10 Best Final Sitcom Scenes Of All Time, Ranked

In the world of binge-worthy sitcoms, the very final scene of a show reflects upon its past and wraps it up as a whole, often making reference to the first episode or a season arc. The finale of any TV show faces a lot of expectations, let alone the last scene, as it not only sets a tone for the show overall but also should leave audiences feeling content with the show’s ending, regardless of whether they want it to finish. Over the years, there have been many great sitcom finales, but nailing the very last scene is just as important.

Saying goodbye to a sitcom can be difficult, especially if it’s been on the air for a long time. In theory, the final scenes show the last moment audiences will see their favorite characters on screen and provide a lasting impression. While every show has to end eventually, some final scenes from sitcoms have succeeded in delivering truly memorable endings.

10
Arrested Development

Season 5, Episode 16: The Fallout

The final season of the show primarily followed the TV mystery of who killed Lucille Austero and the various reasons that each of member of the Bluth family in Arrested Development had to commit the crime. Arrested Development is known for its parodical “next time” sections at the end of each episode, which was used to facilitate an appropriate and comedic ending to the series. For its finale, Austero’s fate was finally revealed, with Buster admitting to killing her despite spending the season maintaining his innocence. While Buster’s admission was surprising, it was effective in that his character arc subtly paved the way for this to happen.

9
Community

Season 6, Episode 13: Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television

Community‘s final episode, “Emotional Consequences of Broadcast Television,” was a rather apt name, reflecting back on the years of Abed’s (Danny Pudi) narration and references to meta movies and TV shows. Although the show had lost some of its main cast over the last couple of seasons, the show still gave audiences a satisfying conclusion, as Jeff (Joel Hale) dropped Annie (Alison Brie) and Abed at the airport as they departed for their new jobs and lives. After that, he joined Britta (Gillian Jacobs) at the Vatican, along with the Dean (Jim Rash), Chang (Ken Jeong), and Frankie (Paget Brewster).

Of course, it wouldn’t have been Community if it then didn’t fade to black with the final reference: “#andamovie,“ a meta-reference to the “six seasons and a movie” comment from Abed that had been repeated throughout the show. Even its final tag, which was a joke about breaking the fourth wall as a family played the Community board game, was a brilliant representation of the show as a whole. With the upcoming Community movie finally confirmed to be on its way, these are all references that will surely get a mention once again, improving on an already solid sitcom ending.

8
Jane The Virgin

Season 5, Episode 19: Chapter One-Hundred

The comedy telenovela Jane the Virgin wrapped up after five seasons with “Chapter One-Hundred,” which saw the titular character finally tie the knot with Rafael (Justin Baldoni). The last season was an absolute rollercoaster for Jane (Gina Rodriguez), especially as she finished her novel, but also because of the bumps she faced in her relationship after discovering Michael (Brett Dier) was still alive. However, as she and her new husband relaxed against a tree after their nuptials, happy and content, Jane reveals the ending to her book: it’s turned into a telenovela, a fitting end for the show.

7
The Big Bang Theory

Season 5, Episode 24: The Stockholm Syndrome

The Big Bang Theory‘s final scene was a beautiful reflection of the show’s entire run, as the gang gathered for one last time to eat takeout in Penny and Leonard’s apartment. While this shot had been seen on multiple occasions throughout the show, this one was particularly emotional, mainly because Sheldon and Amy had just won the Nobel Prize, but also because Penny and Leonard had just announced they were becoming parents. With an acoustic cover of the theme song scoring the scene, it was a perfect ending to the show’s 12-season story.

6
MASH

Season 11, Episode 16: Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

MASH followed the events of the Korean War in the 1950s, with 11 seasons set across a three-year period, so it made sense for its finale to see it end with the announcement of a ceasefire. Despite being keen to leave the base as soon as possible, Hawkeye (Alan Alda) ends up being one of the last to leave, but not without one last heartwarming moment between him and B.J. (Mike Ferrell). As Hawkeye flies higher into the air in a helicopter, he realizes what B.J.’s “note” is and is met with the word “GOODBYE” written out with rocks.

Although a simple moment, it also reflected the show as a whole and Hawkeye and B.J.’s relationship. While it was relieving that they were finally going to get to go home, it was still overwhelming, especially as they’d spent years not knowing if they’d ever escape the trenches. That’s why B.J.’s “GOODBYE” was so impactful; it was the perfect phrase to wrap up the entire ordeal and shows just why MASH‘s finale is one of the most watched episodes of a sitcom ever.

5
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Season 6, Episode 24: I, Done

Despite the last episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air not being intended as a finale, it still did a great job of closing the show. With the Banks family moving to California, the final scene with Will (Smith) taking in the empty living room and reflecting on his life since moving there truly brought his character arc full circle. Although an emotional and almost solemn moment, it’s Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) suddenly running down the stairs in the dark, his pants unbuckled, and shouting that completes the scene by adding the show’s trademark humor to it.

4
Friends

Season 10, Episode 17: The Last One, Part 2

Friends’ emotional ending said goodbye to the gang after 10 long seasons on the air and also revealed some hilarious secrets. With Monica (Courteney Cox) and Chandler (Matthew Perry), as new parents moving out to the suburbs, everyone was forced to give back their apartment key. It was at this moment that Joey (Matt LeBlanc) noticed that the apartment walls were purple, and Monica spilled that Ross (David Schwimmer) had once lived there with their grandmother when he spent a summer in college trying to be a dancer.

As all six keys are laid on the counter of the now very empty kitchen, it’s hard not to get emotional. However, before Monica and Chandler leave for their new home, the gang decides to go and get coffee, giving Chandler the final and most hilarious line of the show, “Where?” as if they’d ever gone anywhere other than Central Perk. The gang gathering at the coffee shop was a fitting end for the iconic sitcom and perfectly reflected the image of all of them together that audiences had fallen in love with over the years.

3
That ’70s Show

Season 8, Episode 22: That ’70s Finale

True to its name, That ’70s Show followed the events of a group of teenagers in Point Place, Wisconsin, throughout the 1970s. So, it only makes sense that its finale would be set on New Year’s Eve. This emotional episode saw an incredible speech from Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp), looking back on the decade before Eric (Topher Grace) made his return from Africa, reuniting with Donna (Laura Prepon).

Throughout the show, the gang in “The Circle” was often seen as a cover to avoid directly showing the characters smoking marijuana together. Naturally, this is where the gang was all found, just as the countdown to 1980 began. As the new year rang in, the screen faded to black, signifying the end of the ’70s, something that would be interesting to replicate when That ’90s Show ends.

2
Parks And Recreations

Season 7, Episode 13: One Last Ride, Part 2

Parks and Recreation is remembered for having one of the best sitcom finales of all time, using flashforwards to show the futures of their characters and where they ended up. However, the very final scene returns to the present day, with Leslie (Amy Poehler) and the rest of her original Parks Department staff working together on one last job, fixing a swing in a local park. At this point in the show, everyone had moved on to different stages of their lives, but this scene highlighted just how much the characters had grown and developed since their introduction.

Even Leslie, who had famously had issues with losing her friends and moving on, was ready for the future. Her flash-forward even teased that either she or Ben (Adam Scott) would become President, and while it wasn’t clear exactly which it was, it is known that they both had fulfilling and successful political careers. The show wrapped up with Ben asking Leslie, “You ready, babe?“ and with a determined nod, she was, smiling off into the distance and her future.

1
The Office

Season 9, Episode 25: Finale

Considered to be one of the most iconic sitcoms to have ever aired on TV, The Office had many wacky and beloved characters to say goodbye to after a long 9-season run. The Office finale succeeded in adequately wrapping up its characters’ storylines, with Dwight (Rainn Wilson) and Angela (Kinsey) getting married, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) making one last cameo, and Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam (Jenna Fischer) deciding to move to Austin. However, the final scenes stayed true to its mockumentary format.

After Dwight fires the Halperts so they can claim severance pay to help with their move, each of The Office’s main characters gives their very last talking head to the camera. Talking heads are a key identifying element of The Office, and it was the only logical way that the hit sitcom could possibly come to an end, especially as the documentary had greatly impacted them all. Before leaving, Pam takes her painting of the Dunder Mifflin office from the episode “Business School,” followed by a brief flashback of Michael originally hanging it, bringing the memento along with her.