Top 10 Fantasy TV Series Finales Ranked: From Buffy to Adventure Time

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It’s become surprisingly rare for a fantasy TV series to actually finish its story. These shows often start with ambitious ideas and expansive worlds, but budgets can quickly become a problem, leading to premature cancellations. That’s why the few fantasy series that do get to tell a complete story are so special – especially in today’s television landscape.

These endings successfully bring stories to a satisfying conclusion without sacrificing the creativity that made them special, demonstrating that ambitious fantasy can still land well. They resonate with viewers because they prioritize the characters and deliver on the potential shown throughout their arcs, offering a fulfilling experience from start to finish.

10. Steven Universe (2013–2019)

Change Your Mind (Season 5, Episodes 29–32)

The series Steven Universe concluded with the episode “Change Your Mind,” offering a peaceful resolution after many seasons of challenges and growth. The finale featured a final meeting between Steven and the Diamonds, where he had to deal with his mother’s complicated past and the controlling structures she created. Instead of a dramatic battle, the episode became a deeply emotional and thoughtful moment, with Steven appealing for understanding instead of resorting to conflict.

Even though Steven Universe didn’t tie up every loose end, the show didn’t strive for a completely neat and tidy conclusion. Instead, it allowed viewers to connect with the characters’ ongoing journeys and find peace in their imperfect healing. After a long conflict stemming from misunderstandings between Steven and the Diamonds, the finale implied that true growth comes from accepting and living with past hurts. The show ended with its characters still healing, and that honest, open-ended approach made the final scenes especially memorable.

9. His Dark Materials (2019–2022)

The Botanic Garden (Season 3, Episode 8)

In the conclusion of His Dark Materials, Lyra and Will succeeded in bringing all the worlds back together after a long period of conflict, fulfilled prophecies, and resistance. They had to close all the pathways between worlds to restore order, which meant they could never be together again. However, they both realized that maintaining a connection between the worlds would ultimately destroy everything they had worked so hard to achieve.

The last scene of Lyra and Will walking through the Oxford Botanic Garden – promising to meet again each year, even though they live in different worlds – really highlighted the show’s central themes. The story, which started by exploring questions of belief and authority, ultimately showed two characters learning to cope with sadness, staying true to Philip Pullman’s original book series until the very end.

8. The Owl House (2020–2023)

Watching and Dreaming (Season 3, Episode 3)

The finale of The Owl House, titled “Watching and Dreaming,” brought Luz, Eda, and King face-to-face with Belos for a final showdown as the Boiling Isles descended into chaos. This forced them all to consider how much they’d changed since becoming a family. Luz ultimately saved her friends by embracing the power of the Titan, turning the show’s main idea about finding where you belong into a powerful act of creation.

Even though it was cut short, The Owl House delivered a satisfying and heartfelt finale that stayed true to its vision. It was a win for both the characters and the viewers—of all ages—who connected with its unique and inclusive world. The show also thoughtfully included an epilogue, giving fans a glimpse of what happens next for everyone and providing a sense of closure.

7. Supernatural (2005–2020)

Carry On (Season 15, Episode 20)

The series finale of Supernatural, titled “Carry On,” circled back to the show’s beginning – two brothers traveling together. Dean’s unexpected death during a simple vampire hunt, while shocking, felt fitting for a show known for overcoming death, because it was presented as surprisingly ordinary.

The final episode balanced two conclusions: Dean found peace with Sam in a beautiful afterlife, and Sam lived a full life on Earth, bringing the story full circle from the very beginning. Although the ending of Supernatural sparked debate, the show frequently used resurrections, making a straightforward and peaceful conclusion ultimately the most fitting.

6. Gravity Falls (2012–2016)

Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls (Season 2, Episode 20)

The last episode of Gravity Falls shifted from a show about solving mysteries to a touching story about farewells. With the town turned into a frightening landscape by the villain Bill Cipher, the Mystery Shack gang launched a final, desperate plan to stop him. It felt like everything from the entire series came together in one wild rescue attempt.

Despite all the craziness and excitement, the heart of Gravity Falls was really about Dipper and Mabel growing up during their last summer together. By the time things returned to normal in the town, their adventure was over, but they had become closer and more mature. What’s great about the show, even though it was short, is that it wasn’t canceled prematurely – it finished exactly as the creators planned.

5. Castlevania (2017–2021)

It’s Been a Strange Ride (Season 4, Episode 10)

The ending of Castlevania brought a close to a four-season story filled with violence and destruction. With Death finally defeated, the world found peace, leaving the remaining survivors to rebuild their lives. Alucard reopened Dracula’s castle as a safe haven, Isaac began to envision a better future, and Sypha looked forward to raising a family.

Trevor’s surprising return, and the quiet reunion with Sypha that followed, offered a moment of genuine peace that hadn’t been seen before in the series. Ultimately, Castlevania didn’t change what it was, but it ended with a hopeful message: the enduring desire to start over and rebuild after destruction.

4. What We Do in the Shadows (2019–2024)

The Finale (Season 6, Episode 11)

MovieStillsDB

After six hilarious seasons of following vampires, What We Do in the Shadows concluded perfectly – with everyone remaining largely unchanged. The documentary filmmakers finished their project, leaving the vampires to return to their usual immortal lives, and Guillermo never quite became a vampire himself. It was a fitting end to the series.

The show implies that living forever isn’t exciting – it’s actually quite boring. And those who do live forever will inevitably find humor in their situation.

The finale of What We Do in the Shadows was understated and surprisingly heartfelt. Instead of trying to dramatically change things, it stayed true to the show’s core: a story about beings who are both arrogant and deeply lonely, and ultimately unable to change who they are.

3. Adventure Time (2010–2018)

Come Along With Me (Season 10, Episodes 13–16)

The final battle of the Great Gum War seemed destined to be an explosive climax, but the show ended it in a surprisingly heartwarming way. Princess Bubblegum and Gumbald both decided to stop fighting, and this peaceful resolution perfectly mirrored the show’s overall journey from conflict to tranquility.

As a fan, it was so satisfying to see everything come full circle! Marceline and Bubblegum’s relationship finally being acknowledged felt earned and beautiful. And seeing the Ice King reconnect with his past self? Heartbreaking and hopeful. But honestly, what touched me most was watching Finn and Jake accept that their epic journey was coming to a close – it felt so genuine and right for them.

Adventure Time concluded beautifully, like all the best stories do. It accepted that things change and allowed its characters to find peace without completely resolving all their issues, letting them continue to grow.

2. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Chosen (Season 7, Episode 22)

In the final episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Buffy ended years of fighting alone by sharing her powers and awakening every Potential Slayer globally. The climactic battle under Sunnydale redefined the show’s themes of strength and independence, offering a satisfying and graceful conclusion for each character.

Throughout the seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, her special powers set her apart. But the series ended perfectly when she realized she didn’t have to carry the responsibility of being the Chosen One anymore. Unlike most fantasy shows, Buffy gave us a genuinely happy ending, and that’s why it still feels so good to watch even today.

1. Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

Sozin’s Comet (Season 3, Episodes 18–21)

Credit: Nickelodeon

The four-part finale, “Sozin’s Comet,” was everything you’d hope for in a series ender – epic in scale, with meaningful consequences and a fitting conclusion for the characters. Importantly, it still stayed true to the qualities that made the show so special.

Aang’s choice not to kill Ozai perfectly captured the heart of the series: the idea that you can find balance and still be compassionate. This simple but powerful decision is why the ending remains so impactful, and why every character was able to find peace. It’s a great example of a writing team successfully realizing their creative vision.

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2025-11-02 02:31