The Top 10 Most Hated TV Show Finales, Ranked

TV show finales can cement a series’ legacy or shatter it, and some have left fans so angry they’re still sparking debates. From rushed plots to character betrayals, these endings flopped hard, failing to deliver on years of buildup. Unresolved mysteries or twists that felt wrong fueled major backlash.

I’ve ranked the 10 most hated TV show finales, counting down from divisive letdowns to the absolute worst, based on fan outrage, critical backlash, and lasting infamy. Here’s the list, diving into why each finale crashed.

10. Seinfeld (1989-1998)

Larry David’s sitcom ended with Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer jailed after a trial revisiting their selfish antics. The clip-show format and past-character parade aimed for nostalgia but felt forced. It drew 76 million viewers.

Fans found it tonally jarring for a show about “nothing,” though some liked its bold swing. It’s divisive but lands here for alienating many with its gimmicky end.

9. Roseanne (1988-1997)

Roseanne Barr’s sitcom revealed its final season, with the Conners winning the lottery, was a fictional story by Roseanne coping with Dan’s death. The twist stunned viewers. It had 16 million viewers.

The retcon betrayed the show’s grounded heart, though some admired its guts. It’s hated for undoing years of real-feeling storytelling.

8. The Undoing (2020)

HBO’s miniseries with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant built a murder mystery but ended with a predictable killer reveal. The courtroom drama fizzled. It averaged 12 million viewers.

Fans slammed the obvious twist after a tense buildup, with critics like The Independent calling it flat. It’s here for squandering its cast and hype.

7. Ozark (2017-2022)

Netflix’s crime drama ended with the Byrde family dodging justice, while a fan-favorite met a brutal end. The episode “A Hard Way to Go” scored a 6.7/10 on IMDb, the show’s lowest. It divided fans despite critical praise.

Viewers raged online over the lack of consequences, feeling it betrayed the show’s moral edge. It lands here for its fan backlash.

6. Killing Eve (2018-2022)

BBC’s thriller saw Villanelle (Jodie Comer) take down The Twelve but die in a sudden assassination. Fans loathed the abrupt end to her arc. It drew 5 million viewers.

The overblown rampage and tragic twist felt like a cheap exit, with fans calling it a mess. It’s hated for ruining a sharp series.

5. How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)

CBS’s sitcom revealed the Mother was dead, with Ted ending up with Robin after nine seasons of buildup. It tossed out Barney and Robin’s arc. It had 13 million viewers.

Fans felt cheated by the bait-and-switch, launching redo petitions. Its betrayal of the show’s core lands it high.

4. Dexter (2006-2013)

Showtime’s serial killer drama ended with Dexter (Michael C. Hall) faking his death to become a lumberjack, leaving his son behind. The finale drew 2.8 million viewers.

The bizarre choice and rushed plot, like Dexter kidnapping his comatose sister, infuriated fans, who called it chaotic. It’s loathed for its absurd close.

3. The Sopranos (1999-2007)

HBO’s mob drama cut to black mid-scene, leaving Tony Soprano’s fate unclear. The ambiguous ending split fans. It drew 11.9 million viewers.

Some praised its bold open-endedness, but many felt robbed of closure after six seasons. Its polarizing impact places it high.

2. Lost (2004-2010)

ABC’s mystery series ended with a spiritual afterlife focus, leaving many island mysteries unanswered. The two-part finale drew 13.5 million viewers.

Fans split, with detractors slamming the vague resolution and lack of answers to key questions. Its divisive legacy earns it second place.

1. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

HBO’s fantasy epic closed with Daenerys’s sudden villain turn, her death, and Bran as king. The rushed Season 8 finale scored 47% on Rotten Tomatoes. It drew 19.3 million viewers.

The betrayal of arcs, like Daenerys’s descent, and sloppy plotting sparked remake petitions with nearly 2 million signatures. It’s the most hated for ruining a cultural giant.

Which finale let you down hardest, or do you think one got too much hate? Share your thoughts in the comments!