The hit ABC sitcom wrapped in April 2020 with a bittersweet two-part finale.

*Modern Family *ending explained: Here’s how the Dunphys and Pritchetts said goodbye

The hit ABC sitcom wrapped in April 2020 with a bittersweet two-part finale.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

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November 29, 2025 10:00 a.m. ET

The family shares a group hug in the 'Modern Family' series finale. Credit:

Eric McCandless via Getty

- *Modern Family *aired its series finale on April 8, 2020.

- The two-part finale explores major life changes for the Dunphys and Pritchetts.

- Co-creator Christopher Lloyd said he hopes fans will continue rewatching the show and discover new moments for years to come.

After 11 seasons of laughs and heartfelt family moments, *Modern Family *concluded with a two-part finale on April 8, 2020. As the series concluded each character's journey, co-creator Christopher Lloyd told * *that* *he hoped fans "who watched it as kids or teens will introduce their own kids to it, or they may just in adulthood watch episodes again and have a slightly new perspective."

He continued, "The hope is that people remember it as a fuller experience than you sometimes get with a comedy and come back to it for the nourishment that comes from that."

It's been a while, so let's take a look back at the* *finale and see how the Dunphys and Pritchetts said goodbye.

What happened to Cam, Mitch, and Lily?

(L to R) Rex, Mitch, Lily, and Cam leave for Missouri in the 'Modern Family' series finale.

Eric McCandless via Getty

After learning he didn't get the head football coaching job at the University of North Central Missouri, Cam (Eric Stonestreet) decides it's time to move on. He and Mitch (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) move into a new house and adopt a baby boy, whom they name Rexford (Rex) after the street they now live on.

But soon enough, Cam gets a call saying the coach who beat him out has already been fired, and the position is his after all. At their housewarming party, Cam confides in Claire (Julie Bowen) and Phil (Ty Burrell) that he plans to turn the offer down, and that he's not going to tell Mitch about it. Of course, that's not the case, and Cam blurts out the whole thing during Mitch's speech.

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Mitch is hurt that Cam wasn't going to tell him, but Cam couldn't bear the idea of diminishing Mitch's happiness. Mitch sees it differently, though, and realizes it's his turn to support Cam, even if that means moving closer to Cam's family so he can accept his dream job.

So, despite Mitch's nerves (and several delayed flights), they pack their things and head to the Midwest with their kids.

What happened to Jay, Gloria, Manny, and Joe?

Jay and Gloria in the 'Modern Family' series finale.

Eric McCandless via Getty

Gloria (Sofía Vergara) has spent much of *Modern Family *incorporating her Colombian culture into the Pritchett family's routine, and Jay (Ed O'Neill) hasn't always made that easy. But in the finale, Jay finally steps out of his comfort zone and does something nice for his wife.

Viewers learn that Gloria is taking their youngest son, Joe (Jeremy Maguire), to Colombia for the summer so he can get to know her side of the family and see where she grew up. What Gloria doesn't know is that Jay has been secretly learning Spanish so he can go to Colombia and understand what's happening around them.

As for Manny (Rico Rodriguez), he isn't joining them on their trip. He's ready to explore the world on his own, though his biological father suddenly suggests they take a year-long vacation together.

What happened to Phil and Claire?

Alex, Luke, Phil, Claire, and Haley in the 'Modern Family' series finale.

Eric McCandless via Getty

Claire and Phil's lives have always been hectic on *Modern Family*, thanks to their three kids: Haley (Sarah Hyland), Alex (Ariel Winter), and Luke (Nolan Gould). Each has put their parents through the ringer, so it feels right that their final chapter gives them a little space to breathe.

By the series finale, their house is overflowing. Luke and Alex are home, Haley and her husband Dylan (Reid Ewing) have moved in with their twins, and Claire and Phil now reside in the RV that Phil inherited from his dad. It's clear that living in the driveway is their breaking point, as they soon decide one of the kids has to move out.

But when they find out that Cam and Mitch are moving, the idea of a full house doesn't seem so bad. Sadly, by the time Claire and Phil decide they actually want their kids to stay, it's too late.

The couple is completely crushed but soon come around to the idea of being empty nesters. Their final moments on the show find them planning a cross-country RV trip, where they will take "selfies with all the Major League Baseball mascots."

What happened to Haley, Alex, and Luke?

Alex, Luke, and Haley hug in the 'Modern Family' series finale.

Eric McCandless via Getty

At the start of the finale, the Dunphy kids are messier than ever, and their parents tell them one of them has to move out. The three of them immediately push back, rattling off excuses for why they can't leave and quickly volunteering each other instead.

It doesn't take long for the decision to be made for them, though. Alex meets with her co-worker Arvin (Chris Geere), who reveals their research project has been moved to Switzerland, meaning she is moving out of the family home. Oh, Alex and Arvin also admit their feelings for each other and seemingly start a relationship as they prepare for the trip.

When Alex breaks the news to Claire and Phil that she's moving out, Haley also shares that she, Dylan, and the twins are dippin, too. Luke soon walks through the front door and announces that he's leaving to attend the University of Oregon.

Before everyone scatters, Haley and Alex pull one last prank on Luke. But it ends with them realizing this is the last time they'll all be living together under one roof. They promise to keep in touch: Haley says they can call her anytime, Alex insists Switzerland is easy to visit, and Luke tells his sisters he will always count on them for relationship advice.**

What happens at the end of Modern Family?

The family gathers in Claire and Phil's house in the 'Modern Family' series finale.

Eric McCandless via Getty

In the series finale's last moments, the whole family huddles together at Claire and Phil's house to take one more group selfie. None of them want to let go, and they share a big hug before going their separate ways.

We then see Haley and Dylan setting up their new home; Cam, Mitch, Lily, and Rex on the plane; Jay and Gloria at one of Joe's soccer games; and Phil and Claire marking off their RV trip on their calendar as Jay does one final voiceover.

"Life is full of change. Some big, some small. I learned a long time ago, you can fight it, or you can try to make the best of it," the patriarch says. "And that's all a lot easier if you've got people who love you, helping you face whatever life throws at you. At least that's what helps me sleep at night."

The finale's closing shots feature the family's three houses as the light turns off, but Phil and Claire's porch light turns back on.

"As far as the moment of the porch light, [we were] looking for something hopeful to cut the sadness of the heavy, tearful goodbye. That's also true to life, that families disperse, but they come back together at various times," Lloyd told EW. "And it's a hopeful thing for Phil and Claire. And for the kids to know they're always welcome at home. Everyone's always welcome at the Dunphys'. It seemed a hopeful final image."

Where can I watch Modern Family?

All 11 seasons of *Modern Family *are currently available to stream on Hulu and Peacock.

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Source: “EW TV”