Arrested Development Set to Leave Netflix in March 2026 After Thirteen-Year Run

Introduction: The End of an Era for a Streaming Pioneer

After more than a decade on the platform, Arrested Development will leave Netflix on 15 March 2026, marking the end of a significant chapter in streaming television history. Created by Mitchell Hurwitz, the series originally ran for three years between 2003 and 2006 on Fox, before being cancelled due to low ratings despite much critical acclaim and six Primetime Emmys. The departure is particularly significant as Netflix acquired the show’s rights in 2011 and greenlit new episodes, which were eventually released in May 2013 and stand as some of the very first of the streamer’s original programming.

A Close Call in 2023

This isn’t the first time Arrested Development has faced removal from Netflix. Thanks to a last-minute deal in March 2023, the series was saved and remained on Netflix through at least 2026. At least 16 countries of Netflix continue carrying Arrested Development including the UK, US, Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada, Latin America, France, Spain, and Portugal. The 2023 reprieve came after viewers were initially notified of the show’s impending departure, but negotiations between Netflix and Disney, which owns the show’s production company 20th Television, secured an extension.

Part of a Larger Content Exodus

Netflix will remove 111 original shows, movies, and specials in 2026, marking a huge content exit for the streaming service. Major titles like Arrested Development and The Last Kingdom are included in the departures. The removal reflects the complex licensing arrangements that govern streaming content, even for shows branded as Netflix Originals. All five seasons of Arrested Development will be departing Netflix in 2026, though only the last two seasons actually qualify as Netflix Originals, as the first three seasons were produced by Fox.

What This Means for Fans

For devoted fans of the Bluth family’s misadventures, the departure from Netflix doesn’t necessarily mean the end of streaming availability. The show’s future home remains uncertain, though Disney’s ownership of 20th Television suggests Hulu could become a potential destination for all five seasons. The timing is particularly poignant for UK viewers who have enjoyed access to all seasons on Netflix for years. As March 2026 approaches, fans are encouraged to revisit the series one last time before it departs the platform that helped transform it from a cancelled network sitcom into a cultural phenomenon and streaming success story.