Amazon's Prime Video has implemented a ruthless cost-cutting strategy in 2025, cancelling eleven major television series across various genres. While the streaming giant continues to invest heavily in blockbuster franchises like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Boys, this cancellation spree has left numerous fanbases disappointed and stories unfinished.
The Complete List of Cancelled Shows
The axed programmes span from beloved long-running dramas to highly anticipated new shows that barely had time to find their audience. The decisions reflect broader industry trends where streaming services are prioritizing immediate viewership metrics over critical acclaim and are becoming less willing to give shows time to grow.
Major Fantasy Epic Gets the Axe
The Wheel of Time, Prime Video's ambitious fantasy series based on Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's book series, was cancelled after three seasons in June 2025. Despite being Prime Video's most-watched series premiere in 2021 and one of their top five series launches of all time, the show will not return for a fourth season. The series followed Moiraine, played by Rosamund Pike, and her dangerous journey with five young people, one of whom was prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn.
International Citadel Spinoffs Folded
Two international extensions of the Citadel universe met their end in April 2025. Citadel: Honey Bunny, set in 1990s India, and Citadel: Diana, focusing on Italian espionage, were both cancelled after single seasons. However, in an unusual move, Amazon confirmed that storylines and characters from both series would be integrated into the main Citadel series' second season, scheduled for 2026.
New Shows That Failed to Connect
Several freshman shows were cut short despite promising beginnings. Countdown, starring Jensen Ackles as an LAPD detective recruited to a secret task force, was cancelled in October 2025 despite remaining in Prime Video's top 10 most-streamed shows for nearly two months after its release.
Butterfly, Prime Video's serious investment in Korean content featuring Daniel Dae Kim, was axed in October 2025 after struggling to find an audience despite the global appetite for K-dramas.
The contemporary reimagining of Cruel Intentions was cancelled in March 2025 after failing to make Nielsen's Top 10 streaming charts and receiving poor critical reviews, scoring only 24% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Platform Transition Casualties
The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh became a victim of corporate restructuring when it was cancelled in February 2025. The family comedy starring Naveen Andrews had premiered on Amazon Freevee in October 2024, but when that platform was shut down entirely, the series moved to Prime Video where it struggled to stand out despite strong reviews.
Series That Reached Natural Conclusions
Some cancellations provided closure for fans. Bosch: Legacy, the continuation of the popular detective series, ended after three seasons in April 2025 with advance notice, allowing showrunners to craft a satisfying finale.
The iconic Australian soap opera Neighbours will conclude its remarkable 40-season run in December 2025, three years after Amazon Freevee revived it following its 2022 cancellation by Channel 5.
The New Streaming Reality
Prime Video's 2025 cancellation spree reflects the maturation of the streaming industry as it transitions from rapid growth to sustainability-focused operations. The platform joins Netflix, Disney+, and Max in implementing stricter performance thresholds and becoming less tolerant of underperforming content, regardless of critical reception or fan dedication.
For Nigerian viewers who have embraced international streaming content, these cancellations demonstrate that even major platforms are reevaluating their content strategies in an increasingly competitive market. The era of streaming services giving shows multiple seasons to find their audience appears to be ending as financial pressures mount.
