We love cinematic closure! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best film finales that bring the story to a clear finish.
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00:00 I am the creator of a television show that gives hope and joy and inspiration to millions.
00:05 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best film finales that
00:10 bring the story to a clear finish. Spoilers ahead.
00:13 Come on, Tom. Let's finish this the way we started.
00:16 Number 10. The Diner Robbery. Again. Pulp Fiction.
00:25 I love you, pumpkin. I love you, honey bunny.
00:29 Everybody be cool, this is a robbery!
00:31 Before the final scene of Pulp Fiction, audiences have already been subject to several time jumps.
00:36 Quentin Tarantino provides the missing link between the disparate stories by
00:39 sending Jules and Vincent to a diner.
00:41 Want some bacon?
00:42 No, man, I don't eat pork.
00:44 Are you Jewish?
00:45 No, I ain't Jewish. I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
00:48 Why not?
00:48 It just so happens to be the one from the beginning,
00:50 pitting the hitman against the robbers, pumpkin and honey bunny.
00:53 The last sequence wraps up the fates of the remaining characters with a healthy dose of
00:57 philosophy. Or it could mean you're the righteous man and I'm the shepherd.
01:02 And it's the world that's evil and selfish.
01:05 Samuel L. Jackson's protagonist calms down the criminals, delivers an incredible monologue,
01:10 and reveals his new path in life. Everyone leaves the scene with a little more knowledge than before,
01:15 finishing out this movie on a high note.
01:16 I think we should be leaving now.
01:19 Yeah, that's probably a good idea.
01:24 Number 9. Settling the Case. Twelve Angry Men.
01:26 It's always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this.
01:31 Wherever you run into it, prejudice always obscures the truth.
01:36 Over the course of this film, a group of twelve jurors decide the fate of a teenager accused of
01:41 murder. Juror eight slowly changes the minds of the others until there's only one left.
01:45 Everything, every single thing that took place in that courtroom,
01:50 but I mean everything, says he's guilty. What do you think, I'm an idiot or something?
01:55 Lee J. Cobb's stubborn number three finally cracks under pressure,
01:58 realizing the errors of his thinking. This
02:00 profound moment is made especially powerful due to his stunning display of acting.
02:03 Not guilty. Not guilty.
02:15 The final vote for not guilty saves the life of the defendant, but not without changing the
02:21 lives of the jury itself. Their climactic walk out of the courthouse underscores their
02:25 transformations. Sidney Lumet's amazing direction provides viewers with a conclusion which resonates
02:30 with them long after the film is over. What's your name?
02:35 Davis. My name's McCarvel.
02:38 Well, so long.
02:49 Number eight, Going Home, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
02:52 With the help of his siblings, Elliot Taylor takes his extraterrestrial friend to the little
03:04 alien spaceship. Getting there is made more impressive thanks to a thrilling chase that
03:08 takes them into the sky and over to a forest for an emotional farewell.
03:11 It just worked, see? Goodbye.
03:16 Elliot and E.T. share a touching moment, with the creature reminding the boy that
03:20 they'll never be too far apart.
03:22 Everyone walks away having learned something about themselves. It's the
03:35 perfect way to send off a sci-fi fairy tale about family and friendship.
03:39 [MUSIC]
03:48 Number seven, 19 Years Later, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.
03:52 Here they come.
03:54 The magical series builds up to the final showdown between Harry Potter and Voldemort,
04:05 which would seem to be the perfect ending. But after the villain's defeat, the film jumps years
04:09 into the future. The characters are now older, with children of their own.
04:12 Together.
04:14 Taking their kids to the famous train platform, the now-adult heroes reunite in a brilliant full
04:27 circle moment. You're hit with a wave of nostalgia as the ensemble prepares their own families for
04:31 a new era at Hogwarts.
04:33 Listen, if it really means that much to you, you can choose Gryffindor.
04:37 The Sorting Hat takes your choice into account.
04:40 It's a fitting end for Potter and his friends, showing that there's always hope for the next
04:45 generation. The film series might be over, but this satisfying and emotional finish lets us
04:50 know the magic never really ends.
04:51 Ready?
04:55 Ready.
05:01 Number 6. A Long-Awaited Catch. Field of Dreams.
05:04 While Rey Kinsella might not get everything he wants, the hero does get what he needs.
05:20 The film seems headed for a bittersweet ending until the main character sees his father.
05:24 Oh my god.
05:25 What? What is it?
05:27 It's my father.
05:32 At these final moments, Field of Dreams gives Kinsella a healing reunion with his dad.
05:39 This also includes one of the more heartwarming baseball catches ever.
05:42 Hey, Dad?
05:43 You wanna have a catch?
05:49 I'd like that.
05:53 I'd like that.
05:54 Not only do the family members come back together, a long line of cars appears to visit the field.
06:01 We then realize that the farm doesn't have to be sold in a stunning shot, putting viewers at ease.
06:06 This tearjerker conclusion gives audiences a warm hug and tells them everything will be okay.
06:10 Is this heaven?
06:13 It's Iowa.
06:21 Number 5. Rick's New Friend. Casablanca.
06:24 But what about us?
06:25 We'll always have Paris.
06:27 At the end of this Hollywood classic, viewers come to realize that Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund
06:32 aren't really meant to be together. The truth finally comes out as the hero puts his old flame
06:36 on a plane without him. In an emotional goodbye, the duo share a final exchange as they do what
06:40 has to be done.
06:41 Now, now.
06:42 He's looking at you, kid.
06:46 Blaine then ties up the loose ends by eliminating the villain Major Strasser.
06:51 Major Strasser has been shot.
06:52 Round up the usual suspects.
06:58 With the aircraft safely away, the expatriate strolls away with his new friend and his
07:03 conscience clean. Casablanca's captivating plot never ceases to amaze, and its elegant
07:08 conclusion is just what is required.
07:10 Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
07:14 Number 4. Finishing the Competition. There Will Be Blood.
07:20 Stop crying, you sniveling ass. Stop your nonsense.
07:24 Oil magnate Daniel Plainview isn't finished until he gets his revenge on rival Eli Sunday.
07:30 Preacher comes to make a deal, but soon realizes that his host isn't going to play things the
07:34 way Sunday wants.
07:35 I told you I would eat you.
07:38 We're family.
07:38 I told you I would eat you.
07:40 We're brothers.
07:41 Plainview embarrasses Sunday, thwarts the scheming, and dishes out a legendary rant.
07:46 This includes the best use of the word "milkshake" in any movie speech.
07:49 I drink your milkshake.
07:53 I drink it up.
07:56 The antihero finishes off his opponent with a bowling pin,
07:59 finally bringing the rivalry to an end.
08:01 His last line of dialogue reveals that a weight has been lifted from him.
08:14 While he's still morally reprehensible, the businessman brings the film home with
08:18 an irreversible and entertaining end.
08:20 I'm finished.
08:22 Number 3. Escaping the Show. The Truman Show.
08:39 Truman.
08:40 You can speak.
08:43 I can hear you.
08:46 I can hear you.
08:48 Fleeing by sailboat, Truman Burbank journeys through rough waters until he hits a wall.
08:53 The hero comes to realize he's living on a television show.
08:56 Was nothing real?
08:57 You were real.
08:59 It's what made you so good to watch.
09:02 Through the beauty of Andrew Nichols' dialogue, Burbank speaks to Kristoff and discovers his
09:08 life is all a ruse.
09:09 The ultimate question is whether or not the man will choose to leave.
09:12 Say something, goddammit!
09:13 You're on television!
09:15 You're live to the whole world!
09:16 After using his iconic sign-off, the protagonist decides to see what's beyond the barrier.
09:22 He finally fulfills his destiny and gives the program a dramatic ending for the ages.
09:26 In case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night.
09:31 The genius plot comes together with some extraordinary acting,
09:35 warming your heart and touching your soul.
09:36 Cease transmission.
09:39 Ceasing transmission.
09:41 Number two, the ultimate lesson.
09:43 It's a wonderful life.
09:44 Look, daddy, teacher says every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.
09:52 That's right.
09:53 That's right.
09:55 Following his dramatic lesson about the value of his own existence,
10:01 George Bailey returns to Bedford Falls a changed man.
10:04 He chooses to celebrate his new lease on life by running through the streets
10:07 Merry Christmas, movie house!
10:10 Merry Christmas, Emporium!
10:12 Merry Christmas, you wonderful old building and lawn!
10:17 This all leads him home, prompting a moving reunion with his family.
10:21 Bailey also comes to realize that the entire town has rallied around him in a time of need.
10:25 Hey, George, you got the faculty all messed up a bit.
10:28 Here's some music.
10:29 Revealing the power of a strong support group, the movie's cast is a great mix of
10:35 the old and the new, and the new and the old.
10:37 The movie ends on a stirringly hopeful note, accentuated by the toast delivered by George's
10:42 brother.
10:42 To my big brother George, the richest man in town.
10:45 This ending wraps everything up in a fittingly sentimental bow,
10:49 creating an iconic holiday classic.
10:51 Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
10:54 End solo, whiplash.
10:56 Impressing his abusive teacher, Andrew unleashes a crazy performance.
10:59 Andrew, what are you doing, man?
11:02 I'll kill you!
11:03 [Music]
11:10 A new day, Groundhog Day.
11:12 Phil finally discovers the secret to break the time loop and falls in love.
11:15 Do you know what today is?
11:17 No, what?
11:17 Today is tomorrow.
11:21 It happened.
11:23 You're here.
11:26 I'm here.
11:31 The kiss, the princess bride.
11:32 Wesley and Buttercup prove that true love exists, living happily ever after.
11:36 Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses that were rated the most
11:41 passionate, the most pure.
11:43 This one left them all behind.
11:46 The end.
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12:06 Number one, Reunion, The Shawshank Redemption.
12:11 Get busy living or get busy dying.
12:15 That's goddamn right.
12:20 When Andy Dufresne goes missing, this movie reveals his incredible escape and the elaborate
12:25 scheme that goes along with it.
12:28 Andy crawled to freedom through 500 yards of shit-smelling foulness I can't even imagine.
12:34 Or maybe I just don't want to.
12:37 His friend Red continues his sentence until his parole gives him a chance to find Euphram.
12:41 Once Morgan Freeman's character finds the escapee's letter, he can't help but feel
12:45 goosebumps about what comes next.
12:46 Remember, Red, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.
12:52 And no good thing ever dies.
12:56 I will be hoping that this letter finds you.
12:58 He journeys to Mexico and finally reunites with his buddy in an amazing ending.
13:03 With all of the suffering they endure in this film, this duo both finds itself on top of
13:07 the world.
13:07 The filmmakers present viewers with a long setup before giving the heroes a happy conclusion.
13:12 I hope to see my friend and shake his hand.
13:15 I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.
13:21 I hope.
13:24 Did we forget another perfect wrap-up?
13:28 Let us know in the comments below.
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13:38 [outro]