Netflix cancels controversial animated series after backlash

Netflix has cancelled Good Times: Black Again following sustained criticism over its portrayal of a Black family in Chicago’s housing projects. The animated reboot, released in April 2024 as a modern take on the classic 1970s sitcom, was officially dropped in November 2025 after one season. The decision formed part of a wider update to Netflix’s adult animation line-up, which also saw Exploding Kittens and Zack Snyder’s Twilight of the Gods axed after a single season.

Why the series faced backlash

Civil rights groups including the NAACP and the December 12th Movement condemned the show for what they described as stereotypical and harmful depictions of Black characters. Viewers echoed the criticism across social media, calling the series offensive and poorly executed. Although Netflix did not provide a detailed public explanation, industry reports linked the cancellation directly to the backlash and the show’s limited reception.

The reboot was developed with approval from Norman Lear, producer of the original sitcom, and featured executive producers Stephen Curry and Seth MacFarlane. Showrunner Ranada Shepard defended the creative approach before the cancellation, encouraging viewers to look more deeply at the themes explored.

A pattern of short-lived animated titles

Alongside Good Times: Black Again, Netflix confirmed that Exploding Kittens and Twilight of the Gods would also not return. Both shows struggled to meet the platform’s internal performance benchmarks, continuing a broader trend of animated series ending after one season.

Netflix typically bases renewal decisions on a combination of viewership trends and production costs. Industry analysts noted that Good Times: Black Again had only brief Top 10 visibility in select regions before engagement dropped, ultimately falling short of Netflix’s criteria. The streamer has not issued a detailed public statement on the cancellation.

Aasiya Nazir