Top 10 Best Sitcom Finales

There's nothing sadder than watching some of the most beloved TV shows end, but a lot are so good that they deserve being here.

1. Friends

   

   Friends is an American television sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. It originally aired on NBC from September 22, 1994, to May 6, 2004, spanning ten seasons. As of April 2026, the series continues to be popular through syndication and streaming platforms, though it is no longer part of... read more

   I cannot believe how difficult it is to watch the end of Friends, the most outstanding comedy in my opinion. I love the dramatic moments: Ross and Rachel's storyline, Monica and Chandler leaving their apartment, and Erica having twins.

   The best joke would have to be Phoebe's "There's something wrong with the left phalange." A classic way to end this wonderful show.

   One of the first episodes of Friends I saw was the finale. Even without knowing much about the characters, I still bawled my eyes out, half from laughter and half from sadness. It really is the most amazing show ever.

2. Scrubs

   

   Premiering in 2001, Scrubs is an American medical comedy-drama series that follows the lives of doctors and nurses at Sacred Heart Hospital. The show blends medical realities with humor and emotional storytelling. It has received acclaim for its writing, performances, and innovative narrative techniques... read more

   "And who's to say that this isn't what happens? Who's to say that my fantasies won't come true? Just this once..." Amazing ending. I refuse to acknowledge the 9th season/spinoff. The series ends with JD going to another hospital and experiencing everything that was shown in the finale.

   Was there a better way to end it? Such a good way to look back at it all and then end it. Classic. It's quite a shame they're doing more seasons because this finale would have made it so good.

   One of the first series I have ever encountered that made me laugh and cry, sometimes both at the same time, while teaching me good morals about life.

3. The Office (US)

   

   The Office is an American television comedy series that aired on NBC from March 24, 2005, to May 16, 2013. The show is an adaptation of the British series of the same name created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. It became a cultural phenomenon and is especially known for its mockumentary style... read more

   One of the best, if not THE best, finales of all time. Every time I watch it, I find myself surprised at how much I had forgotten about how good it really is. From Pam selling the Halperts' home, to Erin's reunion with her parents, to Michael Scott's appropriate and appropriately short cameo, to Dwight's firing of Jim and Pam... I could go on. It was fantastic.

   Correction: It IS fantastic, and will always stand up to its competition. I can't believe it's #10 on this list.

4. Seinfeld

   

   Four single friends, comic Jerry Seinfeld, bungling George Costanza, frustrated working gal Elaine Benes, and eccentric neighbor Cosmo Kramer, deal with the absurdities of everyday life in New York City.

   Seinfeld is a sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1989 to 1998. It is often regarded... read more

   At first, I was a bit shocked at the ending, but then I thought it was brilliant, very odd. Most endings are so predictable, but Seinfeld took a turn and made it something a little better.

   A finale about nothing for a show about nothing.

5. How I Met Your Mother

   

   How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014. The series follows Ted Mosby as he recounts to his children the events leading up to how he met their mother. The show is set in Manhattan and features an ensemble cast including Josh... read more

   One of the most controversial finales ever, but I liked it. A lot of people were upset that the mother died or that they couldn't have one more season with Ted and the mother together. However, the show was about his search for the mother, not his life with her.

   It's sad they revealed who the mother was before the final episode, and there wasn't a final twist, like Lily not being pregnant at the start of season 9 but having an affair with Ted on the way to the wedding. Why keep a secret for eight years and then put her in the main cast, so the secret unfolds one season before the finale? This doesn't change the fact that the storyline is amazing, knowing they wrote and filmed the final years before actually airing.

6. Newhart

   The best and most creative ending to a sitcom ever!

7. Parks and Recreation

   

   Parks and Recreation, often referred to as Parks and Rec, is an American political comedy television sitcom. The show stars Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a perky mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks Department of Pawnee. Pawnee is a fictional town located in the state of Indiana.

   The way that the episode allows the viewer to glimpse into the futures of the characters' lives, something that is usually left solely to the interpretation of the audience, makes it really stand out to me.

   It also, however, doesn't explain absolutely everything the characters will go on to do, leaving a tad of mystery still there.

8. Superstore

   

9. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

   

   Brooklyn Nine-Nine is an American police sitcom that premiered on Fox on September 17, 2013. It was created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur and centers on Jake Peralta, a talented but immature detective working in Brooklyn's 99th Precinct. He frequently clashes with his new commanding officer, the serious... read more

10. MASH

    

    MASH is an American television series that debuted in 1972 and is based on the 1968 novel by Richard Hooker. Set during the Korean War, it centers around a mobile army surgical hospital and blends both drama and comedy. The show received critical acclaim and became one of the most-watched series in U.S... read more

    Such a good show and a very touching ending. From Hawkeye's breakdown to Charles's Chinese friends all dying to the goodbye at the end. This should be number 1.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Schitt's Creek

12. ?

    The Good Place

    
The Contenders

13. The Big Bang Theory

    

    The Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, who also served as executive producers alongside Steven Molaro. The show follows a group of socially awkward scientists and their interactions with friends and romantic partners. It featured several notable guest stars throughout... read more

    A great, feel-good conclusion to an awesome show. Too bad real life rarely - almost never - works that way.

14. Cheers

    

    Cheers is an American sitcom that aired on NBC for eleven seasons, from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions in association with Paramount Network Television. The show was created by James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles and is set in a Boston bar where a group... read more

15. That '70s Show

    

    That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that originally aired on Fox from August 23, 1998, to May 18, 2006. The series focuses on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin. The storyline is set between May 17, 1976, and December... read more

16. Frasier

    

    Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for 11 seasons, premiering on September 16, 1993, and concluding on May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee in association with Grammnet and Paramount Network Television. It is a spin-off of... read more

    The Frasier finale tied everything up beautifully and captured the genuine emotions of a cast who had grown together with their characters in one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. The Tennyson poem as read by Frasier in his final broadcast at KACL still has my eyes leaking when I watch it now. Perfect.

17. Roseanne

    

    Roseanne is an American television sitcom starring Roseanne Barr that revolves around the fictional Conner family. The series originally aired on ABC from 1988 to 1997 and was revived in 2018. It is known for its realistic portrayal of a working-class American family.

18. Everybody Loves Raymond

    

    Everybody Loves Raymond is an American sitcom created by Philip Rosenthal that aired on CBS from September 13, 1996, to May 16, 2005. The show ran for nine seasons and produced a total of 210 episodes. It was developed by Where's Lunch and Worldwide Pants in collaboration with HBO Independent Productions.... read more

    Excellent closure that stayed true to the pilot and entire series. The writing was genius, and the cast was incredible!

19. Community

    

    Community is an American television sitcom created by Dan Harmon that aired on NBC and Yahoo! Screen from September 17, 2009, to June 2, 2015. The series follows an ensemble cast of characters played by Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong... read more

    Most underrated show and finale of all time.

20. Two and a Half Men

    

    Two and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that began broadcasting on CBS on September 22, 2003, and ended on February 19, 2015, after twelve seasons.

    The show was well received due to the comedic onscreen chemistry between Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer... read more

21. Blackadder Goes Forth

22. Will & Grace

23. Full House

    

    Full House is an American sitcom created by Jeff Franklin for ABC. The show chronicles a widowed father, Danny Tanner, who enlists his best friend and brother-in-law to help raise his three daughters. It originally aired from 1987 to 1995 and became a staple of family television during its run.

24. Mad About You

25. Happy Days

    

    Happy Days is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from January 15, 1974, to September 24, 1984. The series produced a total of 255 half-hour episodes during its run. It became a cultural phenomenon and introduced characters like Fonzie, who became iconic in American pop culture.

26. The Office (UK)

    

    The Office is a British television mockumentary sitcom that first aired on BBC Two on July 9, 2001. Created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the show is set in the offices of a fictional paper company in Slough. It became a critical success and inspired several international adaptations, including... read more

27. The Middle

    

    The Middle is an American sitcom about a lower-middle-class family living in Indiana, navigating the everyday challenges of home life, work, and raising children. The series premiered on September 30, 2009, on ABC and concluded on May 22, 2018. It stars Everybody Loves Raymond actress Patricia Heaton... read more