15 Times Amazon Wasted Millions on TV

Amazon has poured billions into its streaming service, Prime Video, aiming to rival giants like Netflix and HBO. With deep pockets and big ambitions, the company has chased blockbuster hits to define its brand. But not every swing has connected, and some projects have burned through massive budgets with little to show for it.

From shelved pilots to overhyped series, Amazon’s missteps reveal the risks of chasing trends without a clear vision. I’ve rounded up 15 of their costliest TV flops, each a lesson in what happens when ambition outpaces execution. Let’s dive into the projects that left Amazon’s wallet lighter and viewers unmoved.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022- )

Amazon spent over $400 million on the first season of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,’ hoping to create a fantasy epic to rival ‘Game of Thrones.’ The show, set thousands of years before Tolkien’s books, promised stunning visuals and a sprawling story.

Despite its lavish production, the series struggled to keep viewers hooked. Many felt it lacked the heart of the original films, and ratings dropped as the season progressed. The massive investment didn’t deliver the cultural phenomenon Amazon wanted, though a second season is still in play.

Citadel (2023- )

‘Citadel’ was Amazon’s $300 million gamble on a global spy thriller, backed by the Russo Brothers. It aimed to launch a franchise with international spin-offs, blending James Bond flair with Marvel-style storytelling.

The show fell flat, failing to crack Nielsen’s top 10 streaming charts. Creative clashes and costly reshoots bloated the budget, and audiences found the plot generic. Spin-offs like ‘Citadel: Diana’ and ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ were canceled, with storylines folded back into the main series.

The Peripheral (2022)

With a $100 million-plus price tag, ‘The Peripheral’ brought William Gibson’s sci-fi novel to life, starring Chloë Grace Moretz. Amazon hoped its futuristic virtual reality tale would captivate tech-savvy viewers.

Critics praised the visuals, but the complex story confused many. It never broke into Nielsen’s top 10, and viewership faded fast. Amazon canceled it after one season, leaving fans of the dense narrative disappointed and the investment largely wasted.

Daisy Jones & The Six (2023)

‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ cost over $100 million to produce, aiming to capture the 1970s rock scene with Riley Keough and Sam Claflin. The show, based on a bestselling novel, promised drama and music to rival ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’

Despite a strong start, it failed to hold a top spot on streaming charts. Many viewers found the pacing slow and the band’s story unengaging. The hefty budget didn’t translate into the breakout hit Amazon expected.

Dead Ringers (2023)

Amazon dropped over $100 million on ‘Dead Ringers,’ a remake of David Cronenberg’s film, starring Rachel Weisz as twin gynecologists. The series aimed for psychological horror with a modern twist.

The show struggled to find an audience, barely registering on Nielsen’s charts. Its niche appeal and dark tone didn’t resonate widely, making the investment feel like a miscalculation for a streamer chasing mass appeal.

The Power (2023)

‘The Power,’ a sci-fi drama costing over $100 million, imagined a world where women gain electric powers. With Toni Collette leading the cast, Amazon hoped for a bold, feminist hit.

Viewership was lackluster, and the show didn’t crack Nielsen’s top 10. Critics noted its uneven pacing and failure to connect emotionally, leaving the expensive project as another missed opportunity for Amazon.

Beast Games (2024)

MrBeast’s ‘Beast Games’ cost Amazon $100 million, with the YouTube star adding millions from his own pocket. The reality show featured 1,000 contestants vying for a record-breaking $10 million prize.

Despite pulling 50 million viewers, critics slammed its chaotic editing and loud style. MrBeast called it a financial misstep, and Amazon hasn’t confirmed a second season, leaving the project’s future uncertain.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Untitled Project (2019)

Amazon signed Phoebe Waller-Bridge to a $60 million deal, expecting her to create a new series after ‘Fleabag.’ The untitled project was meant to showcase her sharp wit.

Creative differences led to her exit, and the project was scrapped. Amazon later pivoted to a ‘Tomb Raider’ series with her as a writer, but the initial loss stung, with no tangible output from the massive deal.

Conan the Barbarian (canceled before production)

Amazon greenlit a ‘Conan the Barbarian’ series with a multi-million-dollar budget, banking on the iconic character’s fanbase. Ryan Condal was set to helm the sword-and-sorcery epic.

The project was axed before filming, with Condal moving to HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ The sunk costs, though not fully disclosed, added to Amazon’s list of unproduced passion projects.

The Wheel of Time (2021-2025)

‘The Wheel of Time,’ a fantasy series based on Robert Jordan’s books, cost Amazon hundreds of millions across three seasons. It aimed to be a genre-defining hit with Rosamund Pike in the lead.

Despite a loyal fanbase, the show never matched the cultural impact of its rivals. Poor production design and uneven writing led to its cancellation after season three, leaving the hefty investment without a lasting legacy.

The Man in the High Castle (2015-2019)

Amazon spent $72 million on ‘The Man in the High Castle,’ a dystopian series based on Philip K. Dick’s novel. It was an early hit, drawing 1.15 million new Prime subscribers.

Later seasons lost momentum, with viewership declining sharply. The high cost per subscriber didn’t justify the long-term impact, and the show ended without recapturing its initial buzz.

The Expanse (2015-2022)

‘The Expanse,’ a sci-fi epic, was picked up by Amazon after SyFy canceled it, costing tens of millions to produce. Fans praised its complex story and diverse cast.

Despite critical acclaim, it never drew a massive audience. The high production costs didn’t align with its niche appeal, making it a costly save for a limited fanbase.

Hand of God (2015-2017)

‘Hand of God,’ a drama starring Ron Perlman as a corrupt judge, cost Amazon tens of millions for two seasons. It was one of their early original series.

The show struggled with low viewership and mixed reviews, failing to find a broad audience. Amazon canceled it, marking it as an early lesson in their streaming ambitions.

Woody Allen’s Untitled Series (2016)

Amazon paid $160 million for a 36-episode deal with Woody Allen for a mystery series. It was meant to be a prestige project with the acclaimed director.

The series, ‘Crisis in Six Scenes,’ flopped with critics and viewers, barely registering an audience. The massive cost for a single season became a cautionary tale of chasing big names without results.

Amazon Storywriter and Storybuilder (canceled 2018)

Amazon’s Storywriter and Storybuilder platforms, costing millions to develop, let aspiring writers submit scripts for potential production. The idea was to crowdsource the next big hit.

The programs were shut down after failing to produce notable projects. The investment in open submissions didn’t yield the creative breakthroughs Amazon hoped for.

What’s your take on Amazon’s pricey TV misfires? Which show did you think deserved a better shot, or did I miss a flop worth mentioning? Drop your thoughts in the comments!