2026 has been an incredible year for movies ending in the most satisfying ways possible, like Obsession. Bear died by suicide because he believed it would free Nikki from the wish. But she got back into herself and woke up surrounded by the wreckage of what was done through her body. She was traumatized. It was a ‘satisfying’ ending in that the supernatural spell stopped, but little else was happy other than that. It was a disturbing, unsettling way to wrap things up that fit.
Focus Features
There are a lot of amazing movie endings before this year, too. So, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us which movie endings left them 100% satisfied, and ohhhhh man, were they brilliant. Here are some of the best movie endings ever:
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Paramount Pictures
“For me, it was the ending of The Truman Show. It’s when Christof spoke to him as he was about to go through the door, giving this seemingly sincere, caring, impassioned speech (with a fantastic score playing in the background) about how important Truman is to the world and that he doesn’t need to leave. But then there was a pause, and Truman was just like, ‘Good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight!’ and bowed and left, no doubt to reunite with Lauren. You wonder for a moment if Christof got inside his head, but he was just like, ‘Nice try, but nope, I’m off, bye!’ and went off to pursue a real life, despite not knowing what the outside world would be like, but excited to find out. Also, viewers around the world were cheering and celebrating because they were so happy for him, even though it meant they wouldn’t see him anymore. It was so satisfying and heartwarming.”
—emmak26
2. Inception (2010)
Warner Bros. Pictures
“This is going to be hugely controversial, but for me, in the moment I watched it, the end of Inception was hugely satisfying. You saw him turn his back on the top and go out to greet his kids, and the camera focused on the top, and (AS I SAW IT) a split second before the camera cut to black, the top juuuuust started to wobble, and you knew it was going to fall. I didn’t realize that not everyone saw it that way until I showed the film to a friend, and in that breathless moment after the screen went black, they were like, ‘Oh NOOOOO!’ and I was like, ‘What?’ Many people didn’t see the top wobbling, or at least they didn’t see the wobble as a sign that it was slowing down. They saw it as part of the endless spinning that indicated Dom was still dreaming and had NOT escaped.”
“Personally, I think that potential ambiguity was BRILLIANT. Christopher Nolan COULD have cut to black when the top was spinning smoothly, leaving the end entirely unknown. Some people would still choose to believe that it was going to fall eventually, because of hope, but they would know that that’s entirely based on optimism. Or he could have cut to black when the top had slowed a LOT, making it obvious.
But this is an example where the EVIDENCE BEFORE YOUR EYES is actively influenced by your mindset (hope or doubt). So for some people, the end was incredibly joyful and satisfying, and for others, it was tragic.”
—etconner
3. The Florida Project (2017)
A24
“A lot of people hated the ending, but I thought it was perfect. They finally got to go to the place that they were so close to their whole lives that they never believed possible. Also, the fact that the ending was shot on an iPhone. Wow. And whether it was a dream or real, it was perfect.”
—lakeycakes9
Lionsgate
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“Whoever didn’t like La La Land’s ending just didn’t get it. The ending was perfect because it was imperfect, making it more relatable. The entire film was honest about what it’s like to go after your dreams, and the challenges that come with doing that. Mia and Sebastian worked hard for what they wanted, and they finally found their achievements. They didn’t end up together, but that’s just the reality of being human. Even if we get what we want, that doesn’t mean our lives will be perfect — we can’t have it all. Mia and Sebastian got what they initially wanted from the beginning of the movie while accepting they couldn’t be together. That’s what made this ending so perfect, knowing that nothing can ever fully be perfect.”
—sammachado
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2003)
Focus Features
“Joel and Clementine realized that the relationship was valuable and meaningful, even if it was destined to end badly, and reclaimed that for themselves.”
—mikefalkstrom
Warner Bros. Pictures
“I had never seen a single episode of the original Sex and the City series going into the movie, but it ended up being one of the most feel-good movies I had ever seen, thanks to the final scene. Carrie and Mr. Big went to the courthouse, just the two of them, to get married, only for Mr. Big to push open the swinging doors to reveal that Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda were waiting for them. It warmed my heart! Jennifer Hudson’s ‘All Dressed in Love’ song, coupled with Carrie’s insightful narration, puts an emphasis on how meaningful relationships are and the journeys that they take us on are at the heart of each of our lives.”
—mavmag
7. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Warner Bros. Pictures
“The look between Rachel and Eleanor was just incredible. Because yes, the fact that they’re getting married is great, but finally coming to terms with in-laws can be hard, and I just loved that Eleanor finally realized that Rachel was the best for his son.”
—julietter47f4a779d
8. Ever After (1998)
20th Century Fox
“I loved how Danielle freed herself from that creepy merchant without needing the help of the prince, and how she (and Jacqueline) got revenge on Rodmilla and Marguerite. Usually, the Cinderella character forgives the stepmother and sisters for their horrific abuse, but I liked how Danielle not only got justice, but that her emotionally-abused stepsister got her justice as well.”
—books_baking_broadway
9. TiMER (2009)
Present Pictures
“It ends with Oona and her soulmate realizing that they have just missed meeting each other for years and parting with the promise to meet again. No declarations of love, no cheesy swell of music, not even a kiss. Just two strangers bound by fate, willing to give each other a chance. It was a subdued, realistic ending that perfectly captured the film’s spirit.”
—capricopia33
10. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
Netflix
Only Janelle Monáe (aka Andi/Helen) could pull off such a brilliant movie ending. Like, the way she stared directly into the camera after burning Miles’ Mona Lisa portrait (looking just like Mona Lisa herself?). Not to mention her iconic rendezvous with Benoit Blanc at the end as they’re waiting for the cops to arrive — absolutely genius.11. Get Out (2017)
Universal Pictures / Monkeypaw Productions
“I absolutely LOVED the final scene in Get Out. When Rose’s face sank when she realized it was Chris’s friend in the police car, there to save him instead of her? Brilliant.”
—jaladhihpatel
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12. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
Warner Bros. Pictures
“Definitely Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. The Golden Trio (along with Draco Malfoy) sending their children, Albus Severus, Rose, and Scorpius to Hogwarts for the first time was just brilliant. The original music was a great touch, and there was so much nostalgia.”
—lilyhermionelovegood
13. Matilda (1996)
Sony Pictures Releasing
“The final scene in Matilda, hands down. It was such a sweet and happy ending. Miss Honey adopting Matilda was perfect, and I loved the montage of them having a picnic and roller skating after Matilda’s home life had been so lonely and sad. The actors were exactly how I imagined them in my head after reading the book so many times as a kid — I loved Danny DeVito’s narration and Rusted Root’s ‘Send Me on My Way’ in the background. And, of course, the movie comes full circle with Miss Honey and Matilda reading Moby Dick. There are so many reasons why this is one of my favorite movies!”
—alexm45b839fdf
14. Barbie (2023)
Warner Bros. Pictures
This was probably the funniest, most satisfying movie ending in the past 10 years. After a lifetime of being perfect and being unfamiliar with feeling emotions, Barbie totally flipped the script in the movie (hehe). And what better way to show how she was humanized at the end? Getting her to the gynecologist!! (A hilarious line I truly did not expect — god bless Greta Gerwig).15. Moonlight (2016)
A24
“The final scene in Moonlight was flawlessly acted and scripted. It summed up everything you’ve seen and experienced in the film in just a few words, it invoked powerful emotions, and left you completely satisfied. It was a perfect ending to an amazing movie.”
—taye_nick
“Moonlight had an amazing ending — it left me in such an emotional state of mind. Chiron saying, ‘You were the only man that ever touched me. I haven’t touched anyone ever since,’ brought tears to my eyes (and Kevin’s smize was so touching). And then when baby Chiron was on the beach under the moonlight, looking at the camera — it was perfect. I’m emotional now.”
—felipeschnurrg
16. Carol (2015)
StudioCanal
“After everything Therese and Carol had been through, when their eyes met across the crowded room, so much emotion passed through their eyes, and their small smiles promised so much. Neither one of them expected Therese to actually come, but she did, and it’s a beautiful ending to a beautiful movie.”
—ultimatefangirl12
17. What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993)
Buena Vista Pictures
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I fully understand it’s a biopic, so you already knew how the ending was going to play out going into the movie, but oh, man — watching it was a completely different experience. Angela Bassett singing as Tina Turner when she was on top of the world as a solo artist in the 1980s, then cutting to the real Tina performing live in concert to hundreds of fans was BRILLIANT. How this movie never won an Academy Award, I’ll never know.18. Call Me by Your Name (2017)
Sony Pictures Classics
“The final scene in Call Me by Your Name was so amazing. It was literally four minutes of Elio crying in front of the fireplace with ‘Visions of Gideon’ by Sufjan Stevens playing in the background, and it hit you hard. It forced you to recount all of the events in the movie and realize how much Oliver affected Elio in that one summer. Timothée’s Oscar nomination was well-deserved, and he was truly amazing in the film.”
—darjeeling03
“It was so beautifully anti-climactic, and I couldn’t care less that it ended on such a bittersweet note. I walked away learning a great song and an instant admiration for Timothée Chalamet.”
—mfingprincess
19. Little Women (2019)
Sony Pictures Releasing
“Little Women (2019) had a satisfying conclusion, which ended with a shot of Jo clutching her published book to her chest. It was a sweet scene of her life finally coming together and her family being reunited again, and she got to publish her book like she always wanted.”
—321missmaximoff
“Jo’s small smile turning to frown, and the way her hands wrapped around the book — it brings tears to my eyes every time. It was so perfect.”
—avasexton64
20. Coco (2017)
Disney / Pixar
“I loved the final scene of Coco — you could see how far the Rivera family had come. Miguel AND his cousins were playing instruments, the ghosts accepted Héctor, and Mamá Coco got to see her grandchildren and father all together. The visuals were so pretty, and it was such a sweet ending.”
—books_baking_broadway
21. The Lion King (1994)
Disney
“I gotta go with The Lion King (1994). The movie ended with Simba taking Mufasa’s place while ‘Circle of Life’ played in the background. The final scene was just like the opening scene, only with a new generation ascending. It’s literally the circle of life.”
—fireferret19
22. The Color Purple (1985)
Warner Bros. Pictures
“The Color Purple definitely had a satisfying ending. Shug got redemption, and her father’s forgiveness; Mister did right by Celie and Nettie, and Celie was finally reunited with Nettie and her children.”
—leannesfitbit79
23. Saving Face (2004)
Sony Pictures Classics
“Saving Face was the ultimate happy ending for me — as an Asian American lesbian, I think that it grappled with intersectionality and cultural challenges really well (in a heartbreaking way). But the happy ending meant the world to me. It showed me, a ‘baby gay’ teenager, that I, too, could have a happy ending, even as an Asian American lesbian. Happy endings aren’t just reserved for straight people.”
—fromthegoldengate
24. Love, Simon (2018)
20th Century Fox
“Love, Simon gave me a lot of hope for LGBTQ+ representation in entertainment because the story actually approached Simon as a typical teen instead of just ‘the gay kid’ (like many other coming out plots in movies do).”
—hiitsnicetomeetyou
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“I loved how the movie showed that it’s okay to be afraid to come out, even if you’re sure everyone in your life will be accepting. The movie was diverse in its casting (even though the lead was played by a straight actor), and Simon and Bram weren’t portrayed in a stereotypical light.”
—awesome-not-weird
25. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Lionsgate Films
“But I’m a Cheerleader is one of my all-time favorite lesbian movies, and Megan and Graham are my favorite movie couple. When Megan returned to the camp to get Graham back and did that whole cheer for her, it was sooooo romantic. As a lesbian who’s very feminine, Megan and Graham are the kind of love I want to have with someone one day, and the kind of relationship I wish was shown in movies more often ❤️❤️❤️.”
—sarahroze
“These were the first gay main characters I saw in a movie who didn’t end up dying!”
—theuselessfollower
“But I’m a Cheerleader is my favorite — it’s funny and lighthearted, and I love Clea DuVall and Natasha Lyonne together.”
—hyacinthmourning
26. Moana (2016)
Disney
“I’ve watched this movie more times than I’d like to admit with my kids, but the scene near the end when Moana realizes Te Ka is Te Fiti is so, so good. Moana instinctively makes the connection and sings the heartbreaking ‘Know Who You Are’ song to Te Ka and ultimately saves the day.”
—melissakingan
27. Crush (2022)
Hulu
Crush has quickly become one of the best teen, queer rom-coms of our time. It totally combated the “bury your gays” narrative in the most wholesome way possible. Paige declared her love for AJ in front of the whole school through her art, drawing all of the little, romantic moments between them. Who says a queer teen who’s caught up in a classic high school love triangle can’t get a happy ending?28. I Can’t Think Straight (2008)
Enlightenment Productions
“I Can’t Think Straight is a movie with two BIPOC women as the lead characters, who show how it’s hard to realize you’re gay and be accepted in Indian culture. It’s an absolute favorite of mine, and it has a very happy ending!!!”
—yungprince
29. To Sir, with Love (1967)
Columbia Pictures
“I always got choked up during the last scene of To Sir, with Love. Sidney Poitier was amazing.”
—StephMPLS
30. And finally, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
RKO Radio Pictures
“It might seem cliché, but Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life has a beautiful ending. Watching George come to terms with the fact that even though his life turned out different from what he had planned, he still had a ‘wonderful’ life and had so much to be thankful for! And no matter how many times I watch it, I still get choked up when Clarence reminds him in the end, ‘No man is a failure who has friends.'”
—marchsunshine100
Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Let’s switch it up a bit: What movie DIDN’T have a satisfying ending (and why???). Share with us in the comments below or in this Google Form if you want to remain anonymous:
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