Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
  • TotalFilm
  • Edge
  • Newsarama
  • Retrogamer
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Don't miss these
The Abandons
Drama Shows Despite being watched for 100 million hours in 28 days, Netflix cancels Gillian Anderson western The Abandons
Emily Rudd as Nami and Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in season 2 of One Piece.
Streaming Services New on Netflix in March 2026: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven and Luca Diaz as Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85.
Streaming Services Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and all the other new shows and movies on Netflix in April.
Huntrix performing in KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix
Netflix Netflix joins the fight against Seedance 2.0, targeting AI-generated Stranger Things and Kpop Demon Hunters videos
Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek in season 4 of Bridgerton.
Streaming Services New on Netflix in February 2026: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix
Streaming Services Netflix drops out of Warner Bros. purchase after Paramount raises offer
Henrik Dorsin as Gösta Engzell in The Swedish Connection, holding a telephone.
Streaming Services 3 new to Netflix movies I recommend you watch this weekend (Feb 21–Feb 22)
David Corenswet as Superman
Movies Netflix boss says "we want to win" in the theatrical business, so the 45-day windows will remain after Warner Bros. sale goes through
Stranger Things season 5 Steve
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (January 2-4)
A screenshot of the Netflix logo against a black background.
Streaming Services 3 new to Netflix movies I recommend you watch this weekend (Feb 7-Feb 8)
Louis Theroux in new documentary Inside the Manosphere
Streaming Services 3 new to Netflix movies I recommend you watch this weekend (March 14–March 15)
Adora looking tough in She-ra: Princess of Power
Animated Shows A game-changing Netflix original is at risk of becoming lost media, and that's not OK
A screenshot of the Netflix logo against a black background.
Streaming Services Here are 3 new to Netflix shows I recommend you binge-watch this weekend (Jan 13-Feb 1)
Alicia Vikander as the robot Ava in the movie Ex Machina touching a fake human face hanging on a white wall.
Streaming Services 3 new to Netflix movies I recommend you watch this weekend (Feb 28–March 1)
  1. Entertainment
  2. Streaming Services
  3. Netflix

Netflix to start automatically cancelling inactive accounts

News
By Jack Shepherd published 22 May 2020

If you haven't used Netflix in a year, your membership could be about to be cancelled

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

best streaming service
(Image credit: Netflix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Netflix will start to cancel your subscription if you have been inactive on your account for over a year, the company has revealed. 

The streaming service will email everyone who has not used their Netflix account in the last 12 months, and if they hear nothing back, the account's membership will be cancelled. For all those people who forgot their passwords and have been charged monthly, that may be a blessing.

“You know that sinking feeling when you realize you signed up for something but haven’t used it in ages? At Netflix, the last thing we want is people paying for something they’re not using,” a statement from Netflix reads.

You may like
  • The Abandons Despite being watched for 100 million hours in 28 days, Netflix cancels Gillian Anderson western The Abandons
  • Emily Rudd as Nami and Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in season 2 of One Piece. New on Netflix in March 2026: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month
  • Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven and Luca Diaz as Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85. Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and all the other new shows and movies on Netflix in April.

As TechCrunch points out, the statement is certainly unusual. Most companies are happy to let subscribers continue paying even if they are no longer using the service. Netflix seemingly has faith that its members will continue to return to watch new movies and shows. 

At the end of March, Netflix had a subscriber base of 182 million. The company also promised that returning customers would find using Netflix again much easier, as their watchlist, favourites, and profiles would all be held for 10 months after initial cancellation. “We hope this new approach saves people some hard earned cash,” Netflix's director of Product Innovation, Eddy Wu, said. 

For those of you with active accounts, check out our pieces on the best Netflix movies, best Netflix shows, and new Netflix movies and shows and best Netflix VPN. 

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Jack Shepherd
Jack Shepherd
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Journalist

Jack Shepherd is the former Senior Entertainment Editor of GamesRadar. Jack used to work at The Independent as a general culture writer before specializing in TV and film for the likes of GR+, Total Film, SFX, and others. You can now find Jack working as a freelance journalist and editor.

Read more
The Abandons
Drama Shows Despite being watched for 100 million hours in 28 days, Netflix cancels Gillian Anderson western The Abandons
 
 
Emily Rudd as Nami and Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy in season 2 of One Piece.
Streaming Services New on Netflix in March 2026: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month
 
 
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven and Luca Diaz as Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85.
Streaming Services Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and all the other new shows and movies on Netflix in April.
 
 
Huntrix performing in KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix
Netflix Netflix joins the fight against Seedance 2.0, targeting AI-generated Stranger Things and Kpop Demon Hunters videos
 
 
Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek in season 4 of Bridgerton.
Streaming Services New on Netflix in February 2026: all the latest movies and shows streaming this month
 
 
One Piece
Netflix The 25 best shows on Netflix to watch in 2026
 
 
Latest in Netflix
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 4
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things is getting a 25-disc physical media release, as a "way to preserve the show for decades to come"
 
 
Mikaela Hoover as Tony Tony Chopper standing in the snow in One Piece season 2
Live Action Shows One Piece season 2's Tony Tony Chopper actor didn't watch the anime: "To copy the anime would have been a disservice"
 
 
Brooklyn Davey Norstedt as Eleven and Luca Diaz as Mike in Stranger Things: Tales From '85.
Streaming Services Stranger Things: Tales from '85 and all the other new shows and movies on Netflix in April.
 
 
Eleven drawn in bright neon colors
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things: Tales From '85 is following the mothership series and heading to theaters
 
 
JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run
Anime Shows JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Steel Ball Run release schedule: when is episode 2 releasing on Netflix?
 
 
Barry Keoghan as Duke Shelby walking in Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max, and more (Mar 16–Mar 22)
 
 
Latest in News
Peak Scouts pose as Fortnite characters
Fortnite Peak is coming to Fortnite in what could be the collab of the century if there's Bing Bong
 
 
Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven in Stranger Things season 4
Sci-Fi Shows Stranger Things is getting a 25-disc physical media release, as a "way to preserve the show for decades to come"
 
 
Jim Carrey as Robotnik in Sonic 3
Live Action Movies First Sonic 4 teaser confirms the return of Jim Carrey as Robotnik, despite dying in the last film
 
 
GTA 6 Lucia
Grand Theft Auto Crimson Desert could challenge GTA 6 for Game of the Year, claims GTA 5 dev – but only if Rockstar "drop the ball"
 
 
Screenshot of Resident Evil Requiem cutscene with Grace Ashcroft at desk while on phone and DLSS 5 on badge in top right corner with red cross over.
Desktop PCs Will you be turning Nvidia DLSS 5 off?
 
 
The Maingear Rush Crimson Desert Limited Edition gaming PC on top of a blurred out Crimson Desert in-game scene
Desktop PCs Maingear is launching a $4,500 Crimson Desert gaming PC, but there will only ever be 30 made
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Peak Scouts pose as Fortnite characters
    1
    Peak is coming to Fortnite in what could be the collab of the century if there's Bing Bong
  2. 2
    Marathon streamer goes viral for finding a high school bestfriend in proximity chat after 10 years
  3. 3
    Here's where you can see all 10 Saw movies in one place
  4. 4
    First Sonic 4 teaser confirms the return of Jim Carrey as Robotnik, despite dying in the last film
  5. 5
    Maingear is launching a $4,500 Crimson Desert gaming PC, but there will only ever be 30 made

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...