2025 ended with the series finale of Stranger Things, an epic-length conclusion of the Netflix sci-fi series that was pretty lackluster in quality. The thing about “The Rightside Up,” though, was that for all the rushing and plot holes, it felt relatively in line with the series as a whole, putting a lot of heart into saying goodbye to its large cast of characters. In short: It was not the worst series finale of all time, as anyone who’s watched How I Met Your Mother, Game of Thrones, or Dallas will tell you.
In considering the worst final episodes in television history, the Consequence staff discussed several shows with controversial conclusions, including Lost, The Sopranos, St. Elsewhere, True Blood, House of Cards, Sherlock, and Seinfeld. All had good reasons for consideration, yet those finales didn’t quite reach the same level of disappointment as those mentioned below. These endings didn’t just leave a sour taste in the audience’s mouth — they fundamentally damaged the legacy of their shows.
— Liz Shannon Miller
Senior Entertainment Editor
[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for the shows listed.]
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