Image Credit: HBO Max
The clock is ticking on one of the most imaginative animated series in recent memory. rule of scavengers Netflix will soon shut down in both the United States and the United Kingdom, ending its co-exclusive licensing window and returning as an HBO Max exclusive starting May 31.
If you have not yet set out on this breathtaking journey, rule of scavengers It is widely considered to be one of the finest adult animated series of the decade. Created by Joseph Bennett and Charles Huettner, the gripping sci-fi survival tale follows the scattered, surviving crew members of a damaged deep space cargo ship who are stranded on Vesta – a visually stunning but ruthlessly unforgiving alien planet.
The series’ path into the streaming world has been interesting and somewhat bumpy. Originally commissioned and released as a Max Original, the show was part of a major wave of Warner Bros. Discovery properties that were licensed to Netflix to increase viewership and generate revenue. As we previously covered when Netflix first announced it would stream the series, its arrival on the platform in the US and UK brought a huge, much-anticipated wave of new fans to the alien world of Vesta.
When the 12-episode first season arrived on Netflix, it wasn’t just a standard licensing arrangement — there was real hope that a huge increase in viewership could actively save the show. We also sat down with him for an exclusive interview rule of scavengers team ahead of the Netflix launch, where they were incredibly optimistic about finding a wider audience and openly discussed the exciting potential of Netflix taking over the reins for Season 2.
Image Credit: HBO Max
Sadly, despite an incredibly passionate fan campaign and stellar critical reviews, viewership ultimately didn’t reach the range the streamer was looking for. As we later reported, Netflix officially decided not to renew rule of scavengers For the second season. After the confirmation we got some footage from the creators.
A look at Netflix’s official global engagement data gives us a clear picture of how the show performed during its run. beyond 2024, rule of scavengers Up to 5.4 million hours were watched, which is equivalent to approximately 1.1 million total views (equivalent to full views). By 2025, the pace picked up slightly and added another 2.8 million hours (600,000 views) to its tally. Overall, the series garnered 8.2 million hours of viewing and a total of 1.7 million views globally on the platform — respectable numbers for a typical adult animated property, but obviously not the blockbuster smash hit needed to justify the cost of a sophomore season for the streaming giant.
Now, the shared streaming window has started its work. Removal notices have started arriving on the Netflix platform for users in the US and UK, indicating that your last full day to watch is May 30. The title will officially depart from the library 31 may.
Once leaving Netflix, the series will become an exclusive title on HBO Max, which is now available in the US as well as the UK. So, for those Netflix subscribers who don’t currently have a Max subscription, you have just a few weeks left to watch this sci-fi masterpiece before it airs on the platform forever.
Will you be sad after seeing this? rule of scavengers Leave Netflix? Did you discover the show while it was running on the service? Let us know in the comments below!
