Image Credit: Warner Bros. Television
Here at What’s on Netflix, we spend a lot of time keeping track of what’s coming out the door on the world’s biggest streaming service, but we also take a very close look at what’s going out the exit door. While Netflix has churned out a whole mountain of original content, licensed shows from outside studios remain some of the most-watched titles on the platform. But as we constantly remind our readers, a license doesn’t last forever.
Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, the Netflix US library is set to take some big hits. Many fundamental comfort-binges and mega-hits are currently set to expire between July and December. Since some of these series have over 100 episodes, we’re giving you enough warning so you can plan your rewatching accordingly!
Don’t forget that these are in addition to the already announced June departures, which include a suite of other AMC titles, one of the last big HBO series (sex and the City), And kim’s convenienceAmong many more.
Please note: All removals from Netflix are subject to change due to licensing agreements. Netflix may extend the license or remove a title before it is listed. Removal dates may also vary by region.
Here are 5 major licensed shows that are leaving Netflix US in the second half of 2026.
fear the walking dead (Seasons 1-8)
Leaving Netflix: 19 August 2026
As part of a broader deal with AMC Networks, Netflix brought a massive wave of The Walking Dead spin-offs to the platform, introducing a whole new audience to the broader zombie universe. However, these licensing agreements were entirely short-term windows.
Fear the Walking Dead—the first and longest-running spin-off of the flagship series—is set to end its run on Netflix in mid-August. If you’re planning on watching all 113 episodes, you’ll want to start pacing yourself well before the zombie heat wave arrives.
Seinfeld (seasons 1–9)
Leaving Netflix: 1 October 2026
Image Credit: Sony Pictures Television
This is the big one. In 2019, Netflix reportedly paid $500+ million to acquire global streaming rights to Seinfeld for five years. The show finally hit the platform in October 2021, and if you do the math, that huge five-year window will close on October 1, 2026.
Unless Netflix gives Sony Pictures Television another big check to renew “The Show About Nothing,” Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer will vacate their Netflix apartment. Expect an intense bidding war between Peacock, Hulu, and Max to secure the rights to this sitcom juggernaut. Looking at the show in engagement reports, it has been consistently performing well but has seen a decline in its viewership over the years. 50/50 on whether or not Netflix goes for it again.
Shameless (seasons 1–11)
Leaving Netflix: 11 October 2026
The Gallagher family has been wreaking havoc on Netflix US for years, consistently landing in Netflix’s top 10 charts whenever a new season drops. Since then, it is still attracting large numbers of visitors on a regular basis. In fact, between 2023 and 2025, the series is projected to be watched 2.74B hours.
Licensed from Warner Bros. Television (it originally aired on Showtime), shameless With 134 episodes there is a massive binge. William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum lead one of the happiest families in TV history. With its departure anticipated in October, you have plenty of time to grab a beer at the Alibi Room before the series departs. Will it head to HBO Max like some of the distributor’s other biggest shows, like Friends, or will others want a piece of the Gallagher action? We will have to wait and see.
Gossip Girl (seasons 1–6)
Leaving Netflix: 28 October 2026
Gossip Girl is one of those classic CW shows that has become increasingly popular in the streaming ecosystem over the past few years. It was removed from Netflix some time ago, only to make a triumphant return in 2024 (following an international rollout a year earlier). However, it seems that its current tenure is another temporary arrangement on a two-year arrangement, as we are told.
The scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite will come to an end just days before Halloween 2026. If you want to relive the golden age of flip phones, headbands, and Upper East Side drama, consider this your official warning. XOXO.
scam (Seasons 1-7)
Leaving Netflix: 17 December 2026
Shonda Rhimes is currently ruling Netflix with original hits bridgertonBut his classic network television juggernaut scam Here is only on lease.
Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope will hang up her white hat just before Christmas 2026. The political thriller was a defining show of the 2010s, and it’s enjoyed a wonderful second life on Netflix. Since this is an ABC/Disney-owned property, we fully expect it to take up permanent residence on Hulu and Disney+ once the Netflix window closes.
As always, we’ll be keeping track of major removals via our soon-to-be-released section and whenever we get access to more series, we’ll specifically highlight additional series separately. Which of these titles do you hope Netflix will renew before its departure? Let us know in the comments.
