The Boys: series finale and fan reactions

On 20 May 2026, Amazon released the long-awaited series finale of The Boys. The episode sparked a wide range of reactions among fans, with opinions split over the quality and content of the show’s ending. From the start, The Boys had been building toward a climax between its two main characters, Homelander and Billy Butcher.

The energy of the finale

Many fans had been worried about the finale as season 5 progressed. Some felt the series had started to lose momentum, with the sense that too much was at stake to wrap everything up properly in the remaining episodes. Critics argued that the story did not make the best use of the time available and that the stakes were not raised enough. Even so, some viewers still hoped that all the storylines would eventually come together.

Different perspectives on the finale

The reactions to the finale were especially mixed. One fan on X described the episode as "absolutely perfect," with an emotional, bloody and irreverent ending that honors the core of the show: the battle between Butcher and Homelander. According to that fan, some moments were so incredible that they felt like a tribute to the series’ build-up. On the other hand, other viewers found the finale disappointing. Another fan said the marketing around the finale was misleading and that it was impossible to tie everything together in one episode without it feeling rushed.

The climax between Butcher and Homelander

In the finale, Butcher ultimately kills Homelander, marking a striking conclusion for the characters. Other major figures such as The Deep and Oh Father also meet fatal ends. The moment Homelander loses his powers, thanks to a radiation burst from Kimiko, drew the most controversy. In a live broadcast from the White House, Homelander begs for his life, revealing that without his powers he is only a shadow of himself. Butcher shows no mercy and prevents Homelander from pleading any further, leading to a gruesome and defining death for the superhero.

A missed opportunity?

Some fans were disappointed by how the final battle was handled. Many viewers had hoped for a "devastating" ending with a bigger impact. Marketing campaigns for the finale seemed to suggest the series would end with large-scale destruction, but many of those expectations were not met. Critics noted that Homelander never really got the chance to fully break through his psychological conflicts, which came as a disappointment.

As reactions continue to pour in, The Boys finale appears to have been received better overall than the endings of other popular series such as Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. Despite some criticism, the show made bold choices by eliminating a number of major characters. There are plans for a spin-off called Vought Rising, as well as other follow-up projects in The Boys universe. However, the fate of Gen V leaves the franchise’s future uncertain for now.