10 Fantasy TV shows that ended with a heartbreak 

Powered by magic, mythical creatures, and epic battles, a fantasy TV show transports us to extraordinary worlds where destinies are entwined with those of heroes and villains. Often a source of thrilling escapism for the viewers, the series works rather well in providing heartbreakingly sad endings that puzzle the minds of the audience.

Some shows like Supernatural provided a heart-rending closure after so many years of fun and excitement. Merlin left us deeply hurt with the end of its main character isolated, waiting for a return that may never arrive. The Magicians and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina also saw the deaths of their respective main characters as an act of defiance against the fans, ensuring that their stories end in sorrow.

Through the series, the loss of much-loved characters, cruel twists of fate, or an end that left us questioning everything testify to the fact that heartbreak is not an alien feeling, even in magical worlds. Behold ten of the fantasy television series with agonizing finales that reduced their fans to tears.

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1. Supernatural (2005–2020)

Supernatural let out an emotional gut punch in the series finale, which was a result of a 15-year-old show about demon-hunting. Dean Winchester, who has survived countless close calls, dies on what seems to be just another job: vampire hunt. The moments leading up to his heart-rending farewell to Sam are painful enough, especially now, knowing that Sam will live out a full life and die without him. The last scene of the series, in a peaceful afterlife, brings the brothers together, though it was hard-won.

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2. The Magicians (2015–2020)

This fantasy drama never held back on emotional punches, but none of them could match the heartbreaking loss of Quentin Coldwater in Season 4. The lead character, who battled his own personal demons for years, gave his life to protect his friends, and his absence hung over the last season. Although the final episode allowed the remaining characters to heal and move on, it felt incomplete without Quentin. Audiences were appalled that a series that promoted mental illness awareness murdered their lead character so grimly, and The Magicians' finale became one of the most debatable and emotional fantasy TV conclusions.

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3. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003)

Buffy's last battle with the First Evil came at a heavy price. Such iconic characters as Anya and Spike were lost, and Buffy, although a victor, was left without direction and emotionally drained. Sunnydale's demise marked an ending of her history, but not a victorious finish. Buffy gazed into the future with confusion. Freedom was finally hers after all these years of self-denial, but at what expense? The series finale had people crying over the losses, especially since Buffy's entire story was about surviving pain for the greater good, and so it ranked among the most bittersweet series finales on fantasy television.

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4. Angel (1999–2004)

Angel's series finale created one of the most devastating cliffhangers in television history. With his team decimated, Angel, Gunn, and Illyria set out to fight a last, hopeless battle against Wolfram & Hart's never-ending ranks. The series' final shot—Angel clutching his sword and saying, "Let's go to work"—cut to black, leaving audiences in anguished uncertainty. The cryptic ending denied audiences closure, which made it even more poignant. Whether the crew survived or died, their struggle never really ceased, supporting the show's dark theme: the struggle against evil is perpetual, but triumph is never certain.

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5. Shadowhunters (2016–2019)

Shadowhunters resolved most of the assorted storylines, with Clary Fray paying the highest price. After all she had been through, she lost all memory of the Shadow World, including her great love, Jace. A final scene hinted at a possible reunion, but Clary's loss hovered over the ending. Fans suffered because Clary had been ripped from her identity, their hope for a reunion. The finale gave some kind of closure that was bittersweet but became the basis of one of the most heartbreaking endings because of her erased memories.

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6. Being Human (UK) (2008–2013)

The UK series Being Human concluded in tragic style as Hal, Tom, and Alex gave their lives to prevent an ancient evil. The final seconds of the finale revealed them reunited in what appeared to be a peaceful human life, but it was left open to question—was it real, or another heartless trick? Viewers were left emotionally shattered, not knowing whether to take comfort in their seeming peace or mourn their loss. The series, which had been mixing supernatural terror with high emotional stakes all along, concluded in a chilling note that lingered in viewers' minds long after the credits had finished.

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7. Merlin (2008–2012)

Merlin had kept his magic secret for so many years, and when at last he confessed to Arthur, Arthur died almost immediately. Their dream of the great golden age never came to pass, making his death all the more melancholy. In the show’s concluding moment, with a modern leap, the immortal Merlin waits for Arthur to return. That heart-wrenching moment shattered the fans; their sorrow multiplied since hope diminished in the face of Merlin’s solitude and endless mourning.

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8. Teen Wolf (2011–2017)

Although Scott and his pack made it through the finale of Teen Wolf, Allison Argent's death in Season 3 loomed over the rest of the run. Already, the absence of the character was intensely felt in the final episodes, resulting in a rather sad conclusion to the series. It ended with Scott recruiting a new beta, indicating that the cycle would continue, but Allison's unfortunate fate was still one of the most heartbreaking. Many years later, Teen Wolf: The Movie finally brought her back, but the emotional scars from her death remained.

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9. Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)

Vanessa Ives, besieged by the evil, died in Penny Dreadful's finale. Ethan gave her the last wish to shoot her at the moment of whispering a prayer. The sudden termination of the show left viewers mourning for both Vanessa and it. The Creature sobbing for her intensified the sad tone of the series. Penny Dreadful, spooling out its lavishly woven narratives of monsters and humanity, stuck a poetic yet absolutely devastating blow, leaving behind sobbing viewers turned into their epitome of an unforgettable heroine.

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10. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020)

One of fantasy television's most heartbreaking destinies was Sabrina Spellman's. In the series finale, Sabrina sacrificed herself to stop the Void, but unlike many heroes, she never returned. Her friends mourned her, and in a dark twist of fate, Nick drowned himself so he could join her in death. The series offered them a reunion, which fans found tragically romantic, but many also felt a sense of whiplash. Some even claim the finale was rushed, rendering her sacrifice unnecessary.