Television fans may want to keep the tissues close—2025 is turning out to be a big year for farewells.

More than 80 shows are either wrapping up with planned finales or getting canceled, sometimes without warning.

From sci-fi thrillers to long-running reality shows, beloved characters and stories are taking their final bows.


While some are ending on a high note, others are leaving fans wondering what might have been.

Whether you’ve followed a series for years or just discovered a new favorite, here’s a roundup of the shows saying goodbye this year.


The biggest goodbyes: Popular hits come to a close

These shows have defined the past decade for many viewers—and they’re now coming to an end.

1. Stranger Things


The hit Netflix series ends with a three-part final season starting November 26 and concluding on December 31.

Expect plenty of Upside Down drama as the Hawkins kids face their last battle!

2. Outlander



Claire and Jamie’s time-traveling romance wraps by the end of 2025, but fans can look forward to a prequel, Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

3. The Handmaid’s Tale


Hulu’s dystopian series has concluded after six seasons.

A spin-off based on The Testaments by Margaret Atwood is already in development.

4. You


After five seasons, Joe Goldberg’s twisted saga has ended—closing the book on one of Netflix’s most controversial protagonists.

5. The Conners


The Roseanne spin-off has finished its seven-season run, bringing the long-running TV family journey to a close.

6. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert


CBS announced the show will end in 2026, but Colbert's farewell tour begins this year.


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Cult favorites and streaming hits

Not all of these were household names, but they built loyal followings—and they’ll be missed.

1. Cobra Kai


The Karate Kid sequel series wrapped with its sixth season, ending a surprisingly heartfelt chapter in the franchise.

2. Mythic Quest


The tech-industry comedy ended with a re-edited finale, tying up loose ends in its own quirky way.

3. The Righteous Gemstones


HBO’s outrageous televangelist satire finished its fourth and final season.

4. Big Mouth


Netflix’s animated puberty comedy bowed out after eight seasons of hormone monsters and awkward laughs.

5. Andor



The Star Wars prequel to Rogue One ended its two-season arc and earned critical praise along the way.


Also read: 20 classic TV shows everyone should watch at least once—did your favorite make the list?

Short-lived but memorable

These series barely got the chance to grow—but they made an impression.

• The Franchise
  HBO’s behind-the-scenes superhero satire was canceled after one season.
• How to Die Alone
  Despite critical acclaim, Hulu canceled this series after a single season.
• The Residence
  Netflix’s White House mystery debuted in March and was gone by July—though star Uzo Aduba still earned an Emmy nod.
• Laid
  Peacock’s dark comedy about a woman whose exes start dying didn’t make it past one season.

Also read: Is reality TV "harmful"? We asked 5 experts—including an ex-reality TV participant

Reality shows, reboots, and long-running favorites

The TV shake-up didn’t spare non-scripted shows, reboots, or even sports panels.

• Queer Eye
  The Fab Five are saying farewell, with the final season announced in July.
• Night Court
  NBC’s reboot lasted three seasons before calling it quits.
• Around the Horn
  ESPN’s long-running panel show ended after 20+ years and nearly 5,000 episodes.
• HGTV cuts:
  Farmhouse Fixer, Married to Real Estate, Izzy Does It, and Bargain Block were all canceled in a single week.

Also read: From TV fame to fresh loaves: Patrick Duffy’s surprising new chapter

International finales and anime farewells

Popular shows outside the US are also coming to a close.

• Neighbours
  After four decades, the beloved Australian soap will air its final episode in December.
• My Hero Academia
  The anime’s eighth and final season premieres in October, wrapping up Izuku’s heroic journey.
• The Sandman
  Netflix’s adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel will end with its second season.

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Why are so many shows ending?

Industry experts point to multiple factors.

Production costs are rising, streaming platforms are scaling back, and audience attention is more divided than ever.

Some shows ended by choice, giving fans closure.

Others were cut short due to cost-saving strategies or the lingering effects of the 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes.

The result: a major reshaping of what we’ll see on screen moving forward.

Also read: He had no idea millions were watching—the unbelievable true story of Japan’s unwitting reality TV star

What’s next for viewers?

Even as favorites end, there’s plenty to look forward to.

New spin-offs, reboots, and original ideas are constantly entering the scene.

Many creators are moving on to fresh projects that build on familiar stories in new ways.

So while it’s sad to see certain shows go, it also means space for something new and exciting.

Also read: TV fans rejoice! CBS just renewed your favorite shows for 2025–2026–Full list revealed!

How to celebrate your favorite series one last time

If your go-to show is on the goodbye list, you can still give it a proper sendoff:

1. Host a finale night with themed snacks and your favorite episodes.
2. Rewatch the early seasons and see how the characters and storylines evolved.
3. Join fan forums or social media groups to share your thoughts and connect with others.
4. Keep an eye out for spin-offs, behind-the-scenes documentaries, or special retrospectives.

As we say goodbye to these shows, we’re reminded just how much television has shaped our evenings, sparked conversations, and brought us together.

Whether you’re rewatching old favorites or looking ahead to what’s next, there’s always a new story waiting to be discovered.

Read next: Could you have guessed this puzzling answer on live TV?


Did a surprise cancellation leave you frustrated? Are you planning a rewatch marathon before the final episode airs? Or maybe you’ve discovered a short-lived gem that deserves more attention?

Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear which shows made a lasting impression on you!