Don’t you just hate it when you discover an amazing new series, only for it to be snatched away after just one season?
It’s incredibly frustrating, and to make matters worse, the decision to cancel a show is usually beyond the control of the talented staff who create it.
Often, a series is axed due to lackluster ratings or other technical issues. But let’s be real; knowing the reason doesn’t make it any less infuriating to lose a beloved show.
It’s especially aggravating when a show gets the boot after just one season. You feel like you’ve just scratched the surface of what’s possible, only to have it all taken away.
The Most Underrated Cartoon Network Shows That Got Canceled
With animated shows, you’re left imagining all the wacky, wonderful adventures that could have been brought to life. It’s enough to make you want to grab a pen and start scribbling out your own stories.
10Megas XLR
First episode date: May 1, 2004 (USA)
Genres: Action, Comedy, Animated series, Science fiction, MORE
Final episode date: January 15, 2005
Networks: Cartoon Network, Kids’ WB
The animated series Megas XLR centered around Coop, a resident of New Jersey with a passion for video games and automobiles, who unexpectedly acquired a time-traveling mecha that he merged with his car and game controls. Alongside his friend Jamie and time-traveler Kiva, they embarked on thrilling escapades to combat extraterrestrial threats.
Despite receiving impressive ratings, Megas XLR endured only two seasons before a change in management at Cartoon Network led to a negative review from a new executive.
Consequently, the show was deemed a tax loss and could no longer be broadcast on the network.
9Elliott from Earth
No. of episodes: 16
No. of seasons: 1
Aired from: March 29 to April 9, 2021
Beam me up, Elliott, because we’re headed to another galaxy with Elliott from Earth! Created by the same geniuses behind The Amazing World of Gumball, this show takes us on an out-of-this-world adventure with an 11-year-old boy and his geologist mom.
After studying a rock that turns out to be alien tech, they get whisked away to a distant universe, where they meet a talking Stegosaurus named Mo. It’s like Jurassic Park meets Star Trek!
While it may not have the same meta-humor as Gumball, Elliott from Earth still packs a punch with its world-building, storylines, and characters. But fans are left scratching their heads, wondering why the show has been on a long hiatus.
To add to the chaos, the series creator and showrunner, Guillaume Cassuto, parted ways with Cartoon Network after the first season finale. And to top it off, the show was removed from HBO Max in 2022, along with several other Cartoon Network shows.
It’s like the universe is conspiring against Elliott and his crew. Here’s hoping they find their way back to our screens soon!
8Sym-Bionic Titan
First episode date: September 17, 2010
Canceled:: April 9, 2011
Genres: Science fiction, Adventure, Action/Adventure, Comedy-drama, Action fiction, Animation
Program creators: Genndy Tartakovsky, Paul Rudish
Sym-Bionic Titan is a science fiction animated series featuring an extraterrestrial princess, a soldier, and a robot. The trio assumes the guise of high school students in Illinois to elude a malevolent general.
Despite receiving critical acclaim, Sym-Bionic Titan was cancelled following a single season, with no clear reason given by the network.
Various rumors have circulated about the show’s untimely end, including the lack of a toyline due to the economic recession at its release. Other speculations have suggested internal conflicts, difficulty finding toylines interested in a program with a female lead, and the show’s creators moving on to other ventures.
Ultimately, Sym-Bionic Titan was axed due to financial concerns, although it did enjoy a brief stint on Netflix.
7Green Lantern: The Animated Series
First episode date: March 3, 2012 (USA)
Canceled:: March 16, 2013
Based on: Green Lantern; by: John Broome; Gil Kane
Get ready to charge your power rings because Green Lantern is another DC superhero whose TV show went up in smoke.
As the only series dedicated to the emerald hero, the show sees Hal Jordan and Kilowog fly to the Guardian Frontier to fend off the evil Red Lantern Corps. But even with great character dynamics, a top-notch story, and snazzy 3D animation, Green Lantern’s light flickered out too soon.
Why, you ask? Well, blame it on the movie biz. Green Lantern’s TV debut aligned with the 2011 live-action flick, and let’s say the movie was a serious flop.
The movie’s stinker status and lackluster toy sales were enough to power down Green Lantern’s TV run after only one season. The universe wasn’t big enough for two Green Lanterns at once.
But hey, at least we have the comics, right?
6Total Drama Island
First episode date: July 8, 2007 (Canada)
Writers: Tom McGillis
Canceled:: January 4, 2008
Cartoon Network has heavily promoted and aired Fresh TV’s Total Drama Island franchise and its many iterations despite not being created by the network.
The network played a key role in developing the Total DramaRama spin-off, which debuted in the United States before its Canadian release.
Cartoon Network’s interest in the Total Drama Island franchise was so high that it briefly considered reviving Fresh TV’s 6Teen series in the United States, despite its previous failure to gain traction on a competing network, Nickelodeon, years earlier.
5Beware the Batman
First episode date: July 13, 2013 (USA)
Canceled:: September 28, 2014
Holy canceled cartoons, Batman! Even the caped crusader himself can’t escape the wrath of cancellation. Beware the Batman may have had previous animated hits, but it only managed to swing through one season.
The show packs a punch with some classic villains, including Anarky, Ra’s al Ghul, and Killer Croc. But despite its positive reception and fanbase, Beware the Batman was no match for the cancellation monster.
Cartoon Network pulled the plug after only a few months, leaving viewers scratching their heads.
Rumors swirled, but Cartoon Network finally admitted the truth – the show didn’t bring in enough cash. In a last-ditch effort, Toonami aired the remaining episodes, but Beware the Batman never returned to Cartoon Network’s lineup.
4The Life And Times Of Juniper Lee
First episode date: May 30, 2005 (USA)
Opening theme: “You Can’t Stop the Girl”
Composer: Stewart Copeland
Created by: Judd Winick
Original network: Cartoon Network
Get ready to enter the mystical world of The Life And Times of Juniper Lee! The show follows a young girl with a very special task – taking on supernatural forces like it’s just another day at school.
And technically, Juniper Lee got a pretty decent run of three seasons, but it’s clear that Cartoon Network wasn’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for this show after the first season.
The final episodes were even dumped onto streaming, leaving some fans in the dark about what happened after season one. It’s like Juniper Lee got stuck in the supernatural shadows.
3Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart
First episode date: July 1, 2019 (USA)
Program creators: Parker Simmons, Keith Fay
Listen up, folks! It’s time to get down to business and talk about the purrfectly epic cartoon, Mao Mao. The show follows the titular character, a self-centered cat warrior who accidentally becomes the sheriff of Pure Heart Valley.
Mao Mao’s not your average hero – he’s more like an ego-driven ball of fire that always keeps things interesting.
Along with his trusty sidekick Badgerclops and apprentice Adorabat, Mao Mao takes on all the baddies that threaten the innocent citizens of Pure Heart Valley.
With plenty of action and clever humor, Mao Mao’s biggest selling point is its larger-than-life protagonist. Mao Mao is the complete opposite of what you’d expect from a kid’s show hero – he’s egotistical, frustrated, and ready to throw down at a moment’s notice.
It’s like Batman and Garfield had a cat baby.
The contrast between Mao Mao’s fiery personality and the sweet, innocent setting of Pure Heart Valley makes for some epic humor. But what’s not so epic is the show’s fate. Mao Mao’s technically been renewed for a second season.
2Johnny Test
First episode date: September 17, 2005
Canceled: December 25, 2014
Johnny Test, an American-Canadian animated series, originally debuted on Kids’ WB and ran for several years before being acquired by Cartoon Network.
After the transition, Johnny Test became one of the network’s flagship shows, featuring frequent re-runs and widespread promotion.
Cartoon Network produced three additional seasons of Johnny Test, each comprising twice as many episodes as the original Kids’ WB seasons.
Its popularity peaked when it was given a near-all-day marathon on Christmas 2014, humorously titled Johnny Test-Mas.
1ThunderCats
Program creator: Tobin Wolf
Original release: Sept. 9, 1985 –Sept. 29, 1989
Hold on to your cat ears because ThunderCats are back and better than ever! Cartoon Network gave the iconic 80s cartoon series a modern makeover in 2011, with a fresh storyline and updated visuals.
In this reboot, the wicked Mumm-Ra lays waste to the kingdom of Thundera, leaving the ThunderCats to search high and low for a way to take him down.
But don’t expect a feel-good nostalgia trip – this new ThunderCats takes a walk on the dark side, delving deep into themes and character development. And let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good brooding superhero?
Fans of the original series gave the reboot a roar of approval, but sadly, it wasn’t enough to keep the show alive for a second season.