The series is very loosely based on the comic series by Brian Ralph, with creator Brad Peyton starting to develop a series based on the graphic novel as early as 2012.

While developing the project, Brad Peyton realized that the source material had influences from the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

Netflix officially ordered a ten-episode first season on July 26, 2018, with Aron Eli Coleite set as showrunner.

Matthew Broderick was the first actor announced to join the cast, in October 2018, followed shortly after by the rest of the main cast including Colin Ford, Alyvia Alyn Lind, and Sophie Simnett.

Principal photography for the first season took place entirely on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from October 2018 to April 2019.

The first season received generally favorable reviews, holding a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 33 reviews, though Metacritic scored it lower at 54/100, indicating mixed reviews.

Despite its mixed-to-positive reception, Netflix canceled Daybreak after just one season, announcing the decision on December 16, 2019.