Whether they scare us, shock us to the core, or make us all cry, the endings to films is what usually truly stands out. This is a list of my top ten favorite film endings of all time, from "Toy Story 3" to "The Sixth Sense.”
But first, let's start with the honorable mentions.
The Notebook
2004 | Directed by Nick Cassavetes
-
No, I did not cry like everyone else did. But that doesn’t mean the ending didn’t pull my heart strings, because it did. After spending pretty much they’re whole life together, an old Noah and Allie die together in bed, their hands touching. The next shot is of swans flying away, which symbolizes 17-Year-old Allie’s quote, “I wish I was a bird!”
Cinderella
1950 | Directed by Clyde Geronimi
-
The ultimate happy ending. After being emotionally abused and working as a slave to her evil step-sister, Drizilla and Anastasia, and step-mother, Lady Tremaine, Cinderella tries on the glass slipper, and gets the man of her dreams! Sure, we love the shot of the carriage driving away as Cinderella and The Prince (who has no name, what’s up with that?) kiss, but the best thing about this ending is the look of horror on Lady Tremaine’s face when Cinderella reveals she “has the other slipper.” Classic scene in Disney History.
Gone with the Wind
1939 | Directed by Victor Fleming
-
“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” After years of dealing with the stubborn, hard-as-nails Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler finally decides enough is enough, and leaves Scarlett coldly, as he walks away, never to return. Scarlett cries on the stairs, until she optimistically says: "Tara! Home. I'll go home, and I'll think of some way to get him back! After all, tomorrow is another day!" Really, it’s no wonder why this is consider one of the best films of all-time.
Les Diaboliques
1966 | Directed by Henri-Georges-Clouzot
-
An ending that sends shivers down our spines, for two reasons: The supposedly “dead” husband rising out of the tub, and the fact that the headmistress and husband were planning on giving the wife a heart-attack all along (don’t worry, they get arrested eventually). I haven’t even really see all all this film, but the when I first heard of the plot and the ending, I remember actually being shock and felt like ice was dropped in my stomach.
Carrie
1976 | Directed by Brian De Palma
-
One of the most shocking horror film endings of all time, Carrie’s hand popping out of the grave was a huge shocker back in the days, and pretty much everyone in their seats jumped in the air (my mom said she had dropped her popcorn in theaters). Also, the very last scene of Sue screaming as she wakes up from the dream leaves us all a bit numb afterward watching this film.
Now, onto the Top Ten.
10. The Breakfast Club
1985 | Directed by John Hughes
-
A bittersweet ending to a great film. The original Brat Pack of the 80’s go off their separate ways after spending 8 hours in detention, where they all bear their souls. In the film’s very last scene, John Bender walks across the field, with his love interest, Claire, earring in the palm of his hand. As he puts it on, he pumps his fist in the air. That pretty much shouts epic, people.
Also, Bryan’s letter to the principal: Best. Letter. Ever.
9. Toy Story 3
2010 | Directed by Lee Unkrich
-
Okay, even thinking about this ending makes me cry. Seriously. We all grew up with these toys and Andy - and to see it all come to an end, and watching Andy leave and giving his toys to Bonnie, is heartbreaking. I cried for ten minutes after seeing this. All of us who stopped playing with our toys, mistreated them, or just ignored them felt like complete crap after seeing this film.
8. Titanic
1997 | Directed by James Cameron
-
The ending to Titanic is one of those endings where we contemplate whether it’s sad, happy, or bittersweet. To me, it’s all of those things mixed in. After dying at 100 years old, Rose Dawson (who had taken Jack’s last name) is reunited with Jack and all of those who perished on the Titanic. As Jack & Rose kiss, everyone applauds. And so did we. Another famous fact about this ending is that people always debate: Was Rose really reunited with Jack, or was she just dreaming?
7. Roman Holiday
1953 | Directed by William Wyler
-
A romantic comedy - with no happy ending. That’s very rare nowadays. After spending a day free from the palace and falling in love with Joe Bradley, Princess Anne must go back to her old life of rules and events all planned out for her. Surprisingly, at a news conference, she finds Joe there, and shakes his hand...as they pretend not to know each other. As everyone, including Princess Anne, leave the hall, Joe lingers for a while, as he looks back to the place where Anne departed. Then finally, he walks away.
6. Jaws
1975 | Directed by Steven Spielberg
-
When I think of the Jaws ending, I don’t think of Hooper and Brody paddling to shore. I think of Brody being the badass that he is, saying “Smile you son-of-a-!”as he shoots the air tank in the shark’s mouth, and shark goes BOOM. Really, one of the most exciting and kick-ass scenes ever. Bye-bye Bruce.
5. Planet of the Apes
1968 | Directed by Franklin J. Scaffner
-
Through the whole film, the audience is led to believe that this is another planet, where Apes rule over humans...nope. This is earth, years in the future. Also? The image of the broken Statue of Liberty on the beach, which is how we find out that this is earth in the future, is iconic.
4. E.T. the Extra - Terrestrial
1983 | Directed by Steven Spielberg
-
E.T. has to go home. On a spaceship. E.T. says goodbye to everyone - including Elliot. The two friends share a huge, and E.T. touches the tip of Elliot’s nose, saying: “I’ll be right here.” Then E.T. goes home.
There’s not one dry eye in the house.
3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
1961 | Directed by Blake Edwards
-
After cruelly dumping her cat in the rain and receiving a stern lecture from Paul Varjak, Holly Golighty goes out into the pouring rain looking for Cat along with Paul. Hooray! She finally found him, and she and Paul share a passionate kiss in the rain. Really, everyone - wonderful ending. And a classic (I love that word, if you haven‘t notice) one too.
2. The Six Sense
1999 | Directed by M. Night Shaymalan
-
Before M. Night Shaymalan was nothing but a joke to everyone, he created The Six Sense: An amazing film with an amazing ending. Pretty much everyone has heard of the big shocker to this film, and when it first came out, it was all people could talk about.
Dr. Malcolm Crowe is a child physiatrist who helps an afraid 9-year old boy, Cole Spears, who see’s dead people. Throughout the film, Malcolm talks to no one but Cole, and his wife always seems to ignore him.
You know. Because it turns out he was dead the whole time.
At the very end, Malcolm finally says goodbye to his wife and he leaves the world of the living. Phenomenal.
1. Cruel Intentions
1999 | Directed by Roger Kumble
-
When I first saw this film, the ending blew my mind. It was...nearly perfect. Bittersweet Symphony playing in the background? Check. Cecile, one of Kathryn’s Mertuil’s victims, walking up to her with an evil little smirk on her face? Check. Kathryn, who is the ultimate HBIC, is utterly defeated and one tear slips down her cheek? Check.
Sure, the whole “everyone finds out who Kathryn really is because Annette published the journal” thing is sort of...ridiculous, but everything else in the scene? Totally makes up for it. It’s rare now that the bad girl get’s her comeuppance, but Kathryn does, in the most humiliating way possible. Many fans of the movie got satisfaction out of it, and really, it’s no wonder why.
But first, let's start with the honorable mentions.
The Notebook
2004 | Directed by Nick Cassavetes
-
No, I did not cry like everyone else did. But that doesn’t mean the ending didn’t pull my heart strings, because it did. After spending pretty much they’re whole life together, an old Noah and Allie die together in bed, their hands touching. The next shot is of swans flying away, which symbolizes 17-Year-old Allie’s quote, “I wish I was a bird!”
Cinderella
1950 | Directed by Clyde Geronimi
-
The ultimate happy ending. After being emotionally abused and working as a slave to her evil step-sister, Drizilla and Anastasia, and step-mother, Lady Tremaine, Cinderella tries on the glass slipper, and gets the man of her dreams! Sure, we love the shot of the carriage driving away as Cinderella and The Prince (who has no name, what’s up with that?) kiss, but the best thing about this ending is the look of horror on Lady Tremaine’s face when Cinderella reveals she “has the other slipper.” Classic scene in Disney History.
Gone with the Wind
1939 | Directed by Victor Fleming
-
“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.” After years of dealing with the stubborn, hard-as-nails Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler finally decides enough is enough, and leaves Scarlett coldly, as he walks away, never to return. Scarlett cries on the stairs, until she optimistically says: "Tara! Home. I'll go home, and I'll think of some way to get him back! After all, tomorrow is another day!" Really, it’s no wonder why this is consider one of the best films of all-time.
Les Diaboliques
1966 | Directed by Henri-Georges-Clouzot
-
An ending that sends shivers down our spines, for two reasons: The supposedly “dead” husband rising out of the tub, and the fact that the headmistress and husband were planning on giving the wife a heart-attack all along (don’t worry, they get arrested eventually). I haven’t even really see all all this film, but the when I first heard of the plot and the ending, I remember actually being shock and felt like ice was dropped in my stomach.
Carrie
1976 | Directed by Brian De Palma
-
One of the most shocking horror film endings of all time, Carrie’s hand popping out of the grave was a huge shocker back in the days, and pretty much everyone in their seats jumped in the air (my mom said she had dropped her popcorn in theaters). Also, the very last scene of Sue screaming as she wakes up from the dream leaves us all a bit numb afterward watching this film.
Now, onto the Top Ten.
10. The Breakfast Club
1985 | Directed by John Hughes
-
A bittersweet ending to a great film. The original Brat Pack of the 80’s go off their separate ways after spending 8 hours in detention, where they all bear their souls. In the film’s very last scene, John Bender walks across the field, with his love interest, Claire, earring in the palm of his hand. As he puts it on, he pumps his fist in the air. That pretty much shouts epic, people.
Also, Bryan’s letter to the principal: Best. Letter. Ever.
9. Toy Story 3
2010 | Directed by Lee Unkrich
-
Okay, even thinking about this ending makes me cry. Seriously. We all grew up with these toys and Andy - and to see it all come to an end, and watching Andy leave and giving his toys to Bonnie, is heartbreaking. I cried for ten minutes after seeing this. All of us who stopped playing with our toys, mistreated them, or just ignored them felt like complete crap after seeing this film.
8. Titanic
1997 | Directed by James Cameron
-
The ending to Titanic is one of those endings where we contemplate whether it’s sad, happy, or bittersweet. To me, it’s all of those things mixed in. After dying at 100 years old, Rose Dawson (who had taken Jack’s last name) is reunited with Jack and all of those who perished on the Titanic. As Jack & Rose kiss, everyone applauds. And so did we. Another famous fact about this ending is that people always debate: Was Rose really reunited with Jack, or was she just dreaming?
7. Roman Holiday
1953 | Directed by William Wyler
-
A romantic comedy - with no happy ending. That’s very rare nowadays. After spending a day free from the palace and falling in love with Joe Bradley, Princess Anne must go back to her old life of rules and events all planned out for her. Surprisingly, at a news conference, she finds Joe there, and shakes his hand...as they pretend not to know each other. As everyone, including Princess Anne, leave the hall, Joe lingers for a while, as he looks back to the place where Anne departed. Then finally, he walks away.
6. Jaws
1975 | Directed by Steven Spielberg
-
When I think of the Jaws ending, I don’t think of Hooper and Brody paddling to shore. I think of Brody being the badass that he is, saying “Smile you son-of-a-!”as he shoots the air tank in the shark’s mouth, and shark goes BOOM. Really, one of the most exciting and kick-ass scenes ever. Bye-bye Bruce.
5. Planet of the Apes
1968 | Directed by Franklin J. Scaffner
-
Through the whole film, the audience is led to believe that this is another planet, where Apes rule over humans...nope. This is earth, years in the future. Also? The image of the broken Statue of Liberty on the beach, which is how we find out that this is earth in the future, is iconic.
4. E.T. the Extra - Terrestrial
1983 | Directed by Steven Spielberg
-
E.T. has to go home. On a spaceship. E.T. says goodbye to everyone - including Elliot. The two friends share a huge, and E.T. touches the tip of Elliot’s nose, saying: “I’ll be right here.” Then E.T. goes home.
There’s not one dry eye in the house.
3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
1961 | Directed by Blake Edwards
-
After cruelly dumping her cat in the rain and receiving a stern lecture from Paul Varjak, Holly Golighty goes out into the pouring rain looking for Cat along with Paul. Hooray! She finally found him, and she and Paul share a passionate kiss in the rain. Really, everyone - wonderful ending. And a classic (I love that word, if you haven‘t notice) one too.
2. The Six Sense
1999 | Directed by M. Night Shaymalan
-
Before M. Night Shaymalan was nothing but a joke to everyone, he created The Six Sense: An amazing film with an amazing ending. Pretty much everyone has heard of the big shocker to this film, and when it first came out, it was all people could talk about.
Dr. Malcolm Crowe is a child physiatrist who helps an afraid 9-year old boy, Cole Spears, who see’s dead people. Throughout the film, Malcolm talks to no one but Cole, and his wife always seems to ignore him.
You know. Because it turns out he was dead the whole time.
At the very end, Malcolm finally says goodbye to his wife and he leaves the world of the living. Phenomenal.
1. Cruel Intentions
1999 | Directed by Roger Kumble
-
When I first saw this film, the ending blew my mind. It was...nearly perfect. Bittersweet Symphony playing in the background? Check. Cecile, one of Kathryn’s Mertuil’s victims, walking up to her with an evil little smirk on her face? Check. Kathryn, who is the ultimate HBIC, is utterly defeated and one tear slips down her cheek? Check.
Sure, the whole “everyone finds out who Kathryn really is because Annette published the journal” thing is sort of...ridiculous, but everything else in the scene? Totally makes up for it. It’s rare now that the bad girl get’s her comeuppance, but Kathryn does, in the most humiliating way possible. Many fans of the movie got satisfaction out of it, and really, it’s no wonder why.
