Hawaii-Five-0: Season 1-10 Finales, Ranked (According To IMDb)
Curious about which Hawaii Five-0 finales thrilled fans the most? This guide dives into each season's finale, sharing all the action, drama, and standout moments—from shocking betrayals to explosive cliffhangers. If you want to relive the series' wildest endings or pick out which finales to rewatch, you're in the right place!
1. Hawaii Five-0: The Series and Its Unique Universe
Hawaii Five-0 launched back in 2010 as a reboot of the beloved 1960s show, following a special Hawaiian police task force assigned by the governor to solve the island's most complex crimes. The storylines unfold in a shared universe, connecting with CBS hits like Magnum P.I. and MacGyver.
Through it all, the series became famous for its epic season finales, jam-packed with action, unexpected twists, and deep character moments. Next up is a rundown of every season's finale, from least to most popular according to IMDb, charting the journey fans took over ten years. 🌺
2. Season 8 – "Ancients Exposed" (7.1 IMDb)
As Season 8 came to a close, panic set in as a mysterious Russian submarine suddenly surfaced near Honolulu. The Five-0 team rushed to uncover the reason for this surprise appearance, all while managing changes sparked by the two silent partners that Steve and Danny had brought into their restaurant—partners who seemed determined to shake things up without checking in first.
Tani confided in Junior about a major discovery: she'd found a gun in Adam's house that matched the bullets from Noriko's murder. This revelation cast suspicion on Adam, hinting he might have taken revenge for Noriko killing his confidential informant.
"Tani later opened up to Junior, confessing that she discovered a gun tucked safely inside a drawer in Adam's house and it matched the Noriko slugs. This new evidence hinted that Adam had killed Noriko as a form of revenge after Noriko killed his C.I."
The final episode wasn't just about intrigue—it was emotional too. Steve and Lincoln met up with Marshall, the guy who solved a vital cipher, only for Danny to be kidnapped. As it turned out, everything was tied back to the mysterious cipher Daiyu Mei was desperate to get her hands on—even if it meant trading Danny's life.
3. Season 7 – "The Life Of The Land Is Perpetuated In Righteousness" (8.1 IMDb)
The stakes were high as the Five-0 team united to take down a dangerous sex-trafficking ring. The finale reached a fever pitch during a chase scene involving a truck carrying trafficking victims. Steve showed off his signature daredevil style:
"Steve went all Tom Cruise as he leaped onto the top of the moving truck, entered the cargo trailer, and detached the cabin before serving the driver with three bullets."
This high-octane action kept fans on the edge of their seats and highlighted the team's dedication to justice.
4. Season 4 – "Family Comes First" (8.2 IMDb)
In this intense finale, the team learned that the infamous Wo Fat had orchestrated a clever prison break reminiscent of TV's most iconic escapes. He didn't escape alone—he bombed open his supermax cell wall.
"He actually bombed a hole on the wall of his cell. Wonder how he got the bomb? Think no further."
The episode is famous for its witty storytelling and creative crime drama flair.
5. Season 5 – "Until We Die" (8.4 IMDb)
A race against time defined this explosive finale! The Five-0 team tracked a nuclear bomb hidden in a tram cart, killed the culprit, and then took to the skies in a helicopter to drop the bomb safely into the Pacific Ocean.
"Sounds familiar? Yes! Christian Bale's Batman did the same thing."
With its blockbuster movie vibes, this ending gave fans a thrilling ride from start to finish.
6. Season 3 – "Farewell and Take Care" (8.5 IMDb)
This finale saw the team uncovering a dangerous plot targeting San Francisco. To stop it, they needed vital intel from Selgado's son. The rescue was risky—Salgado was fatally wounded but managed to reveal the target in the nick of time.
Amid the chaos, the crew went after hacker Ian Wright's brother, Aaron, who had carefully covered his tracks. While Junior searched desperately for his missing dad (and dad's missing weapon), luck eventually turned: the Five-0 team caught Aaron and cut a deal, trading information on his weapons deals for a lighter sentence.
High tension followed, with the episode wrapping up in dramatic fashion—Joe White's murderer's wife stormed the Five-0 offices, guns blazing.
The Season 6 finale felt like a blend of famous crime dramas—think Narcos and Breaking Bad. A devastating meth epidemic had brought the island to its knees, and danger hit close to home when Gabriel, on the run from Michelle Shioma's men, was shot in a deserted warehouse.
7. Season 2 – "Death in the Family" (8.9 IMDb)
Big changes rocked the characters as Stan and Rachel prepared to move to Las Vegas, and Danny found himself tangled in a custody battle. Tension turned to tragedy when Fryer was killed checking out a phony crime scene, making it clear he'd been lured there on purpose.
"Fryer also got killed while checking out a crime scene. It turned out that no murder had actually taken place in the area and Fryer had been falsely lured to the scene."
This finale truly kept audiences gripping the edge of their seats.
8. Season 1 – "Trust" (9.1 IMDb)
The highest-rated finale brought the inaugural season to a powerful close! Chin Ho received an offer to return to the HPD but chose to stick with the Five-0 team. The plot thickened when Laura Hills was killed by an explosive; as Steve and Danny looked into the case, they found she'd been secretly sending clues to the police, possibly leading to her murder.
"After McGarrett and Danny examined her home, they found out that she had been sending clues to the police and might have been killed because of this."
It's a classic example of Hawaii Five-0's ability to blend suspense, teamwork, and emotional stakes in one thrilling episode.
Conclusion
Hawaii Five-0 truly knew how to up the ante with every season finale—each packed with tension, jaw-dropping twists, and memorable stunts. Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the series, these finales serve as a highlight reel of why the show became a staple for crime drama lovers everywhere! 🌴🚁
Need a summary like this?
Get instant summaries with Harvest