The Witcher Season 4 is the most expensive chapter of the series according to a new report, so much so that it’s outpaced some of Netflix’s biggest shows to date.
It’s safe to say there’s apprehension about the fourth chapter of The Witcher, which is based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s book series alongside the video games of the same name. Why? Because Henry Cavill is out as Geralt, with Liam Hemsworth taking his place.
Season 4 was filmed back-to-back with Season 5, which will serve as the final installment of the flagship series, adapting the remaining of Sapkowski’s books: Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallow, and Lady of the Lake.
There will be spinoffs in the future, but the streaming service may need to have a review of its outgoings depending on how The Witcher performs, as its budget has quickly piled up.
The Witcher Season 4 cost a reported $221 million
According to Redanian Intelligence, The Witcher Season 4 has cost Netflix more than $27 million per episode for a total of $221 million. If accurate, this makes it more expensive than Wednesday Season 2’s estimated $20 million per episode.
It’s significantly more than Squid Game Season 3’s total reported budget of 100 billion won (approximately $71.4 million). The figure is also just shy of Stranger Things Season 4’s estimated $270 million total cost.
The penultimate chapter of The Witcher is the most expensive so far, with the show’s running total now said to be at over $720 million. You can see how each season stacks up below:
- The Witcher Season 1 – $11.5 million per episode, $92.1 million total
- The Witcher Season 2 – $22 million per episode, $176.3 million total
- The Witcher: Blood Origin – $12.8 million per episode, $51.5 million total
- The Witcher Season 3 – $21.8 million per episode, $175 million total
- The Rats: A Witcher Tale – $21 million total so far
- The Witcher Season 4 – $27 million per episode, $221 million total
The outlet went on to state that when taking into consideration the two anime spinoffs, Nightmare of the Wolf and Sirens of the Deep, as well as additional Season 4 costs, the entire budget could end up sitting at around the $900 million mark.
Those numbers are staggering even by Netflix standards. Squid Game became a global phenomenon with a reported total budget of just $21.4 million for its first season, and other big shows like Bridgerton have operated on a fraction of that spend.
What makes the figure even more eye-opening is that Cavill has left. Normally, you’d expect costs to drop when such a big name exits, but instead they’ve climbed higher than ever.
Much of that likely comes down to the visual effects work and sprawling sets, but it’s a risky gamble. As said by one fan in response to the report, “And I’m not even going to watch it because Henry isn’t in it.”
Another agreed, “Likewise. One of the most stupid things to happen to that franchise.” Others are more sympathetic, with one writing, “I feel bad for the Hemsworth that got the role. I’m sure he’ll give it his all but he ain’t Cavill.”
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