8 TV Shows With A Sad Ending We Still Loved Anyway

TV shows with sad endings can be hit or miss, but some of them execute their conclusions so well that they’re still loved years later. While happy, well-earned endings can be satisfying for fans of a story, tragic finales can have an equally powerful impact. Of course, they need to make sense in terms of the television series; it’s crucial that heartbreaking conclusions fit with the narrative, tone, and character arcs present in a given project.

For shows like Breaking Bad, which are dramatic and tense all the way through, a devastating ending is the only kind that works. One wouldn’t expect a happy ending from a series steeped so heavily in tragedy, especially when the characters are on a downward spiral the whole way through. However, it’s not just intense dramas that successfully deliver sad conclusions. Comedies and sitcoms also make this approach work, taking their final bows in a way that fully drives home their impact. Their success largely depends on how well their finales connect to and conclude the remainder of the series, but it can work.

8 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Even The AMC Show’s Survivors Suffer

Breaking Bad‘s ending drives home the damage Walter White has done throughout the show, giving him one last opportunity to redeem himself — and doing so costs him his life. The Breaking Bad series finale, “Felina,” sees Walter reuniting with Skyler and finally admitting his true motivations for making meth. Viewers get a firsthand look at how he’s destroyed his family, and that’s not even the saddest part. Jesse Pinkman’s fate is devastating, even if Walter sacrifices his life to free him. It’s clear the trauma will remain with Jesse long after the show. It’s a fitting and action-packed conclusion that deserves its near-perfect IMDb rating.

7 The Good Place (2016-2020)

The NBC Comedy Concludes With A Tearjerker

A sad ending isn’t predictable for a show like The Good Place, but the NBC comedy is existential enough that it makes its heartbreaking finale work. After making it possible for humans to reach Heaven again, Eleanor and her friends must determine how they want to spend their time before moving “on.” When Chidi realizes that perhaps it’s time to leave his life and relationships behind for good, Eleanor is naturally heartbroken. And this repeats itself as the other characters come to terms with death, making The Good Place‘s final episode, “Whenever You’re Ready,” a real tearjerker.

6 This Is Us (2016-2022)

Rebecca Pearson’s Funeral Will Leave Viewers Sobbing

This Is Us prompts the waterworks long before its series finale, but the funeral of Rebecca Pearson brings forth all kinds of grief — and it successfully hits both her family and longtime viewers. Rebecca’s death is the primary reason the ending of This Is Us is sad, though bidding farewell to the other characters also proves bittersweet. Like the rest of the show, This Is Us’ series finale manages to be incredibly heartbreaking. It works for the series’ overall themes and ends the NBC show on a strong note, even if it will leave audiences sobbing.

5 Better Call Saul (2015-2022)

Better Call Saul‘s ending isn’t as tragic as other shows with sad finales, but the Breaking Bad prequel still doesn’t leave Jimmy and Kim in a good place. After taking responsibility for his actions, Jimmy McGill faces a life in prison. Fortunately, he’s basically a celebrity there. But it means he’ll never see freedom again — and any chance of him reuniting with Kim is unlikely. Kim’s still on the outside, but her life after Howard’s death is woefully mediocre. Their futures aren’t what either of them imagined, and that makes Better Call Saul‘s conclusion somewhat heartbreaking. It’s also the perfect way to wrap things up.

4 Lost (2004-2010)

Lost‘s series finale is a divisive one, and it’s not tragic for every character on the show. Some, like Kate and Sawyer, survive their return to the Island, while others are tasked with protecting it in the future. However, Jack’s death makes Lost‘s ending a sad one, as he’s the beating heart of the ABC show. Losing him is enough to elicit tears from viewers, but saying goodbye to the Island and the cast for good is another reason the finale is a tearjerker. “The End” doesn’t answer every question the show raises, but it does a solid job on the emotional front.

3 Attack On Titan (2013-2023)

Attack on Titan is the type of show that is clearly not going to have a happy ending, but the series finale is satisfying despite its tragic elements. The anime concludes with Mikasa killing Eren to stop the Curse of the Titans and The Rumbling, and its final moments reveal how broken up she is over the decision. The fact that Armin and the others fail to make peace with the world outside Paradis makes Eren’s and Mikasa’s fates even more tragic. The cycle of violence continues, suggesting Eren’s sacrifice doesn’t benefit the world for all that long. It’s the perfect ending given the anime’s themes, but it’s devastating nonetheless.

2 Friends (1994-2004)

Nothing outwardly tragic happens during the Friends finale, but the sitcom’s ending highlights the devastating impact of growing up. “The Last One” sees Friends’ main characters going their separate ways, with Monica and Chandler emptying their apartment, a set that had become home to many viewers and the central crew. There’s the sense that the titular friends will see each other less after the finale, as they’re all moving on to long-term commitments with their families and romantic partners. This is bittersweet, but it works for the core themes of the show — even if many fans would prefer they remain in the same place forever.

1 One Day (2024)

A newer show with a genuinely heart-wrenching conclusion, Netflix’s One Day is the perfect example of a series with a sad ending that still works. The ending of One Day upends the narrative just as things are looking up for Emma and Dexter. The two are beginning to make hopeful plans for the future, but Emma’s death puts a stop to their joy. It’s a realistic portrayal of grief, and it’s one that hits even harder because of how optimistic the show seems just moments earlier. One Day may leave viewers in tears, but it’s a testament to the story’s strength that it’s able to do so.