Possibly the most significant aspect of a movie is the conclusion. An ending that seems satisfying and deserving of the story being delivered is necessary after spending hours immersed in it. Consider movies that have offered compelling tales only to leave you feeling unfulfilled by their resolution or wishing you could throw something at the screen. A disappointing conclusion can undo all the wonderful that came before it, just as a satisfying one might justify everything that happened or even bring all the loose ends together in novel ways. Here are 20 movie endings that tie up their stories wonderfully.
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Heroes from the whole MCU come together in Avengers: Infinity War as they band together to stop Thanos from gaining all the Infinity Stones and wiping out half the world’s inhabitants. Even though they battle, the heroes lose for the first time in an MCU film: Thanos snaps his fingers and wipes out half of humanity, including some of our favorite heroes. The emotional impact of seeing each hero eliminated by dust is enhanced by the last scene, in which Nick Fury is eliminated before he can finish cursing, which adds much-needed humor. In addition to being the ideal way for this movie to end, the next one is also perfectly set up.
Casablanca (1942)
An excellent love story is told in Casablanca about Rick, a club owner and American expat in Casablanca during World War II. Ilsa, his ex-girlfriend, stops by the club with her husband Victor. Rick is divided between wanting to help and wanting to regain his connection with Ilsa since Victor needs Rick’s assistance to leave Casablanca and carry on battling the Germans in the war. Rick makes Ilsa go with her husband even though he initially intends to frame Victor and live with her himself so she won’t later regret it. The fact that Rick allowed Ilsa to be happy despite the fact that it wasn’t the expected happy ending demonstrates how much he cares about her.
Citizen Kane (1941)
Since Citizen Kane is frequently recognized as the greatest film ever made, its conclusion is ideal. Charles Kane, a businessman whose passing opens the film, is profiled in the film. A reporter looks into Kane’s life to learn the meaning of his last word, Rosebud. After looking into Kane’s life, he is unable to come up with a solution, but the last scene provides it. The staff finds the sledge he was riding on the day he was abducted from Colorado while cleaning out his mansion. Rosebud is the name of the sledge. It’s a deft reference to the past that demonstrates how much he prized this particular childhood experience.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
The bond between a little boy named Elliott and the alien he discovers one night is the main theme of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. When the government steps in and nearly kills E.T., the two quickly bond and can feel each other’s emotions, which creates hilarious and touching moments. Elliott assists E.T. in getting home even though they are pals. E.T. bids Elliott farewell and assures him that he will always be by his side before taking off on his spacecraft. Although the conclusion may still make one cry, it is an appropriate one that demonstrates how much the two individuals meant to one another.
Field of Dreams (1989)
Kevin Costner plays Ray in Field of Dreams. Ray is an Iowa farmer who worries about not making any progress, especially given the ruptured relationship he had with his deceased father. He hears a voice saying, “If you build it, he will come,” as he strolls across his cornfield. Ray then constructs a baseball pitch, which entices the ghosts of baseball greats who have passed away. A final participant eventually encounters Ray: a juvenile version of his father. In the midst of endless lines of cars pulling up to view the field, the two get back in touch and begin playing catch. It’s a happy, touching finale that shows the reunion of a father and son as well as people’s love of baseball and childhood memories.
Inception (2010)
Inception centers on Dom and his crew of thieves who invade people’s dreams to steal information. After they were imprisoned in limbo on a mission, Dom toys with her dreams to persuade her to wake up. He is also plagued by memories of his deceased wife and feels responsible for her passing. She was unable to identify reality as a result, and she killed herself. This poignant component highlights the thrilling mission. Dom spins a top after succeeding to determine whether his existence is real or a dream. In a dream, the top spins endlessly, but the movie ends before we can determine whether it will stop or not, sparking much discussion. With an amazing conclusion, it enhances the mystery and ambiguity of dreams throughout the film.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
The holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life chronicles George Bailey’s life from birth through adulthood. When George is unjustly implicated in a controversy involving missing money, we get to see him develop from a good youngster to a kind man. George is about to commit himself because he can see no way out of his predicament, but Clarence the angel intervenes to stop him. Clarence then demonstrates to George the impact he has had on people’s lives and what the community would be like without him. On Christmas Eve, George returns to his family and declares that he still wants to live. Everyone in the town raises enough money during the celebration to make up for the lost money. More than 70 years later, it still feels wonderful and promising. It is pleasant and nostalgic.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
A spaceship crew crashes on a world where apes have human intelligence and rule over humanity in the movie Planet of the Apes, taking viewers on a trip with them. One of the astronauts, Taylor, is taken prisoner and becomes close with Nova, another prisoner. Since humans are mute, Taylor is in danger because of his capacity to speak. He manages to get away and go to an area that the ape cannot control, where the Statue of Liberty’s ruins can be seen protruding from the sand. This shows that, contrary to what everyone thought, the action of the film actually takes place on a future Earth. It’s a startling turn that causes you to reevaluate the entire movie and cast everything in a fresh perspective.
Psycho (1960)
The Bates Motel, where Norman and his mother reside, is the setting of Psycho. Marion Crane and Norman cross paths, and their paths continue to cross until she is dead. The subsequent inquiry reveals that Norman is the murderer and that Norman’s mother is dead. It is revealed that Norman killed his mother and her boyfriend out of jealousy at the movie’s climax, deepening this twist that has survived the test of time. The story ended with him sitting in jail and hearing his mother confess to the killing. He then preserved his mother’s remains and adopted her as another facet of his identity. A terrifying conclusion that highlights Norman’s depravity and the brilliance of the film.
Rocky (1976)
A franchise that is still going strong today, Rocky tells the tale of Rocky Balboa, a little-known fighter who gets the chance to challenge for the heavyweight championship of the world. Rocky works out for weeks while also starting a relationship with Adrian, a quiet woman. He is able to outlast Creed in the bout, which has never been done before. They embrace and decide to call the fight off. Rocky gained his respect and proved his value, even though Creed prevails in a split decision. Adrian runs into the ring, and they proclaim their love for one another while ignoring the defeat. His love for Adrian also gets to take center stage. It gives you the impression that you’re in the ring celebrating with Rocky since it is triumphant and moving.
Se7en (1995)
In the film Se7en, Morgan Freeman plays Somerset, a retired investigator, and Brad Pitt plays Mills, a brand-new detective. The two look into a string of homicides that are related to the seven deadly sins. Doe brings them to the desert, where he will expose the remaining victims, after tracing the killings to him. Doe discloses in the desert that the box includes the head of Mills’ wife as a symbol of enmity. Then Mills turns wrathful and murders Doe. According to ScreenRant, the studio initially wanted it changed, but the film’s creative team resisted and insisted on keeping it. Like The Usual Suspects, it leaves you wanting more and has a jaw-dropping conclusion that wraps up the mystery just right.
Stand by Me (1986)
In Stand by Me, Gordie leads a group of four young boys on an expedition into the woods to locate a body. They become closer as they travel and divulge the most intimate elements of their lives to one another. Adult Gordie reveals the tragic details of what happened to his buddies after their voyage. Gordie says in the conclusion that he never had friends as well as the ones he did when he was 12 years old. The following is added by him via typing: “Jesus, does anyone?” The conclusion and its concluding sentences serve as a monument to childhood and eloquently express the strength and influence of childhood friendships.
The Godfather (1972)
The Corleone family, headed by Mafia boss Don Vito Corleone, better known as the Godfather, is the subject of the crime classic The Godfather. We get to know the family and hear about the numerous criminal activities and business dealings Vito is involved in from the famous wedding introduction scene. The majority of the film centers on Michael, the youngest Corleone son, who while wanting a regular life, is sucked into the cycle of crime and bloodshed. Michael concludes the film assuming his father’s role as family patriarch and being referred to as Don Corleone after his father and oldest brother pass away and his middle brother is deemed unfit. It depicts Michael’s ascension into a life he didn’t desire while laying the groundwork for all the trouble that will follow.
The Graduate (1967)
Dustin Hoffman plays the lost college graduate Benjamin in The Graduate. He starts an affair with Mrs. Robinson, an older married woman while still living at home. He then starts dating Elaine, the daughter of Mrs. Robinson, under parental pressure. He navigates this complicated relationship until everything is revealed, at which point Elaine is ordered to wed someone else. When the ceremony is over, Benjamin discovers the wedding and dashes inside the chapel to join Elaine in fleeing and boarding a bus. As they prepare to face the realities of the future, their triumph slowly begins to fade as they sit on the bus together at the film’s conclusion.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The epic trilogy is wrapped up in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. As Aragorn and his companions combat Sauron, Frodo and Sam continue to deliver the ring to Mordor. Both prevail after a protracted struggle. After Aragorn is anointed king of Gondor, he urges the Hobbits to stop bowing to people and acknowledges their friendship. It’s a celebration of the characters and everything they’ve been through, and the poignant conclusion comes when Frodo decides to stop experiencing his trauma and moves on spiritually while Sam relates his tales.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
In the movie The Shawshank Redemption, Andy, a banker, is found guilty of killing his wife and her lover and is given two consecutive life terms in Shawshank prison. He makes friends with a smuggler named Red while incarcerated and participates in a money-laundering plan with the warden and other inmates. Andy spends 19 years building a tunnel to escape the prison whilst this is happening. He manages to escape during a stressful period while also stealing evidence of the warden’s malfeasance. When Red gets freed the next year, he follows him to Mexico after realizing his ambition of visiting there. Witnessing the two get back together is a testimonial to their friendship and a well-earned happy ending following such a dreadful prison stay.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
One of the greatest twists in cinematic history can be found in The Sixth Sense. The conclusion is well known to almost everyone, but it’s still noteworthy. Malcolm, a child psychologist who works with Cole, a little boy who sees ghosts, is the main character of the film. He uses his skills to assist Malcolm in speaking with his wife, who has recently been cold to him, as well as to assist Malcolm in intervening in a case of child abuse. After speaking with her, he understands that he has been dead ever since starting to work with Cole. He was killed after being shot by a home intruder. He is able to properly bid his wife farewell before moving on spiritually. Malcolm’s final conversation with his wife stirs up genuine emotion, while the twist surprises and adds drama.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
The police questioning of con artist Verbal Kint, one of the sole survivors of a ship fire, centers on The Usual Suspects. Kint describes the circumstances that led to the fire and how Keyser Söze, a crime lord, was responsible for them through flashbacks. After Kint is freed, the epilogue reveals that he was actually Söze the entire time and had made up his story using specifics from the questioning room, such a coffee mug. It’s a climax that ties up all the loose ends of the story and provides the answer to the riddle. You quickly want to revisit to get a fresh perspective since you notice all the details you missed.
Titanic (1997)
The narrative of Rose, a wealthy young woman, and Jack, a poor young man, as they fall in love is told in the movie Titanic, which is set aboard the tragic ship. An old Rose tells a ship diving crew looking for a pricey necklace the tale of their love. We learn in the conclusion that Rose has the necklace, which she throws into the water. Once she goes to sleep, the picture switches to a younger version of her being with Jack again on the Titanic. Although there are disagreements about whether Rose dies or not, the finale is good because it allows her to enjoy everything she has accomplished before rejoining Jack.
Toy Story 3
In Toy Story 3, Andy is getting ready to go to college and is debating whether or not to give up his toys. The toys fight to get back to Andy after being unintentionally delivered to a creche. Despite coming back, they must accept the fact that Andy is no longer in need of them. Woody cries out “So long, partner” as Andy departs after giving his toys to Bonnie, a small girl. It’s an acknowledgement of growing up as well as a farewell to childhood and the days Andy and I spent together. Although the franchise went on, this exquisite, devastating climax represents the true end of their tale.
