10 Fantasy TV Shows With Epic Final Scenes

It’s not easy to end a fantasy TV show, and the final scene of a speculative fiction series can make or break how audiences remember the story. Some of the best additions to the genre are fantasy shows with dark endings, while others opt for happily-ever-afters that leave the viewer smiling. Regardless, these magical TV series have conclusions that will stay with you for a long time.

The Legend Of Korra (2012–2014)

The Legend of Korra didn’t have the smoothest run throughout its four seasons, but by the time the series finale, “The Last Stand,” aired, it had found itself. Korra is a more realized Avatar when she faces Kuvira, and the world of The Legend of Korra is ready to take the next step in its evolution, as are the characters. This paved the way for the show’s boundary-pushing ending.

Korra and Asami’s relationship arc is one of the most satisfying on the show, as the pair are foils who grow together, and Asami steps up to be there for Korra when she needs it most. After altering the boundaries between worlds forever, Korra deserves a break, and the women embracing their feelings for each other was a landmark moment for children’s TV.

My Lady Jane (2024)

There’s no question that My Lady Jane is much more than a simple fantasy romance story, as the series grapples with bigger questions of equality and fairness. However, the series finale, “God Save The Queen,” gives Jane and Guildford, our romantic heroes, the sweeping kiss and promise of a life of freedom together that viewers had been waiting for.

My Lady Jane is a fantasy TV show I knew would be a masterpiece from the beginning, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the series maintain its high quality until the end. While it would’ve been better to see Jane and Guildford embark on another adventure together in season 2, the finale that audiences did get is satisfying and romantic enough to remain memorable for years to come.

Into The Badlands (2015–2019)

Into The Badlands brilliantly blends action, adventure, and fantasy into its story, while also weaving some science fiction elements into the narrative. While this is a lot to take on, the show seamlessly tackles its themes and character development, leading to the explosive conclusion of the narrative in “Seven Strike As One,” which gives Sunny a compelling ending that leaves room for the future.

Fans of Into The Badlands know that it makes sense for the show to let Sunny wake up after his supposed death, and that he would be given the choice to return to beat back the forces of evil. In this way, Into The Badlands ensures that the story will live on past its ending, and that we can always return to the Badlands when we need to.

Gravity Falls (2012–2016)

Arguably the best animated TV show that Disney has ever put out, Gravity Falls was laying the groundwork for “Weirdmageddon 3: Take Back the Falls” for a long time. The complex lore, backstory, and magic system of Gravity Falls make it much more than a typical kids’ show, and the series finale cements it as a nuanced and memorable addition to its genres, as well as an emotional project.

Gravity Falls covers a lot of ground throughout the episode, as there are many loose ends to tie up and evils to defeat. However, the last moments of the show are uniquely impactful because Mabel and Dipper leave Gravity Falls and flash forward to show glimpses of a happy future. For a children’s series, reaching this conclusion and allowing Mable and Dipper to leave was a big deal.

Wynonna Earp (2016–2021)

The Wynonna Earp series finale has everything that audiences love. Including a wedding, a departure, and one last zany adventure, “Old Souls” hits home for fans of the show. Though Wynonna Earp and its characters would return in the spinoff movie, Wynonna Earp: Vengeance, the finale of the series is satisfying and is happy without being saccharine, which is on-brand for the show.

While the marriage of Waverly and Nicole was what audiences had been waiting for since the couple first got together, it’s Doc and Wynonna’s decision to leave that strikes an emotional note. Like every chosen one, Wynonna feels stuck in her circumstances, but after being set free by her sister, she’s able to accept the life she wants, going after Doc, and finally riding off into the sunset.

The Leftovers (2014–2017)

“The Book of Nora” is one of the greatest TV finales of all time, capturing the themes, ideology, and impact of The Leftovers throughout its run. The two central characters that we’ve followed since the beginning of The Leftovers, Kevin and Nora, are reunited after Nora attempts to undergo the Departure, which disappeared her family before the events of the series.

It helps that Carrie Coon and Justin Theroux are giving performances of a lifetime in “The Book of Nora,” which asks the viewer to suspend their disbelief one last time as Nora and Kevin catch each other up on the fantastical journeys they’ve been on. However, seeing them return to each other makes a case for The Leftovers‘ dedication to the ephemeral nature of faith.

Attack On Titan (2013–2023)

Widely regarded as one of the best anime series in recent memory, Attack on Titan brings the manga by Hajime Isayama to life with vivid animation and a dedication to adhering to the story’s intensity. The entire final season of Attack on Titan is gripping, as Eren hatches a plan to essentially end the world, and his allies attempt to stop him and the curse of the Eldians.

Attack on Titan grapples with themes of fascism, the cycles of violence, and generational trauma throughout its seasons, so it was somewhat surprising that the series chose to end on a slightly uplifting note. After the dust of the final battle has settled, the audience catches up with Mikasa in the future, remembering Eren, and understanding that the world will never be perfect.

The Good Place (2016–2020)

The hilarious yet poignant comedy fantasy series, The Good Place, made a name for itself by grappling with serious moral and ethical questions through an accessible lens. A large part of this was because the audience was so invested in the characters from the beginning. The core characters and their development take center stage as the narrative ends in “Whenever You’re Ready.”

As the finale winds down, each character finds fulfillment and takes the next steps to move on from the afterlife, and The Good Place sees them struggle to understand what this will mean. In typically The Good Place fashion, the show ends with an emotional scene that shows the characters will always be connected to the people they love after Eleanor realizes she’s ready to move on.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005–2008)

Few animated fantasy TV shows have the perfectly plotted and satisfying series-long arc that Avatar: The Last Airbender boasts. From the beginning of the series, audiences are well aware that the story will end with Aang’s showdown with Fire Lord Ozai, but nothing could’ve prepared us for the emotional impact of seeing our heroes win the day. The happy end of the show feels well-earned.

The fight between Aang and Ozai will always stand out as a highlight of the series finale, “Sozin’s Comet – Part 4: Avatar Aang,” and sets up the episode to give the beloved characters a chance to enjoy their success. While it’s a little on-the-nose to see many of the characters pair off, what really hits home is the fact that Aang has fulfilled his destiny.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer series finale, “Chosen,” is markedly different from the season 5 ending, which was almost the conclusion of the show. However, “Chosen” is the perfect finale for Buffy, as it gives our title character the happy ending she deserved, and the final moment sees her smile at the possibility of getting to live on her own terms.

Gazing at the crater in the ground where Sunnydale used to be, Buffy provides us with hope and anticipation. Every fantasy fan must watch Buffy, as it’s one of the most influential fantasy TV shows of the 1990s and early 2000s, and set the tone for the self-referential and empowering additions to the genre that we see today. Buffy the Vampire Slayer uses its finale to uplift its characters one last time.