10 Sci-Fi Shows With Perfect Endings (#1 Is an All-Timer)
One of the hardest parts of making a science fiction TV show is sticking the landing. Considering how vast, imaginative, and long-lasting this genre can be, it’s easy for a show to lose track of its end goal at some point during its run and end up delivering a finale that, no matter whether it’s good or bad, is undeniably flawed. However, some sci-fi shows throughout history have been able to culminate in a series finale that’s about as close as a series finale can come to perfection.
From classics like Star Trek: The Next Generation to modern gems like Andor, there are a few precious sci-fi classics that came to perfect conclusions. Whether it’s because they were satisfying, because they were shocking, because they tied up loose ends in an impressive way, or simply because they made a lasting impact, these endings—which are ranked from least to most perfect—ensured that these already-great series remained ingrained in pop culture as true classics of their genre.
There are spoilers ahead!
10
‘Quantum Leap’ (1989–1993)
Quantum Leap just screams ’80s sci-fi, but for people who love shows with those kinds of tones and aesthetics, it’s a must-see even after more than three decades past its conclusion. An innovative time travel show about a man trapped in time hopping through different periods of the past, this cult classic has only gotten better with age.One of the many reasons why Quantum Leap has remained one of the most rewatchable time travel TV shows out there is the fact that it has such a strong ending. Tonally, it’s surprisingly different from the rest of the show, almost dreamlike. It’s highly abstract and doesn’t tie the narrative up with a nice pink ribbon, ending with the title card“Dr. Sam Becket never returned home.”It’s a bold way to end the series, recontextualizing everything that came before, and that’s precisely why it’s so memorable.
9
‘Lost’ (2004–2010)
Throughout its entire run, and all the way up to its pretty divisive final season, Lost was one of the most popular mainstream shows on television. With its endless amounts of creativity and one of the best casts of any sci-fi show, it felt like it was the talk of the town, and as such, its ending felt like a huge cultural event. At the time, it was widely felt that it didn’t stick the landing. With the passage of time, though, fans have not only warmed up to it: They have come to recognize it as the brilliant finale that it actually always was.
Perhaps the most underrated TV show ending of the 2010s, Lost‘s conclusion is one filled with mysteries to unpack. It may not solve every element of the story’s mythology and lore, but that ambiguity feels intentional and methodical, in favor of an ending that focuses on tying up every emotional loose end instead. Poetic, philosophical, and highly metaphysical, Lost doesn’t strive to be a crowd-pleaser, and time has been nothing but kind to it as a result.
8
‘Stargate SG-1’ (1997–2007)
Born with Roland Emmerich‘s 1994 film of the same name, the Stargate franchise soon spawned a series of multimedia products that turned it into a cult classic. Of those, the most beloved today is arguably Stargate SG-1, a space adventure set after the events of Emmerich’s movie which follows a secret military teams of soldiers and scientists.SG-1 remained consistently enjoyable throughout its whole run,and all the way until its conclusion, it never disappointed its fanbase. Fittingly titled “Unending,” the show’s finale feels like the perfect way to say goodbye to these characters and their stories without it ever actually being the end of one’s adventure. After all, in no small measure thanks to how perfect this ending is, Stargate SG-1 feels endlessly rewatchable.
7
’12 Monkeys’ (2015–2018)
It all started with the avant-garde French short film La Jetée. Terry Gilliam of Monty Python fame remade it in 1995 as the post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller 12 Monkeys, and 20 years later, Syfy took their own stab at it with a televisual version of the story. This version of 12 Monkeys, one of the few time travel shows that actually make sense, may even be the definitive one.
The conclusion and success of Cole’s mission is incredibly satisfying, but not without its fair share of surprises. Where most time travel stories tend to have a hard time wrapping things up in a way that’s both fulfilling and makes sense, 12 Monkeys never seems to run into that roadblock. Emotional, intelligent, and perfectly honoring everything that’s come before, the show’s conclusion is as perfect as every fan hoped it would be.
6
‘Andor’ (2022–2025)
When a spin-off prequel led by the deuteragonist of a Star Wars spin-off who fans saw die was announced, it felt like there was no way it would turn out well. To everyone’s surprise, not only did Andor turn out great: It might as well be the best that the franchise has been since 1980. It’s far more than just a depiction of Cassian Andor’s journey toward becoming a Rebel hero: It’s a riveting space epic and a scathing critique of fascism and authoritarianism released in a time when both are most needed.
Boasting some of the best writing in all of Star Wars and a grand total of zero bad episodes, Andor also benefits from having a perfect ending. Though the pinnacle of its final season comes in its penultimate three-episode arc, the ending arc is every bit as exciting. It brought a deeply satisfying conclusion to every plotline and every character arc that the show had dealt with, and tied things up to Rogue One in a way that felt entirely natural. Thematically resolute and flawlessly written, the conclusion of this exceptional show is in the top tier of Star Wars endings.
5
‘Loki’ (2021–2023)
Though the Marvel Cinematic Universe had already spent time on the small screen, it was in 2021 that the franchise truly established its TV shows as a mainline part of its story, starting with WandaVision. Soon after came Loki, following the version of the God of Mischief that escaped S.H.I.E.L.D. custody in the middle of Avengers: Endgame.
This version of Loki would end up becoming one of the most important characters in all of MCU lore.
Little did fans know, this version of Loki would end up becoming one of the most important characters in all of MCU lore, all thanks to the series’ momentous finale. Cementing Loki as one of the best superhero shows of the last five years, the show’s ending sees the titular character’s sacrificial redemption turn him into the undeniable hero that he was always meant to be. Grand, epic, and visually striking, the show’s conclusion is one of the most perfect in the entire franchise.
4
‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ (1987–1994)
The Star Trek franchise is no stranger to great endings, but it’s hard to argue against the argument that Star Trek: The Next Generation has the most perfect conclusion in the whole franchise. In all manner of ways, TNG still holds up perfectly after all these years, and the fact that its hugely satisfying ending packs so much of a punch certainly contributes to that.
“All Good Things…” might even be one of the best series finales in television history. Despite being a time travel episode, it makes perfect sense in every way—and not only that: This framing device feels like the perfect way explore the show’s philosophical themes and close off its primary character arcs in a gratifying way. The final image of watching Picard join his senior officers for their regular poker game for the first time in seven seasons may seem simple on paper, but it’s such a meaningful and emotionally stirring moment that it’s hard not to be moved by it.
3
‘Dark’ (2017–2020)
Netflix’s first-ever German-language series, as well as one of their most successful international shows of all time, Dark is one of the most mind-boggling TV shows since Twin Peaks. But bizarre though it may be, Dark is also nothing short of genius, and it’s proof that slow-burning science fiction is always worth it.
Throughout the entire series, it constantly feels necessary to keep a notebook by one’s side in order to keep up with the story, and the finale is no exception. But “Das Paradies” isn’t confusing just for the sake of it: It’s monumental to the point of almost being transcendental. It’s a poetic and thematically fitting conclusion, bringing emotional closure both to the characters and to the viewer by resolving the central paradox in a way equal parts satisfying and shocking. Dark never answered every question it made during its run, but it was never meant to. If anything, the mystery surrounding its ending only makes it more special.
2
‘Person of Interest’ (2011–2016)
One of the most consistently amazing sci-fi shows ever, Person of Interest had one of the best final seasons of any series in the genre of the 21st century. This cyber-thriller about an off-the-grid and presumed-dead former CIA agent being hired by a software genius to prevent violent crimes before they happen in NYC never declined in quality, but its conclusion is particularly top-notch.This kind of conclusion, which brings the story full-circle in a hugely satisfying way, is the kind of TV show ending capable of leaving anyone speechless. Everything, from Reese’s heartbreaking sacrifice to The Machine’s quasi-poetic ending to the finale’s bittersweet exploration of the story’s overarching themes, works in perfect conjunction with every other element to deliver an unforgettable ending.
1
‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (2008–2020)
With an admirable rating of 9.9 out of 10, the series finale of Star Wars: The Clone Wars is among the highest-rated series finales of all time on IMDb. And with the previous three episodes in the show’s final story arc having a 9.7, 9.8, and another 9.8, respectively, it’s no wonder why this ending is worthy of being called the most perfect in the history of sci-fi television.
The Siege of Mandalore arc is a gigantic achievement and one of the greatest stories in any Star Wars property. There’s something here for anyone and everyone to enjoy: The climactic conclusion of Ahsoka, Rex, and Maul’s arcs; the gorgeous animation and thrilling action sequences; the tying to Episode III that elevates the entire prequel trilogy tremendously; the tear-jerking ending scene with Vader. Star Wars fans and non-fans alike should be able to admit that Clone Wars‘ ending is absolutely perfect.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- Release Date
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2008 – 2020-00-00
- Network
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Cartoon Network, Netflix, Disney+
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Tom Kane
Narrator / Yoda / Medical Droid / Yularen / Kraken (voice)
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Matt Lanter
Anakin Skywalker (voice)
