Finding a satisfying ending to a film is no easy task. The pressure on the filmmakers to make this happen is immense, as they know that the ending will probably be the part that impresses the audience the most. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the final moments before the credits roll leave viewers with a positive impression of the film.
Just as easily as a bad ending can ruin an otherwise excellent film, a spectacular ending has the power to improve the overall quality of an otherwise underwhelming film. Even some of the greatest directors of all time can sometimes have trouble finding the right way to end a story. Likewise, some of the greatest films ever made are remembered as such, in part due to their endings. Even some not-so-great films still managed to work because of the final minutes.
10
The fog (2007)
Directed by Frank Darabont
Although Stephen King is widely accepted as one of the greatest horror writers of all time, it’s no secret that some of his stories’ endings leave a little to be desired. Fortunately, this was not the case The fogthe 2007 feature based on King’s 1980 novel of the same name. Directed by Frank Darabont (who also directed two other King adaptations; The Shawshank Redemption and The green mile), The fog follows a group of individuals who struggle to survive when their small town is taken over by deadly creatures hidden in a mysterious fog.
While much of the film isn’t particularly notable, the final moments of The fog are sure to haunt viewers long after the credits roll. Feeling as if all hope is lost, the protagonist makes the painful decision to shoot the remaining survivors, including his own son, in what was supposed to be an act of mercy. In a shocking twist, the military arrives to kill the monsters just seconds later, proving that the horrific act is completely unnecessary. This chilling ending cements the film as a bold and effective work of horror.
9
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)
Directed by Jonathan Mostow
Fans of Terminator the series knew it would be nearly impossible for the third installment in the franchise to live up to the high standards set by Terminator 2: Judgment Day. Although the film lacked some of the cinematic magic that James Cameron provided for the first two, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines was revived by its surprise ending, which effectively set it apart from the other films. In the film, John Connor must fight to survive (with the help of a T-850 Terminator) to help prevent the collapse of the entire world.
In a shocking twist, the heroes prove unable to save the day as nuclear missiles are launched across the world, presumably bringing about the downfall of the human race. It goes without saying that Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines had a much darker ending than previous installments in the franchise. Although audiences were not thrilled to see the heroes fail, the ending received praise for its drastic change from the previous films, solidifying Terminator 3 as a valuable addition to the series.
8
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Directed by Peter Jackson
Unfortunately, the Hobbit trilogy did not live up to the impossibly high standards set by the Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, that’s not to say the series didn’t have redeeming qualities of its own. Although a large part The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug may have seemed too slow and/or complicated to many, this second part of the trilogy has consistently received praise for its ending.
In a film titled The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaugthe titular dragon appears for a disappointingly small amount of time. However, in the final act, when the fearsome creature dominates the screen, the film becomes breathtaking. The interactions between the protagonist, Bilbo, and the imposing dragon, Smaug, are completely captivating, both in terms of visual effects and dialogue. The invigorating energy created by these scenes continues to build until the thrilling finale, leaving viewers desperate to see what happens next.
7
After-sun (2022)
Directed byCharlotte Wells
The 2022 A24 drama, After-sunIt’s far from being a bad film, but what drives the film is its ending. This semi-autobiographical film from writer and director Charlotte Wells chronicles the childhood holidays shared by eleven-year-old Sophie and her father, Calum, who has recently separated from Sophie’s mother. These days, Sophie is an adult who watches vacation videos while reflecting on her relationship with her father.
Defying viewers’ expectations, After-sun ends without ever providing a concrete explanation for what happened to Calum in the years following the vacation. The film gives many hints that he may be struggling, both financially and mentally, but chooses to go with a more ambiguous ending. This open-ended conclusion sparked widespread conversation following the film’s release, with viewers having a wide range of opinions, both about what happened to Calum and the realistic and tragic-yet-beautiful nature of never being able to find out.
6
Doctor Strange (2016)
Directed by Scott Derrickson
The Marvel Cinematic Universe made a bold decision with its 2016 feature, Doctor Strangeoffering an origin story that wasn’t too different from what characters like Tony Stark experienced in Phase 1. Despite its breathtaking visual effects, much of the film failed to fully impress audiences. That is, until the end of the film, which cemented Dr. Stephen Strange as a unique and exciting new character for the franchise.
Most big-budget superhero movies culminate in a loud, explosive battle between good and evil. While Doctor Strange still did this to some extent, the film took a much smarter approach to the idea of the final confrontation. In the climactic scene, Dr. Strange trapped himself and Dormammu, an evil entity from the Dark Dimension, in a time loop. No matter how many times Dormammu killed Strange, the new hero continued to reappear until evil finally gave in to Strange’s terms. This unique final set Doctor Strange in addition to other MCU films.
5
Forward (2020)
Directed by Dan Scanlon
Pixar’s 2020 feature film release, Forwardwas heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. When it was made available to stream on Disney+, audiences were ready for a comforting dose of what the studio does best. Unfortunately, most of the film felt somewhat uninteresting. The story follows two elf brothers who set out in search of a magical item that will allow them to bring their deceased father back to life one day.
Even with its unusual premise, Forward seemed quite stereotypical to many. However, this belief was quickly changed by the film’s surprising conclusion. In the end, the protagonist, Ian, runs out of time and is unable to have a final interaction with his father. However, he realizes that his brother has always acted like a father figure and feels a new wave of gratitude towards him. This unexpected, sad but moving twist gave a new sense of life to the film, making it Forward a worthy addition to Pixar’s acclaimed filmography.
4
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (2007)
Directed by Gore Verbinksi
While the topic certainly inspires some debate, the third installment wasn’t the strongest entry into the Pirates of the Caribbean series (at least at the time it was released). Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End follows the familiar swashbuckling characters as they set out to rescue Captain Jack Sparrow from Davy Jones’ locker, while simultaneously facing a strong threat from the East India Trading Company. Upon its release, the film was criticized for placing its convoluted plot above the pirate shenanigans that viewers had come to love.
Fortunately, the thrilling conclusion of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End gave people more of what they were hungry for. The film’s ending serves as the climax of the original trilogy of pirate films as a whole, featuring an action-packed, high-stakes battle at sea. This thrilling sequence, combined with Will Turner’s dramatic takeover as captain of the Flying Dutchmangave the audience the satisfying ending they wanted, which was both fun and exciting.
3
Buried (2010)
Directed by Rodrigo Cortés
The 2010 Spanish thriller, Buriedcan be a riveting experience, but its dark ending is what really allowed the film to grip audiences. The unique film stars Ryan Reynolds as Paul, an American truck driver who finds himself in a heartbreaking situation while working in Iraq. For the entire duration of the film, Paul is buried alive, with a BlackBerry phone being his only way of communicating with the outside world as he attempts to negotiate his rescue.
Although the end of Buried may not have been what the public expected, it is impossible to deny the boldness of the filmmakers’ choices. Just when it looks like Paul will be saved, it is revealed that the rescue team has been taken to the wrong location, leaving Paul to suffocate as his coffin fills with sand. The ending is shocking and dark, effectively defining Buried apart as a film that isn’t afraid to end on an unhappy note.
2
Big Fish (2003)
Directed by Tim Burton
Tim Burton has established a strong reputation in terms of his unique storytelling abilities and his 2003 feature, Big Fishit is a celebration of the art of storytelling itself. The film follows a young man, Will, who reunites with his father, Edward, to hear him tell his famous stories one last time before he passes away. Big Fish offers a moving depiction of a son who stands by his father in his final moments, but seems to lack the memorable punch that appears in several of Burton’s other works.
That is, until the film’s stunning conclusion. Once Edward passes away, a funeral is held for him. There, Will discovers that all the characters in his father’s “tall tales” were actually based on real people from the man’s life, all of whom came from far and wide to pay their respects. The appearance of these characters, even though (or perhaps because) they don’t appear exactly as Edward described, becomes Big Fish in an inventive and satisfying tribute to storytelling and a beautiful story of father/son relationships.
1
Blackberry (2023)
Directed by Matt Johnson
At first, the idea of making a film about the creation of BlackBerry cell phones in 2023 may seem a little strange, given that the product was already completely obsolete by then. A lot of Blackberry It feels like a straightforward recreation of the company’s astronomical rise in the late ’90s and early ’00s. However, as the conclusion approaches, the film manages to effectively redefine itself entirely.
In the final scenes, Blackberry transforms from a simple film about the birth of a company into a moving commentary on how wealth and power can disappear as quickly as they arrive. The decision to include the dramatic fall of the BlackBerry adds a compelling dynamic to the film, setting it apart from other product-inspired films. The extended final scene of the original inventor agonizing over the poor quality of his company’s latest product leaves a lasting and surprisingly emotional image in the viewer’s mind.