It seems hard to imagine now, but there was a time when TV series didn’t have a finale episode neatly wrapping up each character arc with a fancy bow. It wasn’t until the latter half of The Fugitive, whose two-part series conclusion made television history on August 29, 1967. The premise was initially a bid for ratings, as viewership had been in decline since season two, and the showrunners decided to draw in an audience by finally doling out the answers they had been dying for since the show premiered four years earlier. The show became a momentous event that changed the face of television. Before then, studio executives had never considered offering the audience closure.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
There is little more dissatisfying than investing your time and energy into a television show and its characters to see it go out without resolution. Just ask the fans of the popular canceled television series Freaks and Geeks, Deadwood, Hannibal, or My So-Called Life to name a few. On the flip side, it is very gratifying when a beloved television series honors its characters and their journey while remaining true to the overall premise of the show. We have curated a list of television finales that we feel have done just that. Here are the best series finales of all time, ranked.
The Sopranos
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
The Sopranos series finale is one of the most controversial finales of all time because it is handed over to the viewer to make their own conclusions. The ambiguous ending is one that fans either love or hate. Regardless of which side of the line you are on, you can’t deny the abrupt ending was rather in tune with the premise of the show. Simple logic would suggest that Tony Soprano very likely met his maker that day in the diner, which shouldn’t come as a shock to fans of the show. Furthermore, if the show hadn’t ended in absolute uncertainty, would people still be talking about it years later? Doubtful – which is exactly why it earns its place on this list.
Cheers
CBS Television Distribution
Appropriately titled “One for the Road,” the series finale of Cheers was the second-highest-rated series finale of all time second only to the series finale of M.A.S.H.. The 98-minute episode reunites Sam Malone with former flame Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Diane and Sam briefly rekindle their romance, celebrate a whirlwind engagement, decide to move to Los Angeles together, and subsequently decide to part ways while their flight to L.A. is delayed. In the end, Sam returns to his beloved bar, just in time to close up for the night.
Friends
After 10 years on the air, everyone’s favorite sitcom Friends ended with an episode aptly named “The Last One.” It was a touching episode that thoughtfully and carefully wrapped up everyone’s storylines. Newlyweds Mike and Phoebe discuss their future and the possibility of starting a family. Monica and Chandler have twins and move to the suburbs, promising Joey (who finishes off the series in the same apartment) a room of his own. To the delight of many fans, Ross and Rachel finally unite for their happily-ever-after. It was a beautiful send-off for America’s favorite friends. Star Lisa Kudrow has recently shared her support of a modern reboot of the popular sitcom.
Friday Night Lights
Universal Television & Imagine Entertainment
Friday Night Lights showrunner Jason Katims recently shared with Entertainment Weekly that they were aware when they were picked up for seasons four and five that they would be the last. This allowed the writers to start to set up the characters for where they would ultimately end up, rather than throw everything together in the eleventh hour like so many finales. In the end, we see Coach Taylor and his wife Tami move to Philadelphia, Matt and Julie get engaged and all of our other favorite characters get a happy ending as well, which makes the series finale of Friday Night Lights one of the best TV series finales of all time.
Six Feet Under
Actual Size Films & HBO
Six Feet Under wrapped up its five seasons with a seven-minute flash-forward montage of milestone moments in the Fisher family’s lives, as well as the death of every remaining member of the Fisher clan, all set to Sia’s “Breathe Me.” It was a touching tear-jerker and a befitting ending for a show centered around mortality. The lauded finale ranked number eight on TV Guide’s TV’s Most Unforgettable Finales and according to Vulture creator Alan Ball says he has fans tell him all the time how much they love it. This is why Six feet Under remains one of the best TV series finales of all time.
Sex and the City
Darren Star Productions & HBO
Sex and the City centered around strong female friendships, iconic fashion moments, and relationship dynamics. It wrapped its six-season run, with a two-part series finale titled “An American Girl in Paris (Parts Une and Deux)”. After Carrie wanders the streets of Paris alone while her self-absorbed boyfriend Aleksandr Petrovsky blows her off at every opportunity, she finally remembers who she is and breaks it off. Low and behold, Mr. Big is waiting in the wings to sweep her off her feet, finally ready to commit (but only after getting the blessing of Carrie’s besties). In addition, we see Miranda take on the responsibilities of a committed relationship by taking care of Steve’s ailing mother; Samantha finally opens her heart to Smith; and Charlotte and Harry adopt a bundle of joy. It truly is a picture-perfect ending for all the characters involved, and it earns bonus points for being filmed in Paris!
M.A.S.H.
20th Century Fox Television
In what remains the highest-rated series finale episode ever, M.A.S.H signed off with a two and a half hour T.V. movie that wrapped up the events of the Korean War and saw all the main characters returning home to their families. The real gut-punch comes at that end when BJ Hunnicutt, a friend of Hawkeye’s, spells out the word “Goodbye” in rocks for his friend to see as his chopper lifts off to take him back to the United States. The critically acclaimed Korean War dramedy aired for 11 seasons and didn’t overstay its welcome one bit.
Breaking Bad
Best-TV-Series-Finales-of-All-Time-Ranked
For five seasons, Breaking Bad explored the duality of good and evil that lurks in all of us while following the descent of a simple family man into a hardened criminal. As the show wrapped up its fifth and final season, audiences were left wondering if there were any redeeming qualities left to Walter White, the once mild-mannered chemistry teacher, now a power-hungry egotist. Alas, White comes through in the end, essentially sacrificing his own life to save his former student, friend, and colleague, Jesse Pinkman from his captor Todd Alquist. In the best TV series finale of all time, Walter dies next to his prized crystal meth, set to the tune of “Baby Blue” by Badfinger. One could not cook up a more suited ending. Pun intended. Breaking Bad stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul are confirmed to reunite with co-star Bob Odenkirk for the final season of the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul.
