Top 50 Most Satisfying Movie Endings of All Time – Hw

I’m going to level with you. We can’t GET MARRIED AT ALL. WHY NOT? WELL, IN THE FIRST PLACE, I’m not a natural blonde. Doesn’t matter. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the movie endings that left us feeling satisfied as the credits rolled. I’m going to give you something you can’t take off.

Expect heavy spoilers for every entry. Number 50, Project Hail Mary. In this sci-fi flick, the human Ryland Grace and the Iridian Rocky form a powerful friendship as they work together to save both their worlds. As the pair of travelers from different stars grow closer, we learn that it was ultimately not Grace’s choice to come on the mission.

Refusing to give up his life for the greater good, accomplishing their task, Grace and Rocky part ways back to Earth and Iridia respectively. However, on the way home, Grace discovers Rocky and his entire planet are doomed unless he acts. The telltale leak will already be in his fuel lines. And he won’t be able to find the leak because the leak is the ship itself.

He’ll be without any fuel, stranded. His life support systems will fail. This time Grace does not hesitate. He changes course to save his friend, sacrificing a life on Earth, but in exchange getting a beautiful life with his new bestie home on a new world. Who can tell me the speed of light? Number 49, Lost in Translation.

A melancholic and meandering film about two lost souls, Bob and Charlotte, that form an unlikely bond in Tokyo while experiencing crisis in their lives and respective marriages. I wish I could sleep. Me, too. It’s clear from the outset that their time together will be short, and while hints of a romance spark between them, each day brings them closer to parting.

We get an awkward goodbye that leaves us feeling anything but satisfied. Okay. Bye. All right. Just as we think this is the last they will ever see of each other, Bob spots Charlotte from his taxi and sprints to her. Hey, hold on here. Let me out. Thank you. The pair embrace and Bob whispers something and kisses her before a bittersweet farewell.

All right. Bye. We never hear what he says, and it doesn’t really matter as both have been changed forever. Number 48, Rushmore. Equal parts charming and arrogant, Max Fischer is the quintessential Wes Anderson protagonist. Wise beyond his 15 years, yet naive to the world. You’re being rude, Max. No, I’m not. Yes, you are. No, I’m not.

Seeking the affection of a woman too old for him, Max cooks up schemes to woo first-grade teacher Rosemary, which unsurprisingly all fail. What do you really think is going to happen between us? You think we’re going to have sex? It’s a kind of cheap way to put it. After a series of trials and tribulations, Max finally learns to let go of his affection for Rosemary.

The final scene sees the two of them at a school dance. Showing the growth he’s experienced, Max has the DJ change up the slow dance to an upbeat tempo as he and Rosemary dance as friends and the curtain closes on the film. Number 47, Lady Bird. The complicated and often combative relationship between mother and daughter is the core of this emotional dramedy.

Being passive-aggressive, you are so infuriating. I’m not yelling. Oh, it’s perfect. Christine, aka Ladybird’s decision to head to college in New York rather than staying home in Sacramento, drives a further wedge between the pair. They miss their opportunity to reconcile before she flies to the opposite coast, but a final scene allows for some catharsis.

After being hospitalized from drinking too much at her first college party, Ladybird visits a church and phones home. Did you feel emotional the first time that you drove in Sacramento? She leaves a message that reminisces about her hometown and thanks her mother, providing a moment that’s moving for mothers and daughters alike. I wanted to tell you I love you.

Thank you. I’m Thank you. Number 46, Aliens. After having lost everything and everyone she cared about aside from her cat, Ellen Ripley finds herself facing down an alien monster once again. In fact, quite a few of them this time. However, in doing so, she ends up forming a few unexpected bonds and creating a new-found family that includes an orphan girl, a space marine, and an android.

We better get back cuz it’ll be dark soon and they mostly come at night. Mostly. The final sequence of the film sees Ripley rush back into the fray to save her new surrogate daughter, Newt, from a rather unpleasant mother, the alien queen. In a final battle that only James Cameron could envision, Ripley dons a power loader and brawls with the queen, speaking a line that would be quoted for decades to come.

Get away from her, you Number 45, Challengers. Best friends turned bitter rivals, both in love with former prodigy Tashi and likely each other, Challengers sees Art and Patrick facing off on the tennis court. After a lot of personal revelations via flashback and some very sweaty moments, the match goes to a tiebreak.

Each brought to the brink, they begin to play some of the best tennis anyone has ever seen, fueled by desire and rage. Volleying and inching closer to each other, Art begins to soar through the air, seemingly about to strike his opponent with his racket. However, in the last second, they embrace, remembering the love they had for each other as Tashi shouts with a passion she hasn’t felt in years.

Number 44, Some Like It Hot. One of the most famous final lines in film history comes from Billy Wilder’s iconic comedy about two musicians in drag. One of the pair, played by Jack Lemmon, ends up being accidentally wooed by millionaire Osgood Fielding the third, and the last scene of the film plays out with the pair together on a motorboat.

Still in disguise as Daphne, Lemmon lists all the reasons they can’t be married, but the ever-loving and accepting Osgood rebuffs each one. Finally, Lemmon rips off his wig and reveals the truth, but in a subversion that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, Osgood claims Well, nobody’s perfect. Number 43, Singin’ in the Rain.

Largely considered one of the great film musicals, the end of Singin’ in the Rain was a real showstopper. At the premiere of the movie within a movie, The Dancing Cavalier, the scheming villain played by Jean Hagen is exposed when her lip syncing is revealed. This also reveals that Gene Kelly’s love interest, played by Debbie Reynolds, is the real talent.

Ladies and gentlemen, stop that girl. That girl running UP THE AISLE, STOP HER. That’s the girl WHOSE VOICE YOU HEARD AND LOVED TONIGHT. SHE’S THE REAL STAR OF THE PICTURE. HIS serenade for her turns into a duet as she joins him on stage in a rendition of You Are My Lucky Star. [singing] The last moments confirm that the couple would star in a film together, of course, called Singin’ in the Rain.

Number 42, Michael Clayton. Over the course of Tony Gilroy’s tense thriller, the titular character, a morally gray fixer played by George Clooney, uncovers a twisting and sinister conspiracy. I want to make this crystal clear. What happened here stays in this room. This is not a piece of information that you want to be out in front of.

That comes to a head in the penultimate scene when Michael survives a car bomb after taking hush money. The tense final scene seemingly sees Clayton blackmailing his would-be killer. Gilroy’s writing, along with a great performance from Clooney playing against the stellar Tilda Swinton, has the audience on pins and needles.

Just as we think the movie will end on a sour note, it’s revealed that not all is what it seems. You’re so  What? You’re What do you mean? Take a wild guess. Is there a problem? understand. Yeah, let me get a picture while I’m at it. Clayton reveals he was wearing a wire. The police swoop in and he literally and metaphorically walks away, revealing the conscience he never knew he had.

Give me $50 worth. Let’s drive. Number 41, Dr. Strangelove. Stanley Kubrick’s brilliant political satire on the mounting threat of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union really only could have ended one way. I am as sorry as you are, Dimitri. Don’t say that you are more sorry than I am because I’m capable of being just as sorry as you are.

So, we’re both sorry, all right? All of the jokes and build-up were preparing us for nuclear war, so nothing else would have been satisfying. President, I’m not saying we wouldn’t get our hair mussed, but I do say no more than 10 to 20 million killed, tops, uh depending on the breaks. The apocalypse kicks off when a bomb, straddled by a man dressed as a cowboy, DROPS ON THE RUSSIANS.

[screaming] PROMPTING RETALIATION AND a sure-fire mutually assured destruction. As the zany former Nazi Strangelove rises from his wheelchair for the first time, the film cuts to a montage of nukes detonating as “We’ll Meet Again” somberly but hilariously gives us the perfect satirical ending.

MEIN FüHRER! [screaming] HEIL HITLER! NUMBER 40, SINNERS. [screaming] THE climax of the story being told in the 1930s, which involves vampires laying siege to a southern juke joint, is powerful. But, the real finale scene takes place after the credits roll and is set decades later.

The denouement shows an elderly Sammy, his musical career having taken off in the years since that fateful night. Traveling. I don’t know why in the hell I’m a hill. It gives closure to his story as we see his dreams have been realized. But we also see a satisfying return of two characters we thought to have died.

Decked out in some incredible ’90s fashion, Stack and Mary arrive in Sammy’s bar and reminisce as a montage of the film’s emotional scenes plays out set to the blues. So I’ll live like it’s the last time for a long time at the wrong time. Where’s the right Number 39, Interstellar.

Partway through the film, Brand muses to fellow space farer Cooper that love is the only thing humanity is capable of perceiving that transcends time and space. When I say that love isn’t something we invented, it’s observable, powerful. It has to mean something. Given that the pair are on a mission to save the world while Cooper is getting further in both time and space from the daughter he left to save, the moment hits hard.

Only after saving humanity is Cooper reunited with her. But while he hasn’t aged, she’s grown old and had a family of her own. The pair share a touching final moment before she reminds Cooper there is only one more person he loves waiting out across the stars for him. Brand. Along with his robot friend TARS, Cooper steals a spaceship to make his way back to Brand.

Number 38, Cinema Paradiso. A favorite of cinephiles across the globe, Cinema Paradiso tells the story of the friendship between a young movie lover, Salvatore, and a projectionist, Alfredo. We see the pair bond over a shared passion for cinema. However, some forced censorship forces Alfredo to cut down the films they enjoy together.

The finale of the film shows an adult Salvatore, now a director, returning home for Alfredo’s funeral. The projectionist leaves a parting gift to Salvatore, a film reel. And when the director watches it, he is moved to tears. What plays is a reel of all of the censored kisses, a beautiful montage that reminds us of the power of film as a medium.

Number 37, Top Gun: Maverick. A thrilling blockbuster that took the world by storm, the second Top Gun film had some of the best action sequences in recent memory, including an absolutely incredible final set piece. After completing their mission and escaping on a stolen fighter, the last scene sees Maverick and Rooster flying back to an aircraft carrier.

As the dilapidated ship sputters out and prepares to land, the Hans Zimmer score swells, and they land safely. And those on the carrier, as well as those in the audience, cheer. The pair embrace, loving each other as much as they both loved Rooster’s father, before a final scene where Maverick reunites with his love interest.

Hold my hand, [singing and music] everything will be Number 36, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Sergio Leone’s epic Western ends with a three-way Mexican standoff in a graveyard. Each gunslinger ready to shoot down the others in order to claim a hoard of buried gold. The scene is a masterclass in tension as the good, played by Clint Eastwood, the bad, Lee Van Cleef, and the ugly, Eli Wallach, stare each other down and wait for someone to make the first move.

The Ennio Morricone score and quick editing raise the pressure to a boiling point until Angel Eyes draws, prompting Blondie to shoot him. This leaves an opportunity for Tuco, but his gun’s been emptied. A shot from Blondie hits Angel Eyes, who rolls into a grave. Eastwood smiles while chomping a cigar, knowing he’s won.

See, in this world, there’s two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig. Number 35, The Godfather. This one time I like asked me about my affairs. Not every satisfying ending to a film is necessarily a happy one. In the case of Michael Corleone’s journey in The Godfather, there is no other satisfactory way this one really could have concluded.

Chronicling the slow moral decay of a formerly good man into the brutal head of a crime family responsible for much pain and death, the film’s last image perfectly emphasizes his character arc. Don’t ask me about my business, Kay. Is it true? Don’t ask me about my business. No, Kay. After Michael lies to his wife Kay about murdering his brother-in-law, she leaves the room.

Looking on through the door, Casey’s other mobsters swear allegiance to Michael. One closes the door, shutting out forever the good part of Michael’s past as a painful look of realization crosses Kay’s face. Number 34, THELMA AND LOUISE. IN ANY OTHER LIGHT, THE FREEZE frame that concludes the film showing its two main characters having driven over a cliff would be a downer outcome.

However, in the context here, it’s an uplifting and beautiful ending. These two women who finally take control of their lives and as a result are chased by the police, finally end up at the edge of the Grand Canyon. With seemingly nowhere to go, the pair decide not to surrender, but to go out on their own terms and keep going.

You sure? Yeah. They share a kiss and drive over the edge, the movie ending not with their demise, but them frozen in time victorious. Number 33, Inglourious Basterds. When a group of Jewish Americans set out to kill Hitler in Tarantino’s World War II movie, we thought we already knew how it was going to end.

Anyone that took a history class knew that the plans of the Basterds, as well as Shoshanna, to kill high-ranking Germans and end the war would fail. However, Tarantino shocked everyone when he rewrote history. Nah, I don’t think so. More like chewed out. I’ve been chewed out before. The ending where they successfully and brutally take out pure evil is a cathartic twist that history never gave us.

It’s apt that the last line of the film is I think this just might be my masterpiece. Hard cutting to a title card reading written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. Number 32, Field of Dreams. Despite sharing a complicated relationship with his father, Ray Kinsella had a love of baseball instilled upon him from a young age by his elder.

So, when he hears a voice in his cornfield telling him, “If you build it, he will come.” and sees Shoeless Joe Jackson, Ray builds a baseball field. This does indeed bring Joe, along with many other baseball greats, including the rest of the disgraced 1919 Black Sox. You must keep in pretty good shape. Let’s see, I died in ’70.

That means I haven’t had a cigarette in what? 18 years. However, it is not their pain that Ray needs to ease, as it’s revealed that Joe’s father is one of the ghostly baseball players. The pair finally have a moment they never had in life, needed to heal their relationship. Dad? You want to have a catch? I’d like that.

As the film ends with father and son sharing a catch. Number 31, It’s a Wonderful Life. MERRY CHRISTMAS! MERRY CHRISTMAS, GEORGE! MERRY CHRISTMAS, GEORGE! Despite having some rather dark moments, It’s a Wonderful Life lives up to its title and is fondly remembered as being one of the most uplifting movies ever made.

That comes down in large part to the film’s final scene. George, I’ve got a little paper. I’ll bet it’s a warrant for my arrest. ISN’T IT WONDERFUL? I’M GOING TO JAIL. AFTER George’s foolish Uncle Billy misplaces what would be almost $150,000 in today’s money. The townsfolk of Bedford Falls come together to raise an equivalent sum to save George.

His will to live restored thanks to a vision from his guardian angel Clarence, and his faith in humanity restored by the townspeople, the film ends with jubilation and George surrounded by love. Clarence even gets his wings. Look, Daddy, teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings. That’s right.

That’s right. Number 30, The Dance, Avengers: Endgame. Captain America has the most tragic love life in all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 8:00 on the dot. Don’t you dare be late. Understood? You know, I still don’t know how to dance. Separated from Peggy Carter after he goes under the ice, Steve Rogers misses out on not only decades of history, but also the life that they would have shared.

In Avengers: Endgame, thanks to time travel, Steve Rogers is able to see Peggy again in the past, which breaks his heart all over again. At the film’s conclusion, however, we see that Steve decided to stay in the past and has now grown old. And sure enough, he did alongside Peggy, with whom he finally gets that long-awaited dance.

After years of waiting, it felt like a perfect ending to both Avengers: Endgame and his story. Number 29, Okay, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In this sci-fi romance, Joel and Clementine have a complicated relationship. The brilliant script sets them up for a surprising and touching finale. By the end, the two reunite even after learning that they’ve erased each other from their memories.

What do you want, Joel? Wait. I don’t know. I want you to wait for me. Just a while. The duo then decide to try and make it work despite all of their shared history. Even after they argue about the risks, both characters agree that life is too short to walk out on each other. This scene captures all of the nuances of a real partnership without resorting to cheap gimmicks.

And I’ll get bored with you and feel trapped because that’s what happens with me. Okay. Okay. As they go back to the beach, both lovers happily spend time with each other in a hopeful nod to the future. Number 28, handshake, Heat. After chasing his target for the entire film, Lieutenant Vincent Hanna finally corners the criminal Neil McCauley.

The LAPD detective catches McCauley at LAX and mortally wounds him. Director Michael Mann could have ended the movie in a more sensational way, but he instead explores a more emotional angle. The two men share a handshake as De Niro’s character dies. It’s a moving moment between opposites, proving that there’s some respect for each other hidden underneath their rough exteriors.

Al Pacino does an amazing job conveying the moment on his face, both relieved and almost sad that the chase is over. It’s a fitting end for two people who fulfilled their own prophecies. Number 27, The Chopper, Predator. This quintessential ’80s action flick sees a team of muscular mercenaries facing off against a powerful alien foe in the Central American jungle.

Eventually, their leader Dutch is the last man standing. He engages the Predator one-on-one using guile and traps to finally kill the creature, though it does technically get the last laugh. [screaming] Action heroes always go up against absurd odds, but rarely has a victory been quite so hard-fought.

When Anna and Phillips pick them up and they fly off, you just can’t help but smile. It’s just such a relief that Dutch managed to get to the chopper, especially when so many of his friends didn’t. Get to the chopper! Number 26, Chris is hired, The Pursuit of Happyness. I’ve been pulling double shifts for for 4 months now, Chris.

Chris Gardner has a rough go of things throughout this film. His marriage falls apart, he loses his apartment, and he and his son are ultimately left unhoused. Nevertheless, Chris persists and works hard in an unpaid internship, even as life continues to throw hardships his way. All of Chris’s hard work pays off though, as in the final scene, he gets the job at the firm, securing a future for himself and his son.

Tomorrow is going to be your first day. If you’d like to work here as a broker. Would you like that, Chris? Yes, sir. There were few dry eyes in the audience during this scene, as Chris achieved a long overdue success. This film isn’t an easy watch, but the emotional payoff is massive. Number 25, getting the house, Knives Out.

At the end of this murder mystery, an unlikely hero emerges victorious. Nurse Marta Cabrera throws up on Ransom, helps Benoit Blanc solve the case, and ends up winning Harlan Thrombey’s estate. I want you to remember something that’s very important. You won. Not by playing the game Harlan’s way, but yours.

You’re a good person. Cabrera then sips a mug on the balcony of her new home in a savage moment. Writer and director Rian Johnson lines up all of these complicated dominoes, letting them fall in an elaborate finish. Watching Ana de Armas’ character thwart the entire Thrombey family is just the cherry on top.

After all is said and done, the movie delivers a feel-good ending that you won’t forget about. Number 24, smile. Jaws. It’s the moment every audience member wants to see. After all that trouble, the heroes of Jaws come face-to-face with the shark. Martin Brody gets a scuba tank in the creature’s mouth, and Brody lines up a perfect shot.

Smile, you son of a Blowing the monster sky-high, the police chief celebrates after saving the day. You can’t help but cheer as the menacing villain finally kicks the bucket. [screaming] PERFECTLY EXECUTED by director Steven Spielberg, this finale has all the tension one could want from a suspenseful film.

It’s ultimately a satisfying and explosive conclusion to an amazing blockbuster. Number 23, solo. Whiplash. Andrew Neiman wants to be the best musician possible. When given the chance to play for the demonic Fletcher, the hero decides to really show off. I’ll cue you in. Caravan. Three, four. This performance brings together amazing directing, editing, and music into one unforgettable moment.

Miles Teller gives his all to a scene that involves an impressive drum solo, shocking everyone in the process. His student character finally joins the band to close out a phenomenal piece of filmmaking. Andrew, what are you doing, man? I’LL CUE YOU IT’S PART TRAGEDY, part success story, but it’s all told with the electricity of a real concert.

There’s no doubt that you’ll be air drumming as the credits roll. Number 22, Rudy gets to play. Rudy, the hero of this sports classic has one singular goal. He spends the entire film on a mission leading towards a hugely satisfying end. It all comes down to one play where Rudy finally takes the field for Notre Dame. With his team cheering him on, the athlete gets carried off the field after his appearance.

It’s especially moving to see a determined character finally get the recognition they deserve. Based on a true story, this underdog tale inspires anybody who dares to dream. The ending finds a way to transcend the usual sports cliches for something even more heartwarming. Number 21, Full Circle, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.

The wizarding world came together to defeat Voldemort, but the real end of the film comes with a time jump. Audiences get to see Harry, Hermione, and Ron sending off their own kids to Hogwarts. Any fan of the series finds themselves in a vortex of nostalgia at this point. In a full circle moment, the friends reunite on the iconic platform to watch their children start a new adventure.

It’s a little easier to take the end with the knowledge that it’s only the beginning. From Philosopher’s Stone to Deathly Hallows, the entire franchise has a beautiful conclusion that focuses on the characters above all. Number 20, goodbye, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While Elliott Ta

ylor and E.T. become friends, the former eventually realizes that his alien buddy can’t stay forever. The two finally have to say their farewells in a tearful goodbye. As the extraterrestrial prepares to board his ship, he shares a heartfelt and simple send-off. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, nothing can prepare you for this emotional separation.

It’s the kind of touching end that still makes us cry all these years later. Brought together by the mythical music of John Williams, this scene still ranks as one of Steven Spielberg’s best. Number 19, Don’t You Forget About Me, The Breakfast Club. This teen film follows a group of high school students in detention.

I can’t believe this is really happening to me. All come from different cliques and have preconceptions about the others. But as the day goes on, they realize they have more in common than they thought, reaching a better understanding of each other and themselves. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they find a common enemy in Assistant Principal Vernon.

At the end of the film, Vernon reads an essay written by Brian summarizing what the students have learned together. As Simple Minds Don’t You Forget About Me plays, the students part ways. The future might be uncertain, but they’ve made new bonds and a lifelong memory. John’s fist pump in the last shot says it all. Sincerely yours, The Breakfast Club.

Number 18, Feather on the Wind, Forrest Gump. He might not be the smartest, but he’s got a huge heart. And throughout his life, Forrest Gump’s positive attitude leads him to have numerous unique experiences. The one constant, however, is his love for his childhood friend Jenny.

From that day on, we was always together. Jenny and me was like peas and carrots. His joy at them finally reuniting and getting married is sadly tempered by Jenny’s untimely death from illness. But it’s plain to see that in their short time together, they brought each other a lifetime’s worth of happiness.

Moreover, it’s incredibly heartwarming seeing Forrest be a father to their son. The image of a feather blowing in the breeze might be open to interpretation, but as Forrest sends his son off to school, viewers can’t help but feel their spirits soar with it. Number 17, dynamite unleashed, Django Unchained.

A revisionist western focused on the title character’s quest to rescue his wife from slavery, Django Unchained builds to the moment beautifully. Hey, little troublemaker. Just as Django and Schultz’s initial attempt to rescue Broomhilda looks poised to succeed, it all goes horribly, horribly wrong. Schultz is killed, Django is tortured and sold to a mining company.

Things look bleak. However, Django manages to outwit his captors and fight his way to freedom. Returning to the plantation with dynamite, he blows the whole thing to smithereens, then rides off with his wife. Satisfaction and style. What more could you ask for? Hey, little troublemaker. Hey, big troublemaker.

Number 16, a friend for dinner, The Silence of the Lambs. One of the most frightening thrillers ever made, The Silence of the Lambs has two related story arcs, Clarice Starling’s pursuit of serial killer Buffalo Bill and her interactions with Dr. Hannibal Lecter. I’m offering you a psychological profile on Buffalo Bill based on the case evidence.

Clarice is able to capture Buffalo Bill after enduring one of the most harrowing suspense sequences in cinema. Meanwhile, Lecter manages to escape his bonds and calls to congratulate Agent Starling on her victory, ominously telling her that he’s having an old friend for dinner. I do wish we could chat longer, but I’m having an old friend for dinner.

Unlike Clarice, viewers can see that he’s eyeing the psychiatrist who was in charge of him while he was imprisoned. It’s an ending that leaves audiences happy about Clarice’s success and also intrigued by the prospect of Dr. Lecter being at large. Number 15, Where Is My Mind, Fight Club. What begins as an excuse for men to beat the crap out of each other eventually turns into something even darker.

She knows too much. I think we’re going to have to talk about how this might compromise our goals. Tyler Durden leads the unnamed narrator and their gang into becoming domestic terrorists. Perhaps more disturbing, at least for the narrator, is the fact that Tyler is actually the other half of his fractured psyche.

It all comes to a head when the narrator, armed with this knowledge, shoots himself in the mouth, effectively killing Tyler. Then, looking out over the horizon with his romantic interest Marla, they watch the city explode. It’s terrifying and mesmerizing all at once. Plus, the song choice is amazing.

You met me at a very strange time in my life. Number 14, You Already Have, Star Wars Episode 6, Return of the Jedi. The finale of the original Star Wars trilogy sees multiple battles play out simultaneously. [screaming] Our heroes take the fight to the Empire on Endor and in space around the second Death Star, while Luke faces his father.

Their epic duel is interrupted by the Emperor, whose attempt to kill Luke drives Vader to protect his son and kill his former master, becoming mortally wounded in the process. No! No! Although Luke laments that he wasn’t able to save his father, an unmasked Anakin Skywalker assures him that he already has.

I’ll not leave you here. I’ve got to save you. You already have. This is driven home by seeing him made whole when he returns as a force ghost during the victory celebrations. Seeing a villain redeemed is always rewarding, and hey, who doesn’t love a party? Number 13, what Alfred sees, The Dark Knight Rises.

The conclusion of The Dark Knight trilogy sees Batman seemingly sacrifice himself to tow a bomb away from Gotham City. The city, and especially Alfred, mourn him and pay tribute to the hero, while the torch is seemingly passed on to a new potential crime fighter. When the dust settles, Alfred visits a cafe in Florence, where he sees Bruce Wayne seemingly alive and well with Selina Kyle.

To be fair, this could very well just be in Alfred’s imagination. The butler actually described just such a fantasy to Bruce earlier in the film. I had this fantasy that I would look across the tables and I’d see you there. With wife. And considering the end of Inception, we wouldn’t put it past director Christopher Nolan.

Regardless, it’s still gratifying to see the hero who sacrificed so much get a happy ending. Number 12, Maximus kills Commodus, Gladiator. A former Roman general, Maximus is forced into slavery after his wife and son are murdered. Becoming a gladiator, Maximus works his way up to the Colosseum.

By making a name for himself and winning over the people, he eventually gets the opportunity to face the man who betrayed him, the emperor Commodus, in single combat. Do you You I’m afraid? I think you’ve been afraid all your life. Despite Commodus’ cheating by stabbing him beforehand, Maximus manages to defeat his foe and win.

Although he dies soon afterwards, it’s a glorious death and one that reunites him with his family at last. But after all that Maximus has endured, it’s fulfilling to witness our hero not only get justice, but also peace and happiness in the afterlife. Number 11, Searching for Happiness, Goodwill Hunting. Will Hunting is a talented genius, but his personal and professional life suffer because he consistently sabotages himself.

You know what the best part of my day is? For about 10 seconds from when I pull up to the curb when I get to your door. Cuz I think maybe I’ll get up there and I’ll knock on the door and you won’t be there. Afraid of failure, he pushes people and opportunities away. This includes jobs and his girlfriend Skylar, who asks him to move to California with her.

After unearthing some personal trauma and dealing with it, Will rejects many of the job offers he’s received. However, this time it’s because he’s going in pursuit of Skylar and happiness instead of running from potential pain. If the professor calls about that job, just tell him sorry. I had to go see about a girl. Well.

While it’s bittersweet for the friends he leaves behind, we can’t help but be happy that Will is finally going after what he wants. Number 10, The Devil’s Greatest Trick, The Usual Suspects. Who is Keyser Söze? This question becomes the focal point of an ingenious script. Wait a minute. I don’t have a minute. Now, are you saying you saw Keyser Söze? You told the DA you didn’t know who it was.

Kevin Spacey’s verbal Kint rattles off his tale to investigators before disappearing. Chazz Palminteri’s Agent Dave Kujan realizes too late that he’s been duped. The Usual Suspects sets up an amazing story, but quickly pulls the rug out from under the audience. Kint actually steals details from Kujan’s bulletin board making a dramatic exit before anyone can catch him. It’s me.

Tell me every last when I was in that barbershop quartet in Kokomo, Illinois? Where’s your head, Agent Cooper? What we need to do is think. Think back. I’m sure you’ve heard many tall tales, Brick Marlin. This isn’t right. I just want to hear the story. every last detail. there.

With great reactions from Paul Mantee, the revelation washes over the audience in a fantastic climax. It’s an impressive writing feat that few films have ever topped. After that, my guess is you’ll never hear from him again. Number nine, Neo flies away, The Matrix. The climax of this cyberpunk action blockbuster sees Neo attempting to leave the Matrix after saving his mentor. I’m the wizard.

Get me the hell out of here. Got a patch on an old exit, Wabash and Lake. Before Neo can escape, however, the deadly Agent Smith delivers a killing blow to our valiant hero. Fortunately, his love interest, Trinity, is able to restore him with a kiss. He proceeds to not only rise from the dead, but live up to his status as the one, blowing Smith up from the inside.

The ending sees him telling the machines that he’ll free the humans still trapped before flying away, signaling his new mastery over the Matrix. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you. After watching Neo and his friends barely survive against their foes, his promise to take the fight to them is awesome.

Number eight, a new day, Groundhog Day. Phil Connors hates Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney. Too bad he’s trapped in both. It’s Groundhog Day. It’s still just once a year, isn’t it? Stuck repeating the same day over and over again, Phil lives years in one day. Although sometimes depressed, Phil eventually comes to love the town and its people and becomes a better person by doing good for others every loop.

After his coworker Rita falls for him and they get together, Phil is initially disappointed that the day appears to be repeating itself, but then he discovers that February 3rd has finally come and that Rita is still with him. Do you know what today is? No, what? Today is tomorrow. It happened. You’re here.

It’s a long strange trip that Phil goes on and it’s wonderful to see him come out of it enlightened and happy. Let’s live here. Number seven, a beautiful friendship, Casablanca. You could argue that Hollywood has yet to top the romantic heights of Casablanca. This classic love story comes to a close as Rick sends Ilsa on a plane without him.

If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life. But what about us? We’ll always have Paris. It’s a heartbreaking farewell that remains a true test of anyone’s tear ducts. The actual ending finds Humphrey Bogart and Claude Rains’ characters narrating their victory in style.

Walking into the night, these heroes make sure that the film ends on a positive note. Well, Rick, you’re not only a sentimentalist, but you’ve become a patriot. Well, everybody has to seem like a good time to start. Both actors have a timeless charm as they share some of the most iconic lines in movie history. In Michael Curtiz’s masterpiece, every single element falls into place to make for cinematic magic.

Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Number six, Adrian, Rocky. The quintessential underdog, Rocky gives it his all preparing for a fight against heavyweight champion Apollo Creed. So, all I want to do is go the distance. Nobody’s ever gone the distance with Creed.

While he doesn’t think he can win, he still tells his girlfriend Adrian that he wants to go the distance. And indeed he does. Rocky’s bout with Creed is one for the ages. Rocky survives for 15 rounds against the more experienced fighter and endures a lot of punishment along the way. The fight ultimately ends without a knockout, but Creed is declared the victor by split decision.

For Rocky though, it doesn’t matter. Sometimes it’s not about winning or losing, but proving yourself and Rocky showed us all how. He declares his love for Adrian and she for him and the world cheers. Adrian! Number five, Truman escapes, The Truman Show. Oh, and in case I don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and good night.

Truman Burbank’s entire life is a carefully controlled TV show. His gradual realization of that fact leads him to try and leave the town he’s lived in all his life, eventually setting sail across the ocean despite a fear of water. After crashing into the edge of the world, Truman discovers a door leading outside. As he prepares to leave, his show’s creator and director begs him to stay.

However, Truman has had enough and his only response is to deliver his catchphrase, bow to the camera and walk out the door. In case I don’t see you. Good afternoon, good evening and good night. Yeah. As pleasant as Truman’s surroundings were, he was a prisoner all his life for the entertainment of others.

So, his escape feels extremely rewarding. Number four, sunset, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Indiana Jones’ shared quest with his father for the Holy Grail sees them compete with Nazis to attain the sacred object. I never expected to see you again. I’m like a bad penny. I always turn up. Indy is able to save his father’s life by selecting the correct cup, but an attempt to leave with the cup causes the temple to collapse.

Although Indy nearly dies pursuing it, his father convinces him to let it go. Indiana, let it go. Doctor Jones chooses wisely and decides that life is more important. Along with their companions, they make it out and after some banter, ride off into the sunset for more adventures, literally. After you, Junior. Yes, sir.

What better way to end an adventure than with a lesson learned and the promise of adventures to come? Number three, Rosebud, Citizen Kane. This famous and hugely influential film begins with the death of Charles Foster Kane, whose last word, Rosebud, leads to much speculation and investigation. Rosebud. Through those that knew him, we get a glimpses of Kane’s rise and fall.

Generally speaking, the picture that’s painted isn’t an especially flattering one and it’s only in the final minutes of the movie that we’re shown that Rosebud was the name of his childhood sled. With this one detail, everything changes. It illustrates that however much the man changed, Kane still valued the innocence of his youth.

Like any good mystery, once it’s solved, there’s really nothing else left to say. Number two, You Bow to No One, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King. Sure, some would argue that there are more endings to this movie than there are rings of power. But to those people, we say go back to the shadow because they are all great.

We’ll be focusing on one in particular though. With Sauron defeated and Frodo and Sam rescued, there’s a tremendous relief as the world has been saved. Not only that, Aragorn and Arwen get together at last. Best of all though, when the hobbits go to bow to them, the newly crowned king bows to them instead and everyone follows suit. You bow to no one.

It’s tremendously satisfying to see our heroes get the recognition they deserve. Finally judged by the strength of their convictions rather than their short stature. Before we continue, check out the single from Sound Mojo’s album Current EDM Transformed. Check out the full track and album below. Number one, reunion, The Shawkshank Redemption.

Andy Dufresne has a rough go of it in prison for a crime he claims he didn’t commit. It chills my blood just to look at you. By the power vested in me by the state of Maine, I hereby order you to serve two life sentences back-to-back. However, his stay there is made easier by his friendship with fellow inmate Red. One night, Andy enacts a daring and successful breakout attempt, leaving for Mexico.

Meanwhile, Red has to wait to be paroled, but Andy left behind money and a note instructing Red to come find him at a place they once discussed. Although the escape in itself is among the most cathartic moments in all of cinema, seeing these two friends reunite on a beach is pretty dang heartwarming, too. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand.

I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. And that is how you end a movie. Which movie left you feeling satisfied in the end? Let us know in the comments.