Tech mogul Elon Musk has ignited a call for a Netflix subscription boycott, citing concerns over content in the animated series "Dead End: Paranormal Park." Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, announced his decision to cancel his Netflix subscription and urged his over 226 million followers to do the same. Musk also criticized Netflix's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policy as another reason for canceling his subscription.
The controversy gained momentum following claims that "Dead End: Paranormal Park," which concluded its run in 2023, features a transgender character and was being promoted to children. The show's director, Hamish Steele, has been accused of celebrating the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, allegations Steele has vehemently denied, calling them "lies and slander" and noting an increase in hostile messages.
"Dead End: Paranormal Park" originally aired on Netflix in 2022 and was canceled in January 2023 after two seasons. The series was noted for its LGBTQ+ representation, including a transgender teenage character named Barney Guttman. Despite its cancellation, the show remains available on the platform.
The public statements by Musk coincided with a dip in Netflix's stock. On October 1, 2025, Netflix shares fell by approximately 2.34%, and on October 2, 2025, they were down 0.8% in pre-market trading, reaching $1142.52. While past boycotts have had limited long-term effects on Netflix's subscriber base, the events highlight the impact of prominent figures' statements on investor sentiment and corporate financial performance.