summary
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TV shows like
Breaking Bad
It delivers a devastating ending that perfectly matches the dark tone and tragic character arcs. -
Some comedies and sitcoms surprise viewers with tear-jerking endings that align with existential themes.
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Many finales cause sadness and tears in longtime viewers, especially when saying goodbye to beloved characters.
TV shows with sad endings can be hit or miss; Some execute their conclusions so well that they are still loved years later.. While a happy, satisfying ending is satisfying for fans of the story, a tragic ending can have just as powerful an impact. Of course, it has to make sense from a TV series perspective. It’s important that a heartbreaking conclusion fits the narrative, tone, and character arcs that exist in a particular project.
For programs like Breaking Bad, It’s dramatic and tense throughout, but it’s only the devastating ending that makes it effective. No one would expect a happy ending from a series so full of tragedy, especially when the characters are in a downward spiral throughout. But it’s not just intense drama that leads to sad endings. Comedies and sitcoms also work well with this approach, bowing out at the end in a way that fully conveys its impact. Their success will largely depend on how well the finale connects and concludes the rest of the series, but it could work.
8 Breaking Bad (2008-2013)
Survivors of AMC shows are also suffering
Breaking Bad‘s ending reminds us of the damage Walter White has done throughout the show and gives him one last chance to redeem himself — and in doing so he loses his life.of Breaking Bad In the series finale, “Felina,” Walter reunites with Skyler and finally admits his true motives for producing meth. Viewers will see firsthand how he destroyed his family, but that’s not even the saddest thing. Jesse Pinkman’s fate is tragicEven if Walter sacrifices his life to free him. It’s clear that Jesse’s trauma lingers long after the show. It’s a fitting, action-packed conclusion worthy of a near-perfect rating on IMDb.
7 Good Place (2016-2020)
NBC comedy ends with tear-jerking ending
good place
- cast
- Kristen Bell, William Jackson Harper, Jamilah Jamil, D’Arcy Carden, Manny Jacinto, Ted Danson
- season
- Four
- streaming service
- Hulu
You can’t predict a sad ending in a show like good placebut NBC comedy is existential enough to make its heartbreaking finale work. After humans can go to heaven again, Eleanor and his friends must decide how they want to spend their time before emigrating. ”uponEleanor is understandably heartbroken when Chidi realizes that it’s probably time to leave her life and relationships behind for good. This is then repeated as other characters come to terms with death. good placeThe final episode of “Whenever You’re Ready” was a real tearjerker.
6 This is us (2016-2022)
Rebecca Pearson’s funeral leaves viewers sobbing
this is us
- cast
- Susan Kelechi Watson, Ronnie Chavis, Justin Hartley, Melanie Rivard, Hannah Thele, Mandy Moore, Ellis Baker, Sterling K. Brown, Milo Ventimiglia, Logan Schroyer, Faith Herman, Niles Fitch, Parker Bates, Chris Sullivan, Chrissy Metz, Alexandra Breckenridge, Jon Huertas, Lyric Ross Asante Black, Griffin Dunne, Caitlin Thompson, Chris Geere, Ron Cephas Jones , Mackenzie Hansisak
- season
- 6
- streaming service
- Hulu
this is us Prompting plumbing work long before the series finale, Rebecca Pearson’s funeral managed to cause all kinds of grief and hit both her family and longtime viewers.Rebecca’s death is the main reason for the ending of the film. this is us is sad, but saying goodbye to the other characters is also bittersweet. Like the rest of the show, this is us’ The series finale will be incredibly heartbreaking. It plays well with the series’ overall themes and ends the NBC show on a strong note, even if it means viewers are left sobbing.
Five Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
Better Call SaulAlthough the ending is not as tragic as other shows with sad finales, Breaking Bad Even after the first part, Jimmy and Kim are still not on the best of terms. Jimmy McGill will take responsibility for his actions and face life in prison. Luckily, he’s basically a celebrity there. However, that means he will never see freedom again and is unlikely to reunite with Kim. Kim is still on the outside, but her life has been terribly mundane since Howard’s death. Their future is not what they imagined, it makes Better Call SaulThe conclusion is somewhat heartbreaking.. It’s also a great way to wrap things up.
Four Lost (2004-2010)
lost
- cast
- Evangeline Lilly, Naveen Andrews, Henry Ian Cusick, Daniel Dae Kim, Harold Perrineau, Dominic Monaghan, Emilie de Ravin, Jorge Garcia, Josh Holloway, Michael Emerson, Terry O’Quinn , Matthew Fox, Ken Leung, Elizabeth Mitchell, Yunjin Kim
- season
- 6
lost‘s series finale is divisive, but it’s not tragic for all of the show’s characters. Some, like Kate and Sawyer, return to the island to survive, while others are tasked with protecting the island in the future. but, With Jack’s death lostcome to a sad end, because he’s a central character on the ABC show. Losing him is enough to bring viewers to tears, but saying goodbye to the island and the cast forever is also one of the reasons the finale is so tear-jerking. “The End” doesn’t answer every question the show poses, but it does a solid job on the emotional front.
3 Attack on Titan (2013-2023)
Attack on Titan
- cast
- Matthew Mercer, Josh Grell, Hiroshi Kamiya, Shiori Mikami, Jerry Jewell, Kisho Taniyama, Jessica Calvello, Masahiko Tanaka, Yui Ishikawa, Rumi Park, Robert McCallum, Tomohisa Hashizume, Hiro Shimono, Trina Nishimura
- season
- Four
Attack on Titan is clearly the type of show that doesn’t have a happy ending, but the series finale is satisfying despite its tragic elements. The anime ends with Mikasa killing Eren to stop the Titan’s curse and the rumbling, but its final moments reveal how devastated she is over her decision. The fact that Armin and his friends have failed to make peace with the world outside Paradis Island makes Eren and Mikasa’s fate even more tragic. The cycle of violence continues, suggesting that Eren’s sacrifice will not benefit the world for very long. It’s a perfect ending considering the theme of the anime, but it’s still shocking.
2 Friends (1994-2004)
friend
- season
- Ten
- where to watch
- Max
Meanwhile, nothing superficially tragic happens. friend But the sitcom’s ending highlights the devastating effects of growing up. “The last person” sees friend’ Main characters walking their own paths, Monica and Chandler had emptied their apartment, and the set had become home to many viewers and core staff. There’s a sense that we won’t see much of them after the finale, as they all move on to long-term commitments with families or romantic partners. It’s bittersweet, but the show’s core themes work, even if many fans want to stay in one place forever.
1 One day (2024)
one day
- cast
- Leo Woodall, Ambika Mod, Amber Grappy, Tim McInerney, Jonny Weldon
- season
- 1
A new show with a truly heart-breaking ending, Netflix one day It’s a perfect example of a series that still works despite having a sad ending.the ending of one day The story takes a turn as things improve for Emma and Dexter. The two begin making hopeful plans for the future, but Emma’s death puts an end to their joy. It’s a realistic depiction of grief, and one that hits even harder because of how optimistic the show was just moments ago. one day It may bring viewers to tears, but it’s a testament to the strength of this story that it can do that.