While TV shows like Better Call Saul (2015) and Succession (2018) are revered for their season finales, other series have the opposite legacy. Despite starting strong, the shows on this list stumbled in their final seasons, creating glaring divides in their fandoms. In most cases, one (or two) bad seasons doesn't spoil an entire series, but it can certainly break your heart.
With Stranger Things (2016) already creating controversy and division mid-way through its long-awaited final season, it's the perfect excuse to look back on some of the most divisive final seasons in TV history. If you're here to relive the pain, that's one thing. However, don't let a questionable finale completely put you off a first-time watch. Instead, boot up Hulu, HBO Max, and other streamers to watch these series for yourself and form your own opinion.
The X-Files (1993-2018)
The X-Files is a landmark series and '90s staple that popularized so many of the tropes you see on TV now. While it's most definitely worth watching, temper your expectations when you hit Season 9, the final season of the original run. Really, The X-Files' issues began before that in Season 8 when David Duchovny left the series, resulting in Mulder's absence from the vast majority of the show's last two seasons. Couple that with a confusing, convoluted mythology, and it's a recipe for disaster.
Scully and Mulder's dynamic makes the show, so not having them on-screen together feels like a cardinal sin. While The X-Files' final episode gives them a pretty satisfying reunion and poetic happy ending, it's not enough to save Season 9 as a whole. That said, The X-Files is an addictive, intriguing watch for seven solid seasons. Plus, its "Monster of the Week" format makes it easy enough to jump into whenever (just don't skip the pilot).
The Sopranos (1999-2007)
The Sopranos is a bit of a mixed bag because its final season isn't terrible. In fact, it's quite good. Maybe you could complain about its slightly slower pace, but really, The Sopranos remains a masterpiece of television. However, the final episode is largely notorious for dividing audiences, with most feeling that the ambiguous cut-to-black ending tainted the final season's build-up and impact.
Personally, I favor ambiguity, although in this case, I'd argue there are enough clues to reach a pretty solid conclusion about Tony's fate (and it's not pleasant). I can totally understand why so many viewers felt unsatisfied. Still, The Sopranos is well worth the watch—last season and all. If you like gangster settings and complex characters, you're in for a real treat. James Gandolfini delivers one of the best performances of his career, and one of the best performances to ever grace the small screen in general.
Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)
While the Gilmore Girls revival didn't exactly knock the socks off fans with its ending, the final season of the original run might sting even harder. With creator Amy Sherman-Palladino exiting the series in Season 6, Gilmore Girls' seventh and final season suffered. You know when something feels "off," well, that's pretty much what happened here. Lorelai's marriage to Christoper has this rushed vibe to it, while Rory ends up not choosing anyone, leaving her ending somewhat ambiguous and incomplete.
Some people call Season 7 "lazy," but again, it really depends on who you ask. It might have some weak points, but overall, it still retains the heartwarming aura that makes Gilmore Girls so enduring. If you're looking for your new comfort show, this might be it, especially if you adore the softer edges of dramas like Hart of Dixie (2011) or New Girl (2011).
Lost (2004-2010)
Similar to The X-Files, Lost got a little lost (you see what I did there?) in its mythology. Across its six seasons, the series grew from a survival drama to a full-blown sci-fi adventure, complete with the mysterious, supernatural entity dubbed The Smoke Monster and a whole lot of other weird stuff. As a result, a lot of questions were raised that didn't exactly get answers. Understandably, that created frustration for some. Cap it off with Lost's infamous final episode, which (spoiler!) involves a purgatory reveal, and you're almost left hollow.
Did you spend six seasons wasting your time? Well, that depends on how you interpret that ending and your tolerance for lingering plot points. Lost's final season (and final episode) certainly has its supporters, and as one of the greatest TV shows of all time, it's still worth watching if you like character-driven stories and genre mash-ups.
How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014)
How I Met Your Mother's final season was a major disappointment, with (spoiler!) the titular mother, Tracy, dying and Ted and Robin's second-chance romance feeling entirely rushed and kind of… sleazy as a result. Like so many entries on this list, the last season crammed too much into too little, which hurt what should've been such a tremendous emotional payoff after nine seasons of building.
If you want to point fingers, blame the pre-filmed ending originally intended to air in Season 7. Instead, the story continued, forcing HIMYM writers to write around it, which is never an easy thing to do. While the complete series DVD included an alternate ending, it couldn't erase past sins. It sounds bad, and it is bad. However, if you want a relatable, relatively lighthearted sitcom to get lost in, HIMYM is still a comfort watch for so many—horrible last season and all.
Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
There's good TV, and then there's TV so great that it literally changes the pop culture landscape. Game of Thrones falls into the latter category, with gritty, fantasy storytelling so phenomenal that butts dropped on couches every Sunday night to see who would sit on Westeros' coveted Iron Throne. Unfortunately, the excitement started to crumble in Season 8 (and probably even before that, depending on who you ask). Rushed pacing played a big role in Game of Thrones' downfall, with not enough care or time devoted to tying up storylines and making character development feel earned or even make sense in the first place (talking about you, Daenerys).
What's so difficult to forgive here is that Game of Thrones, from its very first episode, establishes a long-spanning plot. It's meant to build and build and build, until the "Winter" is dealt with and the Iron Throne gets a rightful contender. Too bad we never really get either. It is disappointing for sure. However, I still rank Game of Thrones among the best TV series ever made. If you're a fan of The Lord of the Rings or fantasy in general, you'll devour this, even if it doesn't stick the landing.
Hannibal (2013-2015)
As someone who has read Thomas Harris' Hannibal series, the Hannibal Lecter-centered universe, in my opinion, fumbled its ending. Personally, I'd also argue the TV series, Hannibal, did, too. Season 3 has a plethora of defenders, but many of us found it… boring. Some of that likely has to do with the show's shift from procedural to an arthouse drama that feels like someone brought David Lynch on to direct. If you don't mind slow-burn, almost meandering stories, then maybe Season 3 won't bother you. However, the sudden change in style and pacing is pretty jarring.
To be fair, Hannibal's abrupt cancellation also resulted in issues. However, all those loose plot threads and infamous cliffhanger ending weren't exactly in the show's control. Despite all that, I still recommend Hannibal to anyone looking for psychologically challenging television. A little like Mindhunter (2017) or The Sinner (2017) in vibes but with the characters you know and love from The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and other Thomas Harris stories, Hannibal is darkly intriguing and beautiful.
