Obviously, the way a movie concludes plays a huge role in how audiences feel about it afterwards. So, with that in mind, we recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which movie endings they believe are absolutely perfect and why!
So, here are just a few of the most popular responses shared:
1. The Truman Show (1998)
"I kinda love that we don't get to see what happens to him after he finds the exit."
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2. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
"You're with Jamal and Latika through so much that to see a happy ending for them is wonderful."
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3. Rocky (1976)
"No other movie ending gives me the same sense of triumph and pride. It puts me right in Rocky's shoes like I'm experiencing everything right alongside him."
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4. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
"I didn't expect the ending because I thought it'd be too good and satisfying, but luckily, the filmmakers included it (which they almost didn't)."
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5. The Break-Up (2006)
"The Break-Up (or really any movie where the two main characters acknowledge they need to move on and don’t get back together). I know it makes some people sad, but for me, I feel inspired seeing people be healthy enough to end a relationship and go on to be a better version of themselves. So many relationships limp on because people are afraid to be alone."
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6. Big Fish (2003)
"It makes me tear up every time."
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7. Cool Runnings (1993)
"They didn't win — in fact, they wiped out on their final run — but as they carried the sled across the finish line, everyone clapped, and they had finally earned everyone's respect."
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8. Strictly Ballroom (1992)
"Scott and Fran perform an unconventional routine at the Pan-Pacific Grand Prix, mesmerizing the audience, but are disqualified by the conservative, fuddy-duddy judges and told to leave the dance floor. But then, Scott’s browbeaten dad begins clapping out a rhythm for them to dance to. They continue with their routine when Scott’s former, jilted partner has a change of heart and starts the music again for them to finish. The whole audience floods the dance floor, including Scott’s parents, Scott and Fran kiss, and 'Love Is in the Air' plays while the whole room dances happily. I’m smiling just typing this out."
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9. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
"Emotionally gut-wrenching, but absolutely beautiful."
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10. Ever After (1998)
"Excellent arc, brilliant adaptation, absolutely sticks the landing on a legendary level. Every character arc ends in an emotionally, narratively, and logically satisfying way; all the threads come together and resolve in a way that feels right but without sacrificing stakes or clever twists, and the framing device neatly seals the history/fairytale blend that runs through the movie. That ending always makes me walk away feeling warm and uplifted and inspired, which, while perhaps cliché on my end, is exactly how one should feel after a movie like this. All the stars — no notes."
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11. It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
"Gets me every time! So powerful."
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12. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)
"That final standoff and the accompanying music and everything that follows, is cinematic perfection. It's no wonder films have been riffing on it frequently for the last several decades."
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13. The Harder They Fall (2021)
"You have a kick-ass fight sequence between all of the characters, a wild twist, and an implication that one of the characters you thought was dead isn't. It's my favorite contemporary Western because, on top of having an entirely POC cast play real POC cowboys and outlaws, the story is awesome, and the ending just seals the deal."
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14. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
"I always loved the eerie feeling at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, when the Ark of the Covenant gets nailed inside a crate and wheeled into this massive government warehouse. 'They don’t know what they’ve got there,' Indy broods, as if hinting at darker events to come. Gives me chills even after 40 years!"
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15. The Sound of Music (1965)
"The mountains in the movie are like Maria’s guardian angels. She tells the Reverend Mother it’s where she grew up and what led her to the convent, and her time in them is what gets her sent to the von Trapps. Later, she’s told to 'climb every mountain' to find her dream which is her choosing to be with the captain, and in the end, they become the way in which the von Trapps escape to Switzerland. It’s a powerful allegory of Maria’s growth as a character and about faith."
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16. The Mummy (1999)
"Rick and Evie are in love and absolutely adorable. Jonathan is in the dumps because he thinks they lost out on the treasure, but then you see the glimmer in the saddlebag on the camel. I love it so much."
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17. Bull Durham (1988)
"Superb ending for a fantastic baseball movie."
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18. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
"After Charlie passes 'the test,' Wonka surprises him by giving him the chocolate factory and letting his whole family move in. The last lines are so wonderful. Wonka: 'But Charlie, don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he always wanted.' Charlie: 'What happened?' Wonka: 'He lived happily every after.' Such a feel-good ending!"
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19. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
"The whole movie is inspirational, but when he finally sees the picture — it's such a great ending."
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20. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)
"I sob EVERY time Shadow hobbles over the hill and runs to Peter. It's such a heartwarming movie, and was my favorite as a kid."
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21. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
"I just love watching Indiana Jones, his father, Marcus Brody, and Sallah all riding off on horses back home. I find it very satisfying."
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22. Lost in Translation (2003)
"The ending of Lost in Translation when they're saying goodbye to each other, and Bill Murray whispers something in Scarlett Johansson's ear that is inaudible to the audience, but we know it was something that eased the pain of his departure. I know some critics see this as a 'cheat,' but I find it very effective and fitting for a film that's all about ambiguous communication."
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23. Titanic (1997)
"Yeah, it's questionable if old Rose is sleeping or has passed away, but either way, we got to see that she went on to live her life to the fullest after being on the Titanic like she promised, and that she's found peace by telling her story about meeting Jack."
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24. Secret Window (2004)
"The reveal that the stalker/murderer was not real and was the main character all along was so good. The last 15 minutes still gives me chills."
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25. The Goonies (1985)
"As a child of the '80s, no movie ended better than The Goonies. 'HEY, YOU GUYS!'"
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And finally:
26. Hairspray (2007)
"The closing number makes me deliriously happy every single time."
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Which films have endings you never get tired of watching? Let us know in the comments below!
Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.