7 Sci-Fi Shows With Truly Dark Endings

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Watching TV opens up a world of stories, and with so many streaming options now available, there’s truly something for everyone. These days, many people are looking for shows that can lift their spirits, and sitcoms are great at providing that lighthearted escape. But after a while, even funny shows can become repetitive, and viewers might crave something more serious and meaningful. Luckily, plenty of shows offer that depth and substance too.

Science fiction often hooks us with puzzling stories and complicated ideas. While these shows typically feature seemingly impossible tasks and the victory of good over evil, it’s the stories where good *doesn’t* win that are truly captivating. Here are seven sci-fi series that take a dark turn at the end.

7) ALF

Although most sitcoms and sci-fi shows don’t quite satisfy the same desire for imaginative storytelling, *ALF* stands out as an exception. The show centers around an alien who crash-lands in California and is taken in by a kind family. ALF enjoys life on Earth but ultimately longs to return home, and he gets a chance to do so in the series finale. Unfortunately, he’s captured by the government before he can leave. *ALF* was cancelled before this storyline could be resolved, and a TV movie had to finish the story six years later.

6) 12 Monkeys

Syfy’s *12 Monkeys* has a surprisingly optimistic ending for a time travel show about preventing a deadly plague caused by the Army of the Twelve Monkeys. Cole manages to survive even after the timeline is altered, which seems like a perfect resolution. However, the ending might not be entirely happy. There are hints that Cole’s very existence as an anomaly could cause trouble for him and his loved ones in the future.

5) Blake’s 7

While Doctor Who is the BBC’s best-known science fiction series, it’s Blake’s 7 that truly delivers a devastating ending. In the fourth series finale, Kerr Avon finds his former leader, Roj Blake, only for the reunion to turn tragic. Avon ultimately kills Blake and then witnesses the destruction of the rest of the crew at the hands of Federation soldiers. Though the scene cuts to black before Avon’s fate is sealed, it’s strongly suggested he doesn’t survive either.

4) Battlestar Galactica

In *Battlestar Galactica*, the central conflict is a desperate fight for survival. A devastating war between humans and the Cylons pushes both sides to the brink of destruction, but ultimately leads to an unexpected understanding. The survivors discover a new Earth and decide to rebuild society by abandoning technology and starting over. However, the hopeful ending doesn’t fully acknowledge the immense challenges the survivors will face, and it’s suggested that only half of them might make it through the harsh conditions.

3) Quantum Leap

As a longtime viewer, I have to say the ending of *Quantum Leap* really stuck with me. The premise – a scientist, Sam Beckett, accidentally bouncing through time and inhabiting other people’s lives – was fascinating, and often heartwarming as he tried to fix things for others. But the show made a bold, and frankly heartbreaking, choice. Even after revealing Sam had gained control over his jumps, they ultimately confirmed he *never* made it back home. It’s a tough blow, especially after watching Scott Bakula’s character sacrifice everything for so long. It felt like a real gut punch, honestly.

2) Legends of Tomorrow

Though it started as a spin-off from *Arrow* and *The Flash*, *Legends of Tomorrow* quickly became its own unique show. It’s a science fiction series about a team of quirky heroes who try to protect the timeline. At the end of Season 7, the team found themselves in serious trouble and arrested. Unfortunately, the show was canceled before they could resolve the cliffhanger, so the fate of all the characters remains unknown.

1) Lost

Few shows are as full of surprises as *Lost*. Throughout most of the series, it’s unclear whether the island is actually real or a product of the characters’ imaginations. The final episode answers this by confirming everything is genuine and that Jack’s death ultimately saves the people he loves. While it’s heartwarming to see Jack reunited with his friends in the final scene, it’s difficult to ignore the fact that they’ve all passed away.

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2025-09-16 21:12