5 Major Licensed Shows Set to Leave Netflix US in the Second Half of 2026

From ‘Seinfeld’ to ‘Fear the Walking Dead,’ here are some of the biggest licensed TV shows currently slated to leave Netflix US in 2026.

By Kasey Moore • [

May 31st, 2026 - 8:20 am

Picture Credit: Warner Bros. Television

Here at What’s on Netflix, we spend a lot of time tracking what’s coming to the world’s biggest streaming service, but we also keep a very close eye on what’s heading out the exit door. While Netflix has built an absolute 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, licenses don’t last forever.

Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, the Netflix US library is set to take a few massive hits. Several foundational comfort-binges and mega-hits are currently scheduled to expire between July and December. Since some of these series pack well over 100 episodes, we’re giving you ample warning so you can plan your rewatches accordingly!

Don’t forget these are in addition to the already announced June departures, including a suite of other AMC titles, one of the last big HBO series (Sex and the City), and Kim’s Convenience, among many more.

*Please note: All removals from Netflix are subject to change due to licensing agreements. Netflix may extend licenses or remove titles earlier than listed. Removal dates may also vary by region.

Here are 5 major licensed shows currently slated to leave Netflix US in H2 2026.

Fear the Walking Dead (Seasons 1-8)

Leaving Netflix: August 19, 2026

As part of a sprawling 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 strictly 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 to binge all 113 episodes, you’ll want to start pacing yourself well before the zombie heat wave hits.

Seinfeld (Seasons 1-9)

Leaving Netflix: October 1, 2026

Picture Credit: Sony Pictures Television

This is the big one. Back in 2019, Netflix shelled out a reported $500+ million to acquire the global streaming rights to Seinfeld for five years. The show finally hit the platform in October 2021, and if you do the math, that massive five-year window comes to a close on October 1, 2026.

Unless Netflix cuts another massive check to Sony Pictures Television to renew the “show about nothing,” Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer will be vacating their Netflix apartments. Expect an intense bidding war between Peacock, Hulu, and Max to secure the rights to this sitcom juggernaut next. Looking at the show in the Engagement Reports, it’s a consistent performer but has seen its viewership decline over the years. 50/50 on whether Netflix goes for it again.

Shameless (Seasons 1-11)

Leaving Netflix: October 11, 2026

The Gallagher family has been wreaking havoc on Netflix US for years, consistently popping up in the Netflix top 10 charts whenever a new season dropped. Even since then, it’s still regularly chunking in a lot of viewership. In fact, between 2023 and 2025, the series has pulled in 2.74B hours watched.

Licensed from Warner Bros. Television (it originally aired on Showtime), *Shameless *is a mammoth binge with 134 episodes under its belt. William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum lead one of the most delightfully dysfunctional families in TV history. With its departure looming in October, you’ve got just enough time to grab a beer at the Alibi Room before the series leaves. Will it head to HBO Max like some of the distributor’s biggest other shows, like Friends, or will others want a piece of Gallagher action? We’ll have to wait and see.

Gossip Girl (Seasons 1-6)

Leaving Netflix: October 28, 2026

Gossip Girl is one of those classic CW shows that has bounced around the streaming ecosystem over the last few years. It was removed from Netflix a while back, only to make a triumphant return in 2024 (following an international rollout the year before). However, it looks like its current stint is another temporary arrangement on a two-year arrangement, we’re told.

The scandalous lives of Manhattan’s elite will be clocking out just days before Halloween 2026. If you want to relive the golden era of flip phones, headbands, and Upper East Side drama, consider this your official warning. XOXO.

*Scandal *(Seasons 1-7)

Leaving Netflix: December 17, 2026

Shonda Rhimes is currently ruling Netflix with Original hits like Bridgerton, but her classic network television juggernaut Scandal is only here on a lease.

Kerry Washington’s Olivia Pope will be hanging up her white hat right before Christmas 2026. The political thriller was a defining show of the 2010s, and it’s enjoyed a great 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 this Netflix window closes.

**As always, we’ll be keeping track of major removals via our Leaving Soon section and will specifically highlight additional series seperately as and when we get more. Which of these titles do you hope Netflix renews before their departure? Let us know in the comments. **