Top 10 TV Shows with the Saddest Finales

These are characters you've spent a lot of your time with for at least five seasons or so. And now they're splitting up.

The Top Ten

M*A*S*H

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

The most-watched finale and episode in television history. 121 million views worldwide (105.97 million in the U.S.)! All the emotions and story carried on with tragedy, bringing unbelievable tears to the nation and world.
It was also the longest series finale for a television comedy, lasting two whole hours. A feature-length comedy that hit the world like a wrecking ball.

I am only a teenager, but I love MASH.
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

In the last episode, I can just picture it being all of my friends and me in 20 years. When Rachel said, "I got off the plane," I lost it for good.
The last scene, after they get a cup of coffee, where it just shows the empty apartment, is the most heartbreaking scene. That is where all the laughs, smiles, broken hearts, and tears were shed. The friends are now a part of that apartment.
The worst part was when they showed the door at the end. I was in full-blown tears because that was the moment I realized it's actually over. It felt like only a week had gone by, but it had been 10 seasons.
I know it's sappy to say, but I have grown a bond with the TV characters. They have given me so much laughter and tears, helping me get through my breakdowns. I owe so much to this show and the actors who have become a part of my life. I love you all, and please do not wish your life away - it goes by too fast.
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

Maybe it was a bit of a lackluster Season 9, but the finale delivered and tugged at the heartstrings in every way possible.
All it needed was a little more Michael, but it's good that Steve Carell could show up anyway!
Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is an American crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. The show originally aired on the AMC network for five seasons, from January 20, 2008, to September 29, 2013. It stars Bryan Cranston as a chemistry teacher who turns to methamphetamine production after... read more

The saddest ending of all time, but also the most fitting for this highly engaging series. Walter White was diagnosed with lung cancer. Wanting to leave behind a legacy for his family, he partners with his ex-student, Jesse Pinkman, to manufacture methamphetamine.
Walt uses the alias Heisenberg to keep his activities hidden from the DEA and other competing drug kingpins. As the story progresses and Walt becomes more like Heisenberg, the ending becomes even sadder. Walt wasn't killed by his cancer - he was killed by his actions, and by himself in a way.
The greatest show of all time, in my opinion.
Boy Meets World

Boy Meets World is an American coming-of-age sitcom created by Michael Jacobs and April Kelly. It aired on ABC for seven seasons from September 1993 to May 2000. The series follows Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) as he grows from childhood into adulthood.... read more

They did it perfectly, but not without tears on my part!
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The show starred Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. It became a cultural touchstone and launched Smith's successful acting career.
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... read more
The Sopranos

The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The story centers on fictional New Jersey-based Italian American mobster Tony Soprano, portrayed by James Gandolfini. The series explores the difficulties Tony faces as he tries to balance his responsibilities at home... read more
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
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

The Newcomers

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Arthur

Arthur is a Canadian-American animated educational television series for children, created by Cookie Jar Group and WGBH for PBS. The show is based on the book series by Marc Brown and follows the adventures of Arthur Read, an anthropomorphic aardvark. It aired from 1996 to 2022 and became one of the... read more

After 25 seasons, Arthur ended on February 21, 2022.
It was the longest-running children's series on TV besides The Mickey Mouse Club. It taught children many important lessons and even dealt with tragedies like 9/11. This was without a doubt one for the history books.
It seems lots of great things are coming to an end in the 2020s, especially.
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Euphoria

Euphoria is an American teen drama television series created and principally written by Sam Levinson for HBO. It is based on the 2012 Israeli miniseries of the same name, which was created by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin. The show explores themes such as identity, addiction, trauma, and relationships... read more

Rue Bennett dies of fentanyl overdose.
A tragic way to end the series.

The Contenders

The Mary Tyler Moore Show
The Cosby Show

The Cosby Show is an American television sitcom starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984, until April 30, 1992. The show focuses on the Huxtable family, an upper middle-class African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York. It was one of the most popular... read more
Barney Miller
Merlin

Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure television programme created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Julian Murphy, and Johnny Capps, starring Colin Morgan in the title role. The series aired from 2008 to 2012 and presents a reimagined version of the Arthurian legends. It follows the young wizard Merlin... read more

MERLIN. I can't even begin to describe this show. It aired on BBC in 2008 and had so many memorable characters and plots.
I will never forget you, Arthur.
NYPD Blue
Regular Show

Regular Show is an American animated television series created by J. G. Quintel for Cartoon Network that premiered on September 6, 2010. The series follows the lives of two friends, Mordecai, a blue jay, and Rigby, a raccoon. They work as groundskeepers at a local park and often find themselves in surreal... read more
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
Everybody Hates Chris

Everybody Hates Chris is an American period sitcom based on the teenage years of comedian Chris Rock during the 1980s. The show is set between 1982 and 1987. Although Rock was born in 1965 and was a teenager from 1978 to 1984, the series adapts his youth to fit the show's timeline.... read more

That final scene of the entire Rock family singing "Livin' On a Prayer" is embedded in my mind.
Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls is an American animated television series produced by Disney Television Animation. It first aired on Disney Channel before moving to Disney XD, running from June 15, 2012, to February 15, 2016. The series follows the adventures of Dipper Pines and his twin sister Mabel in the fictional... read more

It was such an awesome show. We're so sad to see it end, but it was great.

Best and saddest series finale ever.
The Vampire Diaries

The Vampire Diaries is an American supernatural teen drama television series developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. It is based on the novel series by L. J. Smith and aired on The CW from September 10, 2009 to March 10, 2017. Spanning eight seasons and 171 episodes, the show gained a large fanbase... read more

spoiler alert
Stefan sacrifices himself so Damon can have the life he's always wanted. In Stefan's eyes, he's proved himself the better man, and he finally sees the Damon he knew as a boy.
In the last episode, Elena wakes up and sees everyone again. As she returns to the land of the living, she sees Stefan moving on to the afterlife. Some of our favorite deceased characters from past seasons come back to town, but no one can see them. They can only see the people they care about the most.
At the end, Stefan and Damon greet each other with, Hello, brother.
The Wire

The Wire is an American crime drama television series set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. It originally aired from June 2, 2002, to March 9, 2008... read more
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.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is an American television series created by Joss Whedon under his production tag, Mutant Enemy Productions. Later co-executive producers included Jane Espenson, David Fury, David Greenwalt, Doug Petrie, Marti Noxon, and David Solomon. The series premiered on March 10, 1997, on... read more

Anya's death broke my heart. She and Xander were back on good terms, but her death served no purpose.
Spike's death pulled at the heartstrings too. A great show that was my entire childhood came to a dramatic end.
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is an animated children's television series based on the fourth incarnation of Hasbro's My Little Pony franchise. The show follows a studious unicorn, later transformed into an alicorn, named Twilight Sparkle (voiced by Tara Strong) and her friends Applejack (Ashleigh... read more

It didn't even achieve a decade. It ended after 9 seasons. My Little Pony's biggest series of all time.
Dinosaurs

It's the most realistic and depressing ending for a kids' show. It starts off with Earl's company building a wax fruit factory on the beetle's mating ground, forcing plants to overgrow. Then they destroy the atmosphere, forcing themselves to put bombs in volcanoes. Then the Ice Age starts.
The way the last scene was implemented was just depressing, especially the way they had to explain to the baby what was happening. It then ends with a news reporter saying goodbye.
It's showing us that we are messing with nature, and business and greed are taking over. It's still an important message today, where it's worse than ever.