The Big Bang Theory Final Season Overview
The final season of The Big Bang Theory consisted of 24 episodes and concluded the series on CBS. The season premiered on September 24, 2018, and the series finale aired on May 16, 2019. The show was created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, and the final season was produced by Chuck Lorre Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The series finale drew 18.52 million viewers in the United States, making it one of the most-watched finales in television history. The entire series is available for streaming on Max, where it remains one of the platform's most popular titles.
The Big Bang Theory final season maintained its position as the highest-rated comedy on broadcast television during the 2018-2019 television season. The season averaged approximately 18.6 million viewers per episode in live-plus-same-day ratings. The series finale ranked as the most-watched entertainment telecast of the 2018-2019 season. The show's final season earned a 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 24 reviews, with an average rating of 8.3 out of 10. The season's production budget per episode was reported at approximately 2 million dollars, consistent with the series' later seasons.
Cast and Character Arcs in the Final Season
The main cast of The Big Bang Theory final season included Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper, Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter, Kaley Cuoco as Penny, Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz, Kunal Nayyar as Raj Koothrappali, Melissa Rauch as Bernadette Rostenkowski, and Mayim Bialik as Amy Farrah Fowler. The final season focused on Sheldon and Amy's wedding, which took place in the second episode, and Sheldon's subsequent move across the hall to be with Amy. Jim Parsons and Melissa Rauch both received Emmy nominations for their performances in the final season, with Parsons earning his fourth nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
The final season resolved several long-running character storylines, including Howard and Bernadette's journey into parenthood and Raj's continued search for romantic connection. The series finale featured the wedding of Sheldon and Amy, followed by Sheldon receiving the Nobel Prize in Physics alongside Leonard, Howard, and Raj. The Nobel Prize storyline reflected the show's long-standing focus on theoretical physics and Caltech research. The final season also included guest appearances by notable figures in science, including physicist Stephen Hawking, who had appeared in earlier seasons as well.
Where to Watch The Big Bang Theory Final Season
The complete series, including the final season, is available for streaming on Max, which is the primary streaming home for the show in the United States. Max offers all 12 seasons in high definition, including the complete 24 episodes of the final season. The streaming platform provides both ad-supported and ad-free subscription tiers. The show's streaming availability on Max has contributed to continued strong viewership years after the series finale. Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of Max, continues to manage the distribution rights for the series globally.
For viewers who prefer physical media, the complete series box set including the final season is available on DVD and Blu-ray from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Digital purchase options are available through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. The Big Bang Theory final season is also syndicated in broadcast reruns on various networks, including TBS and TNT, both of which are owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The show's enduring popularity in syndication reflects its status as one of the most successful sitcoms in television history.