"Breaking Bad" set the gold standard for TV endings, sticking the landing with an intense, satisfying, and emotionally charged finale. It’s rare for a show to so perfectly wrap up not just its plotlines but also the journeys of its characters. But "Breaking Bad" isn’t alone in achieving this feat. A small but notable club of shows has pulled off the rare TV trick of ending on top, leaving fans in awe as the credits rolled for the final time. Here are five shows that did it beautifully, plus a few more examples of how to end a series on a high note.

The Americans

Few shows managed to crank up the tension until the last minute quite like FX’s "The Americans." This Cold War drama, centered on Soviet spies Elizabeth and Philip Jennings living undercover in suburban America, was as much about family as it was international espionage. After six seasons of secret missions, lies, and moral dilemmas, its finale, titled START, paid off everything the series had been building toward.

Instead of opting for explosive action, the show delivered its most devastating punches through choices that felt heartbreakingly inevitable. The Jenningses faced the culmination of their double lives when their teenage son, Henry, was left behind in America as they fled to the Soviet Union. Their decision was brutal, and the execution of this scene, played out in minimal dialogue, made it all the more poignant.

And then there’s that unforgettable diner scene. Set in a nearly empty American eatery, Philip and Elizabeth sit across from Stan Beeman, their FBI neighbor and close friend, who has just discovered their true identities. Rather than erupting into violence, the tension in this moment is driven by unspoken emotions and the sheer weight of lost trust. This quiet, devastating confrontation and its ambiguous aftermath made for a finale both deeply humane and emotionally shattering.

Six Feet Under

HBO’s "Six Feet Under" is often regarded as one of television’s most unique family dramas. Set in a funeral home, the show explored themes of mortality, grief, and the messy complexities of being human. Its finale, Everyone’s Waiting, is widely celebrated as one of the most ambitious and moving series endings of all time.

The final ten minutes launched viewers into a flash-forward montage unlike anything seen on TV before. Guided by Sia’s haunting track "Breathe Me," viewers were shown the future deaths of every major character while simultaneously witnessing Claire, the youngest member of the Fisher family, driving off to start her new life. The sequence was achingly beautiful and deeply cathartic, tying together the series’ themes in a way that felt entirely earned.

Everyone watching "Six Feet Under" had to come to terms with the inevitability of death, not just for the characters but for themselves. This was the magic of its finale. It wasn’t just about closure; it was a gentle, profound reminder of life’s fleeting beauty. It remains the benchmark for emotional storytelling, with an impact that lingers long after the final frame fades to white.

The Leftovers

If "Six Feet Under" captured death with grace, HBO’s "The Leftovers" embraced the mysteriousness of life. Focused on the aftermath of a global event in which 2% of the world’s population suddenly vanished, the show was never about providing clear answers. Instead, it explored existential questions about grief, belief, and purpose.

Its finale, The Book of Nora, cemented its reputation as one of television’s boldest and most emotionally evocative shows. The series could have focused on grand reveals, tackling the mystery of the Sudden Departure, but instead turned inward, delivering closure through an intimate conversation between its two central characters, Nora Durst and Kevin Garvey. Nora reveals her own experience of traveling to another dimension to reunite with her departed family, while Kevin simply chooses to believe her, no matter what.

This finale resonated because it stayed true to the show’s heart. It was a story about people, not phenomena. The lack of definitive answers wasn’t a flaw; it was a strength. By closing with hope and a quiet affirmation of human connection, "The Leftovers" did something miraculous in an era of spectacle-driven TV finales.

The Good Place

Comedy finales are notoriously tricky to pull off. Endings for comedies often risk being too saccharine or tonally at odds with the humor that made audiences fall in love with them in the first place. NBC’s "The Good Place" managed to avoid this trap, delivering a finale that was equal parts funny, thoughtful, and profound.

Spanning multiple episodes, the finale explored what happens after its characters “make it” to the titular Good Place. Instead of staying in paradise forever, they each reach personal resolutions and choose when to exit, accepting impermanence as part of the human (and, in this case, post-human) experience. Chidi’s eloquent reflections on life and death and Eleanor’s courageous acceptance of letting go left viewers with teary eyes and plenty of philosophical ponderings.

What made "The Good Place" stand out wasn’t just its comedic brilliance but its ambition to tackle big questions about morality and meaning. Its finale didn’t shy away from tough themes, leaving audiences grateful for an ending that stayed true to both the humor and heart of the series.

The Wire

David Simon’s seminal show "The Wire" is celebrated for its gritty, no-nonsense take on institutions like law enforcement, education, and the press. Its series finale, -30-, didn’t attempt to deliver tidy resolutions or poetic justice. Instead, it remained loyal to the harsh reality it had always portrayed.

The final scenes reveal that the "game," whether on the streets or within bureaucracies, remains largely unchanged. New players replace old ones, and the city of Baltimore marches on. However, there are glimmers of hope. Characters like Michael step into powerful new roles, while others, like Duquan, serve as tragic symbols of cyclical poverty.

"The Wire" succeeds because its ending mirrors real life. There are no easy solutions or happy endings, but the series endures as a brutally honest reflection of systemic issues. It’s bittersweet, devastating, and fittingly unglamorous.

Mad Men

AMC’s "Mad Men" wrapped up its seven-season run with an iconic advertising pitch and a quiet moment of clarity. The series finale, Person to Person, leaves its central character, Don Draper, in an unexpectedly peaceful state after years of personal turmoil. Meditating on a California clifftop, Don’s breakthrough moment leads directly to the conception of one of the era’s most famous ads, Coca-Cola’s "I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke."

The brilliance of "Mad Men’s" ending lies in its ambiguity and its ability to serve both the story’s broader themes and Don’s character. Has he found genuine peace, or is he simply using his enlightenment as yet another tool for capitalist pursuit? The choice is left to the audience, but the scene feels wholly true to the world of "Mad Men" and its morally complex protagonist.

Parks and Recreation

After seven seasons of laughter and love, NBC’s "Parks and Recreation" bade farewell with an optimistic finale that felt like a warm hug. The episode, One Last Ride, gives fans flash-forwards into the future lives of its beloved characters, showing their personal and professional successes with just the right dose of humor and sentimentality.

The episode's greatest strength is its deep understanding and affection for its characters. Everyone—from Leslie and Ben to even the show’s quirky supporting cast members—is given their moment to shine, offering fans a sense of closure that doesn’t feel overindulgent. For a show built on kindness and community, "Parks and Recreation" ended in a way that perfectly encapsulated its essence.

What Makes a Finale Truly Satisfying?

The most memorable finales all share one thing in common: they honor the story and the characters. Whether it’s the emotional release of Six Feet Under, the bittersweet honesty of The Wire, or the warm optimism of Parks and Recreation, the best endings don’t try to please everyone. Instead, they reflect the soul of the show and stay true to the journeys of the characters we’ve grown to love.

A truly great finale, like "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men," or "The Good Place," feels both earned and inevitable. It leaves viewers with that perfect mix of satisfaction and lingering reflection—often enough to keep us thinking about it long after the credits roll.

Have another finale that stuck with you? Drop your favorites in the comments. After all, great endings deserve to be celebrated.