Picture Credit: Netflix
Life finds a way! In a rare and very welcome reversal, Netflix has officially renewed the hit animated preschool series Bad Dinosaurs for Season 2 and Season 3, overturning its previous decision to cancel the show.
If you’ve been following our coverage, you might remember that we recently reported that Bad Dinosaurs wasn’t expected to return for a sophomore outing. However, it looks like a massive surge in viewership and undeniable popularity among younger audiences has prompted Netflix to change its mind.
Our article back in November 2024 saw Executive Producer Paul Schleicher talking about Netflix’s then-decision not to move forward with new episodes, saying on the Kids Media Club Podcast, “Unfortunately, we don’t get to make a second series of Bad Dinosaurs, which is a real shame. We had a lot of fun making it and saw so much potential for more. But the world of streaming has shifted. Originals without a proven audience or those needing incubation time aren’t the priority. It’s frustrating, but we’re proud of what we created.”
According to a massive new press release outlining Netflix’s upcoming kids and family slate, the CG-animated series from creators Joel Veitch, Alex Mallinson, and David Shute has been officially picked up for Seasons 2 and 3. Both upcoming seasons will feature eight episodes each, bringing plenty more prehistoric laughs and mischief to the streamer.
How well did Bad Dinosaurs perform?
Netflix is known to let the numbers do the talking, and the stats for Bad Dinosaurs clearly made a compelling case for resurrection.
According to Netflix, the show spent a highly respectable five weeks in the Netflix Global Top 10. Since its debut in 2024, the first season has quietly accumulated an impressive nearly 55 million views globally on the platform. The Netflix Engagement Reports suggest the show is a consistent performer for the streamer with it having picked up 154.1M viewing hours since its debut, equating to 54.4M views.
But Netflix isn’t the only place the show is roaring. Over on YouTube via the Netflix Jr. channel, Bad Dinosaurs has been pulling in monster numbers that likely helped tip the scales for renewal:
- The Sliming / Sound Bite / Failure to Lunch (Full Episode): Over 11 million views
- Baby T-Rex BEST Moments (+30 Minute Compilation): Over 5.1 million views
When you combine that sustained streaming engagement with millions of views on YouTube, it becomes a lot clearer why Netflix decided to reverse course and keep this franchise alive.
What else was announced for Netflix Kids & Family?
The Bad Dinosaurs reversal was tucked into a massive update from Heather Tilert (Vice President, Animation Series, Kids + Preschool) regarding Netflix’s broader children’s programming slate. Notably, Kids and family viewing represented 15% of Netflix’s total view hours in the first half of 2024, so the streamer is doubling down on familiar IP.
Here’s a quick roundup of the other major announcements:
- More Sesame Street: A brand new Sesame Street film is in active development alongside Rideback and Sesame Workshop. Netflix has also extended its series deal to deliver new seasons of the beloved show through Season 62. (Season 57 Volume 4 arrives November 23).
- Gabby’s Dollhouse Spinoffs: Gabby’s sister, Doozie, is getting her own mixed-media companion series called Doozie’s Doghouse (premiering November 9). On December 9, we’re also getting a holiday special titled Gabby’s Dollhouse: Makers and Bakers, judged by Aidy Bryant, Justin Willman, and Melissa Villaseñor.
- Puppy Pirates: A brand new series from creator Matthew Fernandes featuring four heroic hounds sailing the high seas.
- Netflix Playground Expansions: Netflix’s ad-free gaming app for kids is adding new mobile games for Trash Truck (Oct 27), Numberblocks: Hide and Seek (Sept 29), and KPop Demon Hunters: Ready, Set Shine (Sept 29).
Ultimately, the revival of Bad Dinosaurs is the biggest shocker of the bunch and a massive win for fans of the show. It’s incredibly rare for Netflix to reverse a cancelation decision, making this prehistoric victory one for the history books.
Are you and your kids excited that Bad Dinosaurs is returning for Seasons 2 and 3? Let us know in the comments down below!