Netflix has officially pulled the plug on Fubar, marking the end of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ambitious return to television. The action-comedy series, which premiered with significant fanfare in 2023, has been terminated following a catastrophic decline in viewership that saw its audience shrink by over 70% between seasons. This cancellation represents a significant setback for the legendary actor’s streaming ambitions.
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The Rise and Fall of Fubar on Netflix
Fubar has been canceled after two seasons, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed, bringing an abrupt end to what was once considered Arnold Schwarzenegger’s triumphant television comeback. The series, which starred the Terminator legend alongside Oscar nominee Monica Barbaro as a father-daughter CIA operative duo, experienced one of the most dramatic audience declines in recent Netflix history.
Initial Success Turns to Disappointment
When Fubar first premiered in May 2023, it appeared to be a resounding success for both Netflix and Arnold Schwarzenegger. After debuting on Netflix at No.1 on Nielsen’s streaming charts during its premiere week two years ago in May 22-28 with 1.53 billion minutes of viewing, the series seemed poised to establish Schwarzenegger as a major player in the streaming landscape.
However, the second season painted a starkly different picture. Season two accumulated 412 million viewing minutes this year during the week of June 9-15, representing a devastating blow to the show’s prospects for renewal.
The Numbers Behind the Cancellation
The viewership statistics tell a sobering story of audience abandonment. In total, Fubar’s minutes of viewing declined by 73 percent from season one to two. To put this in perspective, Fubar drew 412 million minutes of viewing for the week of June 9-15; season two premiered June 12. That’s a steep decline — 73 percent — from its series premiere week in May 2023, which gathered 1.53 billion viewing minutes.
The second season of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Fubar, which managed just 2.2 million views in its premiere week, struggled to compete with other Netflix offerings. During its premiere week, the series landed at No. 8 among Netflix’s original shows for its second season, a significant drop from its initial chart-topping performance.
Cast and Production Details
Fubar featured an ensemble cast centered around the unique dynamic between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro. The action comedy starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Oscar nominee Monica Barbaro, who portray a father-daughter spy duo. The show’s premise revolved around the comedic and dramatic tensions that arise when both characters discover they work for the CIA.
Season two saw the addition of Carrie-Anne Moss, who plays a former fling of Schwarzenegger’s Luke Brunner. The Matrix star’s addition was meant to inject new energy into the series, with Moss expressing enthusiasm about working with Schwarzenegger. “I don’t know if I’ve ever had more fun on a job working with Arnold and doing the dance stuff and the fight stuff and then all the acting, and then the sitting between takes and talking about all kinds of things,” she added. “I loved every minute of it.”
The supporting cast included Milan Carter, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Aparna Brielle, Guy Burnet, Andy Buckley, Jay Baruchel, Barbara Eve Harris, and Scott Thompson, creating a diverse ensemble around the central family dynamic.
Critical Reception vs. Audience Response
Despite the poor viewership numbers, Fubar experienced an interesting dichotomy between critical and audience reception. Fubar Season 2 stands at 50% critic score but an improved 71% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This disconnect suggests that while critics remained lukewarm about the series, those viewers who did watch were generally more satisfied with the second season’s offerings.
Season 1 received a 68% rating from viewers, while the second year nabbed a 78% rating, indicating that the show actually improved in quality from the perspective of its remaining audience, even as overall viewership plummeted.
Production Timeline and Investment
The production of Fubar represented a significant investment for Netflix. Filming for the first season began in April 2022 in Antwerp, Belgium around Grote Markt. Additional filming took place in Toronto, where Schwarzenegger was seen re-teaming with former True Lies co-star Tom Arnold.
On June 17, 2023, Netflix renewed the series for a second season, demonstrating initial confidence in the property. Filming for the second season began on April 29, 2024, and concluded on August 30, 2024, in Toronto, with the season premiering in June 2025.
The Broader Context of Netflix Cancellations
Fubar’s cancellation fits into a broader pattern of Netflix’s increasingly selective approach to content renewal. Schwarzenegger’s father-daughter spin on True Lies has been dumped by the streamer after its second season failed to make an impact back in June. The streaming giant has become more aggressive about cutting shows that fail to maintain audience engagement, regardless of star power or production values.
The series, also starring Monica Barbaro, did not perform well, highlighting how even established stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger are not immune to the ruthless metrics-driven decisions that increasingly govern streaming platforms.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Streaming Ambitions
For Arnold Schwarzenegger, Fubar represented more than just another acting role—it was positioned as his major entry into the streaming television landscape. Fubar was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s big comeback until Netflix pulled the plug without warning. The series was meant to leverage his action-movie legacy while showcasing his comedic abilities in a family-centered narrative.
The show’s concept drew clear inspiration from Schwarzenegger’s 1994 film True Lies, creating a television adaptation that could capitalize on both nostalgia and contemporary streaming trends. However, the rapid audience decline suggests that viewers may not have been as interested in seeing the action legend in this particular format as initially anticipated.
Industry Implications and Future Prospects
The cancellation of Fubar sends several important signals about the current state of streaming entertainment. Despite featuring a major Hollywood star and receiving a significant production budget, the series couldn’t maintain viewer interest across multiple seasons. Season 2 ultimately spent three weeks in the global top 10, picking up 47.5 million hours watched globally, equating to 7.3 million views.
This performance underscores the challenges facing traditional action stars in adapting to streaming formats, where audience retention and binge-watching patterns differ significantly from theatrical releases. The 73% viewership decline between seasons represents one of the steepest drops for a major Netflix original series, highlighting the platform’s unforgiving standards for content performance.
Viewership Analysis Table
| Metric | Season 1 (2023) | Season 2 (2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere Week Viewing Minutes | 1.53 billion | 412 million | -73% |
| Nielsen Chart Position | #1 | #8 | -7 positions |
| Global Top 10 Weeks | Multiple | 3 weeks | Declined |
| Total Global Views (Season) | High performer | 7.3 million | Significant drop |
| Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | 68% | 78% | +10% |
Production Investment Breakdown
| Phase | Timeline | Location | Key Elements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 Filming | April 2022 – Sept 2022 | Antwerp, Belgium & Toronto | Initial production, Tom Arnold cameo |
| Season 1 Release | May 2023 | Netflix Global | Chart-topping debut |
| Season 2 Renewal | June 2023 | N/A | Based on strong initial performance |
| Season 2 Filming | April 2024 – August 2024 | Toronto | Carrie-Anne Moss addition |
| Season 2 Release | June 2025 | Netflix Global | Disappointing performance |
| Cancellation | August 2025 | N/A | End of series |
The cancellation of Fubar represents a significant moment in both Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career and Netflix’s evolving content strategy. Despite strong initial performance and the addition of notable talent like Carrie-Anne Moss, the series couldn’t overcome the challenge of maintaining audience engagement in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
In August 2025, the series was canceled after two seasons, marking the end of what was intended to be Schwarzenegger’s major television venture. The dramatic 73% viewership decline between seasons serves as a cautionary tale about the unforgiving nature of streaming metrics and the challenges facing traditional action stars in adapting to new media formats.
While those who continued watching appeared to enjoy the series more in its second season, the overall audience abandonment made renewal impossible. Fubar’s cancellation joins a growing list of Netflix series that failed to maintain their initial momentum, regardless of star power or production quality.
Read More: Superman Box Office Triumph: James Gunn’s DC Reboot Soars Past Historic $300M Domestic Milestone
FAQs
Why was Fubar canceled by Netflix?
Fubar was canceled due to a dramatic 73% decline in viewership between seasons, dropping from 1.53 billion viewing minutes in season one to just 412 million minutes in season two.
How many seasons of Fubar were produced?
Netflix produced two seasons of Fubar before canceling the series in August 2025.
Who were the main stars of Fubar?
The series starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro as a father-daughter CIA operative duo, with Carrie-Anne Moss joining in season two.
When did Fubar premiere and end?
Fubar premiered in May 2023 and was canceled in August 2025 after two seasons.
What was Fubar about?
Fubar followed Luke Brunner (Schwarzenegger) and his daughter Emma (Barbaro), both CIA operatives who discover each other’s secret identities, leading to complicated family and professional dynamics.
