25 More Movies That Completely Nailed Their Ending Scenes
Strong start, stronger finish.
A little while back, we asked members of our BuzzFeed Community, "What is a movie ending scene so satisfying — so well executed — it should've won the Academy Award for Best Movie Ending (if, ya know, that was a category)?" and their excellent answers led to even MORE great responses! So, here are a few more ending scenes that would like to thank the Academy:
WARNING: Given that this is, you know, a post entirely framed around ending scenes...there are SPOILERS ahead. Like, pretty much ONLY spoilers. You've been warned. Love ya, bye.
1. The Graduate (1967)
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"It's so well done and leaves you seriously thinking about how these two characters' lives are going to turn out."
2. Black Swan (2010)
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"How was this not on the original list? That ending is — pun intended — perfect."
3. Say Anything... (1989)
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"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 movie. He tells her once you hear 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."
4. Us (2019)
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"This one has a really interesting ending. It makes you really wonder who the real villain is — Red or Adelaide?"
5. Casablanca (1942)
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"It’s old-school, but there's a reason it's praised as a classic ending!"
6. Scream (1996)
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"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."
7. Rogue One (2016)
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"That Darth Vader scene was freaking amazing!"
8. Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)
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"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, 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 award-worthy ending."
9. Primal Fear (1996)
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"It's a double twist ending, but the biggest twist is in the final scene and makes the whole movie pay off. It very much deserves to be on this list."
10. Little Women (2019)
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"The way that the entire story is tied into the end and the end result is finally shown, Jo's small smile turns to a frown, the way her hands wrap around the book... It brings me to tears every time, it's so perfect."
11. Psycho (1960)
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"This has one of the most iconic endings of all time and I’ll fight anyone who says differently."
12. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
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"Katniss staring at the camera and 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 as well as wonder what is going to happen next with Katniss's story."
13. Train to Busan (2016)
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"I’m terrified of zombies so I was already scared, but then 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."
14. Tarzan (1999)
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"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!"
15. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
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"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."
16. Whiplash (2014)
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"This movie has the most satisfying ending ever committed to film."
17. American Psycho (2000)
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"Christian Bale's monologue at the end is just absolutely breathtaking."
18. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
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"It's so chaotic, and then when Cap tells Fury he's upset because he 'had a date.' So good."
19. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
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"Just watch it. It’s graphic, but it was the perfect ending to the movie."
20. La La Land (2016)
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"It was such a well-executed epilogue scene and a final nod of farewell between Sebastian and Mia. It wrapped up the story beautifully."
21. The Departed (2006)
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"It's still probably the only Martin Scorsese movie that I didn't think was too long! Epic ending!"
22. Fight Club (1999)
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"This one is an easy choice. The music, the dialogue, the cinematography — it’s all brilliantly done."
23. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
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"I love period pieces, and the fact that they were able to infuse fantasy and magic is amazing."
24. The Shining (1980)
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"This ending is *chef’s kiss*. The slow zoom-in on the photo of the hotel. I love that it 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?"
25. And finally, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
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"What about these endings? All 45 of them?! LOL. Seriously though, it's a perfect film."
Now it's YOUR turn! What is an ending scene that is so perfect, it deserves an imaginary Academy Award that I totally made up? Share your pick and why in the comments below!
Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.