A new study has named the worst TV show finales ever, and the results are surprising. The study, done by Bo McCready, compared the average episode ratings to the ratings for the finales on IMDB. Surprisingly, Game of Thrones and How I Met Your Mother are in the top 10 but not the worst. House of Cards has the biggest drop in ratings for its controversial finale.
The final season of House of Cards was messy because its star, Kevin Spacey, left the show suddenly due to sexual assault allegations.
Here are some of the most disappointing TV show endings:
1. House of Cards
Fans were disappointed with the final season of House of Cards because it struggled without its former star, Kevin Spacey.
The finale, which aired on November 2, 2018, got a low rating of 2.6 out of 10 on IMDB, a big drop from its average episode rating of 8.1. In the ending, Doug Stamper admits to Claire Hale (now president) that he poisoned her husband, Frank Underwood (previously played by Spacey), because he was going to kill her. Claire then kills Doug.
One upset fan on Reddit said, “What a terrible ending. I’d rather watch paint dry with David Attenborough narrating.”
Vox’s review criticized the show, saying the poor ending showed the series never had much to say and that the final season was the worst of all.
2. The Promised Neverland
The anime The Promised Neverland started off well but ended poorly. Fans complained about the finale being rushed, straying from the original manga, and not being satisfying.
In the ending, which aired on March 26, 2021, the main character Emma makes a new promise to the world of demons, giving up her memory of her family to ensure that children won’t be eaten by demons in the future.
While the average episode had a rating of 8/10 on IMDB, the finale’s rating dropped to 2.8, a huge 52 percent decrease.
Comic Book Resources noted that the ending was controversial and disappointed many fans, though they still consider The Promised Neverland a classic and successful series.
3. Game of Thrones
The final season of Game of Thrones ended badly, and people were talking about it for all the wrong reasons. The last episode, which aired on May 19, 2019, was widely criticized for its “terrible” ending.
After nine years and eight seasons filled with intense drama and many deaths, the finale didn’t satisfy everyone and split fans. The average episode rating was high at 8.8, but the finale’s rating dropped to 4.
In the last episode, Daenerys Targaryen dies, Bran Stark is unexpectedly made King of Westeros, and the Iron Throne is destroyed.
The Atlantic’s review was harsh, saying the show felt like it had turned into a low-quality sitcom. They found the finale strange, illogical, and emotionally shallow, comparing it to a rough draft.
4. Killing Eve
Fans were shocked by the disappointing ending of Killing Eve, which aired on April 10, 2022.
In the finale, Eve and Villanelle get their revenge on The Twelve, the organization that trained Villanelle. But their moment of victory and renewed romance is cut short when a sniper kills Villanelle.
One Reddit user complained, “This ending is worse than Game of Thrones!” Another said, “The whole season was absurd and badly written.”
However, some people liked the ending. The Guardian praised it, saying the harsh conclusion was bold and brilliant, even if it felt like a betrayal to fans.
While the average episode had a rating of 7.9 out of 10, the finale only scored a low 3.4.
5. Dexter
The finale of Dexter, which aired on September 22, 2013, left fans angry and wanting a better ending.
In the final episode, Dexter ends up killing his own sister, Debra.
One Reddit user was very upset, saying, “It’s the most depressing and disgraceful thing I’ve ever seen. I feel so sad and let down.”
Others found it emotionally intense, with one user noting, “The ending was devastating. Deb’s death was so powerful. We wanted Dexter to find happiness and move past his killing, but instead, he loses everything, and Deb ends up dead.”
While the show had an average rating of 8.5 out of 10, the finale only got a 4.7.
6. Two and a Half Men
Even new fans didn’t like the finale of this sitcom, where a piano falls on Charlie’s head. Charlie had been killed off after Charlie Sheen’s messy exit in 2011.
One Reddit user said, “As a new fan, the finale is terrible.” Another added, “It’s an insult to fans.”
The finale, which aired on February 19, 2015, disappointed viewers, getting a low rating of 3.8 out of 10. This was a big drop from the series’ average rating of 7.3 over its run.
7. Ragnarok
The finale of this Norse mythology-inspired series, which aired on May 27, 2021, left viewers feeling let down. Throughout the show, viewers were unsure if the main character, Magne, was truly the reincarnation of Thor or just imagining it. The finale seemed to suggest it was all in his head as he leaves his fantasy world behind.
One Reddit user said, “The last episode feels like a broken promise, a missed chance to tell an epic story of gods and giants.”
The show had an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 on IMDB, but the finale scored a low 3.8.
8. Power
Fans were furious with the ending of this crime drama, which aired on February 9, 2020.
The finale revealed the answer to the show’s biggest mystery—who shot Ghost? But many viewers felt the show rushed the answer, leaving them disappointed.
One Reddit user angrily said, “The Power series finale was a DISASTER! The writers ruined the show.”
While the show usually had an average rating of 8.4 on IMDB, the finale only got a 5.3 rating.
9. Bloodline
Fans were disappointed with the ending of this thriller.
In the finale, which aired on May 26, 2017, John meets his nephew Nolan, who wants to know who killed his father, Danny—Danny was John’s brother, and John was the one who killed him. The show ends with this question unanswered as it fades to black.
One viewer complained, “There is no ending. They messed up what was a great and intriguing story.” Another said, “It felt rushed and left too many questions unanswered.”
While the show averaged a rating of 7.9 for its episodes, the finale only scored 5.1.
10. MythBusters
The finale of the beloved science show, which aired on March 5, 2016, left fans with mixed feelings.
The show ended with four experiments, including one with an exploding cement truck. Even though it ended with a dramatic event, some fans felt it was a letdown, while others were more accepting.
One fan said, “In entertainment, you want to leave them wanting more. The show should end, and people should think it was great and wish it would continue.”
The finale got a low rating of 4.4 out of 10, much lower than the show’s average episode rating of 7.2.
