People love sitcoms because they’re an excellent way to unwind from everyday life. From stories that deal with work pressures, and turbulent relationships, to the mundane aspects of everyday life, sitcoms are relatable to just about anyone. Some sitcoms last longer than originally expected, securing their place in audiences' hearts long after their finales. Here are the ten best sitcom endings of all time, ranked.
10The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The sitcom that single-handedly putWill Smith into the spotlightas the ’90s most promising young talent,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas a household staple for over six seasons. The sitcom had everything needed to be a success; an excellent ensemble of actors, a thought-provoking plot, and one of the catchiest openings performed by Will Smith himself.
What made this show so great was Will’s growth throughout the show, going from a sassy, carefree youth to an assertive, responsible man, all thanks to Uncle Phil’s guidance. Seeing the two characters part ways during the finale was a tear-jerking moment for anyone longing for such a strong, parental relationship.
9Schitt’s Creek
There’s a reasonSchitt’s Creekhas won so many Emmy Awards,it’s simply the best. It’s not the easiest task to make audiences relate to a group of characters that are faced with first world problems, but Eugene Levy and the rest ofSchitt’s Creek’sensemble deliver hilarious performances that made this sitcom a fan-favorite for six seasons. It was bittersweet to see the Rose family go their separate ways in hopes of self-discovery.
8Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Another ’90s staple,Sabrina, the Teenage WitchkeptMelissa Joan Hart’s career going strongafter the success ofClarissa Explains It All. Like the success of many sitcoms,Sabrina the Teenage Witchreeled in audiences due to its unforgettable cast. From Nick Bakay as the consistent comedic relief, Salem, Sabrina’s bubbly aunts, Hilda and Zelda, and the sweet romance between Harvey and Sabrina, fans couldn’t get enough of the teenage witch’s weekly adventures.
The finale goes down as one of the most romantic in television history, with soulmatesSabrina and Harveyriding off into the sunset.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld brought all the laughs to this early ’90s sitcom. It was an addictive show, whether due to Seinfeld’s daily antics as he navigated his career and dating prospects, or through the journey of his friends as they tried figuring out life in the city that never sleeps. For many,Seinfeldfelt like a slice of life, and its finale was like closing a life chapter.
6Will and Grace
The first national television sitcom to feature gay characters as leads,Will and Gracewas groundbreaking in more ways than one. Nevertheless, it’s the friendship between polar opposites Will, Grace, Karen, and Jack that kept audiences tuned in for 11 seasons.
At its core,Will and Graceis a tale of soulmates found through platonic relationships. While Will and Grace part ways to pursue their respective life paths by the finale, audiences know their friendship will remain forever.
5The Office
Based on the British mockumentary of the same title,The Officehas Steve Carell leading an ensemble of talented actors that would branch out to have their own highly successful shows and movies. Nevertheless, audiences will forever remember Carell as the haughty Michael Scott, Rain Wilson’s sardonic portrayal as Dwight, and the chemistry between Jim and Pam, portrayed respectively by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer.
To see these co-workers part ways after years of trying to get along on the daily, feels… like the end of a real-life journey.
Related:The Big Bang Theory: 8 Actors Almost Cast in the Sitcom
43rd Rock From The Sun
John Lithgow can do no wrong, and3rd Rock from the Suncemented him as a multi-faceted talent. As the patriarch of the alien family passing off as a normal, suburban residents, Lithgow’s Dick Solomon is the perfect balance of stern and zany, making this scientist one of television’s most unique dads.
Seeing the Solomon family adapt to life on earth is entertaining, and the finale had audiences in tears as their favorite, galactic family prepares to leave their second home on earth to return to outer space.
3The Big Bang Theory
Another show that ran strong for over a decade,The Big Bang Theoryappealed to all the tech geniuses that otherwise might not bother with a sitcom. Everyone on the show offers something unique to make the comedy hit, but Jim Parsons stole the show as Sheldon Cooper, inspiring a spin-off for the character,Young Sheldon, down the line.
Parsons brought a pizzazz nuanced with dry humor that makes him one of the best sitcom characters ever; to see him say his goodbyes to Leonard and the rest of the crew was nothing short of sad–but at least he found his soulmate in Amy; his equally brainy counterpart.
Related:The 10 Most Highly Rewatchable Sitcoms of All Time
2Modern Family
Mockumentaries became the trend for early 2000s sitcoms, but not many achieved the success ofModern Family. True to its name,Modern Familytacklesmodern family dynamics and the issues that come with them; Cam and Mitchel’s marriage and the ups and lows of raising their daughter; Jay and Gloria’s feisty relationship and them debunking stereotypes regarding marital age gaps; and Claire and Phil, who struggle to maintain their sense of individuality as they raise three angst-ridden teenagers.
Modern Familyhit it out of the ballpark with audiences all across the board.
Arguably the most successful sitcom of all-time,Friendsremainsa nostalgic memory for many millennialswho grow up watching it. From relationship dynamics to the importance of friendship,Friendshit home in all the best ways. Seeing Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler, and Joey part ways felt like saying goodbyes to a dear friend.
