Top 20 Most Heartbreaking Cartoon Series Finales

Though “Saphrax Protocol” would be this show’s final episode, things would truly end when the franchise ventured (pun intended) into the “Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart” movie. After Hank wakes up from his coma, he deserts his brother Dean and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Tormented by both a lack of purpose and his anger over Dean sleeping with his girlfriend, there’s a lot of times where his road to inner-peace is played for laughs. But there’s also times where the movie peels the curtain back and shows the seriousness of his struggle. Hank is someone who is hurting; thankfully though, his pain doesn’t last forever, and eventually he patches things up with Dean.

While “Hey Arnold!’s” run on TV ended with the episode “Grandpa’s Packard” in 2004, “Jungle Movie” is what really brings the franchise to a satisfying and emotional conclusion. Following on from where the original series ends, the movie finally explores what happened with Arnold’s parents. Arnold discovers them in Central America, suffering from sleeping sickness, and is able to cure them. It’s heartbreaking to know that Arnold was separated from his parents for so long. But it’s heartwarming seeing them reunite. And when his parents get to drop him off for his first day of middle school, you can’t help but feel a rollercoaster of emotions.

The road to college can be an exciting and difficult one. With the “Daria” movie “Is It College Yet?”, Daria and the gang consider their options as they prepare for life’s next big chapter. The film is all about the cracks that form between friend groups. Daria and Tom’s relationship ends, several arguments break out, and Quinn’s new friend even develops a drinking problem. Daria still ends the movie in an optimistic way (by “Daria” standards at least) after delivering a monotone (yet sort of uplifting) speech at graduation. But it still goes to show that sometimes change, even when necessary, can be difficult.

Peter Parker is often treated like a punching bag, but “Final Curtain” really feels like something else. It’s a gut wrenching episode that sees him fight the Green Goblin in his most dangerous battle yet. And when the Goblin seemingly dies, Harry blames Spider-Man for his father’s death, which puts the future of their friendship in jeopardy. In fact, all of Peter’s relationships essentially remain complicated and unresolved. Gwen chooses Harry over him, his relationship with Liz is definitely over, and for all the good that he did, he’s more or less alone. If the show had been renewed for a third season, maybe these problems could’ve gotten resolved. But as it stands today, Peter ended the series on a bleak note.

The magic really died in the series finale of “Star vs the Forces of Evil”. No seriously, in “Cleaved”, magic is destroyed by Star. It’s a pretty controversial choice that finds many magical creatures ceasing to exist - which is incredibly saddening to watch. But besides that, “Cleaved” is equally emotional since it also focuses on Star and Marco trying everything they can to be together. The fear that Marco has over potentially never being able to see her again is devastating. While they reunite when Earth and Mewni merge, when you think about the destruction that came before, it makes the outcome a little less wholesome.

Seeing long-term friends leave is always going to be rough. So this two-parter from “6teen” is no exception. When Nikki’s dad gets a new job in Iqaluit, it means she’ll have to move with him and venture off from the group. Nikki and her friends do their best to find a way for her to stay. But eventually, Nikki accepts what’s happening, as do her friends, who throw her a great going away party. On one hand, it’s a finale of sad farewells; on the other, it’s comforting to see Nikki’s friends just wanting whatever is best for her. Sometimes friendship, and life in general, is about making hard decisions.

Quite a lot was at stake in the series finale of “Owl House”. In fact, the entirety of Boiling Isles was in danger. No pressure or anything! As Luz and the others prepare to battle Belos, one of the biggest shocks in the entire series occurs. Around the episode’s halfway point, Luz saves the Collector from Belos, sacrifices herself, and then dies. Having to watch as she disintegrates into tiny orbs is brutal. While this isn’t actually Luz’s death, it’s still an incredibly impactful moment. It makes the Collector look at things differently and spurs the others to act. Even though the whole thing is kind of a giant ‘gotcha’, the finale is no doubt a real tearjerker.

Graduating high school can feel scary, but having to combat an alien invasion is extra anxiety-inducing. As Kim, Ron, and everyone else at Middleton High prepare for their big day, an invasion ruins everything. This two-part spectacle does a lot, including temporarily splitting up Kim and Ron when she gets captured by the aliens. And splitting up this iconic couple (even if it’s for plot) feels like a crime! Even though they save the day and reunite, you still can’t help but feel a little glum. After all, this is the last we really see of them. While graduating isn’t the end for Kim and Ron, it’s the definitive end of an era for the fans. And that’s nothing if not a little sad.

We had to wait six years for the last season of this animated series - but boy, did it pack a punch. The final episodes reveal how Anakin’s former apprentice Ahsoka survived Order 66. When the clone troopers, once her loyal companions, succumb to their inhibitor chips, Ahsoka manages to save Rex. But she can’t save the rest. The image of her standing over their graves is truly haunting. This is the episode where everything really clicks for the viewers. The clones and the Jedi gave up everything fighting a war that was ultimately pointless. Released earlier, but set later chronologically, the “Star Wars Rebels” finale also brought the feels with Ezra’s sacrifice and disappearance.

It turns out that the hardest thing about the series finale of “Amphibia” is having to say goodbye. After successfully neutralizing the great danger that was the Core, Anne realizes that it’s time for her, Marcy, and Sasha to leave Amphibia and finally return to Earth. That means we spend emotional moments where everyone says goodbye. While each farewell is heartbreaking, Anne’s goodbye to Sprig has to be the most intense. One thing is for sure though, Anne will never forget the friendships she formed in her time on Amphibia.

While fans got a great ending with the series finale to “Steven Universe”, it’s the ending to “Steven Universe Future” that ties an emotional ribbon over everything. Fittingly called “The Future”, the episode dives even further into complex subjects such as trauma and mental health. It’s essentially one long goodbye, as Steven decides to leave Beach City and travel. When he breaks the news to the Gems, he’s hurt when they’re not more upset; it turns out, they were just hiding their feelings so as not to stand between Steven and his future. Knowing that they’ll always be a part of him, he drives off. What a beautiful end to the series.

There’s 104 days of summer vacation, although in Phineas and Ferb’s case, it was more like 222 days. This Emmy-nominated finale appropriately feels like the last day of summer. It’s a grand and special occasion, making effective use of every major character in a plot revolving around time travel. At the same time, it’s a bittersweet affair that unfortunately can’t last longer. Nowhere does this hit us more than during the closing musical number, as the gang reminisces about the memories they made together. All good things must come to an end, be it three glorious months of summer or four seasons of a wonderful show. While this wasn’t farewell forever, how can you not shed a tear as Phineas gives us a wave goodbye?

“Regular Show’s” final battle is indeed epic, combining elements of “Star Wars” and “Dragon Ball Z.” The episode is also heavy on wit and laughs, bringing the series full circle in meta fashion. We weren’t prepared to get so choked up, though, as the finale reached its climax. While Pops insists that this is a happy ending, we still couldn’t hold back our sorrow as he made the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends and universe. Pops’ demise wasn’t in vain, as the gang returns to Earth where everyone is given a fitting ending. Muscle Man meets his daughter for the first time, Rigby and Eileen start a family of their own, and even Mordecai finds love, all while Pops watches from Heaven. Good show.

Like the “Phineas and Ferb” finale, “Weirdmageddon” is largely about saying goodbye to summer and the friends you made along the way. What makes this ending especially gratifying is that it completely delivered on the mystery that had been unfolding for two seasons. The final fight against Bill Cipher gives the fans exactly what they want while still playing with expectations in all the right ways. All the creative imagery and jokes aside, this show has always been about the bonds of family, particularly between siblings. From the second they step aboard the bus out of town, Dipper and Mabel immediately miss Gravity Falls, as do we. As Wendy’s letter to Dipper and the credits remind us, though, nobody will ever forget this summer.

What did you expect from “BoJack Horseman,” a happy ending? BoJack may not be able to make amends with everyone that he wronged, but the final episode does give him a chance to reconnect with his closest friends. Mr. Peanutbutter, Todd, and Princess Carolyn all seem to be where they should be, although BoJack and Diane’s fates remain up in the air. One will go back to prison to finish his sentence while the other will return to her new life in Houston. What about later down the line, however? Will this be the last time BoJack and Diane speak to each other? The uncertain silence speaks volumes as these two look up at the night sky together, leaving us feeling blue yet oddly optimistic.

Since “Futurama” was in danger of cancellation on multiple occasions, Seasons 4-6 all ended with potential series finales. Season 7’s “Meanwhile” is the true conclusion and while we’d love to see the Planet Express crew return, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect goodbye. Almost every character appears in some capacity, but the main focus is kept on Fry and Leela, whose relationship gave this show its beating heart. In an emotional climax that’s tragic, humorous, and romantic, everything is frozen in time except Fry and Leela. The two make the most of their time together, living happily into old age until Farnsworth offers them a chance to go around again. Whatever their future holds, this finale fills us with nothing but warm memories.

Between BMO singing a comforting song to Jake, Betty’s sacrifice, and the final montage, you’re going to cry at least three times throughout the “Adventure Time” finale. The tears are balanced out with plenty of uplifting moments, leaving each character on a note that feels just right. The major takeaway from “Come Along with Me,” though, is that there really are no happy endings. Even when everything appears to be wrapped up, life keeps going and eventually a new adventure presents itself, for better or worse. That said, showrunner Adam Muto has noted that the finale isn’t necessarily a happy one. The future Land of Ooo is much bleaker, but not deprived of hope or new heroes ready to take up Finn and Jake’s mantle.

Like the “Superman” finale, “Starcrossed” was an equally epic and bittersweet way to cap off the original “Justice League” series. Part of what makes this three-parter such an emotional rollercoaster is that it sees one hero stab her teammates in the back. With Hawkgirl torn between her homeworld and the world she’s called home for years, the League is thrown into total disarray. Secrets are revealed, bridges are burned, and hearts are broken, namely Green Lantern’s. While the day is ultimately saved in rousing fashion, nothing will ever be the same again. As Shayera flies off into the sunset while a teary-eyed John watches, the book is seemingly closed on a star-crossed love story, although the sun would fortunately rise again in “Justice League Unlimited.”

With a feature-length runtime and cinematic animation, “Sozin’s Comet” certainly would’ve been worthy of the big-screen treatment. Even on the smallest screen, however, we feel every ounce of this finale’s dramatic impact. “Avatar” is all about restoring balance to the world and that’s the best way to describe this ending: balanced to a T. Virtually all of the characters and ongoing plotlines are given proper closure, providing no shortage of emotional payoffs. There are two moments in particular that get to us every time. First, there’s Zuko’s reunion with Iroh, who brings his estranged nephew in for a loving embrace. Then there’s the very last scene as Aang and Katara share the franchise’s most romantic moment, except for maybe the ending to “Legend of Korra.”

The ending to “Samurai Jack” tears us up inside for several reasons. For starters, it’s a finale we never thought we’d see since the series was prematurely cancelled in 2004. It was worth the thirteen-year wait to see Jack defeat Aku with a little help from his friends. This victory isn’t without sacrifice, as Aku’s demise means that his daughter Ashi can no longer exist. With the woman he loves erased from existence, the grief-stricken Jack is left to wander the world alone. As a ladybug lands on his hand, however, our hero is given a glimmer of hope with a new day dawning. Be they tears of sorrow or tears of joy, you’re going to cry as the samurai’s story comes to its close.

Is there an emotional series finale we missed? Let us know in the comments!