3 Great Fantasy TV Shows With Hugely Disappointing Endings (That Aren’t Game of Thrones)

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Fantasy TV shows are incredibly popular, but they often struggle with their endings. It’s common to become invested in a complex world with magic and mysteries, only to feel let down by a finale that doesn’t feel earned or satisfying. Shows like Game of Thrones and Lost are notorious examples, leaving viewers with unanswered questions. Even lesser-known series, such as Merlin, have suffered this fate. Disappointing endings are almost expected in fantasy because the genre builds such high hopes. When the pressure to deliver a conclusion mounts, some shows rush the ending or try to please every fan, which usually doesn’t work out well.

Considering all the potential they had, here are three popular fantasy shows that unfortunately ended with disappointing finales.

3) Once Upon a Time

I remember when Once Upon a Time first hit the scene – it was genuinely captivating. The premise was brilliant in its simplicity: fairy tale characters living ordinary lives, stripped of their memories. It really worked because of the compelling mysteries and how everyone interacted – there weren’t any weak links. Plus, there was a lovely dose of nostalgia. But over time, the show just kept adding layers – rules, subplots, multiple universes, alternate versions of characters… it became incredibly convoluted. And honestly, even that might have been salvageable, but the final season felt completely phoned in. It was clear the show had lost its way and was just going through the motions.

The main issue with the Once Upon a Time finale is that it aims for an epic conclusion without having a solid foundation to support it. While it intends to be a satisfying celebration of the show’s entire run, it feels too rushed and relies on quick, easy solutions. Even moments that thematically fit, like Regina’s coronation, don’t quite work because the surrounding events feel disjointed and hurried. A happy ending is expected for a fairy tale, but after seven seasons of buildup, this finale felt less like a grand conclusion and more like a collection of random pieces, unsure of what story it truly wanted to tell.

2) The Vampire Diaries

It’s true: The Vampire Diaries was incredibly captivating when it was at its best. It moved quickly, had strong dramatic moments, and a central love triangle that really propelled the plot. The show revolves around Elena (Nina Dobrev) and her relationships with two vampire brothers, all set in the town of Mystic Falls, which attracts all sorts of supernatural beings. However, as the series went on, it started repeating the same storylines, dragging out problems, and using plot twists that weren’t as impactful. The final season attempted to regain the emotional depth of earlier seasons, but it felt inconsistent and rushed, clearly prioritizing finishing the show over providing a satisfying conclusion.

Many fans felt Stefan’s death was unnecessary and didn’t have the emotional impact it should have, and the final scene between Damon and Elena was disappointing. Bonnie’s storyline also received a lot of criticism. The show really struggled after Nina Dobrev left after season six, as she was the central character. While the finale attempted to resolve everything, several plot threads were left unfinished, and the story began to feel stale. Ultimately, the finale felt rushed and lacked emotional depth, as if the show was simply eager to end despite having lost its momentum.

1) Supernatural

Fifteen-year television series Supernatural had all the ingredients for lasting success, but a single creative choice ultimately undermined it. The show centered on two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester, who hunted monsters while grappling with personal trauma and an increasingly complex mythology. What made Supernatural work was the emotional connection viewers felt with Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles). Despite constant threats from angels, demons, and even the apocalypse, the brothers remained the heart of the series, and their relationship was what audiences truly loved.

The series finale of Supernatural was surprisingly underwhelming. Instead of a grand conclusion, Dean died during a typical hunt, and the show quickly jumped forward in time, showing Sam living out his life in a brief montage. Key characters who defined the show were largely absent, and after fifteen seasons, the ending lacked emotional impact. The final episode felt disconnected from the rest of the series, almost as if it belonged to a different show entirely. Supernatural didn’t stumble by attempting too much; it failed by not delivering enough. After all it achieved, such a disappointing finale feels like a huge missed opportunity.

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2025-11-18 19:12