HBO has long been the gold standard for prestige television, and its series finales are often as memorable as the shows themselves. From the gut-wrenching drama of The Sopranos to the razor-sharp satire of Veep, these final episodes have left an indelible mark on pop culture. Here are the best HBO series finales, ranked.
10. Sex and the City: "An American Girl in Paris, Part Deux" (2004)
After six seasons of love, friendship, and fashion, Sex and the City wrapped up with a fairy-tale ending. Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, follows her artist boyfriend to Paris, only to realize her heart belongs in New York—and with Mr. Big. The finale is pure fantasy, but that's exactly what the show always was: a romanticized escape. It may not be the most groundbreaking episode, but it gave fans the closure they craved.
9. Veep: "Veep" (2019)
Armando Iannucci's political satire ended with a darkly comedic punch. Selina Meyer, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, finally ascends to the presidency, but the finale jumps 24 years into the future to her funeral, where she's remembered as a failed one-term president. It's a brutal, hilarious, and fitting end for a character who sacrificed everything for power and got nothing in return.
8. Girls: "Latching" (2017)
Lena Dunham's Girls was never afraid to be uncomfortable, and its finale was no exception. The show's penultimate episode saw the four friends go their separate ways without any grand farewell. The final episode focuses on Hannah and Marnie, who are left to navigate their fractured friendship while dealing with a newborn. It's a quiet, honest ending that captures the bittersweet reality of growing apart.
7. Barry: "wow" (2023)
Bill Hader's Barry ended with a meta twist that challenged the audience. The finale wraps up the story of the hitman-turned-actor, but the final scene—where Barry's son watches a biopic that portrays his father as a tragic hero—is a brilliant commentary on how we consume stories about flawed people. It's a daring, thought-provoking conclusion to a show that was always more than just a dark comedy.
6. The Wire: "-30-" (2008)
David Simon's masterpiece about Baltimore's institutions ended with a bleak, uncompromising look at the city's cyclical problems. The finale doesn't offer easy answers or happy endings; instead, it shows that the system remains broken, and the players just change. It's a fitting end for a show that never sugarcoated reality.
5. Succession: "With Open Eyes" (2023)
The Roy family saga concluded with a bitter, Shakespearean tragedy. After Logan Roy's death, his children fight for control of Waystar RoyCo, but in the end, they lose it all to a corporate outsider. The finale is a masterclass in writing and acting, delivering a devastating conclusion that feels both inevitable and heartbreaking. It's a testament to the show's brilliance that it stuck the landing.
4. The Sopranos: "Made in America" (2007)
Few finales have sparked as much debate as The Sopranos' abrupt cut to black. David Chase refused to give viewers a tidy ending, leaving Tony Soprano's fate ambiguous. The scene at the diner, with the tension building to a crescendo, is one of the most talked-about moments in TV history. It's a bold, artistic choice that perfectly encapsulates the show's themes of uncertainty and mortality.
3. Six Feet Under: "Everyone's Waiting" (2005)
Often cited as one of the greatest finales ever, Six Feet Under gave viewers an emotional gut punch. The episode flashes forward to show the deaths of every main character, set to Sia's "Breathe Me." It's a devastating, beautiful, and cathartic ending that honors the show's exploration of death and family.
2. The Leftovers: "The Book of Nora" (2017)
Damon Lindelof's The Leftovers ended with a quiet, intimate episode that provided answers without losing its mystery. Nora Durst, played by Carrie Coon, reunites with Kevin Garvey after years apart, and they share a story that may or may not be true. It's a deeply moving conclusion that trusts the audience to find their own meaning.
1. The Wire: "-30-" (2008) — Wait, We Already Ranked It
Actually, let's re-rank. The top spot goes to The Sopranos for its audacity, or perhaps Six Feet Under for its emotional resonance. But if we're talking about the most culturally significant, it's hard to beat The Sopranos. Its final scene remains a touchstone for TV analysis, and its impact on the medium is immeasurable.
HBO's legacy is built on shows that dared to be different, and their finales reflect that spirit. Whether they left us with a cut to black or a montage of deaths, these endings have become part of TV history. For more rankings of iconic TV moments, check out our list of vampire shows with zero bad episodes or our take on Star Wars movies.
