Four years after it first took the TV landscape by storm, The Bear is back for its fifth and final season. The two-month clock that Cicero set for the restaurant hit zeroes in the Season 4 finale, just as Carmy told Sydney, Richie and Natalie that he was quitting. That set the narrative up for an interesting home stretch, as did the surprise Gary special that provided insight into the history of Richie and Mikey’s relationship.

So if you want to get an idea for how The Bear Season 5 could play out, here are our picks for where the show will go across its last 10 episodes:

What will happen in The Bear Season 5?

Sam Connon: From the jump, The Bear has made a name for itself by being down to Earth and true to life. There are bright spots and dark spots alike, with plenty of unforgivable meltdowns to go along with massive strokes of luck. So while I think there’s a decent chance that The Bear earns a more positive review from a food critic – maybe even a Michelin star – I don’t think that will be enough for Sydney and Richie to keep the place afloat without Cicero’s funding. Christopher Storer knows how cutthroat the restaurant business can be, kicking talented and dedicated culinary artists while they’re down. But in line with the show’s themes, I can see the whole crew making the most of The Bear being behind them. Carmy can reinvent himself without being a control freak whose entire identity is tied to his family issues. Sydney can start fresh and fully believe in herself no longer in Carmy’s shadow. Richie can branch out and see what life is like without guilt and anger tying him down. They don’t need to work at The Bear in order to complete those arcs, which is why I think the core group will largely go their separate ways by the time the credits role on Episode 10.

Ryan Wohl: After a disappointing ending in Season 4, I think the fifth and final season will have a happy ending. I see Carmy returning and leading his team to earn a Michelin star. Throughout the first four seasons of The Bear, we have seen the constant struggle among Carmy, Richard, Sydney and other members of the team. Although it has been a slow build, The Bear gaining the credibility they have long been after would be a perfect crowning achievement. With The Bear becoming one of the most popular television shows, it would be surprising if we didn’t get a feel-good moment in the final season.

Will anyone die in The Bear Season 5?

Sam Connon: We ended the one-off Gary special on a bit of a cliffhanger, with Richie getting in a pretty severe car accident. We don’t know where exactly this scene falls on the timeline, since the episode primarily took place five years before The Bear Season 1 prior to the flash-forward. Based on the Season 5 trailers and all conventional wisdom, Richie will be alive. But since this is a show that has confronted grief and loss from the very beginning, another character could die before the finale. I’m not confident enough to make a full-on prediction, but keep an eye on Jamie Lee Curtis’ Donna Berzatto.

We also don’t yet know how the show will handle the death of Rob Reiner, who passed away before filming for Season 5 began. In Season 4, Reiner’s character was in the midst of helping Ebraheim scale up The Bear’s sandwich window. The writers may abandon that plot line or move forward with Reiner’s character no longer present.

The Bear FAQ

When does The Bear Season 5 come out?

All 10 episodes of The Bear Season 5 will premiere on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Where can I watch The Bear Season 5?

The Bear Season 5 will be available to stream on Hulu, as well as the Hulu section of Disney+. The first four seasons are also available on those two streaming services.

Is this the last season of The Bear?

Yes, FX and creator Christopher Storer have confirmed that The Bear will be over after Season 5.

How will The Bear end?

Our writers are split on whether or not The Bear will have a truly happy ending. The titular restaurant could earn a Michelin star and keep chugging along in spite of the Season 4 cliffhanger, or the characters will have to go their separate ways in a bittersweet farewell.