The Most Review-Bombed TV Seasons of All Time

Some TV shows spark intense reactions, and certain seasons become lightning rods for viewer frustration. Review bombing, where audiences flood platforms like Rotten Tomatoes with low ratings, often stems from disappointment over storytelling, casting, or perceived agendas, turning beloved series into targets of outrage.

I’ve ranked ten of the most review-bombed TV seasons, starting from the least to the most heavily criticized, based on their audience scores and the scale of backlash. These seasons, from various genres, faced waves of negative feedback, often for reasons beyond the show itself. Let’s dive into what went wrong.

Velma (2023-2024) – Season 1

This animated reimagining of Scooby-Doo, with Mindy Kaling voicing Velma, aimed for a modern, edgy take on the classic character. It leaned into adult humor and diverse casting, but audiences felt it strayed too far from the source material.

Fans slammed the show for its irreverent tone and lack of the original gang’s charm, leading to a low audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The backlash focused on its humor and perceived disrespect for the beloved franchise.

True Detective (2015) – Season 2

This anthology crime series, starring Colin Farrell and Rachel McAdams, followed a new case after a celebrated first season. The complex plot about corruption in California felt disjointed to many viewers.

The season’s dark tone and confusing narrative alienated fans expecting the magic of the original. Low audience ratings reflected disappointment, with many calling it a step down from the McConaughey-led debut.

Heroes (2008-2010) – Season 3

This superhero drama, featuring Zachary Quinto and Hayden Panettiere, lost its way after a strong start. The third season’s convoluted time-travel plots and new characters confused longtime viewers.

Fans review-bombed it for muddled storytelling and a lack of focus on beloved heroes like Hiro. The sharp drop in audience scores showed how far the show had fallen from its early promise.

The Witcher: Blood Origin (2022) – Season 1

This prequel to The Witcher, starring Michelle Yeoh, explored the origins of the fantasy world. Changes to the established lore and new characters sparked outrage among fans of the books and main series.

Low ratings flooded in, with viewers upset over deviations from the source material and a perceived lack of depth. The backlash made it one of Netflix’s most criticized spin-offs.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022-2023) – Season 1

This revival of the animated series, featuring Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, aimed to update the story for a new generation. Its focus on modern social issues and diverse representation drew heavy criticism.

Fans felt the show pushed contemporary themes too hard, losing the original’s lighthearted vibe. Audience scores tanked, with many calling it a betrayal of the classic series.

The Acolyte (2024) – Season 1

This Star Wars series, starring Amandla Stenberg, explored a Jedi mystery in the High Republic era. Its diverse cast and new lore additions triggered backlash from some fans.

Review bombing hit hard, with low scores on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes driven by complaints about ‘wokeness’ and canon changes. The show’s cancellation after one season reflected the intense reaction.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) – Season 1

This Marvel comedy, starring Tatiana Maslany as Jennifer Walters, mixed superhero action with humor. Its feminist themes and fourth-wall-breaking style didn’t land with all viewers.

Audience scores plummeted due to complaints about its tone and perceived political messaging. The backlash, often tied to misogyny, made it one of Marvel’s most divisive shows.

The Boys (2024) – Season 4

This superhero satire, led by Karl Urban and Antony Starr, leaned harder into political commentary in its fourth season. The shift in tone and perceived ‘woke’ elements sparked a wave of negative reviews.

Despite strong critical praise, audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes hit a series low. Fans criticized the writing and felt the show alienated part of its base.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022) – Season 1

This ambitious Tolkien prequel, featuring Morfydd Clark as a young Galadriel, aimed to expand Middle-earth’s lore. Its diverse casting and changes to the source material infuriated some fans.

Review bombing targeted platforms like IMDb, with low scores driven by complaints about lore inaccuracies and representation. The cast’s defense of the show only fueled the debate.

Game of Thrones (2011-2019) – Season 8

This epic fantasy, starring Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke, ended with its eighth season, which faced unprecedented backlash. Fans felt the rushed pacing and character arcs, like Daenerys’s turn, betrayed the show’s legacy.

With over 675 reviews, it became Rotten Tomatoes’ most reviewed season ever, flooded with low scores. A petition for a remake highlighted the depth of fan anger.

Which TV season’s backlash surprised you most, or is there another that got unfair hate? Share your thoughts in the comments!