Yahoo News The best TV show endings ever
These shows left fans feeling satisfied with the series finale, according to IMDb.
The best TV shows have us hooked on storylines from beginning to end, leaving no loose ends in the finale. From an emotional farewell to the satisfactory ending of a complex storyline, it's the momentum fans look forward to.
Yahoo UK looks back on some of the best TV show endings to hit screens, according to IMDb ratings. From Friends to Breaking Bad, fans have ranked a variety of series finales that exceeded their expectations.
1.Breaking Bad | ‘Felina’ S5, E16
Landing first is the highest-rated show, Breaking Bad, known for its emotional and captivating ending. The show is undoubtedly one of the best tv shows of all time for its tense narrative and talented actors.
In ‘Felina’ fans shockingly saw several characters killed off including main character, Walter White, as it wrapped up five seasons in an emotional conclusion.
The crime drama followed Walt, who is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and resorts to cooking and selling crystal meth to secure his family's financial future — only to become a cruel, criminal mastermind in the process.
Acclaimed creator Vince Gilligan ended the show with Walt being left to die in a drug lab while partner Jesse escapes a life of crime, whose storyline was wrapped up in the follow-up film El Camino.
The final episode received over 130,000 ratings, with one fan saying “Vince Gilligan is a genius, he wrote and directed one of the best endings in TV History.”
IMDb rating: 9.9/10
2. Star Wars: The Clone Wars | ‘Victory and Death’ S7, E12
Hailed as the perfect send-off, The Clone Wars received recognition for its fitting conclusion to the end of an era after 133 episodes.
Victory and Death cements the show as the best episode in Star Wars history for its compelling storyline and heartbreaking ending, according to fans on IMDb.
The final arc is filled with high levels of suspense and tension as Rex and Ahsoka strive to end the long awaited war.
Fans applauded the gripping episode for its detailed storytelling and artistic animation, ending the saga with a finale it deserves. The characters, Ahsoka in particular, went on to return in live-action for the Disney+ series Ahsoka, which continues her legacy in the Star Wars universe.
IMDb rating: 9.9/10
3. Six Feet Under | ‘Everyone's Waiting’ S5, E12
The final episode of the tv show aired back in 2005, where it was met with praises from critics and fans. The last episode received five Primetime Emmy Award nominations the following year.
The iconic series is centred around the Fisher family, who own a funeral home. The conclusion encapsulates the beginning and the end of life, as Nate received a send-off he deserved, giving fans the closure they were hoping for.
The episode wrapped up the entire show with a memorable montage of the Fisher families' futures and deaths.
Writer and director Alan Ball was lauded for his moving storyline in the last ten-minutes of the episode, with one fan saying: “It has to be the best TV show finale of all time.”
IMDb rating: 9.9/10
4. The Office US | ‘Finale’ S9, E23
The Office US is widely known for its humorous and witty take on working in an office, as a variety of characters take fans on a journey of laughter in a light-hearted work environment.
The ensemble of characters gathered one last time to bring fans a fitting ending to the long-running sitcom.
In the very last episode of the American version of the show, which is based on Ricky Gervais' British sitcom, Dwight and Angela get married and fans are surprised with an emotional return from Michael Scott at the wedding.
The show wrapped up with the office workers answering questions about the documentary, and concluded plot lines that were introduced in earlier episodes.
One fan said: “This episode was emotional, beautiful, heartwarming, and really funny. The Office will go down in history as the best show ever made.”
IMDb rating: 9.8/10
5. Chernobyl | ‘Vichanya Pamyat’ S1, E5
The miniseries came to an end after only five episodes and is based on the real events of the tragic 1986 Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion.
The series explores the trials and tribulations many faced to save the Soviet city from further disasters.
The show received praises for one of the best-ever tv pilots from fans on IMDb and hailed one of the best shows ever made by critics.
The finale unravels who was truly responsible for the disaster and honours the sacrifice made by key characters, exceeding fans expectations.
IMDb rating: 9.8/10
6. Mr. Robot | ‘Hello, Elliot’ S4, E13
Mr. Robot came to an end with a plot twist many fans did not see coming.
The tv show is based on Elliot’s battle with mental health who finds himself playing a key role in bringing down the corruption of his corporate cybersecurity job.
The unexpected surprise revealed that main character Elliot was in fact not the real ‘Elliot’ that fans thought he was after following his journey in over 40 episodes.
The two-part finale gives fans an insight into a psychological thriller in a gripping and satisfying manner, surprising viewers along the way.
Fans commended the show as a “purified masterpiece” for its profound storyline and exceptional directing.
IMDb rating: 9.8/10
7. Person of Interest | ‘Return 0’ S5, E13
Return 0 leaves no loose ends as the show came to a dramatic end. Fans were left on the edge of their seats in this emotional rollercoaster sci-fi thriller.
Person of Interest is about an ex-CIA agent who creates a computer program for the federal government to track down terrorists.
The show received a well deserved conclusion, with Reese getting a heartfelt send-off after sacrificing himself to defeat the Samaritan, giving fans the closure they wanted,
One fan on IMDb said: “This Episode is not only the best episode of the series , but it goes down as the best episode in TV history , matching greatness of Breaking Bad's Ozymandias.”
IMDb rating: 9.8/10
8. Better Call Saul | ‘Saul Gone’ S6, E13
The Breaking Bad spin-off served fans with breathtaking and moving ending for slick-talking lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), bringing the story to a close as a great prequel and sequel.
The drama focuses on Jimmy McGill, the lawyer who later becomes Saul Goodman, and the AMC series ends with the character choosing to let himself be brought to justice after the events of Breaking Bad, rather than talking his way out of it.
He is sentenced to 86 years in prison after leading a life of crime. The show duly delivered a drama-filled finale piece after unveiling a much anticipated closure to his and his wife Kim Wexler's (Rhea Seehorn) arc.
Fans regarded the episode as “the most nuanced ending possible and a masterpiece” rightfully.
IMDb rating: 9.8/10
9. Hannibal | ‘The Wrath of the Lamb’ S3, E13
The dark and gruesome final episode of the critically acclaimed crime drama left fans wanting more after ending it with a cliffhanger.
The horror series is centred around the relationship between FBI Will Graham and a forensic psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, who finds themselves becoming enemies.
The Wrath of the Lamb episode wrapped up the saga in a befitting ending with an iconic scene of Hannibal luring killer Francis Dolarhyde out of hiding.
IMDb rating: 9.7/10
10. Friends | ‘The Last One’ S10, E17
52.5 million viewers tuned in for the finale of one of the most-watched series in television history.
Friends became a cultural phenomenon for its mixture of laughter and emotional scenes it captivated over the years.
The sitcom explores the lives of a group of six friends who navigate breakups, careers, friendship and family, and the final episode encapsulates the friendship in a heartfelt yet joyful way as the cast wrap-up for the very last time.
Fans hailed the episode as a perfect ending and is often regarded as arguably the best sitcom ever made according to IMDb.
IMDb rating: 9.6/10
