10 Horrible Television Endings Even Worse Than Stranger Things

For a while, Stranger Things was hugely popular. Unfortunately, many fans were disappointed with the show’s ending. It’s not alone, though – plenty of great shows, like LOST, haven’t delivered satisfying conclusions that fans were hoping for.

Bad TV endings often shock viewers by having main characters make drastic, negative choices. The worst finales reveal a lack of planning, as show creators seem unable to provide a satisfying conclusion and instead resort to killing off characters. While not every show does this, it’s become a frustratingly common trend.

10. Seinfeld’s Finale is a Clip Show that Literally Sends the Four Main Characters to Jail

Their Antics Receive a Permanent, and Judicial, Ending

The characters in Seinfeld aren’t exactly heroes, but they’re not villains either. Jerry, George, Kramer, and Elaine are mostly self-centered and don’t often consider how their actions affect others. Despite causing plenty of trouble, they usually avoid serious consequences – until the series finale. After miraculously surviving a plane crash, the group faces yet another major turning point in their lives.

This season, the characters make the controversial choice not to intervene during a carjacking and are unexpectedly arrested under a new “Good Samaritan Law”. The judge delivers a harsh sentence, and over several episodes, they seem to receive retribution for all the unfair things that have happened to them – all shown through flashbacks. The storyline feels jarring and disconnected, and the disappointing conclusion is even acknowledged in Larry David’s other show, Curb Your Enthusiasm.

9. Two and a Half Men’s Finale Feels Like a Half-Hearted Apology

A Key Character Makes a Quick, But Unprecedented Return

Throughout most of its run, Two and a Half Men relied on the unpredictable but funny performance of Charlie Sheen, who played a character also named Charlie. However, his behavior off-camera created problems, and the studio ultimately decided they couldn’t continue working with him. Ashton Kutcher stepped in to try and capture the same mischievous and comedic energy, but fans weren’t happy with the switch, and the show quickly started losing viewers.

When Ashton Kutcher took over from Charlie Sheen, the initial plan was to write Sheen’s character off as dead. However, the show’s finale completely reversed that decision. It turned out Charlie had been alive the whole time, secretly kidnapped by a character named Rose. After being rescued by the police, Charlie had a somewhat insincere reunion with the cast, and the show ended. The whole storyline felt like a desperate attempt to boost ratings, revealing a lack of clear direction for the series’ conclusion.

8. The Roseanne Finale’s Controversial Death Was Redone With a Retcon

The Decision Is So Unpopular It is No Longer Considered Cannon

It’s common for sitcoms to reverse important plot points established in earlier episodes. While fans often dislike these retcons, they still happen frequently. A prime example is the show Roseanne. The ninth season ended with the reveal that the entire season had been a fantasy – a way for Roseanne to cope with the death of her husband, Dan. Though Dan’s death was later reversed in the reboot, Meet the Connors, many fans were disappointed by the initial twist.

When a much-loved TV dad unexpectedly passed away, fans were deeply saddened. The later attempt to bring him back years later only highlighted how impulsive the decision to kill him off seemed. While some plot points, like the Connors winning the lottery, were a bit far-fetched, removing such a popular character felt like a much bigger mistake.

7. The Umbrella Academy’s Ending Feels Like a Slap in the Face to Dedicated Fans

The Popular Main Characters Are Erased From Existence

The Hargreaves siblings in The Umbrella Academy aren’t your typical superheroes, and that’s a big part of what makes the show so appealing. Over four seasons, viewers have grown to love them, as each character has shown a willingness to do what’s necessary and even make sacrifices for the greater good. While a heroic sacrifice could happen in the finale, it feels extreme for all of the main characters to make the ultimate sacrifice.

In the finale, all members of the Umbrella Academy make the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives to protect their family and create a new timeline where they were never born. This ending disappointed many viewers who wished the showrunners had found a way to save the characters. It’s a significant departure from the original comic books, which are still ongoing.

6. The Finale of The Sopranos Rubbed Many Fans the Wrong Way

The Final Episode Remains Up to Interpretation

Bobby Baccalieri’s line, ‘You don’t even hear it when it happens,’ is memorable from the end of the acclaimed series The Sopranos. The show always left a lot open to viewers’ interpretation, and the finale was no exception. While Tony Soprano is having dinner with his family, he abruptly looks up, and the screen cuts to black. Many fans immediately understood this to mean Tony had been killed – a fate he’d often orchestrated for others.

However, a lot of viewers thought this part of the show was confusing. Tony Soprano is definitely not a good person, but some still believed he deserved a happy ending. Now that the show’s creators have explained what happened to the characters, the argument isn’t about if Tony Soprano died, but whether his death was necessary.

5. Dinosaurs’ Ending Takes a Surprisingly Morbid Turn

The Sitcom Demonstrates What Killed the Dinosaurs

The sitcom Dinosaurs was a truly unique and funny show for its time. It starred a family of puppet dinosaurs that, despite being make-believe, were surprisingly lovable. Sadly, just like the real dinosaurs, the characters in the show ultimately disappeared. The series playfully offers a possible explanation for what wiped out the dinosaurs, mirroring the questions scientists have long pondered.

The last episode of Dinosaurs showed the family slowly freezing to death during a catastrophic event. This ending is often debated because it unexpectedly kills off all the main characters, including a baby dinosaur, which many viewers found disturbing. While ending a show with such a dramatic event is one way to handle cancellation, it didn’t please many fans.

4. Many People Still Don’t Understand the Finale of the Beloved Lost

Several Fans Are Still Asking Themselves If the Island Was Ever Real

Lost is a truly captivating show packed with adventure, heartfelt character development, and challenging moments. While the series is amazing overall, the ending is notoriously confusing. Many viewers thought the entire story took place inside the characters’ minds, and though that’s not entirely accurate, the finale is so complicated it’s easy to see why they came to that conclusion. In the end, the main character, Jack, makes the ultimate sacrifice to protect the island and everyone on it.

The show later reveals that all the characters who died were waiting to move on to the afterlife together. This discovery led many viewers to believe the island was a kind of purgatory. However, that wasn’t the case, and the characters continued to face terrifying challenges. Ultimately, everyone finds peace and is able to move on, which offered some comfort to fans.

3. Game of Thrones’ Finale Fell Extremely Short of Audience Expectations

The Series’ Completely Ruins the Hype It Had Built Up Over 8 Seasons

Game of Thrones was a fantastic series known for its intricate storytelling. From the start, the show carefully planted seeds for a grand finale. However, many fans felt the final season, particularly season 8, was rushed and poorly executed, ultimately damaging everything the show had built. Characters like Jamie Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen experienced jarring changes in personality, and important characters like Jon Snow were sidelined.

The ending felt unfair to every character, and ultimately ruined what could have been a truly legendary fantasy series. Now, Game of Thrones is remembered as a decent show that just didn’t finish strong. The disappointing conclusion makes it hard to revisit the series, knowing all that great buildup led to nowhere.

2. The Finale of Dallas Was So Unpopular It Was Retconed With a Movie

The Main Character’s Death Is Later Undone

The TV show Dallas was known for its realistic storylines, but the finale was widely criticized. It featured a bizarre turn when the main character, J.R. Ewing, was confronted by a demon who tried to convince him life had no purpose. The show initially ended with J.R. seemingly committing suicide, though this was later retconned in a reboot movie.

The show’s finale upset many viewers, and revealing it all hadn’t actually happened just added to their disappointment. While killing off a main character is always tough for fans, bringing them back to life after that feels even worse. Viewers were glad J.R. was still alive, but angry the show’s creators had even considered killing him off in the first place.

1. Sherlock Fans Had a Similar Conformity Gate After the Series “Ended”

Fans Were Convinced There Was a Secret Final Episode

It might be surprising to learn that Stranger Things isn’t the first show to frustrate its dedicated fans with an unsatisfying ending. The finale of Sherlock was so jarring and confusing that many viewers hoped for a hidden, extra episode to tie things up. That episode never materialized, and the series’ legacy suffered, giving what is often considered the world’s best detective a particularly weak conclusion – arguably the worst since the original Sherlock and Watson stories.

The show started as a realistic detective series, but it quickly became focused on action. The final episode ignored everything fans enjoyed about the show, and what was originally intended as just another installment ended up feeling like a permanent ending. Specifically, Season 4, Episode 7 of Sherlock damaged the show’s reputation and strongly suggested the series was over.

2026-02-12 05:36