22 Times Movies Totally Nailed Their Ending Scenes Will Make You Want To Rewatch Them
Movies with a solid start and a more remarkable conclusion.
Some movie endings stick with you long after the credits roll, and sometimes they are the whole reason a film becomes unforgettable.
That is exactly the kind of conversation BuzzFeed Community members jumped into when they were asked which movie ending scene was so satisfying, so perfectly executed, that it should have won an Academy Award for Best Movie Ending. Their picks ranged from eerie to emotional, and plenty of them came with strong opinions.
We have gathered the standout responses below, and yes, there are spoilers ahead. Read on.
1. The Graduate (1967)
"It's so well done and leaves you seriously thinking about how these two characters' lives are going to turn out."2. Black Swan (2010)
"How was this not on the original list? That ending is-pun intended-perfect."3. Say Anything... (1989)
"I loved the ending of this movie. They are on the plane, and she's really nervous about flying, which was established earlier in the film. He tells her that once she hears the 'ding,' everything will be okay and that he'll 'just keep talking until the ding happens.' Then you hear it as the screen goes black, and that is how the movie ends."That kind of ending is exactly why people keep talking about these movies.
4. Us (2019)
"This one has a really interesting ending. It makes you wonder who the real villain is-Red or Adelaide?"5. Casablanca (1942)
"It’s old-school, but there's a reason it's praised as a classic ending!"6. Scream (1996)
"That final shot with Courteney Cox giving her Gale Weathers 'Exclusive Eyewitness Account' newscast, with the police in the background as the camera cranes upward to face the rising sun to the tune of Moby's 'First Cool Hive' playing in the background...biiiiitch, chills. SO ICONIC."Some of these finales are pure chaos, and that is part of the fun.
7. Rogue One (2016)
"That Darth Vader scene was freaking amazing!"8. Primal Fear (1996)
"It's a double twist ending, but the biggest twist is in the final scene, which makes the whole movie pay off. It very much deserves to be on this list."9. Psycho (1960)
"This has one of the most iconic endings of all time, and I’ll fight anyone who says differently."10. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
"Katniss staring at the camera, her expression changing from shock to sadness to anger, paired with the final line, 'There is no District 12.' It makes you appreciate the film as a whole and wonder what is going to happen next with Katniss's story."And then there are the endings that hit hard and stay there.
It’s the same kind of public panic as when Hollywood’s biggest stars accidentally made things wildly awkward.
11. Train to Busan (2016)
"I’m terrified of zombies, so I was already scared, but when the dad sacrificed himself so his daughter could get away...I started bawling my eyes out. It was so well done, engrossing, and heart-wrenching."12. Tarzan (1999)
"From the second her glove blows away to the reprise of 'Two Worlds, One Family' to the final 'Tarzan yell' before it cuts to black... I know it's just a cartoon, but it is a fantastic, cathartic ending!"13. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
"The iconic 'I’m having an old friend for dinner' line, with Dr. Lecter hanging up and slowly following Chilton while Clarice is still panicking on the phone... Perfection."14. Whiplash (2014)
"This movie has the most satisfying ending ever committed to film."By this point, the list is basically a greatest-hits reel of unforgettable finales.
15. American Psycho (2000)
"Christian Bale's monologue at the end is just absolutely breathtaking."16. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
"It's so chaotic, and then when Cap tells Fury he's upset because he 'had a date.' So good."17. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
"Just watch it. It’s graphic, but it was the perfect ending to the movie."18. La La Land (2016)
"It was such a well-executed epilogue scene and a final nod of farewell between Sebastian and Mia. It wrapped up the story beautifully."19. The Departed (2006)
"It's still probably the only Martin Scorsese movie that I didn't think was too long! Epic ending!"20. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
"I love period pieces, and the fact that they were able to infuse fantasy and magic is amazing."21. The Shining (1980)
"This ending is *chef’s kiss*. The slow zoom-in on the photo of the hotel leaves the viewer with so many questions. Was Jack a reincarnated spirit being called back to the hotel? Was he a victim of the hotel’s toxic energy? Did he finally find his 'home' among the other hotel guests?"22. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
"What about these endings? All 45 of them?! LOL. Seriously though, it's a perfect film."To many, the conclusion of any movie is the most important part of that film. How the producers and directors want you to feel when the movie finally ends is often what makes the entire movie worthwhile.
Which movie ending did you love the most? Drop your comments down below.
Some endings just refuse to leave your head.
Want more “how did they not die of embarrassment?” energy, see Hollywood’s biggest stars who wanted the earth to swallow them whole.
