ABC's hit sci-fi drama Lost brings a disappointing streaming update for Netflix users

If you've been waiting to watch Lost on Netflix, there's an important update you should be aware of.

This classic sci‑fi series first aired in 2004 on ABC and hooked viewers with its island mysteries and time jumps. In mid‑2024, Netflix brought all six seasons of Lost back to its library worldwide.

Fans around the globe celebrated as they could finally revisit the strange island or see it for the first time. However, licensing agreements between Netflix and Disney determine how long shows can stay on each platform.

As of July 22, 2025, international viewers have only weeks left to stream the show on Netflix before it disappears in mid-August. In the U.S., the show will remain until the end of December and will be pulled at the start of 2026. This change may come as a surprise to many subscribers who assumed Lost would remain indefinitely.

With nearly 120 episodes across six seasons, completing the series takes time. If you plan to watch or rewatch the show, it's best to start now. Otherwise, you risk having your viewing cut short by the looming date.

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How long can Lost be streamed in the USA?

Netflix’s agreement in the United States covers eighteen months, giving U.S. viewers more time than international audiences. The series returned to Netflix in July 2024 and will remain available through the end of December 2025.

After that, Netflix must remove all six seasons on January 1, 2026. With nearly 120 episodes, finishing it before the deadline still requires planning. U.S. subscribers should note these dates now to avoid missing any of the island’s mysteries.

U.S. streaming timeline

• License start date: July 1, 2024, when all six seasons of the show re‑launched on Netflix U.S.
• License end date: December 31, 2025, marking the last day you can stream Lost on Netflix in the U.S.
• Removal date: January 1, 2026, when the show officially leaves Netflix libraries nationwide.
• Total viewing window: Eighteen months to watch or re‑watch every episode.
• Estimated watch time: Approximately 70 hours for the whole series. Scheduling a weekly episode plan, with around five to six episodes per week, helps ensure you finish before January 1.

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Lost is leaving Netflix because of fixed licensing agreements

Netflix does not own the show outright. Instead, it rents the streaming rights from Disney for a set period. When Netflix added Lost in July 2024, the deal gave international users one year and U.S. users eighteen months to watch the show.

These fixed lengths mean that, on August 15, 2025, the show will be removed from Netflix libraries in most countries. For U.S. subscribers, the final date to stream all episodes will be December 31, 2025.

With nearly 120 episodes, Lost is a major time investment. The first three seasons alone each have more than 20 episodes, and the final season still has 14 episodes. That adds up to around 70 hours of viewing time.

For international viewers, watching five episodes per week will complete the series by August 14.

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Other platforms may offer Lost after it leaves Netflix

Once Lost exits Netflix, you still have options to watch it. Disney+ and Hulu often carry ABC dramas, and in some regions, the series may also be available on local streaming services like ITVX.

If you enjoy the show, you can subscribe to one of these services or look for DVD and Blu‑ray box sets.

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The wider trend of shifting streaming libraries

The departure of Lost is part of a larger pattern. Netflix has been seeing more licensed hits leave as studios reclaim their shows for their platforms. Viewers have noticed that popular series from Disney, ABC, HBO, Fox, and other studios are being removed from Netflix.

This does not mean Netflix is losing its appeal, but it does change how subscribers choose what to watch and when. For anyone who has the show on their list, now is the time to dive into the adventure before it sails away one last time.