10 Most Satisfying TV Show Finales That Tied Every Loose End, Ranked

Image via AMC

Content Warning: The following article contains spoilers for the shows mentioned.Even the best TV shows can end badly: think Dexter, which has since tried to correct its awful series finale with a limited series revival and now numerous spin-offs. But there are also fantastic shows that end on the same high they started on, satisfying viewers as the stories wrap up beautifully, every loose end tied.

This isn’t an easy feat to accomplish, but many shows over the decades have managed to do it. From comedies to dramas, the writing, acting, and stories of these shows left fans devastated that they came to an end but happy to see them go out the way they did.

10 'The Office' (2005–2013)

"Finale" Season 9, Episode 23 (2013)

The Office admittedly floundered following the departure of Steve Carell after the seventh season, with James Spader taking over the lead role. Despite the awkwardness of the story without its lead character, however, The Office still managed to wrap up its loose ends nicely in the final episode and remains one of the best comedy shows of all time.

Delivered in two parts, the mockumentary-style sitcom stayed true to its format but dove more into the personal lives of the characters. It begins when all past and present employees reunite for Dwight’s (Rainn Wilson) and Angela’s (Angela Kinsey) wedding. Jim (John Krasinski) finally decides to pursue his dream of working in sports marketing with the support of his wife Pam (Jenna Fischer). And everyone says their final goodbyes. The big moment came when Carell returned to reprise his role. It was bittersweet but perfectly captured, especially since the series’ producers managed to keep Carell’s return a secret until airing. It’s no surprise this episode received three Emmy Award nominations and won for editing.

9 'Friends' (1994–2004)

"The Last One" Season 10, Episode 17 (2004)

For a decade, viewers gathered in the living room once a week to watch the antics of Rachel (Jennifer Aniston), Monica (Courteney Cox), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Chandler (Matthew Perry), and Ross (David Schwimmer) in Friends, six singles navigating life in New York City. Viewers felt as though they knew these characters and were part of their lives, so it was crucial for the finale to wrap the show up perfectly, and it did.

The show was all about these individuals finding their footing in life, and they all did by the end. Chandler and Monica finally get their adopted baby, Phoebe realizes her love for Mike (Paul Rudd) and they get married. Most importantly, the moment fans had waited 10 years to see came to fruition: Ross and Rachel came to terms with being made for one another in one of the sweetest, most memorable scenes of the show, and any other for that matter. The series ends with the entire cast standing in the empty apartment, saying goodbye as they prepare to move on with their lives. Chandler’s final line is perfect: the group asks if they should go for a coffee, and he jokingly asks “Sure. Where?”

8 'The Big Bang Theory' (2007–2019)

"The Stockholm Syndrome" Season 12, Episode 24 (2019)

The Big Bang Theory was, at one point, the most popular sitcom on television. The main cast were the highest-paid TV actors as well. The chemistry among them, the witty dialogue, and the hilarious storylines made The Big Bang Theory a favorite among fans. Even without understanding all the scientific jargon, fans were captivated by the misfit group of self-professed nerds and their friendship with the pretty young woman who moved in next door.

With Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons), one of the most iconic TV geniuses, working on String Theory for so long, it made sense for the end to culminate in a perfect moment for him. Not only does he and his long-time girlfriend Amy (Mayim Bialik) finally get married, but together, they conduct research that earns them a Nobel Prize. Seeing Sheldon happily share a spotlight and accomplish everything he worked for demonstrated growth in so many ways. Penny (Kaley Cuoco) is pregnant, marking a new chapter for she and Leonard (Johnny Galecki). Even the lonely Stuart (Kevin Sussman) has a happy ending with a solid relationship with Denise (Lauren Lapkus). The last scene brings the entire story full circle: the group is eating takeout together in the apartment as they had done so many times before. Even the forever-broken elevator was finally fixed, wrapping up every loose end possible.

7 'Six Feet Under' (2001–2005)

"Everyone's Waiting" Season 5, Episode 12 (2005)

Six Feet Under is a drama about a family that runs a funeral home in Los Angeles and try to balance their personal and work lives. The show was well received through its five-season run, praised for the acting and stories. Some even call the series finale one of the best ever on television.

Everything was tied up with a neat, little bow. Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) had her baby, David (Michael C. Hall), the best character from Six Feet Under, moved back home where Ruth (Frances Conroy) handled caring for him, and Claire (Lauren Ambrose) got a job offer to work in New York City, which she decided to take after finally making peace with Ruth. David had been contemplating selling the family business, but ultimately decided against it, finally confronting his demons and marrying Keith (Matthew St. Patrick) as well. The series ends by jumping ahead to the future to show a final montage about how each main character dies and at what age, a fitting ending to a show that centers around death.

6 'Friday Night Lights' (2006–2011)

"Always" Season 5, Episode 13 (2011)

This sports drama based on the H.G. Bissinger novel and the 2004 film of the same name was praised for its realistic portrayal of Middle American life. Friday Night Lights centered around a high school football team in a fictional West Texas town, its coach, and the families and residents involved in the close-knit community. While football was the central focus, Friday Night Lights explored many hot-button topics throughout its five-season run, from racism to substance abuse, school funding, and family values.

Its ending was a culmination of all the events through the series, including the threat of the East Dillon Football program coming to an end, a final big state game, and resolved conflicts. It was a beautiful way to showcase the emotional, heart-wrenching journey for the couple at the center, Eric (Kyle Chandler) and Tami (Connie Britton).

5 'Schitt's Creek' (2015–2020)

"Happy Ending" Season 6, Episode 14 (2020)

Schitt’s Creek set out to tell a tale with an important moral lesson, and it accomplished that by the end. The story begins when the wealthy Rose family loses everything following embezzlement from their business manager. The only thing they have left to their name is a small rural town called Schitt’s Creek that patriarch Johnny (Eugene Levy) once bought as a joke. So, they pack up and move to a grungy, rundown motel there while they figure out next steps.

Through the series, each of the main characters, including Johnny, his once famous actor wife Moira (Catherine O’Hara), and adult kids David (Dan Levy) and Alexis (Annie Murphy) try to survive without the creature comforts to which they have become accustomed. Through the series, they not only learn to live without excess, but also grow close with people who were never previously in their orbit and learn the importance of family. The series ends with a heartwarming marriage and the family starting anew, with a newfound sense of appreciation for what’s really important beyond the almighty dollar.

4 'M*A*S*H' (1972–1983)

"Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" Season 11, Episode 16 (1983)

The M*A*S*H finale was the most-watched TV broadcast in the U.S. through to 2010 (usurped only by the Super Bowl that year) and is, to this day, the most-watched finale and episode of any scripted series, ever. That’s for good reason. Fans fell in love with the characters and the emotional stories through the 11 seasons, which highlighted the work and personal relationships of individuals in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in South Korea during the Korean War.

After years of serving, the war was over and it was finally time to say goodbye. Each main character dealt with their own personal traumas, including Hawkeye (Alan Alda) suffering a nervous breakdown and finally dealing with the effects of the horrifying things he saw and dealt with. The series ends with everyone saying their final goodbyes, good news because it’s time to get back to civilian life but also representative of what it’s really like to leave such a harrowing experience people can never truly leave behind.

3 'Better Call Saul' (2015–2022)

"Saul Gone" Season 6, Episode 13 (2022)

Better Call Saul is one of those rare shows that lasted longer than the series for which it serves as a prequel and was just as well received. As one of the best TV dramas of the 2010s, the show tells the backstory of lawyer Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk) when he was known as his real name, Jimmy McGill. There are plenty of Easter Eggs and callbacks to Breaking Bad, and while fans already know what happens to Saul once he meets Walter White (Bryan Cranston) in Breaking Bad, the show also wraps up the story for the character in the future as well, beyond the end of that series.

From the get-go, fans know that Saul found himself in the exact situation he had predicted, managing a Cinnabon while hiding his true identity. He had to run from the fallout of Walter’s criminal activities and his involvement in them. Constantly looking over his shoulder, his past finally caught up with him and he wound up in jail, convicted of numerous crimes. The scene where he and his ex Kim (Rhea Seehorn) share a cigarette together as they often did is poetic in a sense. There was something fulfilling about seeing Saul finally get his comeuppance. But it was also sad, knowing that he had so much potential to be better.

2 'Mad Men' (2007–2015)

"Person to Person" Season 7, Episode 14 (2015)

It was such a beautiful, calm way to end Mad Men after such a frantic and traumatic journey for the lead character Don Draper (Jon Hamm) throughout the show. A talented ad man, he was also closed off, with an air of mystery about him. He frequently self-sabotaged his life, riddled with guilt because he had secretly taken on the identity of another man who died while they were together in the war. But his job brought him so much satisfaction. As much as he felt pressure with all eyes and ears on what his creative mind could come up with next, in the end, this is what also brought him peace.

The final moments see Don dealing with the news that his ex-wife Betty (January Jones) is dying of cancer and doesn’t have much time left. He attends a spirit retreat, hoping to recenter himself. It’s here where he finally breaks down and shows his vulnerability for the first time. In doing so, it’s implied that his mind is free, and he comes up with what would become one of the most iconic ad campaigns in history, the 1971 “Hilltop” commercial for Coca-Cola. There was no better, more clever, and fitting way to end the show.

1 'Breaking Bad' (2008–2013)

"Felina" Season 5, Episode 16 (2013)

Breaking Bad was at the height of its popularity when it ended. But this turned out to be a fantastic decision. Walter White (Bryan Cranston), after all, had terminal cancer. The walls were closing in on him so another season just wouldn’t have felt right. But to say the show went out with a bang would be an understatement.

The final episodes followed Walter as he tied up every loose end imaginable. He ensured his wife and children were cared for once he was gone. He got the upper hand over his old research partners, leaving them to live in fear. With an elaborate set of traps, he took down the enemies who were after him, knowing he would likely die in the process. That he did, sprawled on the ground as his former partner Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul) escaped. While Breaking Bad didn’t give Jesse the resolution he deserved, the later released sequel film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie finally did. The multi-award-winning show is not only one of the best crime TV shows of all time, it was also named by the Guinness World Records as the most critically acclaimed TV show of all time, and it’s one that was absolutely perfect from start to the very end.

NEXT: The Worst TV Season Finales, Ranked