Predicting The Biggest TV Flops Of 2026

As a gamer, I can tell you that not every game launched can be an instant success, sometimes you just know it’s doomed from the moment the ‘Game On’ screen appears. I’m talking about those long-forgotten titles like “Pink Lady and Jeff: The Game” that lasted only a season, or the even more unfortunate ones, like “Meego: The Misadventure,” which didn’t even make it past the first level. Some games leave behind such a large void in the gaming world they become legends, while others simply vanish without a trace, fading into obscurity and forgotten by time.

The upcoming 2025-2026 season is swiftly approaching, and when it does, it will undoubtedly bring a mix of successful shows. However, there will inevitably be some disappointments among them. Looper has a knack for predicting which series might struggle, giving us a fair idea of potential flops before we reach 2027. Although not every show that you’ll see in 2026 has been officially approved yet, there have been several announcements suggesting what the future may hold, and many shows are currently in production.

While it’s still a bit premature to predict with certainty, the 2024-2025 season has certainly laid down some trends for what’s likely to thrive or falter. Here’s a selection of shows we believe could cause a ripple or perhaps even a splash in 2026.

HBO’s Harry Potter project

The new “Harry Potter” series on HBO is likely to draw a lot of attention initially, as it will probably stick closely to J.K. Rowling’s books, chronicling the journey of the marked boy wizard from poverty and mistreatment to heroics and acclaim. However, the question remains: Will viewers embrace this new series as a flexible franchise that can feature different actors, following the success of Warner Bros.’ original film series? Or will there be resistance towards another visit to Hogwarts due to Rowling’s recent disagreements with the adult cast members from the initial movie series over her opinions on the trans community?

Although it seems clear due to “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” it’s wiser not to jump to conclusions. Spending an hour following Potter’s friends’ further journeys is quite different from investing years in rehashing a well-known tale. The book series would have made a great TV show a decade ago, but despite the current fascination with fantasy and high anticipation for this project, there’s no certainty that viewers, especially millennials, would be eager to watch Harry soar again for an extended period. Should we consider this show as being sent home from Hogwarts?

Universal Basic Guys: Season 2

It seems unfortunate for “Universal Basic Guys” that they chose to renew the series so quickly, as this is common practice for animated shows. However, after 13 episodes, the show hasn’t managed to garner ratings high enough for a Season 2 renewal. The series has relied heavily on NFL overruns to attract viewers, but when it airs on nights without helmet-wearing superheroes, its viewership often dips below one million.

In this age of binge-watching, streaming, and on-demand content, it’s clear that we’ve got plenty of options for entertainment. Yet, it feels like this revolution hasn’t quite taken over pop culture as expected. With classics like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” taking a break during the chilly winter and spring seasons, Fox seems to be planning to debut this fresh series in the scorching summer months instead, perhaps to see it through until the end.

The show, featuring Mark (Adam Malamut) and Hank Hoagies (Craig Malamut), joins a universal basic income program after losing their factory jobs. However, the humor isn’t particularly sharp, and its satire feels outdated. Will it attract a significant audience for its second season, or end up in the forgotten corner of late-week TV like other animation domination shows from the past, such as “Duncanville”? Time will decide if it crashes or soars.

Ragdoll

As a passionate gamer, I’m diving headfirst into the world of Taylor Sheridan-esque dramas with “Ragdoll.” Initially, it was shaping up to be Tim McGraw’s show, a bull rider drama that seemed tailor-made for him after his compelling performance as a determined patriarch in “1883.” Filled with aging lions grappling with self-doubt and young lions eager to prove themselves, this Western tale seemed right up his alley. However, an unforeseen surgery has forced him to step back, leaving the future of the series uncertain. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a worthy successor to carry on the legacy!

The criticisms against it are plentiful. Despite frequent appearances on Sundays and Saturday mornings with professional bull riding shows on TV, the sport has struggled to produce captivating cinema or television content outside of reality formats. “Urban Cowboy” is the closest it has ever come to creating a cinematic impact, but even those bulls were mechanical.

From my gaming perspective, I’ve gotta admit, the show’s premise doesn’t exactly spark excitement. It seems to be another predictable tale of an old-timer versus a greenhorn, which isn’t exactly uncharted territory. If I were to bet, it looks like they’re setting up the old-timer as the new kid’s pops, but if that’s not the case, well, I might need to reconsider my favorite straw hat. So far, it seems like we’ve seen this rodeo before. Fingers crossed that McGraw manages to pull off a trick or two and tame this wild stallion, but for now, it looks like he’s cornered without any hope of escape.

The Madison

2026 sees multiple “Yellowstone” spin-offs from Taylor Sheridan, including “1944”, two unnamed series focusing on Kayce (Luke Grimes) and Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly), and “6666 Ranch”. In contrast to these, “The Madison” ventures into new territory as it doesn’t regularly feature the Dutton family, instead exploring life in Montana more broadly.

As a passionate fan, I’m thrilled to share that the spotlight will shift towards the McIntosh family in an exciting new series, relocating from bustling New York City to the untamed wilderness of Montana. Stepping into the role of the strong-willed Stacy McIntosh is none other than the enchanting Michelle Pfeiffer. Accompanying her are her grown daughters, Paige (Elle Chapman) and Abigail (Beau Garrett), both grappling with their individual struggles. Paige, tied to investment banking husband Russell (Patrick J. Adams), and Abigail, a devoted single mother to her own two children, add depth to the family dynamic. Completing the ensemble is the captivating Matthew Fox as Paul, a brooding charmer who adds mystery to the storyline. Can’t wait to see this show unfold!

The McIntosh family, just like any tenderfoot, will need to grasp the rules of the Wild West, in the manner of Sheridan. Although the series setup and cast suggest a soap opera, it remains uncertain if it can thrive without a Dutton character. Will it stand out from the Yellowstone universe by presenting alternative perspectives on the West, rather than just those espoused by Sheridan? It would be intriguing to witness a more nuanced portrayal of life in Montana compared to what we’ve seen so far. However, if viewers aren’t drawn to Pfeiffer, this series may struggle to gain traction.

The Malcolm in the Middle reboot

Indeed, it seems that Malcolm in the Middle fans have found themselves humming a familiar tune lately, as Disney+ has announced plans for a mini-revival of the show in 2026. The majority of the original cast members are set to rejoin the production, with the exception of Erik Per Sullivan, who played Dewey. It appears he is choosing to focus on college life instead.

The series will present Malcolm (Frankie Muniz), now a single father to a daughter, juggling his role while managing his lioness mother Lois’s (Jane Kaczmarek) demands and his more tender father Hal’s (Bryan Cranston). They both pressure him to attend their 40th wedding anniversary party, where chaos seems inevitable. Will Malcolm have fulfilled his potential and achieved greatness with his exceptional intelligence? Or will he find himself mired in the ordinary life that once constrained him as a child?

Although ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ perfectly captured the essence of the 2000s with its raw, biting tone and dry wit, there was a tender, unsentimental bond between the characters that made it more than just a typical show from that era. It may be challenging to replicate that unique blend of chaos and affection in future productions.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

A show that many are excitedly anticipating is the revival of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’ Perhaps we should rename it ‘Nova the Vampire Slayer.’ Although Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Buffy will make recurring appearances, the main character will be Nova, a character who seems to be a younger version of Giles in terms of intelligence. The group she leads includes Hugo, a queer member, and Gracie, a fanatic researcher on vampire lore, who is most connected to Buffy through her ongoing studies.”

By rephrasing the original text, we have made it more accessible to readers while preserving the essential information about the reboot of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and its main characters.

It hasn’t been specified what role Ms. Summers may take in the upcoming series, but it seems she possesses a strong, perhaps supernatural, influence over the location. Following the “Buffy” finale where Sunnydale was engulfed by its own Hellmouth, we can only guess where the show will unfold. Regrettably, Zendaya, who Geller expressed interest in for the reboot, is unlikely to portray Nova.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge the looming influence of Joss Whedon on the upcoming project, which feels rather somber. Here’s to hoping that it manages to break free from those shadows and establish its unique identity effectively. However, a “Buffy” spin-off lacking Buffy herself and without any of the original Scoobies yet involved seems like a setup that could potentially lead to cancellation. But let’s cross our fingers and hope we’re pleasantly surprised instead.

Prison Break

Rebooting a series like “Prison Break” solely with new characters can often prove challenging, as fans may find it difficult to accept these fresh faces as worthy successors to the original cast. This is especially true if the series world-building isn’t as strong or the concept isn’t as compelling as before. In 2026, when “Prison Break” returns with an entirely new set of characters, it will need to be exceptionally well-crafted to win over fans who remember the original.

It’s debatable that constantly putting Linc Burrows (Dominic Purcell) and Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller) into situations where they had to re-enter prison multiple times pushed the limits of believability for the original show, but it might be wise to include a character from the original main cast as a recurring figure in the series.

Despite the fact that “Mayans M.C.” co-creator Elgin James is working on a fresh take on “Prison Break”, his new project is set to be distinct. Given that “Mayans M.C.” didn’t flinch from portraying violence and other grim realities during its FX run, it remains to be seen if his “Prison Break” will tackle the issues of private prisons and the tense police state atmosphere prevalent in the 2020s. If anyone can pull this off, it’s James, but will any network or streaming service have the guts to delve into such sensitive topics? Time will tell.

Blade Runner 2099

Despite the fact that “Blade Runner 2049” may have been a financial disappointment at the box office, it has left an enduring impact on fans who maintain hope for more stories set in this universe. For instance, many viewers admired its unconventional visual aesthetic. Now, a new chapter is being written with “Blade Runner 2099,” led by Michelle Yeoh as the replicant character Olwen. Similar to Rachael (Sean Young) and Roy (Rutger Hauer), Olwen grapples with the fear unique to replicants: the end of a life, whether long or artificial.

Avoid errors – this project seems intriguing, boasting compelling actors and characters with great potential. The original “Blade Runner” director, Ridley Scott, is involved in its production. However, the franchise’s previous attempt at a series format was “Blade Runner: Black Lotus,” which ran for just one season on Toonami. Given the talent involved, it seems uncertain, but let’s hope Prime Video can defy expectations. It might not have an eternal lifespan, as no series does, but who knows?

Wednesday Season 2

Will the second season of “Wednesday” maintain the level of excitement it initially generated when it premiered on Netflix in 2022? Given that three years is a considerable amount of time, one might wonder if the fans who danced to “Goo Goo Muck” on TikTok, now aged 19 and in college, will still be keen to revisit their childhood interests. Will they return to the show, or will Netflix need to attract new viewers? Can the series effectively draw in new subscribers for Netflix?

The upcoming second season of the spooky comedy-mystery-thriller is expected to expand upon Wednesday’s (Jenna Ortega from “Scream”) current situation since Nevermore Academy has shut down for the remainder of the semester. Now that she and her companions successfully thwarted Tyler (Hunter Doohan) and Laurel Gates (Christina Ricci), will Wednesday reunite with her new friend Enid (Emma Myers)? Also, will she revisit Nevermore Academy or find herself compelled to attend a different school?

Could it be that she’ll be thrust into the grown-up realm, with a plot progression mirroring real-life events through a series jump? Perhaps the series surprises us again in its forthcoming episodes. However, there’s a chance that the world might respond to “Wednesday” with a resounding “Enough already!” instead.

Citadel Season 2

Amazon’s Prime Video has heavily invested in the success of “Citadel,” renewing it in 2023 based on its decent-but-not-exceptional first season viewership, and then expanding a whole series of spin-offs within its universe. One of these spin-offs, “Citadel: Diana,” gained some modest international acclaim in 2024. The Indian-themed “Citadel: Honey Bunny” was introduced in the same year and held its own, if not setting the streaming world on fire.

2025 saw the departure of Jennifer Salke, a key figure in Amazon’s streaming and TV division, casting a shadow over the future of the franchise I hold dear. With her as our champion, the series thrived. The second season of “Citadel,” a show I eagerly anticipated, has faced numerous production hurdles and is now set to premiere a year later in 2026. The success or failure of Season 2 will significantly impact the continuation of shows like “Honey Bunny,” “Diana,” and potential spin-offs. It’s a critical juncture for our beloved franchise.

This upcoming season’s episodes may not be of high quality, given that Season 1 wasn’t warmly received by action enthusiasts initially and was even criticized as a “spy thriller that fell short.” The show hasn’t gained much popularity among the general public either, especially when compared to blockbusters like “Reacher” and “Fallout.” Moreover, Amazon now owns James Bond, the epitome of spies. So, it’s puzzling why they would need mediocre spy antics in their lineup when they already have the best-in-class spy character on their team now.

2025-04-07 21:32