The recent conclusion of Netflix's hit series Stranger Things has sparked a wave of fan backlash, with many viewers left deeply dissatisfied by its ambiguous ending. This reaction places it firmly within a notorious tradition of television shows that have spectacularly failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion after years of audience investment.
Stranger Things: A Finale Mired in Disappointment
When Stranger Things wrapped up for good, it presented an ending that many found frustratingly open-ended. Fans were left to theorise about the fate of the Conformity Gate and even speculate about a secret, non-existent ninth episode to cope with their letdown. Key points of contention included the seemingly easy defeat of the primary antagonist, Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), and the Mindflayer in the final showdown. Furthermore, the destiny of Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) was left entirely to viewer interpretation, with the Duffer Brothers offering no clear answer on whether she sacrificed herself in the void.
The Hall of Shame: TV's Most Infamous Finales
This frustration is far from unique. Here is a ranked look at other major series whose conclusions left audiences feeling incandescent with rage.
10. And Just Like That…
The Sex and the City revival faced an uphill battle from the start, especially after Kim Cattrall declined to return as Samantha Jones. Criticised for its handling of a major character's death and a finale that saw Carrie Bradshaw choosing solitude, the series, cancelled in 2025, is often accused of tarnishing the legacy of the original beloved show.
9. House of Cards
Netflix's flagship original series ended with a whimper after its lead, Kevin Spacey, was fired amid controversy. While Robin Wright performed admirably as Claire Underwood, the show lost its core with the departure of the unscrupulous Frank Underwood, resulting in a plot that fizzled out without the impact of its early seasons.
8. Killing Eve
The BBC's acclaimed cat-and-mouse drama drew fierce criticism for resorting to the "Bury Your Gays" trope. After seasons of electric chemistry, Villanelle was killed off shortly after finally sharing a kiss with Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh). The ending was so poorly received that the original author, Luke Jennings, condemned the adaptation for "bowing to convention."
7. Veronica Mars
In a cruel twist, the Kristen Bell-led series gave its heroine happiness, only to snatch it away by killing her love interest, Logan, with a car bomb. This move, intended to set up new adventures, left many fans feeling that Veronica deserved a conclusion where she could both solve crimes and find personal fulfilment.
6. The Umbrella Academy
Netflix's adaptation concluded with the entire, dysfunctional Hargreeves superhero family sacrificing themselves to avert the apocalypse. For a group that had endured significant trauma, this rushed ending felt like an unjust and poorly conceived send-off to many dedicated viewers.
5. The X-Files
The iconic sci-fi series lost its way long before its final cancellation. A convoluted alien mythology, the departure of David Duchovny's Fox Mulder for periods, and later revival seasons failed to recapture the magic of the show's early, groundbreaking years.
4. How I Met Your Mother
This sitcom's finale divided its fanbase by revealing that the long-winded story was never really about "the mother," Tracy. Instead, Ted Mosby's children encouraged him to pursue Robin Scherbatsky, undermining the emotional journey and reducing Tracy's role to a narrative footnote.
3. Dexter
The 2013 finale of the serial killer drama was widely panned, featuring Dexter Morgan faking his death, abandoning his son, and becoming a lumberjack. The backlash was so severe it warranted a corrective limited series, Dexter: New Blood in 2022, which provided a more definitive and satisfying conclusion.
2. Lost
The finale of this mystery-laden saga left numerous questions unanswered while confusing audiences with its shifting mythology and spiritual tone. Much like Stranger Things, the final battle underwhelmed, and the shift from intricate sci-fi to quasi-philosophical soap opera disappointed many.
The Unrivalled King of Finale Letdowns
1. Game of Thrones
The Stranger Things backlash has drawn direct comparisons to the fury that followed the end of HBO's epic. The final season was criticised for its rushed pace, abandoning the slow-burn storytelling that defined its success. Key decisions, like Bran Stark becoming king and the North gaining independence, felt unearned to many, leading to widespread fan petitions for the ending to be remade entirely.
The intense reaction to these finales underscores a fundamental truth in television: a strong start and compelling middle are not enough. For a show to secure its legacy, it must stick the landing, or risk being remembered primarily for its disappointing conclusion.
