As a TV addict, I’ve seen my fair share of series finales over the years. Some stick with you forever, while others are so bad you try to erase them from your memory. Here’s my personal countdown of the 10 most memorable TV show endings and their impact on pop culture:

10. Community – “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television” (2015)

The always meta Community delivered a finale that was basically one giant meta-joke about finales. It summed up the show’s run while leaving things open for the eventual movie. This low-key ending suited the quirky comedy.

9. Seinfeld – “The Finale” (1998)

Seinfeld‘s finale was famously panned, with some fans upset the selfish characters faced comeuppance. But the episode capped off the “show about nothing” in a way that made total sense. And we still quote lines from it today.

8. Breaking Bad – “Felina” (2013)

The Breaking Bad finale delivered on all fronts. Walt settled scores, made things right, and got a heroic sendoff. Fans were left satisfied with the tragic anti-hero’s end. It’s considered one of the greatest finales ever.

7. Angel – “Not Fade Away” (2004)

Angel went out in style, with all the characters uniting for one last apocalyptic battle. Fans were bummed when Angel was canceled abruptly, but this cliffhanger ending felt right. The gang would keep fighting evil, even if we didn’t see it.

6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – “Chosen” (2003)

Buffy‘s epic finale saw the Hellmouth sealed for good and Buffy sharing her power with all the Potential Slayers. It highlighted the show’s themes of female empowerment and growing up. We ugly cried as the Scoobies stood over the ruins of Sunnydale.

5. Quantum Leap – “Mirror Image” (1993)

This mind-bending finale revealed Sam had control over leaping the whole time. But in a gut punch of an ending, he leaps one last time, leaving fans forever in suspense over his fate.

4. Friends – “The Last One” (2004)

52.5 million viewers tuned in to see the Friends gang go their separate ways. Monica and Chandler got their babies, Ross and Rachel finally reunited, and the empty apartment left us in tears. It was the perfect ending to a sitcom era.

3. M*A*S*H – “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” (1983)

M*A*S*H ended with a whopping 125 million viewers, a record that still stands today. Its somber finale showed the Korean War ending and the 4077th dissolving. Alan Alda’s final monologue honors the lives lost in war.

2. How I Met Your Mother – “Last Forever” (2014)

HIMYM‘s controversial ending saw the Mother die and Ted ending up with Robin. Fans revolted, but revisiting it now, the ending stays true to the show’s themes of loss and friendship. Whatever… As long as Marshall and Lily remain relationship goals, it’s all good for me.

1. Lost – “The End” (2010)

The Lost finale will forever be hotly debated among fans. Were they dead the whole time? The moving ending showed the cast reuniting in the afterlife following their time on the mysterious island. It captured the show’s heart… the connections between the characters.

And those are my 10 most memorable TV show endings! Thanks for indulging my TV obsession. What are your thoughts on iconic series finales? What shows make your list that were omitted from mine? Sound off in the comments!

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