Netflix is set to remove several titles from its streaming catalog this February, primarily due to expiring rights. Among the prominent shows departing the platform are the critically acclaimed sci-fi drama The Lazarus Project, the lesser-known sci-fi series Extant, and the popular martial arts drama Warrior.

Warrior, a series based on the original writings of the iconic Bruce Lee, first premiered on Cinemax in 2019. It later moved to HBO Max for its third season but faced an abrupt cancellation in 2023, despite consistent improvements in critical reception and solid viewership numbers. The show, currently available domestically on Netflix, will be removed on February 17.

Created by Jonathan Tropper, known for his work on Cinemax's Banshee and Apple TV's Your Friends & Neighbors, Warrior stars Andrew Koji. The narrative follows a Chinese immigrant entangled in brutal gang wars within late 1800s San Francisco. The cast also features renowned martial arts experts like Joe Taslim and Mark Dacascos.

Critically, Warrior has garnered significant praise, holding an overall rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its first season achieved a 79% score, while both the second and third seasons remarkably stand at a perfect 100%. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus for the premiere season highlights its "devil may care attitude" which provides "thrilling energy and action" for those seeking a "period drama with a little kick," despite its ambitious ideological scope.

Warrior was executive produced by Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee's daughter, and Justin Lin. The legendary martial artist's life and work have inspired numerous productions over the years. These include the Chinese drama series The Legend of Bruce Lee and films like Ip Man 3 and Ip Man 4: The Finale, all of which featured Danny Chan portraying Lee. Another film, Birth of the Dragon, directed by George Nolfi and starring Philip Ng as a young Lee, was released in 2016. More controversially, Quentin Tarantino presented a fictionalized version of Lee in his 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which led to a public dispute with Shannon Lee.

For those interested in tracking streaming catalog changes and understanding licensing updates, subscribing to a dedicated newsletter can provide clear and reliable context on which shows are leaving and why. Warrior will remain available on Netflix until February 17.