Top Ten Greatest Movie Endings

Breach

I, in the past couple of years, have written more Top Ten articles then I can count for the prestigious Slashfilm. Soooooo, these flicks coming at you are the contenders for best ever. They are in my eyes terrific and great endings, a dreamy “cap it all off” nightcap of honey, warm milk and Nyquil type ending that leave you stuffed and satisfied. If something can move you to tears, I believe it has a specific merit to it dubbing it an all time great,. Here I dig, into my past and see what I can come up with. Got any of your own? Email them in!!

10. Breach - Ryan Philippe opens the elevator doors and “BAM”, Chris Cooper is standing there between two guards. The electricity that passes between them is unsettling, with a moment feeling like forever, until Cooper hauntingly utters the words. “Pray for me.” You can’t help but wonder why Chris doesn’t just Goldberg spear Philippe into the wall behind him for being the sole guy to take him down and ruin his life.

9. Lost Boys - After the final showdown with Kiefer Sutherland and the rest of his Motley Crue of teen vamps comes Grandpa, opening the fridge and closing his eyes before sighing and finally saying, “The one thing about Santa Carla I never could stomach….All the damn vampires.” And the light from said refrigerator, throwing its snuffed shadow upon Corey Haim and Jason Patric’s face, leave us feeling like we have just had the final joke slapped onto our faces ….People are strange.

8. Good Will Hunting -  “Son of a bitch, he stole my line…” Robin Williams exclaims after reading Will’s goodbye note. Most romantic sentiment without the payout of seeing Skylar and Will meet again leave the audience wondering what could be… Or if Will’s shit box can make the drive cross country.

7. Batman Begins -  ” I never said thank you.” Say’s Gary Oldman………. “And you’ll never have to.” Christian Bale beats everyone including Mr. Mom to become the coolest, buffest and most convincing Bruce Wayan/ Batman ever, then dives off the roof into the Dark night.

6. Devil’s Rejects - The dirty, hot and gritty standoff on the highway with nothing except “Freebird” blasting as the House of a Thousand Corpse’s crew drive to their deaths like Thelma and Louise except with guns blazing. A Beautifully horrifying end, if you can use that oxymoron.

5. Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - The movie for the fans! Let’s face it; the only people who get every aspect of this movie were the nit picking fan boys who watched all of Kevin Smith’s other movies religiously over and over again. But you didn’t need to be a devout Askew disciple to see and appreciate the freeze frame of Jay and Silent Bob, being the supposed end of their jungle love, of course until Clerks 2. But that moment was like seeing two of your best friends in your senior yearbook, commemorating all the years you spent together and quite possibly being the last time you may see those two again….

4. Rocky 2 - Oh God! Rocky and Apollo are both down!! 7! 8! 9! Rocky gets up and bounces into the ropes by an eyelash, 10!!! Queue the goose bump inducing music.

3. Superman 1 - Here is another musical moment and one of the top three that actually bring me to tears. For some reason this reminds me of my dad, and to others I’m sure the theme as Superman flies out around the earth evokes memories from their youth while at the time was cinematically a wonderful way to end the flick. Kudos to the late Mr. Reeve for being a staple in my memories.

2. Braveheart - After the demise of William Wallace his men stand with Robert the Bruce for what is to be the Battle of Bannockburn. Then, the throwing of the claymore and charging the field screaming…The tears fly, and the goose bumps erupt. The majestic landscape and soundtrack burn into your senses like the smell of wood smoke, that you can’t wash off your skin, or ever clean off your mind.

1. Star Wars, A New Hope - I can’t explain with words. The score, Chewy, Han, and Luke lined up and the hall at full attention as the trumpets go and the crescendo swells. Then the walk, the walk down to the awaiting Leia and all the soldiers turn on heel with a unified “Clack!”. I cry every time, and have tried convincing my girl to allow this to be my wedding song. While I may not be able to reenact this alone with my best men, I can watch this over and over for my fix. Perfection.

  • the thin man
    I'd say Usual Suspects, Se7en, and The Godfather should be decent contenders, and I was personally blown away by the ending of American History X, but it's hard to ignore classics when you make a list like this. You have movies whos endings have attained pulp culture/cult status, like Thelma and Louise or any number of Hitchcock films.
  • Brian
    How about..

    The burning Rosebud sled at the end of Citizen Kane wherein we realize the sad answer to the puzzle of Charles Foster Kane's final words.

    The last hilarious line of Some Like it Hot: "Well, nobody's perfect!"

    Bogart and Claude Raines walking off into the fog (and history) at the end of Casablanca: "...I think this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

    Black and white classics rock!
  • peter
    I love coming to the site daily and reading all the latest news on movies and usually agree with your opinion on most movies. But now that I know you are a fan of The Devils Rejects and think it is one of the 10 greatest endings ever I think you might have just lost alot of credibility in my eyes. That movie is absolute garbage and nothing but a waste of time. Wow, how could you!
  • Jacobi
    Night of the Living Dead will always be the best ending for me: Ben comes up from downstairs, thinking he has finally survived the night, and BLAM! Shot right in the head!

    Also, A Boy and His Dog: The remains of a campfire, a tattered dress, and then reveal Vic and Blood walking away from their camp, talking to each other as we figure out what their last meal was.

    I also agree with Se7en: "What's in the box?!?!?"
  • Chris
    We actually did use the music (Disc 2, Track 11 - Throne Room/End Title) from the end of A New Hope for the recessional at our wedding. It has exactly the right tone for it and really only the star wars fans recognized.
  • Mike1976
    Don't forget about the Shawshank Redmption. It was great to see Tim Robbin's character stick it to the man. And that final scene on the beach was just beutiful.
  • drew
    I have to agree with American History X and Se7en. And I thought the Bourne Ultimatum's ending was terrific.
  • I loved the end of American History X, very powerful. La Haine also had a similarly powerful end. Yes neither of these endings are "dreamy “cap it all off” nightcap of honey, warm milk and Nyquil type ending"s but they're still good!
  • ihartsf
    The end of "The Royal Tenenbaums," with Royal's funeral, the gravestone reveal, and Alec Baldwin's narration, gives me a similar reaction you get from Superman. I tear up every time. I love that damn movie.
  • Kestrel
    Shawshank definately!

    Kudos to Peter for not being shy to put Star Wars: A New Hope. (I'd consider Empire, but its not really much of a warm fuzzy ending)

    I heartily agree with Batman Begins too.

    I'd add Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, epic but lighthearted, with a classic riding off into the sunset scene; the way that the series should have ended.

    The Score with Edward Norton and Robert Deniro is definately on top of the thriller list.

    Can I add Independence Day on the list without looking too cheesy?
  • The Quiet Earth.

    the ending is visually powerful and redefines the whole logic of the movie. Stunning.
  • I'm with Brian, nice job buddy... hasn't anyone seen any movies before 1977? Try Vertigo, for chrissakes! Rocky II?!? Try the original Rocky! Holy crap, have you even seen Planet of the Apes!? The Bicycle Thief. 2001. If you want current, try Boogie Nights. Lone Star. Fight Club.

    Norm S.
    http://www.meetinthelobby.com
  • igotgame
    The Departed

    And I have to agree with Unusual Suspects and Seven.
  • Kestrel
    The Departed has a terrible ending. Depressing, shocking, and bleak.
  • Batman Begins had a fantastic ending. I say the best ending ever in my opinion would be the end of Spider-Man 2 when Spidey was swinging on his web through New York and Mary Jane just looks on.
  • Saving Private Ryan. "Tell me I'm a good man." When the credits starting rolling and the house lights came up no one said a word. I did hear a few people sobbing though. On a completely different type of ending, I whole-heartedly agree with Batman Begins.
  • Rick
    I have to say that one of the best endings, in a feel good kind of way, is Rudy. You do not even have to be a sports fan to not get choked up and feel fantastic at the end of that one.
  • Sean
    "I say the best ending ever in my opinion would be the end of Spider-Man 2 when Spidey was swinging on his web through New York and Mary Jane just looks on."

    I seriously lol'ed.

    Oldboy, Reservoir Dogs, Bladerunner, Fargo, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and Requiem for a Dream have some of my favorite endings that I've seen that I can think of off the top of my head. This list that I just read of the "Top Ten Greatest Movie Endings" is hardly anything I can agree with. I have serious doubts about the author's credibility as a film critic (if he so calls himself one).
  • I can't seem to shake the ending of Bourne Ultimatum from my head- Greengrass brilliantly brought the franchise full circle, whereas the helpless body was pulled out of the water in Identity, Ultimatum showed him alive and alert, swimming for freedom. Greengrass gave Bourne a metaphorical rebirth in the East river. I pray that Universal doesn't go any further with the series... the ending was perfect.
  • Some people seem to be confused, so I would like to point out that this Top 10 list was not written by me (Peter Sciretta), but /Film contributor Zack Lawrence.

  • Zach Lawrence
    Yes, Peter is right. The thing is regarding all the standard greatest endings of all time, I preferred to list the greats that are over looked such as my "greatest obscure villains of all time". Devil's Rejects? While the whole movie may have been a pretty shitty ordeal, that ending was just cool as hell. And I gotta give you Shawshank...That was great too.
  • Zach Lawrence

    Ok, I'm no film critic, and Peter Sciretta didn't write this list. HOW-the Fuck-EVER, I am a movie fanboy who happens to write. Just because it's something you disagree with doesn't hurt my credibility, it's all a matter of taste, and your taste is to be a negative person who thinks people are dumb if they don't agree with you.

  • Zach Lawrence
    PS.....I said email your faves, not bash ours
  • Kestrel
    Sean said: "Oldboy, Reservoir Dogs, Bladerunner, Fargo, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Requiem for a Dream have some of my favorite endings that I’ve seen that I can think of off the top of my head."

    They may be your favorite, but the majority of those endings are depressing.

    If we want to rest in the happy joy of Spiderman 2 endings, let us be. . .
  • Lorenzo
    My taste is to be a negative person who is dumb. And thus I am sad Breach is on this list because it is garbage. Also, being a writer, even a fan-boy one, probably means that you're open to have your work criticized. You're a "big boy" who writes, and yet you can't take a little heat? Sort of sad bud.
  • Lorenzo
    Also, are there negative people who are smart? What about positive dummies? I just want to be clear on what my disagreement makes me. Oh crap, Warcraft is calling me!
  • dvdinfoman
    Hey Lorenzo, why don't you just shut up, your mom is dumb and negative.

    Zach just likes these endings because they are fun and good and you shouldn't be mad because you can't rite.
  • Ray
    Zach, Zach, Zach ... see more movies lol.

    I would replace Breach, Lost Boys, Jay and Silent Bob, and Devil's Rejects with:

    Thelma and Louise (who could see THAT ending coming at the beginning?)

    Godfather 2 (silnet and evocative)

    Citizen Kane (fuck ... ROSEBUD is one of the most enduring words in cinema!!)

    Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (the first and greatest mindfuck of cinema until Sixth Sense came along)

    Hell ... put Sixth Sense in there too.

    www.therecshow.com
  • Know what? I'm not sure I wanna continue to read anyone -- "qualified" or otherwise -- who calls readers assholes. Your inability to conduct conversation and handle conflict is embarrassing.

    Hey Ray, I dig The Rec Show...
  • Ray

    Cool, thanks Norm!!! You should comment more often there - we could use more intelligence in our comments section!!! LOL

  • zACH lAWRENCE

    RAY-BO........I've seen all those flicks! And you're right. I'm just trying to name the ones you may not see in Entertainment Weekly or Rolling Stone... Ya know, some of the wackier shit. Thanks for reading Ray!

  • Superman 2
  • dbunker
    Aside from the ones already mentioned.
    Fallen with Denzel Washington has a great ending.
    Escape from New York.
    The Original Halloween
    Blade runner depends on which ending you like.
    Payback
    The Day the Earth stood still (only because of how relevant the message still is)
    Dr Strangelove
    Failsafe
    Im sure there are more I just cannot think of right now
  • Tornado
    Whoever listed Oldboy as having one of the greatest endings ever is seriously messed up in the head. The movie is only loved because it is pretty daring for Korean cinema but geez was it unnecessarily sick and f***ed up.
  • Reply to Sean: Don't make a blanket response like "I seriously lol'ed" if you have a problem with me suggesting the ending of Spider-Man 2 then say it without making blanket posts.
  • "Most romantic sentiment without the payout of seeing Skylar and Will meet again leave the audience wondering what could be… Or if Will’s shit box can make the drive cross country."

    -- I'm still laughing :)
  • Rick
    ok...what I said up there was "Rudy."
    I see the end got cut off in the box.
  • John
    A lot of really good mentions above. I think a mix of old and new would ultimately be appropriate.

    The only noticable miss so far and would even make the top five for shock value alone would be Arlington Road. Never has the phrase "felt like my kidney's had been harvested" been more appropriate.
  • Sean
    Ok, Dylan, I "lol'ed" because Spiderman 2 is chock full of mediocre dialogue coupled with acting of the same quality. The ending is a cheesy and forgettable affair that left me unmoved and unimpressed. If you're going to make a list of the "greatest movie endings," then at least include the mandatory classics that belong. And in response to someone's comment that my choices had "depressing" and even "fucked up" apparently didn't understand the films and chooses to simply label them as "just weird" or "unnecessary." Bladerunner has a hopeful ending; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest offers a similar ending full of hope for the Chief. A Clockwork Orange and Hot Fuzz are also two other movies that came to mind while typing this. Both have comical and positive endings that deserve to be mentioned.
  • I know no one will see this for a veryyy long time (it comes out early October), but I saw Michael Clayton this morning and holy CRAP does it have an amazingly perfect ending... It was so subtle and beautiful... I can't explain. I almost have a euphoria now thinking about how good it was...

    You'll all see when it comes out and I hope you'll all attest to it as well.
  • Ray
    That's cool, Alex. I was hoping that the movie would be great.
  • Yea, Michael Clayton was pretty damn good... I'm still trying to sort through my mind and determine if it was a "best of the year" or just a somewhat great film. I'm seeing The Brave One and In the Valley of Elah tomorrow and I've got the Toronto Film Fest in a couple of weeks so I'll have more ones to rank it up against very soon......
  • Shell
    Id also add American Beauty to the list, fair enough we knew it was coming but i still love it.
  • Reply to Sean: Couldn't you have said this earlier? Because Spider-Man 2 is considered the greatest comic book movie of all time and one of the greatest movies ever. You could have explained yourself earlier without making blanket responses.
  • Flash
    No way is Christian Bale better than Michael Keaton. They are like your kids you don't love one more than the other just differently. Everything else cool. But best ending of all time would have to be The Matrix. I mean come on your open to believe that there is more out there and then he flys off, awesome. And for Jurca Shawshank has the great beach ending with two friends very very cool.
  • Sean, Dylan-

    Where and by whom is Spider-Man 2 considered one of the greatest movies ever? The best comic book-based movie, I can see, but I think that other statement is seriously overdoing it.

    Best,
    Norm
    http://www.meetinthelobby.com
  • Reply to Norm: If you go on rottentomatoes the tomatometer is one of the highest.
  • Reply to Dylan -

    I just went to RT's Top 100 of all time and, unless I'm missing something, it's not there. Either way, is there a part of RT that considers how glowing the reviews are (6 of 10, 8 of 10, etc.)? If not, we're just talking about the percentage of positive reviews, which is a far different measuring stick.

    On IMDb, Spider-Man 2 has a great score for a film with so many votes (a 7.8), but it's not in the Top 250. I don't mean to say I don't like the movie -- I do -- but I had to question your statement about it being considered one of the greatest films of all time.

    Later.

    -Norm S.
    http://www.meetinthelobby.com
  • Zach Lawrence
    And for all of you Shawshank lovers out there,.... ever seen True Romance? The beach ending is very reminiscent....just something to think about....
  • dbunker
    Michael Keaton was ok for the role he played as Batman.
    Remember, Batman and Batman begins are really two very different stories, where one is fanciful, one is more gritty and more to the truth.
    In Burton's skewed Batman universe Keaton could make sense as Bruce Wayne, but could you imagine Keaton as Nolan's "Dark Knight"? No way
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