11 Movies That Ended On A High Note And Another 11 With Lackluster Endings
The greatest and most satisfying endings stick with you long after you leave the theater.
Making a great movie is a difficult task, but even if the production team gets almost everything right, it all comes down to one thing: the ending. Movie endings serve as a standard for viewers when rating films.
How are you going to let your fans in on your story? What do you want viewers to remember as they leave the theater, and what emotions do you want them to feel?
It can be difficult to convey all of this while also wrapping up your story, and in some cases, the ending is lackluster and disappointingly not as captivating as what came before it.
Only a few films, however, are able to elevate the conclusion to new heights, providing a final scene or shot that viewers are unable to shake. This could be a brilliant visual idea that connects to the film's conceptual thread, or it could be an excitingly ambiguous note that leaves a portion of the conclusion to the audience.
With the above contrast established, we have compiled a 22-name list of some popular movies, which range from amazing and delightfully twisted endings to disappointing and dull endings. So keep scrolling down to check them out and make your own comparison or judgment.
1. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
"Here's how it should've ended:Old Lady: What's your name?Rey: I'm Rey. Rey Palpatine.Old Lady: Palpatine? But that was the name of the guy who committed two galaxy-wide genocides! Are you saying you're related to him?!Rey: Yes, but bloodlines...aren't important.THE END."
LucasFilm2. Ending of the 2016 movie, Rogue One
"That Darth Vader scene was freaking amazing!"
LucasFilm3. Ending of the movie, Glass
"Someone spoiled the ending for me before I even had a chance to see it, and I was still disappointed. Still, Unbreakable is one of my favorite movies."
Universal Pictures
4. The twist that happened in the movie, Us
"This film's conclusion raises profound questions about the nature of good and evil, prompting viewers to reflect on who the true antagonist is — Red or Adelaide?"— Dr. Esther Perel, couples therapist and author
Universal Pictures
5. The third act of the movie, Wonder Woman
"The first two acts were really good, and then everything fell apart in a terrible final battle sequence."
Warner Bros.
6. End of 2008 movie, The Dark Knight
"The swell of the music underneath Jim Gordon's monologue — there's something about that that stays in your head," says Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a happiness researcher who emphasizes the emotional impact of storytelling in film.
Warner Bros.
7. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
"The very last moment of this? Like, hey, let's upheave tons of established lore in the last 30 seconds! The fuck was that?!"
Warner Bros.
8. The ending of Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
"As frustrating and devastating as it was for the entire fandom, that ending scene was incredible."—[deleted]
Marvel Studios
9. The end of the 2019 Toy Story 4 film
"Woody turned his back on literally everything he stood for during the entire series. The whole movie, he was fighting to get back to his friends, and then he just decides to leave in the last five minutes?"
Walt Disney Pictures
10. The final moments of The Lion King released in 1994
"Simba slowly walking up Pride Rock as the majestic 'King of Pride Rock' score plays, and Mufasa appearing one last time to say 'Remember...' before Simba roars as the new king — then the transition to some time later when the land is healthy again, and Simba and Nala’s cub is being presented as a chorus sings a triumphant reprise of 'Circle of Life'? Pure perfection."
Walt Disney Pictures
11. The finale to the 2016 movie, La La Land
"I was incredibly disappointed when the characters who had built such a strong connection throughout the film ended up apart in the future sequence. It felt like a betrayal of the story's emotional journey, leaving me heartbroken."— Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, marriage therapist
Lionsgate
12. The positively sublime ending of Moonlight (2016)
"The ending of this film was truly remarkable. It left me in a profoundly emotional state. Chiron's poignant words, 'You were the only man that ever touched me. I haven’t really touched anyone since,' resonated deeply with me. The imagery of baby Chiron on the beach, illuminated by moonlight and gazing into the camera, was nothing short of perfect. I find myself getting emotional just reflecting on it."— Dr. Terri Orbuch, relationship researcher and author
A24
13. The ending to the 2018 movie, Hereditary
"The ending of a film can significantly impact its overall reception; sometimes, a strong narrative falters in the final moments."— Dr. Dan Ariely, behavioral economist
A24
14. The iconic ending of the 1996 movie, Scream
"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 and Moby's 'First Cool Hive' plays in the background...biiiiitch, chills. SO ICONIC," says Dr. Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of "The Happiness Hypothesis." He emphasizes the emotional impact of cinematic moments that resonate deeply with audiences. "These scenes often encapsulate a sense of closure and triumph that can leave a lasting impression."
Dimension Films
15. The final moments of Mamma Mia! (2008)
"I find the ending disappointing. The film builds up to the couple's wedding, showcasing a stunning venue, only for them to abandon their vows and choose cohabitation instead. It feels like a missed opportunity for commitment!"— Dr. Alexandra Solomon, relationship therapist
Universal Pictures
16. The lovely ending of the 2017 movie, Lady Bird
"When she calls her mother and talks about how emotional she felt when driving around Sacramento? It was so perfect. It gives me chills just thinking about it," says Dr. Michele Weiner-Davis, a renowned marriage therapist. "Emotional connections in storytelling can resonate deeply with audiences, often evoking powerful memories and feelings."
A24
17. The ending of Passengers (2016)
"It could have been an amazing sci-fi movie where Jennifer Lawrence was forced to make the same decision Chris Pratt did...but instead, they went the 'happily ever after' route."
Sony Pictures Releasing
18. The last scene of the 2012 movie, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
"This is probably an unpopular opinion, but when I think of great endings — it's this one. Not only was it poetic, romantic, and beautiful, but it also changed how I viewed life and love. It affected me deep down, and I will carry some small piece of that film with me for the rest of my life...so yeah, I think it's an awardworthy ending," says Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist and author of "Loving Bravely." She emphasizes the importance of narratives in shaping our understanding of relationships and personal growth.
Focus Features
19. The end of the genre, The Other Woman (2014)
"It’s frustrating when a film builds up a strong narrative only to derail it with an unrealistic ending. As Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship therapist, notes, 'When stories take a turn into the absurd, it can leave viewers feeling disconnected from the characters and their journeys.' This has certainly been the case for my husband and me, who often find ourselves disappointed when a movie ends on such a lackluster note."
20th Century Fox
20. The final moments of Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
"This had the best ending of any film I’ve ever seen. It was truly a remarkable way to end the film, and Adèle Haenel’s performance in the scene should have gotten her an Oscar all on its own. I was truly disoriented after I left the theater. That ending sat with me for WEEKS after," says Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a renowned happiness researcher. "Movies that evoke strong emotional responses can leave a lasting impact on our well-being."
Pyramide Films
21. The ending of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
"I was so excited to finally have another Indiana Jones movie, and then...ALIENS? Seriously?"— Dr. John Gottman, marriage researcher
Paramount Pictures
22. The final scene in 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," says Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist known for her insights on relationships and media influence.
New Line Cinema
The greatest and most satisfying endings stick with you long after you leave the theater, and in some cases, they inspire you to keep rewatching that part. However, great movies can have terrible endings, causing viewers to rate them poorly despite the hard work the filmmakers must have put in before the dull ending.
Which of the films on our list did you enjoy the most, and which had a dreadful ending? Please leave your thoughts in the section below.
