Greetings, intrepid readers! M. H. Barton here with another blog on the art and craft of storytelling. Today, we’ll be completing a trio of entries. Where my last two blogs dealt with story openings and midpoints, respectively, I’ll now discuss some of the most satisfying endings in film. Ending a story arc in a truly satisfying way is often the ultimate goal of any storyteller, especially if they can perfectly tie up all plot threads in a way that leaves the audience fulfilled and not wanting for anything else. But how do we write such an ending? Let’s find out by diving into some of the most well-crafted endings of all time. Of note, I’m taking an ending to mean a conclusion, which means I will tend to favor films that are the end of a series or franchise. There may be an exception or two to this in the list, but in general, endings that feature cliffhangers or hints as to the next part of the story aren’t true conclusions, so I want to avoid that if possible. With that said, let’s get started!
Number Ten – The Lion King (1994)
Arguably the greatest of the Disney animated classics, The Lion King has a story that’s nothing short of Shakespearian. Growth, loss of innocence, and confronting past sins all feature as prominent themes. Add in a manipulative backstabber as a villain, and you have a story Hamlet himself would be proud of. Though the entire film is excellent, the climax is particularly good, combining breathtaking visuals, incredible music, and some of the best dialogue I’ve ever heard. Seriously, when Matthew Broderick and Jeremy Irons go to work together in this final sequence, it’s a masterclass in delivery. But what really makes this such a satisfying ending is the denouement. With Hans Zimmer’s score swelling to a fever pitch, Simba takes his place as king, restores the Pride Lands, and the Circle of Life begins anew. It’s a wonderful coalescing of all the story’s themes, and it concludes a truly perfect movie. Yes, I know direct-to-video sequels and spinoffs were made, but it was all so unnecessary. This was an ending worthy of being known as a conclusion.
Final takeaway: Bring your story’s themes full circle in the end.
Number Nine – Back to the Future Part III (1990)
By the end of this trilogy of films, Marty and Doc have been through the wringer, to say the least. After nearly erasing his own existence, accidentally empowering Biff Tannen, and saving Doc from the Old West, Marty at last returns home, only for the DeLorean to be destroyed. With that, it seems Doc will be forever stranded in the past, leaving Marty with nobody to lean on except his girlfriend, Jennifer Parker. The story could have ended there, but it keeps going for a few more glorious minutes, showing the growth Marty has achieved through his adventures. Where his past self would have engaged in a street race and ruined his life, Marty finally chooses wisdom in the face of being called a coward, changing his future in the process. This leads us at last to the final scene where Doc, now married and with two boys of his own, returns to 1985 with his Time Train. Elated to see Marty and Jennifer again, Doc reminds them that neither of their futures have been written yet, so they’d better make it a good one. Godspeed, Doc Brown.
Final takeaway: Sometimes, all you need is an iconic line to sum up your story’s lesson.
Number Eight – Rocky (1976)
While the sequel gave us a bigger single moment with Rocky’s victory over Apollo, the original Rocky is far and away the better film. It’s a complete story, one of the greatest stories of proving oneself ever written. Rocky Balboa is the epitome of the American Dream, a down-on-his-luck amateur boxer who gets a chance against the greatest champion in the sport. It’s easy to think he wants to beat Apollo and overturn the boxing establishment, but that isn’t Rocky’s goal. Instead, he wants to take Apollo the distance and go all fifteen rounds with the champ. When he does this, Rocky proves that he belongs and proves himself more than just some chump nobody. But best of all is that, after the final fight, everything is kept in perspective. With reporters swarming him and a background announcement of Apollo’s victory, Rocky can only call out to his girlfriend, Adrian. Only when pressed by a reporter does Rocky address him, saying there won’t be a rematch with Apollo. From there, we get an iconic embrace by one of the best film couples of all time. Rocky has become a somebody, and he’s found the love of his life in the process. Man, this is just beautiful and as successful as the franchise has become, it could have ended with this film and made everyone just as happy with it.
Final takeaway: Keep the point of the story in the proper perspective during the ending.
Number Seven – Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of historic romance stories. That said, I can objectively say that Jane Austen’s enduring masterpiece is the best of them all. It has been adapted to TV and film many times, but this 2005 version takes the cake. First off, the story itself is one of the most complete stories ever written, which is a major reason for its enduring popularity. But more than that, the two lead actors, Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden, are at the absolute peak of their skills. They shine throughout the film, but never more than in the climactic reconciliation scene between their characters. This scene is so well done, and not just by the actors. The cinematography is absolutely stunning, using no CGI whatsoever. Instead, the crew does the hard work of getting all actors and equipment ready in the dead of night and waiting for that perfect morning sunrise. This is a culmination crafted with extreme care and precision, engaging not only the audience’s emotions but their senses, as well. You can almost smell the field they’re standing in, hear the birds chirping nearby, and that final sunrise shot is one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen. The story itself is an immortal classic, but Joe Wright’s direction took it to the next level. In the words of Dr. Sheldon Cooper, she has too much pride, he has too much prejudice, and it just works.
Final takeaway: An incredible setting for a climax is just as important as iconic dialogue.
Number Six – Return of the Jedi (1983)
The original Star Wars trilogy is arguably the greatest film trilogy of them all, and when taken as a group, they really are a work of art. With Episode IV all about introductions and Episode V all about tension and development, Episode VI had to have a massive amount of payoff, and man, does it deliver. While the film individually does have its detractors, particularly regarding the Ewoks, it serves as a fantastic final act to the overall story George Lucas is telling. Every plot thread is resolved in a satisfying way – Luke’s Jedi training, Han and Leia’s romance, and, most importantly of all, Anakin Skywalker’s redemption. Anakin is the tragic hero of the franchise, and his story is arguably the greatest redemption arc in any movie. From the infiltration of Jabba’s palace all the way to the Ewok celebration on Endor, this is a film that strives to give its audience happiness and enjoyment.
Final takeaway: Deliver on the promises made in earlier chapters and stories.
Number Five – Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Steven Spielberg was already a genius filmmaker, but this incredible movie might be his crowning achievement. The power behind this film’s ending starts with the opening scene, where a nameless veteran walks through a cemetery. As he stops in front of one headstone, the old man silently tears up. Remember, someone watching this film for the first time has no idea who this man is. Could he be Private Ryan, or did this man fail to save Private Ryan? What follows is one of the grittiest and most realistic depictions of WWII ever to grace the silver screen, and it culminates in epic fashion. Captain Miller and his team have found Ryan, the last surviving of four brothers, who they are determined to get home alive. Ryan, however, is holding a crucial bridge and refuses to leave his post, giving Miller no choice but to take command and help Ryan hold the bridge. The ensuing battle claims the lives of every American soldier on Miller’s team, save for Ryan himself. Tom Hanks delivers Miller’s incredible dying plea, telling Ryan to earn the life they’ve sacrificed their lives to give him, to be worthy of it. We soon rejoin the old veteran from the beginning and learn he is, in fact, Private Ryan. It’s a beautiful and poetic ending, showcasing the film’s themes of heroism, sacrifice, and making sure the war wasn’t for nothing. Just try and watch it without crying. Just try.
Final takeaway: Make the audience ask a question, then withhold the answer until the perfect poetic moment.
Number Four – It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Perhaps the most classic Christmas film of all, Jimmy Stewart’s performance in this film is nothing short of transcendent. After all, this was his first role after serving in WWII, and he used the trauma he suffered during the war to drive home the suffering of George Bailey. Despite being a holiday film, this is no feel-good romp. The story remains a dark, depressing tale right up until the very end. And this, to me, is what makes it such a worthy Christmas film. One of the story’s central themes can be summed up with an iconic Bible verse: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” George Bailey, for all his suffering, is a light for so many others, but in his darkness, he couldn’t comprehend that fact. It’s only when light emerges from the darkness, courtesy of all his friends stepping forward to help him in his hour of need, that he overcomes his inner demons. Thanks to them, with an assist from a certain guardian angel, George understands at last how blessed he is and how many others he can rely on in times of trial. Sometimes, the oldest of lessons are the ones that must be retaught again and again through great stories, and it makes this ending one of the most satisfying of all.
Final takeaway: Struggle and strife can make an ending even more satisfying, but only if hope is eventually delivered.
Number Three – The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
The finale to Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy is hotly-debated among fans. Some feel it went on too long, destroying the pace of the film. Others hate the changes it made from the book, particularly cutting out the Scouring of the Shire. Still others, like myself, acknowledge these things but judge the film’s lengthy denouement for what it is: a masterful tying up of the many plot threads Jackson wove through his three films. Did it destroy the pace of the film? Have you watched these three movies?! They’re very slow and methodical, taking enough time with each major character and location to impress upon the audience the sheer scale of the world, and this ending is no different. Yes, it goes on for over twenty minutes, but every minute of it is necessary. With each payoff rolling into the next, dedicated fans of these films will find themselves in tears by the time the credits finally roll. The One Ring is destroyed, Frodo’s reunited with his friends, Aragorn is crowned king, we learn of Frodo’s trauma, and Sam gets his deserved happy ending with Rose. I will admit that these films, and thus this ending, are not for the faint of heart. But for those who can remain immersed through the whole trilogy, Peter Jackson’s methodical pace will at last deliver a truly epic finale.
Final takeaway: Pace your ending in the same way as the rest of your story.
Number Two – Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Wow. Just wow. This is how you craft a satisfying conclusion to one of the longest and most epic series of interconnected films of all time. After nearly two-dozen films, many thought there was no way the Marvel Cinematic Universe could deliver a universally loved conclusion to the Infinity Saga, but the Russo brothers proved everyone wrong. As I’ve said in the past, Endgame is a great solo film, but as the culmination of an entire saga of films, it’s transformative. Everything we’ve hoped for is here. Natasha Romanoff’s sacrifice, Bruce Banner perfecting Hulk, Thor working past his identity crisis, and Clint Barton getting his family back. But in the end, it all comes back to Steve Rogers and Tony Stark, as well it should. Remember my last blog entry? Steve and Tony’s philosophical differences created the Avengers Civil War at the midpoint of the MCU. To conclude that arc in a satisfying way, each character had to transcend their past conflicts. Though they begin the film at odds, they come to terms with everything that’s happened and decide to work together on the Time Heist, setting the stage for an unbelievable climax. Tony, the selfish playboy, makes the ultimate sacrifice to stop Thanos and save the universe, losing his life in the process. And Steve, the good soldier who lost his postwar happiness, is finally rewarded for his steadfast refusal to be moved and rejoins his lost love, Peggy Carter. That final shot of Steve and Peggy dancing will go down as one of the most romantic images in film. Bravo!
Final takeaway: Recall the story’s biggest moment of tension when resolving it.
Before we get to the top pick, let’s do a few…
Honorable Mentions
The Karate Kid (1984) – Who doesn’t love this great ending? After a whole film of struggling to fit in and getting beaten up by his bullies, Daniel Larusso finally proves himself and finds balance in the process.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (2011) – Though this film did make some unfortunate changes from the books in its finale, it remains a classic ending to a franchise many kids grew up with. Hell, this is the series that got so many people back into the fantasy genre!
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – Again, a perfect ending for an amazing franchise, capping off one of the best father/son adventures ever made. I, personally, don’t acknowledge the fourth installment. We’ll see what happens with the fifth. But as for this one, seeing Indy and his dad ride off together will always stick with me.
Miracle (2004) – I didn’t put this one on the list because it covers actual historical events, but it deserves a mention because no screenwriter could write a more incredible underdog story. The members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team will be sports icons forever, and the ending of this film communicates that perfectly.
And with that, it’s time for…
Number One – The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Could it have been anything else? This film is an absolute masterpiece from start to finish, anchored by two of the most incredible acting jobs of all time from Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. But the best part is that this is one of those rare examples of a film adaptation being even better than the original book. The film gave us the dramatic deaths of Brooks, Tommy, and the Warden, not the book. Andy playing Mozart over the loudspeaker happened in the film, not in the book. Seriously, I can’t say enough about this incredible story, but I’ll certainly try. The story’s themes of hope and hopelessness are prominent throughout. Andy is driven to the brink time and time again. Sure, he uses his wits and manages to scrape by, but he’s only surviving, not living. Yet he maintains hope of a life beyond the walls of Shawshank State Prison. Contrasting this is the jaded hopelessness of Andy’s best friend, Red. After Brooks commits suicide and Tommy is murdered on the Warden’s orders, Red has nothing to be hopeful for. Hell, we the audience have nothing to be hopeful for. The film masterfully plays this up, duping us into thinking Andy is about to hang himself in his jail cell. Instead, we’re treated to the best and most satisfying ending in the history of cinema, an ending that leaves no detail out. The ploy to switch Warden Norton’s books and steal his suit, Andy assuming the identity of Randall Stephens, and, of course, the rock hammer and poster that allowed Andy to dig his way to freedom. That is how you truly resolve dramatic tension. The film could have ended there, but it doesn’t, and this is the biggest reason it’s the greatest ending of all time. Despite his jaded personality, Red is soon paroled after forty years behind bars. At first, he fears he’ll end up like Brooks, unable to adjust to freedom and committing suicide. But unlike Brooks, he has something to hope for in finding his best friend. The beautiful visuals of Red finding Andy’s hidden stash of money and traveling south to meet him in Mexico combine with Morgan Freeman’s mesmerizing narration to create something truly transcendent. The film may have lost at the Academy Awards and box office to other films like Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction, but The Shawshank Redemption remains one of the greatest and most satisfying stories ever told.
Final takeaway: Every tiny detail can contribute to an amazing ending. Waste not.
And that’s going to do it for this ranking! I hope my thoughts helped you in crafting a perfectly satisfying conclusion for your own stories. But I want to know what you thought. Did I get it right? Leave something out? Feel free to let me know in the comments or reach out directly if you have any ideas or requests for future entries. I’ve got an active running list of ideas, but I’m always open to more. I’d appreciate it if you’d leave a like and share this post on social media. And to stay up to date on future blog posts, you can sign up for my monthly newsletter on my website. Until the next story!
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