Movies can be an emotional roller coaster with ups and downs, twists, and turns. The ending is the final course served to the audience, and it can be the most impactful part of the movie. A great ending leaves the audience feeling satisfied, even if the storytelling was imperfect. Here are some of the best movie endings of all time.
1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
This movie starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman is widely considered to have one of the best endings in cinematic history. After years of imprisonment, Andy Dufresne finally breaks free from Shawshank prison, fully forgiven for his crimes, and finally reunited with his friend, Red, in Mexico. The peaceful and beautiful sequence of Dufresne finally finding his freedom and redemption is both satisfying and moving.
2. The Godfather (1972)
The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, is a cult classic that tells the story of the Corleone family’s criminal saga. The ending scene, where Michael Corleone takes over as the new godfather, clearly establishes his authority and his newly-found status as a cruel and ruthless leader. The tense, intense, and dark atmosphere of the ending fits in perfectly with the movie’s overall tone and is a stark reminder of the consequences of a life in the mob.
3. Titanic (1997)
Directed by James Cameron and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, Titanic, is an epic romance that bases its story on the backdrop of the tragic maiden voyage of the Titanic. The end scene, where the elderly Rose drops the Heart of the Sea, the diamond that caused so much tension and heartache, shows that her love for Jack had never faded. The audience is emotionally satisfied as Rose is somehow freed from the burden of her past.
4. Inception (2010)
Inception, directed, and written by Christopher Nolan, is a mind-bending science fiction movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio. In the final sequence of the movie, Tom Cobb returns to his children and finally receives his redemption from the memories of his late wife. The spinning top, which has been a mystery throughout the movie, finally comes to a stop as Tom finally knows that he is back in reality.
5. Gone with the Wind (1939)
Gone with the Wind, directed by George Cukor, and starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, is a cinematic gem based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel. The movie’s ending scene, where Scarlett vows to fight on and rebuild Tara, is a poignant and emotional note on which to end. The open-endedness of the ending, with Scarlett’s promise that she could not worry about tomorrow, makes the audience feel a sense of hope.
In conclusion, the best movie endings of all time leave an emotional impact on the audience. These five movies, with their beautifully crafted endings, have rightfully earned their place in cinematic history. They have left a deep and everlasting impression on the audience – one that can be relived time and time again.
