The 13 Greatest TV Finales of All Time, Ranked

      Here are the 13 greatest TV finales in television history.

      Spoilers are obviously included. They are ordered from least to most outstanding.

      13 — The Good Wife

      CBS – Credit: C/O

      The Good Wife impressively referenced its remarkable first episode — when Alicia (Juliana Margulies) slapped her unfaithful husband Peter (Chris Noth) — by having Diane (Christine Baranski) slap Alicia instead.

      This served as retribution for a courtroom betrayal that highlighted Alicia’s evolution from a wronged spouse to a cunning strategist — and effectively introduced Diane as the lead for the Good Wife spinoff, The Good Fight.

      It’s one of the finest TV finales and a superb springboard for a continuation.

      12 — Barry

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      Bill Hader voiced what we all felt as Barry ended with an “oh wow.”

      Did anyone foresee Barry (spoiler alert) meeting his demise? We certainly didn't. But we appreciated how the series explored the theme of fantasy versus harsh reality through a film within the show featuring indie film star Jim Cummings as Barry.

      The Barry finale deserves praise for its decisiveness: It made it clear that there will be no more Barry. We cherish a finale that answers all questions.

      11 — Game of Thrones

      Emilia Clarke in Game of Thrones. Photograph by Helen Sloan/HBO – Credit: C/O

      We know many viewers disliked this finale. To that, we ask: Did you truly watch Game of Thrones? A successful finale is both surprising and inevitable, which was certainly the case with Daenerys Targaryen's (Emilia Clarke) rise and fall.

      Of course, power would corrupt Khaleesi. And of course, anticipations would be overturned. That’s the entire essence of Game of Thrones.

      However, the most astonishing twist was the resolution among key characters — after extensive bloodshed — through conversations rather than conflict, leading to a somewhat mundane, yet reasonable, outcome. The series concluded with dialogue instead of combat, which was entirely unexpected.

      10 — The Wire

      HBO – Credit: C/O

      The Wire earns points for wrapping up everything — and in a realistic manner. No forced happy endings here.

      McNulty (Dominic West) experienced a bittersweet, long-overdue farewell from the police force, Bubbles (Andre Royo) achieved sobriety, the scheming Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) became governor, and the commendable Carver (Seth Gillam) received a well-deserved promotion. Yet, we also witnessed a young life lost to addiction.

      There were no easy solutions on The Wire, and its final episode remained true to that, marking it as one of the best TV finales.

      9 — The Americans

      FX – Credit: C/O

      The 2018 conclusion of the FX spy series is both heartbreaking and hopeful. As Philip and Elizabeth Jennings (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell) make a daring escape from the U.S., they come to realize at the last moment that their freedom comes at a terrible price: Their daughter Paige (Holly Taylor) will not be accompanying them.

      While her future is filled with potential, theirs appears grim. The conflicting emotions align perfectly with the essence of The Americans.

      8 — St Elsewhere

      NBC – Credit: C/O

      The ’80s NBC medical drama shocked audiences with the last-minute implication that the entirety of its six-season saga might have unfolded in the imagination of an autistic boy gazing into a snow globe.

      Yes, it’s true.

      After its 1988 airing, it remained a benchmark for astonishing TV finales for years.

      7 — Newhart

      CBS

      The Newhart finale felt reminiscent of a satirical twist on the St. Elsewhere conclusion — and all “it was merely a dream” endings.

      After eight amusing and charming seasons, Newhart concluded in 1990 with Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) being struck by a golf ball and waking up… in bed alongside Emily Hartley (Suzanne Pleshette), Bob Newhart’s previous character from The Bob Newhart Show, which aired for six seasons from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978.

      It revealed that he had been Robert “Bob” Hartley — his character from The Bob Newhart Show — all along. A delightful and playful end to a sitcom rich with such moments.

      6 — The Office (Original British version)

      BBC Two – Credit: C/O

      Ricky Gervais’ David Brent provided most of the laughter in the original rendition of The Office, but the emotional essence always belonged to Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis), the prototypes for Jim and Pam in the American version.

      It’s nearly impossible not to shed tears during Tim and Pam’s final moments, as the show expertly prepares you for the exact opposite of what unfolds.

      And we adore that it all culminates with a touching yet