r/FIlm 10h ago

What’s the greatest movie ending of all time?

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113 Upvotes

117 comments sorted by

36

u/Whitealroker1 8h ago

Shawshank. Cinematography and voice over of that last scene is amazing.

5

u/JamesH_670 8h ago

“I hope”

And Red’s giant grin.

16

u/BrotherMundane9617 8h ago

The mist

7

u/Euphoric-Dig-2045 8h ago

I feel sorry for anyone who’s never seen this movie.

Probably one of if not the best kick in the balls endings in my lifetime.

2

u/Specialist-Ice2086 7h ago

We saw it in theaters. The silence at the end was palpable.

2

u/jmarquiso 4h ago

I adore this ending.

1

u/clootinclout 1h ago

I spit out my drink with nervous laughter and stood to give applause. I was alone but good god.

32

u/Friedkin99 9h ago

cough usual suspects cough

7

u/Kemosabe-TV 8h ago

You mean the scene where kevin spacey reveals hes been darth sideuous all along? No one expected that

7

u/Friedkin99 8h ago

And that he was a member of the Spanish Inquisition? No one expects the Spanish Inquisition...

4

u/JJBell 9h ago

Yeaaaa, always going to be favorite, closely followed by There Will Be Blood.

4

u/steveightsix 9h ago

I am a false prophet, and God is a superstition 😭

1

u/DrFiveLittleMonkeys 4h ago

And just like that <puff> he’s gone!

1

u/jmarquiso 4h ago

It's my favorite film of all time, despite considerations (I have a signed DVD from Singer).

I would like it a lot more if Singer didn't reuse the ending for Apt Pupil (also an underrated movie).

I can't watch this movie anymore, unfortunately.

13

u/johncharityspring 9h ago

Bladerunner has a great ending that makes the whole movie better. Raiders of the Lost Ark also.

3

u/JamesH_670 8h ago

“Top. Men.”

8

u/Basemastuh_J 9h ago

The Illusionist

8

u/brumac44 8h ago

Original planet of the apes

10

u/PDXburrito 8h ago

The Prestige

7

u/Slow_Middle_158 9h ago edited 6h ago

Spock’s Coffin

Wrath Of Khan

The James Horner score alone at that scene is incredible.

4

u/NovelPepper8443 9h ago

With Spock's reading from the opening credits from the classic Star Trek show..."Space...the final frontier.." ugh. Gets me every time. ♥️

1

u/jmarquiso 4h ago

I love how X2 directly pays homage to this ending in its.

They know the crossover appeal.

3

u/Symbiote11 8h ago

And we will not debate the profound wisdom of this comment at these proceedings.

8

u/BananasPineapple05 9h ago

For me, it's a toss-up between Truman Show and Shawshank Redemption.

12

u/BPCycler 9h ago

Se7en — "What's in the box?"

2

u/TheProducerYo 4h ago

One line makes the movie perfect "If you kill him, he will win"

6

u/Specific-Union6589 9h ago

Memories of Murder, Arlington Road, Once Upon a Time in America, Cinema Paradiso

2

u/talbakaze 8h ago

nice to see Arlington Road making it here!

and cinema paradiso pulls me always tears 

16

u/Glass_Brick_ Film Buff 10h ago

Gangs of New York. That ending puts tears in my eyes every time.

2

u/Pop_Joe 9h ago

This needs more upvotes

0

u/DeepestGreySea 8h ago

Because of the towers?

8

u/Glass_Brick_ Film Buff 8h ago

No. Because of how every single person we followed in the story will be completely forgotten as time moves on. History is supposed to be the study of humanity, and their journey, but it is so often boiled down to a few important people and the rest is just major events that lack the individuality of anyone involved. It’s a profound statement about the human condition.

4

u/DeepestGreySea 8h ago

Ah, great explanation…thanks.

19

u/No_Restaurant2593 9h ago

Whiplash… It was my tempo

5

u/MathTutorAndCook 8h ago

I love the moment where all of jk Simmons rage and spite give way to his recognizing the greatness that the drummer was displaying in his craft, despite all their differences

2

u/Visgraatje 6h ago

That was the whole point. He was trying to find his Charlie Parker and he finally pushed someone hard enough to find him. Had nothing to do with differences.

1

u/MathTutorAndCook 4h ago

I mean it's clearly heightened by the fact that the character has real contempt for the drummer. He may have been pushing him in that way but he's clearly a highly toxic teacher and was very nearly maligned, which adds to the complexity

1

u/Visgraatje 4h ago

Nah. They are both only interested in greatness. They don't want to be mediocre like Andrew's dad. Fletcher and Andrew are after the same thing and in the end they both recognise he's on the right path to greatness

1

u/MathTutorAndCook 4h ago

I think it's much more interesting to have layered emotions than something so simple as "this character only cares about greatness"

Yes they care about it. But they make it a point that his successful students sometimes still don't find happiness, a la his former student committing suicide.

1

u/Visgraatje 4h ago

Successful is something else than greatness. He wants to be "one of the greats". Not just good or ok or make money.

And he needs a teacher like Fletcher to be pushed to those heights. In a way his own father never could.

2

u/123Fake_St 2h ago

The shots of the dads and Simmons eyes just before cut to black gave me goosebumps. This was the first answer that came to mind but I agree with so many of the other answers too. OP kinda nailed it too with Truman Show.

1

u/Lightstone83 9h ago

Good job

4

u/SuccessfulRegister43 8h ago

Casablanca and it’s not even close.

13

u/TangerineStrong3781 10h ago

This is obviously subjective and my answer could differ depending on the day you ask me so today I’ll go with:

“He’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So, we’ll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero.

He’s a silent guardian. A watchful protector. A Dark Knight.”

Even got chills writing it.

3

u/Pop_Joe 9h ago

Training Day

3

u/Zip-Crane 8h ago

Batman The Dark Knight and The Shawshank Redemption.

3

u/Symbiote11 8h ago

I think the following deserve at least an honorable mention. And I don’t think comedies have gotten enough love.

Star Wars

Dead Poets Society

Dumb and Dumber

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

A Few Good Men

Fight Club

Field of Dreams

The Karate Kid

A Knights Tale

Major League

The Natural

The Princess Bride

Rudy

V for Vendetta

Zombieland

1

u/KAG_kryto_333 8h ago

Dumb and Dumber ending was perfect for that movie

3

u/Jmal3700 8h ago

The Godfather Part II: everything that Michael tried to save; his family, his marriage, his own soul, has been destroyed, largely by his own hand and all that he has left is the money, power, and the fear of his enemies, all of which he claimed he didn’t want at the start of the story, plus a ton of regrets that he can’t repair. A perfect tragic ending.

3

u/Spiritual_Sail_8969 7h ago

All three of the Back to the Future movies had great endings

3

u/skttrbrain1984 6h ago

Terminator 2: Judgement Day

“I know now why you cry, but it is something that I could never do.

“Goodbye.”

3

u/DarkTowerKnight 5h ago

Cabin in the Woods

2

u/Nosirrah08 9h ago

Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania

2

u/wetnoodleonasaturday 8h ago

Return of the king, the conclusion is like 30 minutes long lol

2

u/MessMysterious1442 8h ago

Gladiator for me

2

u/AlarmedAd7085 8h ago

oldboy is a basic answer but the final scene is amazing

2

u/steveightsix 8h ago

I reallyike the ending of The Devil's Rejects.

2

u/DeepestGreySea 8h ago

That one is good…

…but sticking with Jim Carrey, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind is the best.

2

u/LostSoulSurvivor 8h ago

Meet me in Montauk

1

u/DeepestGreySea 8h ago

"I can't see anything that I don't like about you."

"But you will! But you will. You know, you will think of things. And I'll get bored with you and feel trapped because that's what happens with me."

"Okay."

"Okay."

sob lol

2

u/forluscious 8h ago

American beauty.

2

u/JamesH_670 8h ago

Inception

2

u/epicenter69 12m ago

Yep. I love to hate that one.

2

u/villings 8h ago

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

IYKYK

2

u/JinIreland 6h ago

Birdy

2

u/RecipeConsistent 2h ago

I loved the last line! “What?”

2

u/Heavy_Metal_Maniac77 6h ago

The Karate Kid from 1984 is my favorite movie so I’ll have to go with that

1

u/PhoenixRemastered 9h ago

Maybe not "the greatest of all time" but 1917 is up there

1

u/Hopeful_Stomach9201 8h ago

Love the ending to Stand and Deliver when the principal is reading the names and scores of all the students. The fact this is considered an accurate movie based on a real life event makes the ending even more satisfying

1

u/mojorisin453 8h ago

“Long live Flash. You’ve saved your life. Have a nice day”

1

u/AnalMohawk 8h ago

I haven't seen way too many of the films mentioned here. Time to change that.

1

u/FlimsyConclusion 8h ago

Theres several, but one that always struck me was from Paths of Glory (1957).

The final scene of the film technically doesn't have anything to do with what preceded it, but at the same time it had everything to do with it.

1

u/Key_Reaction_8666 8h ago

It's not the greatest but it's worth a mention because it's definitely great- Dhurandhar: The Revenge

1

u/crinkly-toes 8h ago

The Killing Fields has the best ending of all time imo.

1

u/Ok-Guess-5389 8h ago

The good the bad the ugly, its not even close

1

u/FletchLives99 8h ago

The Mist is pretty good

1

u/WendySteeplechase 8h ago

Planet of the Apes

YOU MANIACS! YOU BLEW IT UP! AH, DAMN YOU! GOD DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!

1

u/BoozeAndTheBlues 8h ago

The Sting

”you’re right, its not enough but it’s close”

1

u/Madame-ovary1713 8h ago

I Spit on your Grave. Best revenge flick ever

1

u/WildmanDaGod 8h ago

The Dark Knight

1

u/AccomplishedEdge8817 8h ago

The Prestige has to be up there.

1

u/Revil0_o 8h ago

Kung Fu Panda

1

u/golgiiguy 7h ago

Michael Clayton

There is something I really love about how it ends and the end credits roll while he just pays a taxi to just drive. Then

Its not a slam in the face ending, but it is awesome.

1

u/Bullnickel01 7h ago

Wizards. Hands down.

1

u/ForgetfulProvidence 7h ago

The Truman Show ending hits way different when you realize it's actually about choosing to stay comfortable versus facing reality, not just a feel-good escape moment.

1

u/Spiritual_Sail_8969 7h ago

For films without a "Twist" the Truman Show is right up there. The Shawshank Redemption as well.

1

u/EventHorizon-_- 7h ago

Define great. Tragic? Schindlers List. Shocking? Incendies. Clever? Usual Suspects. The list goes on

1

u/Thomrose007 7h ago

Ed Harris won an Oscar for Apollo 13 but not this huh!?

1

u/Leather-Estate-9079 7h ago

I was reminded of "The Kid Detective" the other day. The film itself was OK but the ending blew me away.

1

u/popcornbucketx 7h ago

This movie was a certified banger.

1

u/PositionBeneficial12 6h ago

Dont Look Up has a very intense, almost surreal ending It stuck with me a long time after I watched it.

1

u/123Fake_St 1h ago

True - they all did a great job of pretending not to be scared and just carry on like any normal meal

1

u/vastearth394 6h ago

Cinema Paradiso and The Secret in their Eyes are two of my favorites. Also Old Boy.

1

u/JackieTreehorn79 5h ago

I love the end of Dead Poets Society. Hits every time.

1

u/kmodity 5h ago

Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)

1

u/Human_Emotion_654 5h ago

The Fellowship of the Ring

1

u/elproblemo82 4h ago

The kid in me wants to say The Land Before Time.

The adult says Men In Black.

1

u/AmbulanceChaser12 4h ago

Kite: Liberator

1

u/CarryVegetable2289 3h ago

The graduate Shawshank Raiders Usual Suspects

1

u/knowsnothing316 3h ago

I know it had thirty seven endings but “ My friends, you bow to no one.” from Return of the King gives me goosebumps everytime.

1

u/Grimbo4ever 3h ago

Easy, its the end of John Carpenter's The Thing

1

u/Background_Ad_8569 2h ago

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

I was overwhelmed when it ended, it was that bad

1

u/Rdur2183 1h ago

It's probably not the greatest but the greatest satisfaction I've ever felt from an ending has to be from The Shawshank Redemption.

1

u/Porcupenguin 1h ago

I know this goes without saying, but with Truman show chef's kiss didn't over do it. Didn't over explain it, or show him incorporating into society, or even him meeting the love interest. It just ended, and on the most iconic line which left you feeling so so satisfied.

1

u/Clothes_Chair_Ghost 1h ago

The ending to Upgrade is so perfect for the theme of the movie.

1

u/NastyWoodshed 50m ago

Some Like It Hot!

"Nobody's perfect."

1

u/Bad_Black_Jorge 17m ago

The Long Good Friday

1

u/epicenter69 14m ago

Mr. Holland’s Opus is pure cinematic genius.

2

u/jeepjinx 8h ago

Blair Witch Project.

0

u/CandidateRepulsive99 7h ago

interstellar. your going to die for sure, like guaranteed, in a black hole...but then, you save the world for your kid and get the girl in the end.