Dawson does not end up with Joey or any long‑term romantic partner in the Dawson’s Creek finale; instead, his “endgame” is his career and creative dream, symbolically “ending up” with Steven Spielberg.

Quick Scoop: Who Dawson Ends Up With

In the series finale’s flash‑forward, Joey ultimately chooses Pacey, not Dawson, resolving the long-running love triangle. Dawson and Joey tell each other they are soulmates, but they frame that bond as something that transcends romance and agree their relationship will always matter, just not as a couple.

The show then leans into Dawson’s lifelong obsession with filmmaking and Spielberg. In the final scenes, Dawson is running his own autobiographical TV show and is about to meet Steven Spielberg, turning the joke that he “ends up with Spielberg” into the closest thing the series gives him to an ending partner.

How the Finale Frames It

  • Joey and Pacey are the romantic endgame couple.
  • Dawson and Joey define each other as soulmates whose connection will “always” endure, but not as a romantic pairing.
  • Dawson’s true “match” is his creative path: he’s fulfilled by making a show based on his life and heading to meet Spielberg.

So in fandom shorthand, when people ask “who does Dawson end up with,” the answer is: Joey ends up with Pacey, and Dawson ends up with his career and Spielberg rather than a traditional romantic partner.

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