Netflix Cancels ‘The Abandons’ Month Following Its Premiere

Netflix has quietly canceled its Western drama, The Abandons, adding it to the growing list of shows the streamer has dropped after only one season.

Netflix canceled the new Western drama series, created by Kurt Sutter (who also created Sons of Anarchy), after only one month. The show premiered on the streaming service on January 21st.

The show takes place in a Washington Territory mining town in the 1850s. It centers on Fiona Nolan, a deeply religious Irish woman, and her chosen family of orphans. They find themselves in a dangerous battle for control against Constance Van Ness, a powerful and dishonest mine owner who tries to take Fiona’s farm.

The series features Lena Headey, known from Game of Thrones, as Fiona Nolan, and Gillian Anderson, famous for The X-Files, as Constance Van Ness. The cast also includes Nick Robinson, Patton Oswalt, Lucas Till, and other talented actors.

The Netflix series The Abandons launched on December 4, 2025, with a single season of seven episodes.

Back in December, The Abandons was briefly in the Top 10 of Netflix’s most-watched shows.

Even with a famous cast, an ambitious story, and a large budget, the series quickly lost viewers after its debut, experiencing a sharp drop in ratings within just two weeks. Critics haven’t been impressed either, with a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences give it a slightly better, but still lukewarm, 52%.

Netflix greenlit The Abandons in 2022. Later, in the fall of 2024, creator Mark Sutter left the show during filming, with only a few weeks remaining, reportedly due to disagreements about the creative direction.

The cancellation of The Abandons is a surprising setback for the growing trend of Westerns on TV and streaming. This genre has seen a surge in popularity, particularly after the success of Yellowstone, which ran from 2018 to 2024.

Just two months after it first came out last year, Netflix renewed its Western romance series, Ransom Canyon, for another season. The show stars Josh Duhamel and Minka Kelly and centers on the lives of three ranching families.

Paramount+’s oil drama Landman, featuring Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter, was renewed for a third season in December.

Essential Movies on Netflix Every Film Lover Should See

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

While Netflix has a lot of content, it doesn’t have a particularly strong selection of classic films. There are very few movies from the 20th century, and even fewer that are truly groundbreaking. One notable exception is George A. Romero’s Night of the Living Dead, a hugely influential horror film about a zombie outbreak. Beyond the zombies themselves, the film is important because Romero made it independently, and it achieved significant success and cultural impact, making it a key moment in film history.

The Sting (1973)

Following their success with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Robert Redford and Paul Newman created a film that many consider even better: The Sting. This captivating and surprisingly sad caper tells the story of a young con man (Redford) who teams up with a seasoned hustler (Newman) to avenge the murder of his friend by a ruthless mobster (Robert Shaw). The acting from all three leads is superb, and the movie is full of clever twists and turns, balanced with moments that poignantly capture the loneliness of life during the Great Depression. The Sting rightfully won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1973 and remains a classic of 1970s Hollywood cinema.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The 1974 horror film that started a long-running series was added to the Library of Congress’s collection in 2024 because of its lasting cultural impact. While many sequels and remakes haven’t lived up to the original, it remains a brutal, beautiful, and influential classic – and it’s currently available to stream on Netflix. A documentary about the film, called Chain Reactions, was also released in 2024.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

While Pulp Fiction may not be the most copied film of the ’90s today, it was widely imitated for a long time. The poor quality of many of those copies actually highlights just how talented Quentin Tarantino is, both then and now.

Pulp Fiction is a strange mix of things that shouldn’t really work together. It’s a grand story about crime in Los Angeles, but also a close look at the characters. It jumps between extreme, almost unbelievable scenes – like mysterious briefcases and secret clubs – and very ordinary moments, like talking about foot rubs or international fast food. It’s both large in scope and small in its details, funny and sad, violent and silly. That’s what makes it Pulp Fiction.

Titanic (1997)

James Cameron’s most famous movies consistently blend a few key ingredients: a love story, large-scale action, exciting pursuits, and a complex relationship with technology. While Titanic isn’t as explosively action-packed as films like The Terminator or Avatar, it still features all of these hallmarks. It was a massive undertaking—and a huge success—for its time, and it’s clear why. Cameron excels at keeping the story grounded in the experiences of his characters, even when surrounded by spectacular visuals and grand scenes.

Election (1999)

Reese Witherspoon truly broke through with the 1999 comedy Election, where she plays a driven high school student who clashes with her cynical history teacher (Matthew Broderick, cleverly playing a role similar to his famous Ferris Bueller). The movie centers on the rivalry that sparks when Witherspoon’s character, Tracy Flick, runs for student council president. Election is a darkly humorous and realistic film, and many consider it a standout from a particularly great year for movies. What’s also interesting is the film’s title – simply Election, rather than The Election – because it’s less about the outcome of the vote and more about the difficult choices we all face in life.

Donnie Darko (2001)

Netflix isn’t the best place to find truly unusual or classic ‘cult’ films, especially if you’re looking for older titles. They have plenty of their own recent, lower-quality movies, but when it comes to well-known oddities, your choices are limited. One standout example is Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko, which launched Jake Gyllenhaal’s career. The film centers on a teenager who avoids a tragic accident and realizes he might be the key to preventing a global catastrophe. With its striking visuals, dark mood, and unforgettable ending, Donnie Darko remains a beloved independent film from the early 2000s.

The Squid and the Whale (2005)

Noah Baumbach really established himself as a talented filmmaker with a deeply personal movie about a young man (played by Jesse Eisenberg, who also benefited from the film’s success) navigating his parents’ divorce. The movie received many award nominations and launched Baumbach into a new, successful period of his career, which continues with films like the Netflix hits Marriage Story and Jay Kelly.

Zodiac (2007)

As a huge David Fincher fan, I think Zodiac is something truly special. It’s not just another serial killer movie; it’s a fascinating look at San Francisco over several decades, told through the perspectives of the men obsessed with solving the Zodiac case. We follow a dedicated police inspector – the inspiration for Bullitt, apparently – a determined crime reporter who actually became a target of the Zodiac, and an amateur sleuth, Robert Graysmith, who just can’t let the case go, even when the killings stop. What really sets Zodiac apart is how it shows the power of obsession – how something can completely take over a person’s life. Fincher pulls you right into this complex world of clues and dead ends with amazing camera work and editing. By the end of the movie – which cleverly circles back to the very beginning after a really tense two and a half hours – you completely understand what drives Robert Graysmith.

Boyhood (2014)

For twelve years, director Richard Linklater secretly filmed scenes with the same cast and crew, documenting the life of a boy (Ellar Coltrane), his mother (Patricia Arquette), and his sister (Lorelei Linklater) as they grew up. While some might see this as a personal project for Linklater, the film actually captures a fascinating snapshot of American life in the early 2000s, and the universal experiences of family – love, hardship, and compromise. All movies deal with time, but Boyhood has a truly special connection to it. Seeing the actors genuinely age on screen makes certain moments especially touching and others deeply moving. When Arquette delivers a speech at the end about her life, it’s informed by twelve years of real emotions. As the late film critic Roger Ebert eloquently put it, “Movies are windows into our world.” And I can’t think of a film that throws those windows open wider than Boyhood.

Whiplash (2014)

As a movie fanatic, I’m always drawn to films that explore the price of artistic ambition, and Whiplash is a standout. It follows Miles Teller as a young jazz drummer trying to make it at a top music school, and his relationship with his instructor is… intense, to say the least. It’s brutal, actually. The film really asks how much someone will sacrifice to be the best, and director Damien Chazelle delivers that message with a ton of energy and suspense. Honestly, the final scene is incredible – a real showdown between student and teacher. It’s funny, but when I think about it, Whiplash is actually one of the most genuinely frightening films of the 2010s. Forget jump scares – the terror comes from J.K. Simmons calmly telling Teller he’s ‘not quite my tempo’ after a mistake. It’s chilling!

Sing Street (2016)

Just how good is Sing Street? I actually cried while watching it… on a plane! Even on a small airplane screen at 35,000 feet, this inspiring story about Irish teens chasing their musical dreams really resonated. It’s filled with witty dialogue, strong performances, and honestly, even better music than La La Land. Sing Street is a genuinely uplifting film, which is something we could all use right now. Be warned though – it might make you tear up a little (or a lot – no shame!).

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

While bigger isn’t always better, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse remains a standout and arguably the best Spider-Man movie. It features a large team of Spider-People, including the new hero Miles Morales, the determined Gwen Stacy, and a downcast Peter B. Parker. The film powerfully emphasizes the selfless heroism championed by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, beautifully illustrating their belief that anyone can be a hero through stunning animation.

Roma (2018)

In 2018, Netflix really hit its stride with original films, most notably with Alfonso Cuarón’s deeply personal movie Roma, which tells the story of a Mexican family and their housekeeper, Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio). When it was first released, many people argued that Roma deserved to be seen in a movie theater to fully appreciate its beauty – and Cuarón’s stunning black-and-white visuals certainly looked best on a large screen. However, watching at home offered the benefit of a more private, and potentially less embarrassing, emotional experience. Ultimately, the Netflix model offered clear advantages for viewers.

The Irishman (2019)

Frank Sheeran truly supported Jimmy Hoffa, as the film The Irishman subtly hints from the beginning. This detail showcases the incredible care and precision Martin Scorsese put into what feels like a masterful conclusion to his career. The most powerful moments come towards the end, when Robert De Niro’s character finally faces the consequences of his life choices. He appears to take pride in his actions, especially his close relationship with Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa (played by Al Pacino). However, he also seems to realize, perhaps for the first time, that despite any status, wealth, or respect he gained, he’s now facing death alone in a nursing home. A priest attempts to offer forgiveness, leaving the audience to wonder if it will be enough.

Cats (2019)

Let’s be honest, Cats doesn’t compare to the other films on this list. But to truly understand something amazing, it helps to consider its opposite, and Cats definitely serves that purpose. Even years after its release, the movie is full of baffling choices that people are still questioning. Why do the cats have human hands? Where are all the humans? What is “hot milk soup”? Why does Jennifer Hudson have a runny nose throughout the entire film? And why does Idris Elba appear nearly nude? Plus, Taylor Swift is rocking heels while everyone else is barefoot! These unanswered questions are endlessly fascinating, and that’s what makes Cats so special.

The Power of the Dog (2021)

Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog is a slow-burn Western that demands your full attention; it’s easy to miss crucial details if you’re distracted. The film offers a compelling look at masculinity and follows Phil Burbank (Benedict Cumberbatch), a tough cowboy struggling with change after his brother (Jesse Plemons) marries a new wife (Kirsten Dunst). Their son, Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee), doesn’t seem suited for ranch life, and the film cleverly plays with our assumptions about both Phil and Peter, leading to a surprising and impactful conclusion. Hopefully, Campion won’t take another decade to release her next film.

RRR (2022)

Get ready for a thrilling three-hour ride from India! This action-packed film blends romance, incredible stunts, and energetic musical numbers. Think of it as a South Asian take on a classic John Woo action movie, focusing on two strong men on opposite sides of the law who unexpectedly team up. These men are Bheem, a warrior from the Gond tribe, and Rama, a soldier in the British army. Bheem travels to Delhi to find a missing girl, while Rama is tasked with tracking down whoever is searching for her. They should be enemies, but a chance encounter leads to an unlikely friendship. The film keeps you guessing as you wait for them to discover each other’s true identities, all while witnessing spectacular rescues – Bheem is often associated with water, and Rama with fire – and dazzling dance sequences used to challenge the prejudiced British rulers.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

It’s rare for a prequel to truly enhance a franchise, but Godzilla Minus One does exactly that. By setting the story in post-World War II Japan, the film powerfully reimagines Godzilla, returning him to his roots as a frightening symbol of atomic devastation and the lasting scars of war. And this Godzilla is genuinely terrifying – immense in scale, visibly monstrous, and with a truly frightening atomic breath.

But Godzilla Minus One isn’t just a visual spectacle. It features a compelling, flawed protagonist (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and subtly explores the difficult themes of kamikaze pilots, culminating in a deeply emotional climax. A significant portion of the film feels reminiscent of a classic Howard Hawks adventure, with a crew of hardened sailors battling a colossal, nuclear-powered dinosaur – and it’s as thrilling as that sounds.

Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. (2023)

While Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret didn’t make a huge splash in theaters, it feels destined to become a defining film for today’s generation, much like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off was for mine. This excellent adaptation of the classic Judy Blume novel is directed and written by Kelly Fremon Craig and boasts a fantastic cast, including Rachel McAdams, Benny Safdie, and Kathy Bates. Abby Ryder Fortson, who was memorable in the Ant-Man films, is also wonderful as Margaret. As a father of two daughters, I’m honestly a little worried about when they reach this age. But I’m glad this movie will be here for them when they need it.

2026-01-22 07:00