Why Are People Canceling Netflix? Explaining the New Boycott

Netflix is facing a wave of subscription cancellations after a social media campaign reignited outrage over one of its animated shows. The boycott, which gained momentum at the end of September 2025, was amplified by Elon Musk and several right-wing influencers. At the center of the debate is the show “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” which features a transgender protagonist and originally aired in 2022.

The backlash triggered trending calls to cancel Netflix on X (formerly Twitter) and other social platforms. On October 1, Netflix stock dropped nearly 2% following Musk’s posts urging parents to cancel the service. While the market reaction may not be fully linked to the boycott, the conversation has become one of the most visible culture-war flashpoints for the platform this year.

What Sparked the Netflix Boycott

The renewed controversy began when the account Libs of TikTok posted about “Dead End: Paranormal Park” on September 29, calling the series “pro-transgender propaganda for children.” The post quickly went viral after Elon Musk reshared it to his audience of more than 226 million followers. On September 30, Musk posted again, telling users to cancel Netflix “for the health of your kids.” That message alone was viewed over 37 million times by October 1.

Other conservative voices, including commentator Robby Starbuck, followed Musk in calling for a boycott. Many of the posts focused on the show’s main character, Barney, a transgender teenager who works at a haunted amusement park. The series, created by Hamish Steele and based on a graphic novel, ran for two seasons before Netflix canceled it in 2023.

What puzzled some observers is why the outrage erupted now, long after the show ended. Analysts say the boycott ties into wider cultural tensions on social media, where topics around LGBTQ+ representation in children’s media remain heavily politicized.

Reactions From Creators and Supporters

Hamish Steele, the creator of “Dead End: Paranormal Park,” addressed the backlash on Bluesky. Steele said their Instagram feed was flooded with accusations that they celebrated the recent death of conservative figure Charlie Kirk — something they denied. Steele wrote that the past days have been “much worse” and signaled they would take a step back from public discussion for now.

Zach Barack, the voice actor for Barney, also responded. Barack, who is openly trans, shared that the show has been life-changing for many young viewers. “If someone had shown me this program as a kid, it would’ve saved me years of hating myself,” Barack wrote. Fans have echoed similar messages, saying the show offered hope and representation to transgender youth.

The Bigger Picture for Netflix

This boycott comes at a time when Netflix is navigating a crowded streaming market and frequent political scrutiny. While the company has faced previous backlash over stand-up specials and programming decisions, targeted boycotts rarely have long-term financial impact. Still, high-profile voices like Musk bring unusual visibility and can pressure brands to respond.

Analysts say Netflix is unlikely to reinstate or remove shows based on this campaign. However, the stock dip shows how cultural debates can affect investor confidence in the short term. The company has not publicly commented on this latest boycott as of early October 2025.

The main question — why are people canceling Netflix — comes down to cultural backlash and renewed attention to a trans-led animated series. Whether this will significantly impact Netflix’s subscriber base remains uncertain.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why are people canceling Netflix right now?

Many are canceling due to calls from Elon Musk and other influencers to boycott a past Netflix show featuring a transgender character.

Q2: What is “Dead End: Paranormal Park”?

It is an animated Netflix series about two teens at a haunted theme park. Its main character, Barney, is trans. It aired 2022–2023.

Q3: Did the show recently return or get renewed?

No. The show was canceled in 2023. The current backlash is based on social media posts, not new episodes.

Q4: Did Netflix respond to the boycott?

As of now, Netflix has not released an official statement about the campaign or subscriber impact.

Q5: Is Netflix stock affected?

The stock dropped almost 2% on October 1 after the boycott calls gained attention, though other market factors may be involved.