The 20 best television cliffhangers 'of all time' revealed, from Game of Thrones to EastEnders

Television cliffhangers often divide fans, with some loving the shock and anticipation they create, while others cannot bear having to wait to find out what happens next.

When done properly, television cliffhangers can be absolutely iconic. The endings of some series we remember so clearly for years afterwards, and it's not just soap operas that can create incredibly dramatic moments.

Telly lovers across Manchester will be able to recall much-loved sitcoms and dramas also having huge cliffhangers. While many will remember jumping up from their seats after watching the “you ain’t my mother!” argument in EastEnders, others will find it hard to forget how much they cringed when Ross said the wrong name at the altar in Friends.

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A recent survey carried out by findmycasino.com has uncovered the best TV cliffhangers “of all time”. The company has used a range of online statistics that identify the shows that have had the most gripping end to a series.

The cliffhanger from Ross and Emily's wedding episode features on the list. (Pictured L-R: Matthew Perry as Chandler, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel, David Schwimmer as Ross, Helen Baxendale as Emily, Courteney Cox Arquette as Monica, Matt LeBlanc as Joey) (Oliver Upton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

It takes into account the amount of views, likes and the analysis score each cliffhanger has received on YouTube. The results show that the 2000s and 2010s were the best decades for television cliffhangers, with almost half of the episodes ranking the highest airing during this time.

The MEN has compiled the below list of the top 20 cliffhangers according to the study. Did your favourite show make the list? Warning: spoilers ahead!

20. Star Trek: The Next Generation - When Picard is assimilated (1990). Views: 157,000. Likes: 1,200. YouTube analysis score: 4.48.

19. The Simpsons - Maggie shoots Mr Burns (1995). Views: 159,000. Likes: 2,200. YouTube analysis score: 4.74.

18. Lost - Jack wants to go back to the island (2007). Views: 232,000. Likes: 1,900. YouTube analysis score: 4.74.

17. Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Buffy sacrifices herself (2001). Views: 180,000. Likes: 2,200. YouTube analysis score: 5.40.

16. Grey’s Anatomy - Meredith meets Addison and learns of Derek's secret (2005). Views: 358,000. Likes: 2,500. YouTube analysis score: 5.79.

15. ER - Lucy and Carter are stabbed (2000). Views: 1,000,000. Likes: 2,000. YouTube analysis score: 6.06.

14. Sons of Anarchy - Abel is taken (2009). Views: 502,000. Likes: 3,800. YouTube analysis score: 6.19.

13. Stranger Things - Hopper sacrifices himself and is captured by the Russians (2019). Views: 382,000. Likes: 4,800. YouTube analysis score: 6.32.

12. The O.C. - Marissa shoots Trey (2005). Views: 574,000. Likes: 4,100. YouTube analysis score: 6.58.

11. The West Wing - The President is attacked (2000). Views: 1,100,000. Likes: 2,900. YouTube analysis score: 6.97.

10. Loki - Loki is in a different TVA (2021). Views: 831,000. Likes: 13,000. YouTube analysis score: 6.98.

9. Breaking Bad - Jesse kills Gale (2010). Views: 861,000. Likes: 15,000. YouTube analysis score: 7.24.

8. The Walking Dead - Negan kills the cameraman (2016). Views: 1,100,000. Likes: 15,000. YouTube analysis score: 7.37.

7. EastEnders - Kat Slater reveals she is Zoe’s mum (2001). Views: 1,900,000. Likes: 8,900. YouTube analysis score: 7.64.

6. The Good Place - Eleanor figures out she’s in The Bad Place (2017). Views: 1,300,000. Likes: 15,000. YouTube analysis score: 7.76.

5. Grey’s Anatomy - The last match goes out after the plane crash (2012). Views: 2,900,000. Likes: 9,900. YouTube analysis score: 8.03.

4. Friends - After Ross says the wrong name on his wedding day (1998). Views: 2,700,000. Likes: 28,000. YouTube analysis score: 8.55.

3. Sherlock - Sherlock jumps (2012). Views: 2,900,000. Likes: 36,000. YouTube analysis score: 8.82.

2. (Joint second) Breaking Bad - Hank figures out Walt is Heisenberg (2012). Views: 3,700,000. Likes: 38,000. YouTube analysis score: 9.34. The Office - Jim and Pam kiss (2006). Views: 3,000,000. Likes: 48,000. YouTube analysis score: 9.34.

1. Game of Thrones - The White Walkers invade (2017). Views: 13,000,000. Likes: 100,000. YouTube analysis score: 9.74.

What’s your favourite television cliffhanger of all time? Let us know in the comments section below.

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