25 HBO Max Originals That Flopped Hard

HBO Max has pumped out a wide range of original shows and movies since its debut, aiming to carve out a spot among streaming heavyweights like Netflix and Amazon Prime. With big budgets, A-list talent, and bold concepts, the platform has taken risks to hook viewers.

Not every swing has been a hit, though, and some projects have crashed hard despite the hype. Below, I explore 25 HBO Max Originals that fell short, breaking down what they were about and why they didn’t connect, from weak scripts to mismatched casts.

The Idol (2023)

‘The Idol’ follows Jocelyn, a pop star played by Lily-Rose Depp, as she gets tangled with a shady, cult-like figure, Tedros, portrayed by The Weeknd. The show aimed to expose the dark side of fame with a gritty, stylish vibe.

Despite buzz from creator Sam Levinson’s Euphoria cred, it flopped with critics and viewers. Messy storytelling and thin characters made it feel more like a shock fest than a deep drama, leading to a quick cancellation after one season.

Roald Dahl’s The Witches (2020)

This remake of Roald Dahl’s tale stars Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch, leading a coven plotting to turn kids into mice. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, it leaned hard into colorful visuals.

Fans of the 1990 film weren’t impressed, citing a jumbled tone and weak script that failed to capture the original’s charm. Even with Octavia Spencer’s warmth, it fizzled as a family-friendly option and faded fast.

Thunder Force (2021)

Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer play estranged friends who gain superpowers and team up to fight crime in this superhero comedy. It promised lighthearted action with a buddy-comedy twist.

The humor felt forced, and the plot dragged with predictable gags. Critics noted the chemistry between the leads couldn’t save a sloppy script, leaving it as a forgettable entry in the superhero genre.

DMZ (2022)

Set in a near-future America, ‘DMZ’ follows a medic, played by Rosario Dawson, navigating a demilitarized Manhattan to find her son. Based on a comic, it aimed for intense, post-apocalyptic drama.

Limited to four episodes, it struggled with rushed pacing and underdeveloped characters. Fans of the source material felt it didn’t dig deep enough, and it failed to spark enough interest for a second season.

Generation (2020-2021)

This teen dramedy tracks a group of high schoolers exploring identity and relationships in a conservative town. It aimed to blend humor with raw, coming-of-age stories.

Despite a diverse cast, the show’s uneven tone and heavy-handed themes didn’t click with audiences. Critics praised its heart but called out clichéd writing, leading to its end after one season.

House of Ho (2020-2022)

This reality series follows the Ho family, a wealthy Vietnamese-American clan in Houston, navigating drama, business, and relationships. It aimed for soapy, luxurious fun like ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians.’

The show’s shallow focus on family squabbles and opulence didn’t hook viewers. Critics found it formulaic, lacking depth or relatability, and it fizzled out after two seasons with little fanfare.

The Nevers (2021)

Set in Victorian London, ‘The Nevers’ follows women with supernatural abilities, led by Laura Donnelly, facing societal pushback. It blended sci-fi and period drama for a unique hook.

The ambitious premise got bogged down by confusing plots and too many characters. Joss Whedon’s departure mid-production didn’t help, and viewership tanked, halting the show after one season.

Crazy Rich Asians (TBA)

A planned series spin-off of the hit film, this show was set to dive deeper into the opulent world of Singapore’s elite, focusing on new characters. It promised romance and drama.

Development stalled due to creative disputes and casting issues. Without a clear vision, the project never materialized, disappointing fans eager for more of the glamorous universe.

Raised by Wolves (2020-2022)

This sci-fi epic follows two androids raising human children on a distant planet after Earth’s collapse. Ridley Scott’s involvement gave it a cinematic edge.

The show’s dense mythology and slow pacing alienated viewers. Despite striking visuals, its second season lost steam, and HBO pulled the plug, leaving fans without closure.

Love Life (2020-2021)

A romantic anthology series, ‘Love Life’ follows different characters’ love stories each season, starting with Anna Kendrick’s Darby. It aimed for heartfelt, relatable tales.

The formula felt repetitive, and the writing leaned too heavily on rom-com tropes. Viewership dropped in season two, and HBO didn’t renew it, despite a charming cast.

Santa Inc. (2021)

This animated comedy stars Sarah Silverman as a female elf aiming to become Santa Claus. It went for edgy humor in a holiday setting.

The show’s crude jokes and lack of warmth turned off audiences. Critics called it a misfire, and it failed to find a fanbase, disappearing quickly from the platform.

Velma (2023-2024)

A reimagined Scooby-Doo spin-off, ‘Velma’ focuses on the brainy sleuth, voiced by Mindy Kaling, in a modern, adult-oriented mystery series. It aimed to refresh the classic.

Fans hated the departure from the original vibe, and the humor felt forced. Backlash over character changes and weak plots led to poor reception, despite a second season.

Peacemaker Season 2 (2024)

John Cena returns as the chaotic antihero in this ‘Suicide Squad’ spin-off. The first season was a hit, but the second stumbled.

Creative shifts after James Gunn’s DC overhaul confused fans. The humor felt repetitive, and new characters didn’t land, making it a letdown compared to its debut.

The Flight Attendant Season 2 (2022)

Kaley Cuoco stars as Cassie, a flight attendant caught in a web of espionage and murder. Season one was a surprise hit, but the follow-up faltered.

The plot grew overly convoluted, losing the charm of the original. Viewers dropped off, and critics felt it overstayed its welcome, leading to its end.

Our Flag Means Death Season 2 (2023)

This pirate comedy, starring Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi, follows a quirky crew on the high seas. Season one won fans with its oddball charm.

Season two’s rushed pacing and forced drama didn’t match the debut’s magic. Budget cuts and a smaller episode order hurt, and HBO canceled it despite a loyal fanbase.

The Time Traveler’s Wife (2022)

This romantic sci-fi drama, starring Rose Leslie and Theo James, follows a couple navigating involuntary time travel. It aimed for emotional depth.

The show felt rushed and cluttered, failing to capture the novel’s heart. Critics noted weak chemistry, and low viewership led to a quick ax after one season.

Avenue 5 (2020-2022)

A sci-fi comedy starring Hugh Laurie as a cruise ship captain lost in space, ‘Avenue 5’ aimed for sharp satire and absurd humor.

The show’s inconsistent tone and thin characters didn’t hook audiences. Despite a strong cast, it couldn’t sustain interest, ending after two seasons.

Lovecraft Country (2020)

This horror-drama blends 1950s racism with supernatural terrors, following Jonathan Majors’ Atticus on a road trip. It aimed for bold social commentary.

Despite early buzz, the scattered narrative confused viewers. Ambitious themes didn’t gel with the pacing, and HBO scrapped plans for a second season.

Head of the Class (2021)

A reboot of the 1980s sitcom, this show follows a teacher and her gifted students. It aimed to update the classic with modern humor.

The revival felt dated and lacked the original’s charm. Weak writing and forgettable characters led to low viewership and a swift cancellation.

Minx (2022-2023)

Set in the 1970s, ‘Minx’ follows a feminist, played by Ophelia Lovibond, launching an erotic magazine for women. It aimed for cheeky fun.

The show’s niche humor didn’t land broadly, and its tone wavered. Despite a cult following, it moved to Starz after HBO dropped it, but viewership stayed low.

The Baby (2022)

This horror-comedy follows a woman, played by Michelle de Swarte, dealing with a creepy, possibly evil baby. It aimed for dark, absurd laughs.

The premise felt too weird for mainstream appeal, and the humor didn’t stick. Critics liked the boldness, but low viewership killed its chances.

The Time Traveler’s Daughter (TBA)

A planned spin-off from ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife,’ this series would’ve followed the couple’s daughter. It promised more time-travel drama.

Development issues and the parent show’s failure stopped it cold. Without a clear path, HBO shelved it, leaving fans with nothing to see.

Legendary (2020-2022)

A reality competition showcasing ballroom culture, ‘Legendary’ featured voguing teams battling for glory. It aimed to celebrate queer artistry.

The show’s repetitive format and lack of mainstream draw hurt its reach. Despite vibrant energy, it couldn’t sustain viewership and ended after three seasons.

Rap Sh!t (2022-2023)

This comedy follows two women, played by Aida Osman and KaMillion, chasing music stardom in Miami. It aimed for fresh, funny vibes.

The show’s niche focus and uneven pacing didn’t pull in big audiences. Critics liked the leads, but HBO canceled it after two seasons due to low numbers.

Gossip Girl (2021-2023)

A reboot of the teen drama, this ‘Gossip Girl’ follows a new crew of elite New York teens under a mysterious blogger’s watch. It aimed to modernize the original.

The reboot lacked the original’s soapy spark, and new characters felt flat. Fans drifted away, and HBO ended it after two seasons.

Which of these HBO Max flops surprised you most, or did I miss one that tanked hard? Drop your thoughts in the comments!