4 TV Shows with Massive Budgets That Failed to Deliver

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Lately, Hollywood television shows have been taking huge risks, believing that spending a lot of money guarantees a big payoff. While this strategy has worked for shows like Stranger Things, it’s a gamble with a high chance of failure. Here are some of the most expensive shows that didn’t deliver results despite their massive budgets.

Westworld (2016–2022)

Credit: MovieStillsDB

HBO hoped Westworld would be its next big success, designed to attract viewers as Game of Thrones neared its end. However, the show lost the compelling storytelling that made its first season so popular, and by season four, each episode cost an incredible 160 million dollars to produce.

What caused the decline of Westworld? It largely came down to increasing complexity. Many viewers felt the show lost its way when the story moved beyond the park itself, and viewership numbers reflected that. It’s disappointing that Warner Bros. Discovery removed Westworld from HBO Max, leaving Blu-ray as the only good way to watch it – the series deserved a better fate.

The decision to remove those titles was part of a broader plan to save money during the merger. HBO’s CEO stood by this approach, arguing it helped the company recover financially, but it also highlighted the risks inherent in streaming services.

Season Total Budget
1 $88+ million
2 $107+ million
3 $100+ million
4 160+ million

The Wheel of Time (2021–2025)

Image via Prime Video

Amazon made significant investments in bringing two popular fantasy series to the screen: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time. While The Wheel of Time was less expensive to produce than The Lord of the Rings, its initial reception was rocky. Fans of the original 15-book series criticized alterations made to key characters, which turned off many of the most dedicated readers.

While some viewers who weren’t familiar with the original books enjoyed the fantasy series, issues with its speed, overall structure, and practical challenges – as highlighted by author Brandon Sanderson – prevented it from becoming a major hit. Despite Amazon investing $260 million in the first two seasons, and an additional, unrevealed amount in the third, the show was cancelled after three seasons.

It’s a shame the show ended when it seemed to be hitting its stride. Looking back at The Wheel of Time, it’s clear the potential was there for something truly special. Based on a massive and complex book series, the show had moments of brilliance, but ultimately didn’t quite live up to the quality of the original story.

Season Total Budget
1 & 2 $260+ million
3 Undisclosed

Star Wars: The Acolyte (2024)

Disney

Many hoped The Acolyte would be the next big hit for Star Wars, earning widespread praise. The show dared to venture into uncharted territory for the franchise, moving beyond the established prequel, original, and sequel storylines to delve into the High Republic era—a period previously known only through books and comics.

This period is known for starting with hopeful ideas, but gradually falling into political corruption. It’s a fascinating and promising time within the larger Star Wars story.

Even with a large $230 million budget and a lot of promotion, the show didn’t live up to expectations. Many viewers felt the way the Jedi were depicted – particularly questions about their morals and skills – was a key reason why it didn’t succeed.

Some viewers disagreed with how the show explained the history of the Force and the plot involving the two main characters. The season also felt slow and lacked energy, leaving many feeling it didn’t live up to its potential.

Season Total Budget
1 $230 million

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022–Present)

Amazon heavily invested in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, hoping it would become a massive hit like Game of Thrones, or even bigger. It’s the only series on this list that hasn’t been canceled, but it cost a huge amount of money to produce.

When the show finishes its planned five seasons, it will have cost over $1 billion to make. The first season alone cost around $465 million, making it the most expensive fantasy series and the most expensive television show ever created.

The show currently relies too much on teasing mysteries without providing answers, and it feels slow-paced for a story as grand as The Lord of the Rings. Combined with predictable fantasy elements and some questionable character choices – particularly with Galadriel – the series has had a hard time winning over longtime fans.

Just 37% of viewers in the U.S. completed the first season, suggesting the show didn’t live up to its initial high expectations. While Amazon might have to pay a $20 million fee for each season cancelled of Rings of Power, that amount is small compared to how much it cost to make the series.

Season Total Budget
1 $465 million
2 $458+ million

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2025-11-17 00:10