The finale of Netflix’s Stranger Things has been ranked among the 10 most disappointing television endings of the 21st century, according to a new study analysing IMDb user ratings.
The research, conducted by topratedbingosites.co.uk using IMDb data, examined final episodes from some of the most watched television series of the modern era to identify which endings left audiences most dissatisfied.
Stranger Things placed sixth following the release of its series finale on New Year’s Eve 2025. Due to global time zones, many viewers accessed the episode into New Year’s Day 2026.
Viewership and ratings
The Hawkins based sci fi horror series, created by the Duffer Brothers, concluded after five seasons and saw a significant surge in viewership.
Reports indicate the finale helped drive strong overall performance for Season 5, with one source citing 31.5 million views in the week following its release. Earlier episodes also performed strongly, including 34.5 million views for Volume 2 around the Christmas period. The season was propelled into Netflix’s top English language series rankings.
The final episode, titled Chapter Eight: The Rightside Up, holds an IMDb rating of 7.6 out of 10. While comparatively high when measured against some poorly received finales, the score represents a drop from the show’s overall series rating of 8.6.
Audience reaction
Fan response to the ending has been mixed. Some viewers praised its emotional moments and character arcs, while others criticised what they felt was a rushed resolution to major plotlines.
Specific points of contention included the ambiguous conclusion to Eleven’s story and the rapid defeat of the antagonist Vecna. Online discussions have also focused on unresolved elements such as the so called Conformity Gate.
Top 10 most disappointing TV finales
According to the study, the rankings are as follows:
- Two and a Half Men: First place, with a 2015 finale IMDb score of 3.8 out of 10 and 13.5 million viewers. The episode was criticised for lacking closure and its off screen handling of key characters, down from the sitcom’s peak episode rating of 8.7.
- Game of Thrones: Second, with its 2019 finale scoring 4 out of 10 despite 19.3 million viewers. Complaints included rushed pacing, confusing developments, sudden character shifts, and unresolved storylines.
- Dexter: Third, with its original 2013 finale rated 4.9 out of 10 and nearly 5 million viewers. The lumberjack ending remains a long standing source of fan dissatisfaction.
- How I Met Your Mother: Fourth, with a 2014 finale rated 5.5 out of 10 and 13.1 million viewers.
- Line of Duty: Fifth, with a 2021 finale scoring 6.1 out of 10 and 12.8 million viewers.
- Stranger Things: Sixth, with its 2026 finale rated 7.6 out of 10 and an estimated 34 million viewers in its first week.
- Will & Grace: Seventh, with a 2006 finale rated 8 out of 10 and 18.4 million viewers.
- Lost: Eighth, with its 2010 finale rated 8.2 out of 10 and 13.5 million viewers.
- Everybody Loves Raymond: Ninth, with a 2005 finale rated 8.4 out of 10 and 32.9 million viewers.
- Modern Family: Tenth, with a 2020 finale rated 8.6 out of 10 and 7.4 million viewers.
Finales and fan expectations
Television finales often provoke strong reactions as they attempt to balance long term storytelling, emotional payoff, and narrative resolution. High viewership can intensify both praise and criticism when a long running series concludes.
Stranger Things, which premiered in 2016 and gained a global following through its mix of 1980s nostalgia, supernatural threats, and coming of age themes, joins a list of shows whose endings divided audiences despite overall critical and commercial success.
The study notes that IMDb ratings reflect immediate fan sentiment and may change over time as more viewers weigh in. For Stranger Things, the ranking highlights the challenge of meeting expectations built over years of anticipation.