Why Do Netflix Originals Leave Netflix & The Different Types of Netflix Original

Over the past decade or so, Netflix has grown its original library significantly. Once relying solely on licensed titles, Netflix Originals have become the most important part of Netflix’s arsenal for signing up and retaining subscribers. Starting from ground zero, there are now 4,855 Netflix Originals on the service in the US alone (~62% of the total library), this number varies slightly by region.

However, not all Netflix Originals are created equal, and over the past few years, we’ve seen hundreds of titles bearing the Netflix Original logo removed from the service. Why is this happening? What are the different types of Netflix Originals?

We’ve covered this in various forms over the years, but given that traffic to our “100+ Netflix Originals Heading to 2026” list has increased due to some of the titles spreading across social media, it’s probably time to take a look again with different examples. What is a Netflix original? Why do some people leave and others not?

Let’s delve deeper, followed by an important caveat. Removals are always subject to change, even if the title bears Netflix Original branding. Deals are fluid and can be extended at any time. We’ve also seen examples where Netflix Originals are gone, and titles are later re-added without the Netflix Original branding.

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Different Types of Netflix Originals

Netflix Original Forever – Fully Owned

For most Netflix Originals, especially in recent years, they are developed in-house and owned by Netflix. This means that Netflix was on board from day one and promoted the series or film from its initial stages through production and release.

In these cases, there is no expiration date because Netflix owns the underlying rights to the show or movie. Therefore, barring extremely rare circumstances, they should remain on Netflix indefinitely.

Examples of these types of Netflix Originals:

• stranger things
• lock and key
• Magician
• bridgerton
• sweet magnolias
• virgin river
• Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
• red notice

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Exclusive distributor in select countries

This iteration of a Netflix Original was common in the early days of Netflix, but is a bit rarer now as Netflix has evolved its own development pipeline and goals. This type of Netflix Original is one in which Netflix acts solely as the distributor in select territories after its original airs. This usually means that Netflix does not have global rights, and delivery times may be slightly shorter.

There are some good examples, like Netflix teaming up with Sony Pictures Television for distribution better call Saul As a Netflix Original in all international territories after its initial run on AMC. Netflix will license Better Call Saul in the United States, but without the original branding.

This is an example of an American show getting international distribution, but there are also many examples of this happening in the other direction. Netflix has picked up several French and British shows for exclusive distribution in the US (and other territories) crazy head, owned by Channel 4, and peaky blindersFirst run on BBC. Then, Netflix licensed these shows in the UK, but without the original branding.

K-drama is another great example of this, with Netflix getting first-run rights to many of the network’s shows in all international territories.

Other examples include:

• chewing gum – British series by Channel 4 – removed in April 2020
• from evening to morning – International Origin – Removed in November 2022.
• sister’s – Australian series licensed as originals elsewhere – removed in September 2023
• Babylon Berlin – A German series first aired there and licensed exclusively to Netflix for a limited time, Removed in February 2024.
• dairy girls
• The Great British Baking Show

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Co-production with global distribution

Many global Netflix Originals, including some of Netflix’s most prominent and recognizable titles, may also be removed because the underlying distribution rights are owned elsewhere. night agent This is a great example of this. However, it is completely a Netflix original; Sony Pictures Television owns the underlying rights. This means that Netflix keeps the shows for their entire lifetime, as well as 10 years in this specific example. Meaning if the show ends with Season 4 in 2027, it will be on Netflix until 2037.

Another prominent example with multiple removals so far is the DreamWorks Television deal, where Netflix offers the show for the lifetime of the show as well as several years later. Many of these DreamWorks titles have already left Netflix, and others will do the same.

This also applies to the revival, where Netflix came in later and took over the show. There are two great examples of this lucifer And manifestoWhich Netflix picked up for special release in its later seasons.

Although this primarily involves TV shows, there are several instances of movies ending up under similar deals. Tyler Perry’s output on Netflix is ​​a good example where Netflix funds him, but Perry gets the rights to his films, regardless of whether the films are Grass Or make one The title, 15 years after it was added to Netflix.

Other show or movie examples include:

• Wednesday (MGM Television)
• ozark (MRC)
• House of cards (MRC)
• cobra kai (Sony Pictures Television)
• XO, Kitty (Paramount Television Studios)
• lincoln lawyer (A&E Studios)
• F is for family (Gaumont Television)
• Umbrella Academy (universal television)
• enola holmes (Warner Bros.)

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Acquisition with global distribution

In truth, this is just a slightly different variation on the co-production side of things and applies primarily to films and documentaries, although there are some instances where it applies to series as well.

These are titles that were initially funded either independently or by another studio, and Netflix came in after the fact and took the rights for a set period of time. Sometimes this will be indefinite, but most often it is for a fixed period of time, usually a few decades. Award-winning films are perhaps the best example of train dreams It was financed and released at Sundance before Netflix came on board as the buyer and took over exclusive distribution rights for 20 years.

Other examples:

• The Mitchells vs. The Machines
• cloverfield paradox
• This is what’s inside

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We hope this helps explain why Netflix Originals can and do leave Netflix. We’ve got the full list of Netflix original removals here.