Summary

• Streaming platforms like Netflix, Max, and Prime Video are taking longer and longer to release new seasons of TV shows, leaving viewers with fewer episodes.
• Even popular series like Squid Game and Arcane have yet to release new seasons, which is surprising considering their success.
• The delays in releasing new seasons can be attributed to various factors like production timelines, prioritization, and strikes, but it's unclear why some shows are taking longer than others.

The rise of streaming has altered the television landscape forever, and while there are more shows to choose from, it seems to be taking longer and longer for new seasons to debut. Gone are the days of networks releasing new TV seasons with more than 20 episodes every year. It's not unusual for platforms like Netflix, Max, and Prime Video to take two or more years between outings, leaving viewers with 10 or fewer episodes to hold them over.

In some cases, it takes streaming services and television networks even longer to turn new seasons around. While one might assume this timeline is reserved for series that don't do well, there are some surprising shows that have yet to release new content. Even the most popular TV series aren't guaranteed quick follow-ups, and the wait for certain titles has been shocking.

10 Squid Game Season 2 - TBA

Season 1 Debuted In 2021

Squid Game proved a massive hit in 2021, and this outcome seemed like something of a surprise for Netflix. The series was a pop culture phenomenon, and it was inevitably renewed for season 2. However, years later, Squid Game season 2 has yet to be given a release date — a shocking development considering the success of the first outing. Even stranger, Netflix greenlit and released a Squid Game reality show that didn't see nearly as much traction. One has to wonder why the streamer hasn't prioritized Squid Game season 2 more, especially if it had time to dedicate to reality competition spinoffs like Squid Game: The Challenge.

Squid Game season 1 is streaming on Netflix.

9 Arcane Season 2 - November 2024

Season 1 Came Out In 2021

Arcane was a quieter hit for Netflix than Squid Game, but the animated League of Legends series was well-received upon its debut. It even has a 100% critic score on Arcane season 2 won't arrive until November 2024 doesn't bode well for its future. There's a lot of potential for more seasons and spinoffs set in the world of Arcane. It's surprising Netflix isn't capitalizing on this and trying to get new seasons out faster.

Arcane season 1 is streaming on Netflix.

8 Star Trek: Discovery Season 5 - April 2024

Season 4 Premiered In 2021

While Netflix shows often take a long time between seasons, Star Trek: Discovery season 5's 2024 release date is unusual after previous seasons premiered pretty regularly. The show debuted back in 2017, with its first outing running into 2018. Seasons 2 and 3 aired during 2019 and from 2020 to 2021, respectively. Season 4 brought fans through 2021 and 2022, but Star Trek: Discovery season 5 has taken a bit longer to materialize. This could be because it's the final season, and CBS is hoping to ramp up excitement and ensure a high-quality batch of episodes. However, there's been no definitive explanation for Star Trek: Discovery season 5's delay.

Star Trek: Discovery is streaming on Paramount+.

7 All Of Us Are Dead Season 2 - TBA

Season 1 Debuted In January 2022

Netflix's All of Us Are Dead didn't quite reach the heights of Squid Game when it premiered, but it still confirmed that the platform could find success in exciting K-dramas. Netflix renewed All of Us Our Dead for season 2, but like Squid Game, the show hasn't gotten many updates since. Production on the sophomore season will reportedly begin in early 2024 (via What's On Netflix), but with the first outing premiering in January 2022, one has to wonder what's taking so long. The show was popular enough that it's surprising Netflix is dragging its heels on more episodes.

All of Us Are Dead season 1 is available to stream on Netflix.

6 House Of The Dragon Season 2 - Summer 2024

Season 1 Premiered In 2022

House of the Dragon made its debut in 2022, and while the Game of Thrones prequel is slated to return for season 2 in 2024, the wait is longer than one might expect for one of HBO's biggest properties. The original Game of Thrones was such a priority for the network that it put out a new season almost every year, racking up eight outings from 2011 to 2019. By contrast, House of the Dragon is taking far longer to release new episodes. This can't be attributed to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, as House of the Dragon was filming overseas and able to continue production during them.

House of the Dragon season 1 is streaming on Max.

5 One Punch Man Season 3 - TBA

Season 2 Debuted In 2019

One Punch Man promised to become one of the next big anime when it premiered in 2015, so the series' disappearance after season 2 came as something of a surprise. While One Punch Man season 2's reception wasn't as positive as season 1's, the series is still based on a best-selling manga. A high-quality third season would have kept viewers returning for more of Saitama's story, but One Punch Man season 3 has yet to come to fruition. The third season didn't even get official confirmation until 2022, and more than a year later, it seemingly hasn't made progress toward a release.

One Punch Man is streaming on Hulu and Crunchyroll.

4 Bridgerton Season 3 - May 2024

Season 3 Streamed In March 2022

Bridgerton is perhaps Netflix's biggest ongoing series after Stranger Things, and subscribers have been eagerly awaiting season 3 since season 2 ended in March 2022. Given that Bridgerton's current release plan makes its eight-season goal harder to pull off.

Bridgerton seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Netflix.

3 Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 - February 2024

Netflix Announced The Show In 2018

Netflix announced its Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation back in 2018, and the streamer has made a big enough deal about the show that it seems to be betting on its success. However, that didn't speed things along for The Last Airbender remake. It took years just to cast its leads and enter production, and the process has continued to be slow. The Last Airbender finally received a February 2024 release date this year, but the live-action series is arriving long after the excitement surrounding it has faded.

2 Curb Your Enthusiasm Season 12 - February 2024

Season 11 Premiered In October 2021

Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12 is coming to HBO in February 2024, but the wait for the newest outing has been surprisingly long. Season 11 premiered in October 2021, so season 12 will arrive nearly three years later. While such breaks between seasons aren't unheard of for Curb Your Enthusiasm, the break between seasons 11 and 12 was much shorter — just a little over a year. That break raised hopes that fans wouldn't face another long wait like the one between seasons 8 and 9, and while season 12 hasn't taken that long, it's still been a more agonizing wait than the previous one.

Curb Your Enthusiasm is available to stream on Max.

1 Stranger Things Season 5 - TBA

Stranger Things cast is quickly aging out of their roles — it's shocking Netflix didn't film seasons 4 and 5 back to back.

Stranger Things is streaming on Netflix.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes, What's On Netflix, Collider