22 Times Movies Totally Nailed Their Ending Scenes Will Make You Want To Rewatch Them

We all know that not every great movie will have a great ending. In fact, the reverse is true as well.

Of course, we’ve all experienced that moment when a movie that didn’t start well becomes unforgettable simply because of its wonderful ending. Deciding which movie has the best conclusion in cinematic history can be challenging, as everyone has their own expectations.

There are certain movie conclusions that are more successful than others; some aim to explain something but ultimately fail; others deny us the closure we truly need, and there are many more. But overall, we just want an ending that concludes well.

The BuzzFeed Community was asked a question: "What is a movie ending scene so satisfying—so well executed—that it should've won the Academy Award for Best Movie Ending (if you know, that was a category)?" They certainly delivered. Their fantastic responses elicited even more fantastic replies.

So, we’ve gathered some of the best replies and the scenes that will make you want to thank the Academy. Hold on for just a moment—this is a post about movie conclusions, so there are certainly SPOILERS ahead.

Keep scrolling and get ready to be entertained.

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."

—evrbdytlks

2. Black Swan (2010)

"How was this not on the original list? That ending is—pun intended—perfect."

—brody_saxon05

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."

—mrsgillis333

4. Us (2019)

"This one has a really interesting ending. It makes you wonder who the real villain is—Red or Adelaide?"

—errajatbhatiaakg

5. Casablanca (1942)

"It’s old-school, but there's a reason it's praised as a classic ending!"

—amykinsk

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."

—whitfield89

7. Rogue One (2016)

"That Darth Vader scene was freaking amazing!"

—melissas48470ea8d

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."

—a4e923f2c7

9. Psycho (1960)

"This has one of the most iconic endings of all time, and I’ll fight anyone who says differently."

—alexfromjupiter

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."

—lightheart16

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."

—ryeami

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!"

—mfalcone

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."

—esa23552

14. Whiplash (2014)

"This movie has the most satisfying ending ever committed to film."

—bdoggotl

15. American Psycho (2000)

"Christian Bale's monologue at the end is just absolutely breathtaking."

—loureemendez63

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."

—brieg2804

17. Inglourious Basterds (2009)

"Just watch it. It’s graphic, but it was the perfect ending to the movie."

—brittanya4ea9eee09

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."

—districtrue

19. The Departed (2006)

"It's still probably the only Martin Scorsese movie that I didn't think was too long! Epic ending!"

—clairebsaenz

20. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

"I love period pieces, and the fact that they were able to infuse fantasy and magic is amazing."

—bernardkaelin

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?"

—amandan25

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."

—cocogrigio

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.