20 most-viewed TV series finales

A total of 106 million people watched the finale of MASH. Yep, 106 million people, according to CNN. That’s nearly one-third of the United States' population. Though it could happen, it’s safe to say no television show episode — finale or otherwise — will ever come close to reaching as many people. 

The end of Cheers was the end of an era. The famed sitcom gathered 80.4 million viewers for its final farewell (h/t The New York Times). Rabid fans didn’t have to go too long without something similar, though. The following year, Frasier premiered. Though it wasn’t the whole gang back together again, it was more than enough to make millions of viewers happy for the next 11 years. 

The Fugitive had people wrapped around its finger. Despite only running for four seasons, the series had 120 episodes total, and it sucked in over 78 million people for its finale episode (h/t Forbes). At the time, that was the most-watched finale in TV history, and that figure held until MASH ended. It’s still a mighty impressive feat. 

A total of 76.3 million people tuned in to watch what was widely considered one of the worst series finales of all time (h/t The Los Angeles Times). After an epic nine-season run of one of the most successful sitcoms of all time, Seinfeld ended with an episode many millions found to be truly boring and a terrible send-off. 

According to The New York Times, 52.5 million people watched the final episode of Friends. They had to know the fate of everyone’s favorite will-they-won’t-they couple. We’d like to know how many millions of those people gasped when Rachel got off the plane. 

Though he wasn’t in the series finale, Tom Selleck was one of the most important side characters in Friends. About 20 years prior to the sitcom’s finale, Selleck was closing out an epic series of his own. Magnum, P.I.’s finale raked in 50.7 million viewers (h/t Business Insider). 

At the time The Cosby Show ended, it was the most-watched series finale of any sitcom ever. 44.4 million people tuned in to see the end of the series, which ran for eight seasons and filmed nearly 200 episodes (h/t Forbes).

Most of the time, when a series ends, it ends for good. Four years after All in the Family’s series finale aired to 40.2 million viewers (h/t Business Insider), Archie Bunker’s Place aired, picking up right where All in the Family had ended. 

Who knew that a series examining the relationship between parents and children with opposing values could be so popular? Family Ties will forever hold strong as one of the most-watched sitcoms ever. Its series finale had 36.3 million viewers (h/t Collider).

At one time in the ‘90s, Tim Allen had the top TV show, the top movie, and the top book being consumed in the United States. His reign didn’t end there. When Home Improvement left the air in 1999, around 35.5 million people tuned in for the send-off (h/t Tampa Bay Times).

Eleven years after airing and 12 years after saying goodbye to Cheers, Frasier ended with an admirable audience of its own. 33.7 million people watched Fraiser give his final radio show (h/t Business Insider). Nearly 20 years later, Paramount+ subscribers got to see the psychiatrist on their screens again. 

Dallas was a huge hit, with 33.3 million watching its 1991 series finale (h/t The Hollywood Reporter). The show’s remake wasn’t quite as successful, but the fact that it was made so many years later is a further testament to the impact of this drama series. 

Not everybody loves Raymond, but many millions do. When Everybody Loves Raymond ended in 2005, its final episode garnered 32.9 million viewers. It also marked the most recent time a series finale has received a viewership of over 22 million people. 

The 1990s were a good time for television. Whether shows were beginning or ending, they were racking up hits. Star Trek: The Next Generation ended with an audience of 31 million people (h/t CBR). That’s more viewers than any Star Wars TV series has managed. 

Gunsmoke is one of the longest-running series in television history. The show was on for 20 seasons and had 635 episodes. We’re sure there are people out there who have seen every episode of the series, but that’s one heck of a dedication to a series. 30.9 million viewers watched its final episode (h/t Business Insider).

Happy Days was a cultural phenomenon, as evidenced by the 30.5 million people who watched its final episode (h/t Business Insider). The show has been referenced countless times since its debut, and some of its stars, namely Ron Howard and Henry Winkler, are still working in Hollywood. 

The Golden Girls had a highly-watched series finale — 27.2 million people — but it’s better remembered for its emotion and plot. The episode is also noted for its sweet wedding between Dorothy and Lucas. We’d like to see the Sex and the City reboot have something so memorable happen. 

The Full House series finale was one of the most emotional series finales of all time, and that’s saying something. Michelle was suffering from amnesia, and in an effort to help her regain her memory, the family went through all their precious memories with her, causing likely all 24.3 million viewers to shed some tears (h/t Business Insider).

Medical dramas are almost guaranteed to draw in viewers. St. Elsewhere was early evidence of that, remaining popular throughout its run and getting 22.5 million people to tune in for the final episode (h/t Business Insider). It also kick-started the careers of household names like Denzel Washington and Howie Mandel. 

People still love MacGyver to this day. The series had 22.3 million viewers for its final episode, and decades later, it got a reboot. The reboot was fairly successful, but nothing compared to the action series’ original run.