
The 13 Greatest TV Finales We've Ever Witnessed, Ranked
Here are the 13 greatest TV finales in television history.
Spoilers ahead, of course.
They are ranked from the least to the most impressive.
Before We Begin
Credit: FX
These rankings are subjective, so if you disagree with any selections, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
We’re always on the lookout for excellent TV recommendations.
And now, onto the list, starting with…
13 — The Good Wife
CBS – Credit: C/O
The Good Wife brilliantly referenced its outstanding first episode — where Alicia (Juliana Margulies) slapped her unfaithful husband Peter (Chris Noth) — by having Diane (Christine Baranski) slap Alicia in return.
This was retribution for a courtroom betrayal that illustrated Alicia’s shift from a wronged wife to a cunning player — and effectively set up Diane as the lead in the Good Wife spinoff, The Good Fight.
It ranks as one of the best TV finales and serves as a superb bridge to a continuation.
12 — Barry
HBO – Credit: C/O
Bill Hader encapsulated our sentiments as Barry concluded with a shocking “oh wow.”
Did anyone anticipate Barry (spoiler alert) meeting his end? We certainly didn’t. However, we appreciated how the show explored its themes of fantasy versus harsh reality through a film within the series featuring indie star Jim Cummings as Barry.
The Barry finale deserves recognition for its boldness: it made it abundantly clear that the story of Barry has come to a close. We appreciate a finale that answers all lingering 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 actually watch Game of Thrones? A great finale is both surprising and inevitable, which certainly applied to the rise and fall of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke).
Of course, power would corrupt Khaleesi. And of course, expectations would be flipped. That was the essence of Game of Thrones.
The most thrilling twist was the resolution through communication among key characters — after all that bloodshed — leading to a somewhat mundane, yet sensible solution. The story concluded with dialogue rather than conflict, which was completely unforeseen.
10 — The Wire
HBO – Credit: C/O
The Wire earns points for tying up every storyline — and doing so realistically. No forced happy endings here.
McNulty (Dominic West) exits the police force on a bittersweet note, Bubbles (Andre Royo) achieves sobriety, the scheming Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) is elected governor, and the good-natured Carver (Seth Gillam) receives a well-deserved promotion. Yet, we also witness a young life lost to addiction.
There were never easy solutions on The Wire, and it remained true to this theme with its final episode, one of the finest 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 realize just before their exit that their liberation comes with a devastating price: Their daughter Paige (Holly Taylor) will not be joining them.
Her future is filled with potential, while theirs appears grim. The mixed emotions perfectly encapsulate the tone of The Americans.
8 — St. Elsewhere
NBC – Credit: C/O
The '80s NBC hospital drama stunned audiences with the last-minute revelation that the series’ entire six-season narrative might have occurred within the mind of an autistic child gazing into a snow globe.
Yes, you read that correctly.
After its 1988 airing, it became the benchmark for shocking TV finales.
7 — Newhart
CBS
The Newhart finale felt like a clever, almost satirical take on the St. Elsewhere ending — and every “it was all a dream” conclusion.
After eight witty and charming seasons, Newhart concluded in 1990 with Dick Loudon (Bob Newhart) being hit by a golf ball and waking up… in bed with Emily Hartley (Suzanne Pleshette), Bob Newhart’s previous character from The Bob Newhart Show, which aired from 1972 to 1978 for six seasons.
It turns out he has been Robert “Bob” Hartley — his character from The Bob Newhart Show — the entire time. A delightful and whimsical ending to a sitcom that was known for such moments.
6 — The Office (Original British version)
BBC Two – Credit: C/O
Ricky Gervais’ David Brent was the comedic highlight of the original The Office, but the show’s emotional center was always Tim (Martin Freeman) and Dawn (Lucy Davis), the inspiration for Jim and Pam in the















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The 13 Greatest TV Finales We've Ever Witnessed, Ranked
Here are the 13 greatest TV finales in television history.