10 Most Heartbreaking Cliffhangers in TV History, Ranked

Nothing frustrates audiences more than a TV show‘s cliffhanger. From shocking reveals, to romantic moments between beloved characters, cliffhangers have a habit of leaving fans distressed with the need for answers to their theories and overwhelmed with emotion. Some of the most gut-punching cliffhangers are even capable of shattering viewers’ expectations, and their entire perception of a series.

Shows like Game of Thrones have a habit of leaving fans on the edge of their seats completely distraught as they agonize over where the series will head. The almost unbearable wait for a show’s reveal of the state of both characters and story can not only be heartbreaking, but also downright exhausting.

10

‘His Dark Materials’ (2019–2022)

Season 4

His Dark Materials, based on Philip Pullman‘s famed book series, follows the willful Lyra Belacqua (Dafne Keen) as she traverses parallel universes and uncovers dark secrets. On her journey, she meets a young English boy known as William ‘Will’ Parry (Amir Wilson). In Season 3’s finale, Lyra and Will have grown a deep bond, but learn that to avoid catastrophe, all paths that allow travel between parallel worlds must be closed, leaving Lyra and Will forced to separate despite their profound love.

The moment is truly heartbreaking for fans, witnessing Lyra and Will, so young and newly in love, forced to sacrifice their happiness for the welfare of all worlds. While the heartbreaking cliffhanger is actually the conclusion of His Dark Materials, there is still hope for a spinoff. Philip Pullman’s companion trilogy, The Book of Dust, explores the events following the original series, and there have been talks of adaptations for the trilogy.

9

‘Friends’ (1994-2004)

Season 4

This iconic sitcom is a treasured series for many. Friends follows the adventures of six friends living in New York City. In the two-part Season 4 finale, the group heads to London for Ross Geller’s (David Schwimmer) wedding to Emily Waltham (Helen Baxendale). Realizing that she still has feelings for Ross, Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) attends the wedding with the intention of sharing her feelings with Ross, but ultimately decides not to interfere. When it’s time for I do’s, Ross shocks fans by saying Rachel’s name instead of Emily’s.

Fans around the world gasped at Ross’s mishap, holding conflicting emotions about the intense and awkward cliffhanger. While some viewers watched in horror, others were excited about the potential rekindling of Ross and Rachel. The abrupt season’s end left a mass of fans distraught, but also very eager to learn what came next.

8

‘Alias’ (2001–2006)

Season 2

Alias is a spy-action TV series centered around the double CIA agent, Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner), as she navigates difficult missions and personal affairs. In Season 2’s finale, “The Telling,” Sydney confronts both her nemesis, Arvin Sloane (Ron Rifkin), and her mother, Irina Derevko (Lena Olin), who are assembling a mysterious device. After a fierce fight, Sydney loses consciousness, only to awaken two years later in Hong Kong.

The scene where Sydney struggles to grasp her new reality of losing two years of her life—while facing the profound changes that occurred in her absence— is disorienting and upsetting, leaving both character and fans gutted. It is a truly heartbreaking cliffhanger that left the audience questioning the nature of time and the fragility of trust within the series’ story.

7

‘The 100’ (2014–2020)

Season 5

This drama-packed sci-fi series follows a group of once-space-bound survivors’ return to Earth. There, they find life and other unexpected challenges while attempting to rebuild society in their post-apocalyptic world. In the Season 5 finale of The 100, “The Damocles: Part 2”, the group of survivors are back in space and have entered cryosleep. After awakening, they discover that they’ve been asleep for over a century, and are now without two of their own—Monty (Christopher Larkin) and Harper (Chelsey Reist).

Fans were absolutely torn up as they witnessed how much time passed for their favorite group of survivors. Viewers received another emotional blow upon finding out that their beloved characters, Monty and Harper, left a parting message divulging their reason for their absence, and what they left behind. The cliffhanger left fans in tears, but also antsy with excitement to discover what’s next for the survivors who are about to embark on a brand new journey.

6

The Vampire Diaries (2009–2017)

Season 3

The Vampire Diaries is a hit teen supernatural series that captivated many viewers. The show follows Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev), a teen girl entangled in one too many supernatural happenings. During Season 3’s finale,“The Departed,” Elena is unfortunately involved in a car crash where she drowns. Unexpectedly, Elena had earlier consumed vampire blood, leading her to awaken changed.

Audiences of the series were thrown through emotional loops as they witnessed the intense scene, which held a profound sense of irony—Elena’s parents met the same fate, but unlike her, lacked the supernatural means to ensure their survival. The Season 3 finale signifies the end of Elena’s human life, which holds an unexpected amount of heartbreaking sadness.

5

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

Season 3

Fringe follows a specialized FBI division that deals with puzzling occurrences, complex scientific mysteries, and parallel universes. During the Season 3 finale, Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) activates a device hoping to prevent the destruction of two universes. However, after he succeeds, he vanishes, and the remaining characters have no memory of his existence.

The episode “The Day We Died,” is a bit haunting for some fans. The scene where Peter disappears is heart-wrenching, as he leaves behind a void that changes the series’ dynamics. For Fringe’s audience, it was a cliffhanger that created many questions, with the most vital being why Peter disappeared in the first place.

4

‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ (1997–2003)

Season 5

This supernatural drama took over television with its captivating story, gaining a massive following. Buffy the Vampire Slayer follows Buffy Anne Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a young woman chosen to fight against supernatural foes, including vampires and demons. During Season 5’s finale, Buffy, in an effort to save her sister and avoid the apocalypse, confronts the god Glory, sacrificing herself and dying to save the world.

Fans were distraught at Buffy’s sacrifice. Viewers at the time found themselves mourning both character and show, for without Buffy, there could be no vampire slaying. The emotional impact of the moment left by the episode “The Gift” highlighted themes of sacrifice, love, duty, and loss, earning the heartbreaking finale a spot on this list.

3

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

Season 3

The series Lost is no stranger to complex reveals and tantalizing cliffhangers. The show centers on the survivors of a plane crash, who are stranded on a mysterious island filled to the brim with secrets. “Through the Looking Glass,” Lost’s Season 3 finale, featured scenes of Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) that initially seemed like flashbacks. However, it’s revealed that the scenes are actually flash-forwards.

Lost’s gut-wrenching twist left fans without any hope that leaving the island would resolve any of the character’s struggles. With the proof given by flash-forward scenes, viewers were forced to accept that the future is fraught with troubling obstacles, leaving them both dreading what lies ahead for the characters and eagerly awaiting what comes next for the series as a whole.

2

‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)

Season 6

The Walking Dead series stands as one of the best sci-fi shows to date. The series follows a group of survivors as they navigate a world overrun by zombies and face threats from human forces. During Season 6’s finale, the vicious leader, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), captures the group and decides to make an example out of them by brutally killing a member. In an intense game of “eeny, meeny, miny, moe,” a victim is chosen, but fans are left hanging as screens turn black.

It is a cruel thing to end a season with such intensity. Season 6’s “Last Day on Earth” had a ridiculous amount of tension buildup fraught with emotions, before leaving fans completely in the dark and filled with dread. The fear of whom the victim might be made this moment one of the most heartbreaking forms of tortuous cliffhangers in television history.

1

‘Game of Thrones’ (2011–2019)

Season 5

Following the power games between nobles in a bid for the Iron Throne, Game of Thrones had almost a cult-like fan base. In Season 5’s finale, Jon Snow, a fan favorite and the commander of the Night’s Watch, faces dissent over his decisions regarding the Wildlings. Perceived as a traitor, Jon Snow (Kit Harington) is brutally stabbed by those he trusted, with the final blow coming from the young Olly (Brenock O’Connor), who Jon treasured most.

Season 5’s “Mother’s Mercy” is a kick in the stomach for fans, as they witness the betrayal Jon Snow faces. His shocking death, despite his constant acts of honor, love, and loyalty, left viewers in emotional turmoil, igniting theories about the character’s unexpected fate. To be left hanging on to what could come next was downright tortuous for some viewers, leading it to rank high on the list of the most heartbreaking cliffhangers in TV history.

Keep Reading: 10 Best TV Shows Where Most Episodes End on a Cliffhanger, Ranked