered in 2013, many misfires, bombs, and controversies led to the downfall of many critically acclaimed series and cancellations without a proper conclusion. From Sense8 to The Punisher, these shows were loved by audiences and critics alike, leaving fans to scratch their heads wondering what could have been.

Sneaky Pete (2015-2019) - 8.1

Amazon Prime Video

Sneaky Pete Giovanni Ribisi talking on the phone

A tense crime drama, Sneaky Pete follows a con man recently released from prison and adopted the identity of his former cellmate to hide from a ruthless gangster. However, "Pete" is in for more than he bargained for, as his adopted family carries dangerous qualities of their own.

Related: 10 Best Movies On Amazon Prime Video This Month

Despite receiving high ratings, great reviews, and boasting a cast that included Giovanni Ribisi, Margo Martindale, and Bryan Cranston, Amazon decided to cancel Sneaky Pete after three seasons. While no official reason was given, The Hollywood Reporter reported that leading up to Sneaky Pete's cancellation, there was a change in showrunners, shifting leadership at Amazon, and a growing tendency for streaming services, like Amazon, to cancel most of its shows too early.

Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj (2018-2020) - 8.2

Netflix

Hasan Minhaj on Patriot Act

Hosted by the former Daily Show correspondent and cast member of one of Apple TV+'s best shows The Morning Show, Patriot Act With Hasan Minhaj was a political satire program on Netflix that aired weekly, covering different topics in the modern cultural and political landscape.

Though it received glowing reviews for its extensive coverage on controversial subjects, a slew of awards, and commendations from several prominent comedians and commentators, Patriot Act was canceled after six seasons. According to Variety, Netflix heavily weighs viewership against the cost of production with their programming, and talk shows have been a struggling genre for Netflix to crack, with all previous efforts lasting no more than a few seasons.

Patriot (2015-2018) - 8.2

Amazon Prime Video

Michael chases a suspect inside a train in Patriot Amazon

A political black comedy, Patriot follows intelligence officer John Tavner, a man with complicated relationships whose new assignment asks him to assume a non-official cover, doing away with all the usual safety nets. Should he not succeed, Iran would have the potential to go nuclear.

The show, led by Michael Dorman and Kurtwood Smith, had favorable reviews which praised it for its unique humor. After its second season launch, the show's future was up in the air for 9 months. Per Deadline, news of Patriot's cancellation was finally confirmed by Amazon co-head of TV Albert Cheng during a 2019 TCA executive session, though a clear reason was not given for the show's sudden end.

The Midnight Gospel (2020) - 8.2

Netflix

The Midnight Gospel on Netflix

The Midnight Gospel's basic premise revolves around a 'spacecaster' Clancy Gilroy, who lives on a planet that contains the powers to allow its inhabitants to simulate a variety of universes. During each episode, Gilroy interviews subjects from the different simulations before having to escape from an apocalyptic event.

One of the best adult animated shows on Netflix, The Midnight Gospel received positive reviews and grew a loyal fanbase, with many praising the show for its ability to cover deep and heavy topics in a relaxed and fun way. That said, the show's abrupt end coincided with the cancellation of a number of other animated Netflix projects following the company's poor first-quarter results via Adweek. The show's creator, Duncan Trussell, shared the news of the cancellation on Twitter and confirmed Netflix owned the rights to the show, making it difficult to be picked up by other studios and companies (via GameRant).

Catastrophe (2015-2019) - 8.2

Amazon Prime Video

Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan in Catastrophe Amazon Prime Video

Originally airing on Channel 4 before streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Catastrophe was a sitcom that tracked the relationship between Sharon and Rob. They have a short fling while Rob is visiting London, only to discover that Sharon is pregnant. The rest of the series follows what happens after Rob moves to London to begin their journey as a couple.

The show received acclaim throughout its run and was a hit in the U.K. with a small but loyal fanbase in the U.S. While Catastrophe's cancellation wasn't announced, the showrunners confirmed that they had to condense everything to fit the British format from a longer season model conventionally used in American sitcoms (via Indiewire). Its bleak ending has left fans questioning the characters' fate and sealed the series' unexpected closure.

The Get Down (2016-2017) - 8.2

Netflix

Main cast of The Get Down kneeling on the floor

Set in the 1970s, The Get Down tells the story of hip hop and disco music's rise through the eyes of a group of teenagers in the Bronx. Each of the main characters starts off wanting to break into the world of music, and as the show goes on, they have varying levels of success.

Related: 15 Netflix Shows That Were Canceled After One Season

The show was applauded for its authenticity and ambitious scope, weaving together a handful of fictional narratives while supplanting itself in the middle of history. Yet, per Deadline, the show's budget ballooned to $120 million, production was delayed, and show creator, Baz Luhrmann, indicated he couldn't commit full-time to a potential second season. Following these hurdles, Netflix canceled The Get Down after one season.

Sense8 (2015-2018) - 8.2

Netflix

One of the best sci-fi shows with LGBTQ+ main characters, Sense8 tracks eight strangers from all over the world as they discover psychic connections to each other, forming a "cluster." As they work out the extent of their shared abilities, the "sensates" realize there are people who want to hunt them down.

The show was lauded internationally, with many praising the effective and diverse casting as well as the show's themes of empathy and inclusion. Shortly after it was canceled, Netflix's Ted Sarandos stated at a conference (via The Hollywood Reporter):

"The audience was very passionate, but not large enough to support the economics of something that big, even on our platform."

The show's 'passionate' fanbase came out in droves to criticize the decision. Following mounting pressure, Netflix green lit a two-hour finale episode to tie up loose narrative ends (via The Hollywood Reporter).

The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance (2019) - 8.4

Netflix

The Dark Crystal Age of Resistance Gelflings

A prequel to the 1982 Jim Henson film The Dark Crystal, The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance focuses on three Gelflings, Rian, Deet, and Brea, who journey together to unite the Gelfling clans against the Skeksis to save their planet.

Related: 10 Best Jim Henson's Creature Shop Movies (According To IMDb)

During its run, the show was praised for expanding the lore of the original film without losing sight of the world's emotional core. Although it was canceled after one season, the split was amicable, with the creatives at The Jim Henson Company hoping to continue their stories in the future in other ways (via Deadline).

The Punisher (2017-2019) - 8.5

Netflix

Jon Bernthal as Frank Castlestanding in the shadows in The Punisher

Based on one of the best Marvel Comics mercenaries, The Punisher picks up after the events Frank Castle was involved with in Daredevil season 2. Now having exacted revenge on those responsible for his family's death, Castle begins to uncover a larger conspiracy at hand.

While critics were lukewarm about the ruthless vigilante, audiences loved Jon Bernthal's take on the violent, boundary-pushing character. After two successful seasons, the show was canceled during the final stage of Netflix and Disney's disentangling relationship, as reported by Deadline.

Daredevil (2015-2018) - 8.6

Netflix

charlie cox as matt murdock in daredevil

Netflix's first Marvel television show, Daredevil, tells the story of Matt Murdock, a blind lawyer whose superhuman senses allow him to moonlight as a vigilante. While on patrol, Murdock slowly begins to unravel the workings of New York City's criminal underworld dominated by Wilson Fisk.

All three of the show's seasons were critically acclaimed, with Charlie Cox's portrayal of Murdock reinvigorating interest in the character. But in 2018, Daredevil was canceled following the cancellation of Iron Fist and Luke Cage. However, Netflix said Daredevil would live on in future Marvel projects (via Deadline). This turned out to be true, with Cox set to return as Daredevil in Daredevil: Born Again in 2024 for Disney+.

Next: The 10 Best TV Shows To Watch On Netflix This Month