Sometimes we can get what we want! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most successful, emotionally complete, and/or triumphant finales on film. There’s also a major spoiler warning for the following movies.
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00:00 "Burble, you know we're trying to help you."
00:01 "Sure, and I appreciate that. And I want to help you, Agent Kooyan."
00:05 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most successful,
00:11 emotionally complete, and/or triumphant finales on film.
00:15 There's also a major spoiler warning for the following movies.
00:19 "Was nothing real?"
00:20 "You were real. That's what made you so good to watch."
00:27 Number 30. The Dance. Avengers Endgame.
00:30 Captain America has the most tragic love life in all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
00:34 "Eight o'clock on the dot, don't you dare be late. Understood?"
00:38 "You know, I still don't know how to dance."
00:43 Separated from Peggy Carter after he goes under the ice, Steve Rogers misses out on not only
00:48 decades of history, but also the life that they would have shared. In Avengers Endgame,
00:53 thanks to time travel, Steve Rogers is able to see Peggy again in the past,
00:57 which breaks his heart all over again. At the film's conclusion, however,
01:01 we see that Steve decided to stay in the past, and has now grown old. And sure enough,
01:06 he did alongside Peggy, with whom he finally gets that long-awaited dance. After years of waiting,
01:12 it felt like a perfect ending to both Avengers Endgame and his story.
01:17 [Spoilers]
01:24 Number 29. Okay. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
01:29 In this sci-fi romance, Joel and Clementine have a complicated relationship. The brilliant script
01:35 sets them up for a surprising and touching finale. By the end, the two reunite even after learning
01:42 that they've erased each other from their memories. "What do you want, Joel?"
01:45 "Just wait. I don't know. I want you to wait for just a while."
01:50 The duo then decide to try and make it work, despite all of their shared history.
01:55 Even after they argue about the risks, both characters agree that life is too
01:59 short to walk out on each other. This scene captures all of the nuances of a real partnership
02:04 without resorting to cheap gimmicks. "And I'll get bored with you and feel trapped,
02:08 because that's what happens with me." "Okay."
02:12 "Okay."
02:19 As they go back to the beach, both lovers happily spend time with each other in a hopeful nod to
02:24 the future. Number 28. Handshake. Heat. After chasing his target for the entire film,
02:31 Lieutenant Vincent Hanna finally corners the criminal Neil Macaulay.
02:41 The LAPD detective catches Macaulay at LAX and mortally wounds him. Director Michael Mann could
02:47 have ended the movie in a more sensational way, but he instead explores a more emotional angle.
02:53 The two men share a handshake as De Niro's character dies. It's a moving moment between
02:58 opposites, proving that there's some respect for each other hidden underneath their rough exteriors.
03:03 Al Pacino does an amazing job conveying the moment on his face, both relieved and almost
03:17 sad that the chase is over. It's a fitting end for two people who fulfilled their own prophecies.
03:22 Number 27. The Chopper. Predator. This quintessential 80s action flick sees a team
03:29 of muscular mercenaries facing off against a powerful alien foe in the Central American jungle.
03:34 Eventually, their leader Dutch is the last man standing. He engages the predator one-on-one,
03:43 using guile and traps to finally kill the creature,
03:46 though it does technically get the last laugh.
03:56 Action heroes always go up against absurd odds, but rarely has a victory been quite so hard-fought.
04:02 When Anna and Phillips pick him up and they fly off, you just can't help but smile.
04:06 It's just such a relief that Dutch managed to "get to the chopper,"
04:10 especially when so many of his friends didn't.
04:12 Number 26. Chris is Hired. The Pursuit of Happiness.
04:22 Chris Gardner has a rough go of things throughout this film. His marriage falls apart,
04:26 he loses his apartment, and he and his son are ultimately left unhoused. Nevertheless,
04:32 Chris persists and works hard in an unpaid internship, even as life continues to throw
04:37 hardships his way. All of Chris's hard work pays off, though, as in the final scene,
04:42 he gets the job at the firm, securing a future for himself and his son.
04:46 "Tomorrow's going to be your first day, if you'd like to work here as a broker."
04:52 "Would you like that, Chris?"
04:55 "Yes, sir."
04:57 There were few dry eyes in the audience during this scene, as Chris achieved long-overdue
05:02 success. This film isn't an easy watch, but the emotional payoff is massive.
05:06 Number 25. Getting the House. Knives Out.
05:11 At the end of this murder mystery, an unlikely hero emerges victorious. Nurse Marta Cabrera
05:17 throws up on ransom, helps Benoit Blanc solve the case, and ends up winning Harlan Thrombey's estate.
05:23 "I want you to remember something that's very important.
05:26 You won not by playing the game Harlan's way, but yours. You're a good person."
05:37 Cabrera then sips a mug on the balcony of her new home in a savage moment. Writer and director
05:42 Rian Johnson lines up all of these complicated dominoes, letting them fall in an elaborate finish.
05:48 Watching Ana de Armas' character thwart the entire Thrombey family is just the cherry on top.
05:54 After all is said and done, the movie delivers a feel-good ending that you won't forget about.
05:59 Number 24. Smile. Jaws.
06:03 It's the moment every audience member wants to see. After all that trouble, the heroes of Jaws
06:08 come face to face with the shark. Martin Brody gets a scuba tank in the creature's mouth,
06:13 and Brody lines up a perfect shot. "Smile you son of a-"
06:17 Blowing the monster sky high, the police chief celebrates after saving the day.
06:23 You can't help but cheer as the menacing villain finally kicks the bucket.
06:27 Perfectly executed by director Steven Spielberg, this finale has all the tension one could want
06:35 from a suspenseful film. It's ultimately a satisfying and explosive conclusion to an
06:40 amazing blockbuster. Number 23. Solo. Whiplash.
06:50 Andrew Naiman wants to be the best musician possible. When given the chance to play for
06:55 the demonic Fletcher, the hero decides to really show off. "I'll cue you in. Caravan.
07:04 Three, four." This performance brings together amazing directing, editing, and music into one
07:11 unforgettable moment. Miles Teller gives his all to a scene that involves an impressive drum solo.
07:17 Shocking everyone in the process, his student character finally joins the band to close out
07:22 a phenomenal piece of filmmaking. "Andrew, what are you doing man?" "I'll cue you."
07:31 It's part tragedy, part success story, but it's all told with the electricity of a real concert.
07:37 There's no doubt that you'll be air drumming as the credits roll.
07:40 Number 22. Rudy Gets to Play. Rudy. The hero of this sports classic has one singular goal.
07:56 He spends the entire film on a mission, leading towards a hugely satisfying end.
08:01 It all comes down to one play, where Rudy finally takes the field for Notre Dame.
08:05 With his team cheering him on, the athlete gets carried off the field after his appearance.
08:18 It's especially moving to see a determined character finally get the recognition they
08:22 deserve. Based on a true story, this underdog tale inspires anybody who dares to dream.
08:28 The ending finds a way to transcend the usual sports cliches for something even more heartwarming.
08:33 Number 21. Full Circle. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. The wizarding world
08:49 came together to defeat Voldemort, but the real end of the film comes with a time jump.
08:54 Audiences get to see Harry, Hermione, and Ron sending off their own kids to Hogwarts.
08:58 Any fan of the series finds themselves in a vortex of nostalgia at this point.
09:10 In a full circle moment, the friends reunite on the iconic platform to watch their children
09:15 start a new adventure. It's a little easier to take the end with the knowledge that it's
09:19 only the beginning. From Philosopher's Stone to Deathly Hallows, the entire franchise has
09:24 a beautiful conclusion that focuses on the characters above all.
09:27 Number 20. Goodbye. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While Elliot Taylor and E.T. become friends,
09:43 the former eventually realizes that his alien buddy can't stay forever.
09:47 The two finally have to say their farewells in a tearful goodbye.
09:51 As the Extra-Terrestrial prepares to board his ship, he shares a heartfelt and simple send-off.
09:56 Whether you're a kid or an adult, nothing can prepare you for this emotional separation.
10:01 It's the kind of touching end that still makes us cry all these years later.
10:06 Number 21. The Breakfast Club.
10:09 Brought together by the mythical music of John Williams, this scene still ranks as one of
10:26 Steven Spielberg's best. Number 19. Don't You Forget About Me. The Breakfast Club.
10:32 This teen film follows a group of high school students in detention.
10:36 All come from different cliques and have preconceptions about the others. But as the day
10:47 goes on, they realize they have more in common than they thought, reaching a better understanding of
10:51 each other and themselves. Of course, it doesn't hurt that they find a common enemy in assistant
10:56 principal Vernon. At the end of the film, Vernon reads an essay written by Brian summarizing what
11:01 the students have learned together. As Simple Mind's Don't You Forget About Me plays, the
11:06 students part ways. The future might be uncertain, but they've made new bonds and a lifelong memory.
11:12 John's fist pump in the last shot says it all. Number 18. Feather on the Wind. Forrest Gump.
11:25 He might not be the smartest, but he's got a huge heart. And throughout his life, Forrest Gump's
11:30 positive attitude leads him to have numerous unique experiences. The one constant, however,
11:35 is his love for his childhood friend Jenny. His joy at them finally reuniting and getting married
11:45 is sadly tempered by Jenny's untimely death from illness. But it's plain to see that in their short
11:50 time together, they brought each other a lifetime's worth of happiness. Moreover, it's incredibly
11:55 heartwarming seeing Forrest be a father to their son. The image of a feather blowing in the breeze
12:00 might be open to interpretation, but as Forrest sends his son off to school, viewers can't help
12:05 but feel their spirits soar with it. Number 17. Dynamite Unleashed. Django Unchained.
12:19 A revisionist western focused on the title character's quest to rescue his wife from
12:23 slavery, Django Unchained builds to the moment beautifully. Just as Django and Schultz's initial
12:31 attempt to rescue Broomhilda looks poised to succeed, it all goes horribly, horribly wrong.
12:37 Schultz is killed, Django is tortured and sold to a mining company. Things look bleak. However,
12:42 Django manages to outwit his captors and fight his way to freedom. Returning to the plantation
12:47 with Dynamite, he blows the whole thing to smithereens, then rides off with his wife.
12:52 Satisfaction and style. What more could you ask for?
12:55 Number 16. A Friend for Dinner. The Silence of the Lambs.
13:04 One of the most frightening thrillers ever made, The Silence of the Lambs has two related story
13:09 arcs. Clarice Starling's pursuit of serial killer Buffalo Bill and her interactions with Dr. Hannibal
13:15 Lecter. Clarice is able to
13:22 capture Buffalo Bill after enduring one of the most harrowing suspense sequences in cinema.
13:27 Meanwhile, Lecter manages to escape his bonds and calls to congratulate Agent Starling on her
13:32 victory, ominously telling her that he's having an old friend for dinner. Unlike Clarice, viewers
13:43 can see that he's eyeing the psychiatrist who was in charge of him while he was imprisoned.
13:47 It's an ending that leaves audiences happy about Clarice's success and also intrigued by
13:52 the prospect of Dr. Lecter being at large. Number 15. Where is My Mind? Fight Club.
13:58 What begins as an excuse for men to beat the crap out of each other eventually turns into
14:02 something even darker. Tyler Durden leads the unnamed narrator and their gang into becoming
14:14 domestic terrorists. Perhaps more disturbing, at least for the narrator, is the fact that Tyler
14:19 is actually the other half of his fractured psyche. It all comes to a head when the narrator,
14:24 armed with this knowledge, shoots himself in the mouth, effectively killing Tyler.
14:29 Then, looking out over the horizon with his romantic interest Marla, they watch the city
14:33 explode. It's terrifying and mesmerizing all at once. Plus, the song choice is amazing.
14:38 Number 14. You Already Have. Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.
14:47 The finale of the original Star Wars trilogy sees multiple battles play out simultaneously.
14:52 Our heroes take the fight to the Empire on Endor and in space around the second Death Star,
15:02 while Luke faces his father. Their epic duel is interrupted by the Emperor,
15:07 whose attempt to kill Luke drives Vader to protect his son and kill his former master,
15:11 becoming mortally wounded in the process. Although Luke laments that he wasn't able
15:20 to save his father, an unmasked Anakin Skywalker assures him that he already has.
15:25 This is driven home by seeing him made whole when he returns as a Force ghost during the victory
15:36 celebrations. Seeing a villain redeemed is always rewarding. And hey, who doesn't love a party?
15:42 Number 13. What Alfred Sees - The Dark Knight Rises.
15:47 The conclusion of the Dark Knight trilogy sees Batman seemingly sacrifice himself to tow a bomb
15:52 away from Gotham City. The city, and especially Alfred, mourn him and pay tribute to the hero,
16:01 while the torch is seemingly passed on to a new potential crime fighter. When the dust settles,
16:06 Alfred visits a cafe in Florence, where he sees Bruce Wayne seemingly alive and well with Selina
16:11 Kyle. To be fair, this could very well just be in Alfred's imagination. The butler actually
16:22 described just such a fantasy to Bruce earlier in the film. And considering the
16:36 end of Inception, we wouldn't put it past director Christopher Nolan. Regardless,
16:40 it's still gratifying to see the hero who sacrificed so much get a happy ending.
16:44 Number 12. Maximus Kills Commodus - Gladiator.
16:49 A former Roman general, Maximus is forced into slavery after his wife and son are murdered.
16:54 Becoming a gladiator, Maximus works his way up to the Coliseum. By making a name for himself and
17:00 winning over the people, he eventually gets the opportunity to face the man who betrayed him,
17:04 the Emperor Commodus, in single combat. Despite Commodus cheating by stabbing him beforehand,
17:15 Maximus manages to defeat his foe and win. Although he dies soon afterwards, it's a glorious death,
17:21 and one that reunites him with his family at last. But after all that Maximus has endured,
17:26 it's fulfilling to witness a hero not only get justice, but also peace and happiness in the
17:31 afterlife. Number 11. Searching for Happiness - Good Will Hunting. Will Hunting is a talented
17:38 genius, but his personal and professional lives suffer because he consistently sabotages himself.
17:43 Afraid of failure, he pushes people and opportunities away. This includes Jobs and
17:59 his girlfriend Skylar, who asks him to move to California with her. After unearthing some
18:04 personal trauma and dealing with it, Will rejects many of the job offers he's received. However,
18:09 this time it's because he's going in pursuit of Skylar and happiness, instead of running
18:13 from potential pain. While it's bittersweet for the friends he leaves behind, we can't help but
18:24 be happy that Will is finally going after what he wants. Number 10. The Devil's Greatest Trick - The
18:30 Usual Suspects. Who is Kaiser Soze? This question becomes the focal point of an ingenious script.
18:37 Kevin Spacey's verbal kint rattles off his tale to investigators before disappearing.
18:48 Chaz Palmin-Tierre's agent Dave Kuyon realizes too late that he's been duped. The Usual Suspect
18:54 sets up an amazing story, but quickly pulls the rug out from under the audience. Kint actually
19:00 steals details from Kuyon's bulletin board, making a dramatic exit before anyone can catch him.
19:05 With great reactions from Palmin-Tierre, the revelation washes over the audience in a
19:24 fantastic climax. It's an impressive writing feat that few films have ever topped.
19:29 Number 9. Neo Flies Away - The Matrix. The climax of this cyberpunk action blockbuster
19:40 sees Neo attempting to leave the Matrix after saving his mentor. Before Neo can escape, however,
19:50 the deadly Agent Smith delivers a killing blow to our valiant hero. Fortunately, his love interest
19:56 Trinity is able to restore him with a kiss. He proceeds to not only rise from the dead,
20:01 but live up to his status as The One, blowing Smith up from the inside. The ending sees him
20:06 telling the machines that he'll free the humans still trapped before flying away,
20:10 signaling his new mastery over the Matrix.
20:13 A world where anything is possible.
20:15 Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you. After watching Neo and his friends
20:24 barely survive against their foes, his promise to take the fight to them is awesome.
20:28 Number 8. A New Day - Groundhog Day. Phil Connors hates Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney.
20:35 Too bad he's trapped in both. It's still just once a year, isn't it?
20:41 Stuck repeating the same day over and over again, Phil lives years in one day. Although
20:46 sometimes prone to self-harm, Phil eventually comes to love the town and its people, and becomes a
20:52 better person by doing good for others every loop. After his co-worker Rita falls for him and they
20:58 get together, Phil is initially disappointed that the day appears to be repeating itself.
21:02 But then he discovers that February 3rd has finally come, and that Rita is still with him.
21:07 "Do you know what today is?" "Know what?"
21:09 "Today is tomorrow. It happened. You're here."
21:18 It's a long, strange trip that Phil goes on,
21:21 and it's wonderful to see him come out of it enlightened and happy.
21:24 "Let's live here."
21:26 Number 7. A Beautiful Friendship - Casablanca.
21:29 You could argue that Hollywood has yet to top the romantic heights of Casablanca.
21:33 This classic love story comes to a close as Rick sends Ilsa on a plane without him.
21:39 "If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it.
21:42 Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life."
21:45 "But what about us?" "We'll always have Paris."
21:50 It's a heartbreaking farewell that remains a true test of anyone's tear ducts.
21:54 The actual ending finds Humphrey Bogart and Claude Rains' characters
21:58 narrating their victory in style. Walking into the night,
22:02 these heroes make sure that the film ends on a positive note.
22:05 "Well, Rick, you're not only a sentimentalist, but you've become a patriot."
22:09 "I mean, but it seemed like a good time to start."
22:11 Both actors have a timeless charm,
22:13 as they share some of the most iconic lines in movie history.
22:17 In Michael Curtiz's masterpiece, every single element falls into place to make for cinematic magic.
22:24 "Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
22:28 Number 6. Adrian - Rocky.
22:31 The quintessential underdog, Rocky gives it his all preparing for a fight against
22:35 heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. "So all I want to do is go the distance.
22:39 Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed." While he doesn't think he can win,
22:48 he still tells his girlfriend Adrian that he wants to go the distance.
22:52 And indeed he does. Rocky's bout with Creed is one for the ages.
22:56 Rocky survives for 15 rounds against the more experienced fighter,
23:00 and endures a lot of punishment along the way. The fight ultimately ends without a knockout,
23:04 but Creed has declared the victor by split decision. For Rocky, though, it doesn't matter.
23:09 Sometimes it's not about winning or losing, but proving yourself. And Rocky showed us all how.
23:14 He declares his love for Adrian, and she for him, and the world cheers.
23:19 "Adrian!" "Rocky!"
23:22 Number 5. Truman Escapes - The Truman Show.
23:36 "Oh, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night."
23:40 Truman Burbank's entire life is a carefully controlled TV show.
23:44 His gradual realization of that fact leads him to try and leave the town he's lived in
23:48 all his life, eventually setting sail across the ocean despite a fear of water.
23:53 After crashing into the edge of the world, Truman discovers a door leading outside.
23:58 As he prepares to leave, his show's creator and director begs him to stay. However,
24:03 Truman has had enough, and his only response is to deliver his catchphrase,
24:07 "Bow to the camera and walk out the door."
24:09 "In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night."
24:14 "Yeah!"
24:16 As pleasant as Truman's surroundings were, he was a prisoner all his life
24:20 for the entertainment of others, so his escape feels extremely rewarding.
24:25 Number 4. Sunset - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
24:29 Indiana Jones' shared quest with his father for the Holy Grail
24:33 sees them compete with Nazis to attain the sacred object.
24:36 "I never expected to see you again."
24:38 "I'm like a bad penny. I always turn."
24:41 Indy is able to save his father's life by selecting the correct cup,
24:44 but an attempt to leave with the cup causes the temple to collapse.
24:48 Although Indy nearly dies pursuing it, his father convinces him to let it go.
24:52 "Indiana, let it go."
24:58 Dr. Jones chooses wisely and decides that life is more important.
25:02 Along with their companions, they make it out, and after some banter,
25:06 ride off into the sunset for more adventure.
25:08 Literally.
25:08 "After you, Junior."
25:10 "Yes, sir."
25:12 What better way to end an adventure than with a lesson learned
25:23 and the promise of adventures to come?
25:25 Number 3. Rosebud - Citizen Kane.
25:28 This famous and hugely influential film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane,
25:33 whose last word, "Rosebud," leads to much speculation.
25:36 "Rosebud."
25:38 Through those that knew him, we get glimpses of Kane's rise and fall.
25:42 Generally speaking, the picture that's painted isn't an especially flattering one,
25:46 and it's only in the final minutes of the movie that we're shown that
25:49 Rosebud was the name of his childhood sled.
25:52 With this one detail, everything changes.
25:54 It illustrates that, however much the man changed, Kane still valued the man's life.
25:59 "I'm not going to die."
26:01 "I'm not going to die."
26:03 "I'm not going to die."
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26:07 "I'm not going to die."
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27:39 "I'm not going to die."
27:41 "I'm not going to die."
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27:45 "I'm not going to die."
27:47 "I'm not going to die."
27:49 "I'm not going to die."
27:51 "I'm not going to die."
27:53 "I'm not going to die."
27:55 "I hope to see my friend and shake his hand."
27:57 "I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams."
28:03 And that is how you end a movie.
28:06 Did we forget another ending that wowed you?
28:09 Let us know in the comments.
28:11 "I see that you're bleeding, you don't need to show me again."
28:17 Did you enjoy this video?
28:19 Check out these other clips from WatchMojo
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28:27 [music]