We swear, these are happy tears! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most positive, enjoyable, and hopeful endings in live-action film history — animated ones deserve a list of their own.
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00:00To my big brother George, the richest man in town.
00:03Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most positive, enjoyable,
00:08and hopeful endings in live-action film history.
00:10Animated ones deserve a list of their own.
00:12This is your spoiler warning.
00:14It is you.
00:16Number 20.
00:17That'll Do, Babe.
00:19Baram you, baram you, to your breed, your fleece, your clan be true.
00:26Through all of the whimsy and humor of this film,
00:28it all comes down to a tense competition.
00:30Babe needs help from his fellow farm animals in order to win the sheep herding competition.
00:34With some tremendous teamwork, Rex saves the day and provides the pig with the password.
00:39This all culminates in a successful herding scene that'll have you smiling.
00:43Not only does the hero come away feeling great, he also gets approval from farmer Arthur Hoggett.
00:48James Cromwell gives the last line an understated delivery that works perfectly for the end.
00:52That'll do, pig.
00:58That'll do.
00:59Number 19.
01:00Chris Gets the Job.
01:01The Pursuit of Happiness.
01:02Based on a best-selling memoir, this film charts the journey of Chris Gardner,
01:06a man struggling with being unhoused.
01:08His relentless pursuit of a job culminates in an inspirational ending.
01:12The final scene sees Gardner get what he's been searching for,
01:15complete with a tear-filled meeting with his superiors.
01:17I thought I'd, uh, wear a shirt today.
01:20Um, you know, being the last day and all.
01:24Well, thank you.
01:25Thank you.
01:25We appreciate that.
01:28But, um, wear one tomorrow, though, okay?
01:33Because tomorrow's going to be your first day.
01:35Conveying the character's gratitude, Will Smith helps to bring this joyful moment to life.
01:40Nobody deserves the position as much as the hero does, considering all he's been through.
01:44The Pursuit of Happiness features one of Smith's best performances,
01:47while also showing what skill and determination can get you.
01:50This part of my life,
01:53this little part,
01:59is called happiness.
02:01Number 18, Graduation, Legally Blonde.
02:04Elle Woods might start her journey by chasing her ex-boyfriend to law school,
02:07but she ends Legally Blonde as a successful student.
02:10I've waited so long to hear you say that.
02:15But if I'm going to be a partner in a law firm by the time I'm 30,
02:18I need a boyfriend who's not such a complete bonehead.
02:20The film ends by flashing forward two years to her graduation speech.
02:24She might have joined Harvard Law School as an underdog,
02:26but she leaves it as an outspoken woman.
02:28Her sparkly personality only raises the happiness meter,
02:32giving viewers yet another reason to be proud of her.
02:34You must always have faith in people.
02:37And most importantly,
02:42you must always have faith in yourself.
02:44With wedding bells in the air, the future looks extremely bright for our heroine.
02:48Plus, it doesn't hurt that Warner has no honors, no job offers, and no girlfriend.
02:53Number 17, Sunset, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
02:57The heroic archaeologist isn't able to keep the holy grail, but he does leave with his life.
03:01The ending of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
03:04teaches a lesson about what's really important.
03:06What did you find, dad?
03:08Meaning.
03:12Illumination.
03:14It also showcases all of the surviving characters celebrating their journey.
03:17They all ride off together into the sunset,
03:19producing an uplifting ending we can all get behind.
03:22Father and son have successfully reconnected,
03:24and now have the memory of an exhilarating adventure.
03:27What could be cooler than that?
03:28This sequence definitely represents one of the franchise's most celebratory moments.
03:38Number 16, Flying a Kite, Mary Poppins.
03:41The central family in Mary Poppins are brought together again by this cheerful ending.
03:45George Banks takes them all out to fly a kite during a joyful musical number.
03:49Celebrating the childlike wonder of the activity,
03:52the group are able to have fun together.
04:00There's also the revelation that Mr. Banks will become a partner at the bank.
04:04It's all a cause for more celebration.
04:05With Poppins' work seemingly done,
04:07the magical nanny flies away as all appears to be right with the world.
04:11Inspiring us all to appreciate the simple things,
04:13this final scene solidifies this Disney movie as a family classic.
04:17Goodbye, Mary Poppins.
04:18Don't stay away too long.
04:20Number 15, Full Circle Moment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2.
04:24After the defeat of Voldemort,
04:26the final chapter of this series jumps into the future.
04:28We get to watch older versions of the characters prepare their own children for Hogwarts.
04:33Together.
04:34It's a full circle moment,
04:35with Harry and his friends returning to the famous platform nine and three quarters.
04:39As the train takes off,
04:40we can't help but think about how far the story has come from the first film,
04:43all those years ago.
04:45It's a lovely moment of reminiscing that shows life always goes on.
04:48The last shot puts into perspective all the years of storytelling,
04:51giving this franchise a meaningful sendoff.
04:58Number 14, A Change of Heart, How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
05:01Hi, Mom.
05:04Don't stay inside.
05:06Among the most famous grouches in history,
05:08the Grinch prepares to destroy the Christmas cheer of Whoville.
05:11But when he finds the citizens rejoicing without their presents,
05:14the villain has a change of heart.
05:15He realizes there's much more to Christmas than material possessions.
05:19It's an emotional transformation for a character that's been troubled for so long.
05:22With Jim Carrey's electric take on the character,
05:24we delight when the Grinch joins his new friends in a compelling conclusion.
05:28It's an ending that makes our heart grow three sizes whenever we watch it.
05:38Number 13, The Empire State Building, Sleepless in Seattle.
05:41For the entire film, it's unclear if Sam Baldwin and Annie Reed will ever properly meet.
05:46The finale tips its hat to an affair to remember,
05:49with a romantic meet-up at the top of the Empire State Building.
05:52Meg Ryan's character arrives too late,
05:54but then a forgotten backpack puts her face to face with her crush.
05:57Are you Annie?
06:00Yes.
06:04You're Annie?
06:05It's especially satisfying to see these people finally get together
06:08after their long-distance communication.
06:10Whether or not the couple lasts, this movie sends the audience away with
06:13the happiness of a potential romance.
06:15What will they do now?
06:16It's all up to your imagination.
06:23Number 12, Coming Home, Homeward Bound, The Incredible Journey.
06:34When three pets try to find their family,
06:36they embark on a dangerous trek through the wilderness.
06:38But by the end, they reunite with their owners in a touching scene.
06:42As the animals emerge from the horizon,
06:44their human companions each get a stirring moment with them.
06:46Any dog or cat lover will find something to appreciate about this heartfelt sequence.
06:50Even though it looks like the older Shadow might not show up,
06:53the golden retriever makes his way back in another emotional highlight.
06:56Homeward Bound, The Incredible Journey,
06:58tugs at the heartstrings through this cathartic ending.
07:01It was Shadow's victory, really.
07:03His belief was the thing that got us through.
07:06And in that moment, I saw the years lift from him.
07:09He was a puppy again, reunited with his best friend.
07:13Number 11, A New Day, Groundhog Day.
07:16Well, it's Groundhog Day, again.
07:18Weatherman Phil Connors tries to hustle his way out of a time loop.
07:22But later, he comes to embrace the absurd premise.
07:24He chooses to be a more well-rounded, kind, and loving person by the end.
07:28With his newfound emotional maturity and relationship with Rita Hansen,
07:32he's able to wake up the next day and realize the loop has ended.
07:39Connors discovers that he's broken the curse because of his change of character.
07:43Finishing on a high note,
07:44the new couple greet the Pennsylvania air with a pep in their step.
07:48Number 10, The Boy That Lived Happily Ever After,
07:50Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
07:52Charlie Bucket is the last kid standing in this fantasy adventure.
07:56But he isn't home free just yet.
07:57Willy Wonka appears cruel until the child returns the everlasting gobstopper.
08:01After revealing his selflessness,
08:03the hero finds himself whisked off into a glass elevator.
08:06The joyful ride includes a proposal to take over the factory.
08:18With Gene Wilder's heartwarming presence,
08:20this scene really puts you into the young character's shoes.
08:23The wish-fulfilling moment gives the kind-hearted Charlie
08:25a chance to change his life for the better.
08:27Wonka's final line and the music sell this send-off,
08:30with the feeling that dreams do come true.
08:39Number 9, Rudy Gets To Play, Rudy.
08:52There's only one thing that Rudy Ruediger wants in life,
08:55to play football for Notre Dame.
08:57This final sequence lets the hero realize his dream.
09:00Waiting anxiously for his shot,
09:02Rudy joins the game at the end of the fourth quarter.
09:04It's awesome to watch the character take the field and even get a tackle.
09:07This all leads to him being carried off the field.
09:10You might be applauding him yourself by the end of this film.
09:12With all of his hard work paying off,
09:14the athlete gets the recognition he deserves in this exciting conclusion.
09:22Number 8, It Had To Be You, When Harry Met Sally.
09:25It's New Year's Eve, but the two leads aren't celebrating with each other.
09:29Harry and Sally have had a falling out,
09:30despite the audience knowing that they're meant to be.
09:33When Harry realizes he has to tell Sally how he feels,
09:35he rushes to be by her side.
09:37The heartwarming speech he delivers reunites them in classic rom-com fashion.
09:52From the romantic gesture to the couple's chemistry in their interview,
09:55you couldn't ask for a better way to end this movie.
09:57The happy ending is just one reason people return to this 80s classic.
10:06Number 7, Aunt Lucy Visits, Paddington 2.
10:09This movie is already full of heartfelt moments,
10:11but it saves its biggest one for the very end.
10:14Paddington wakes up from a coma to discover that he's a free bear.
10:17Along with wrapping up the plot,
10:19this last sequence gives the hero a chance to reunite with his Aunt Lucy.
10:26The wonderful surprise comes with a loving embrace
10:28between long-separated family members.
10:30It's yet another way that Paddington 2
10:32asks us to open our hearts and wish for the best.
10:34With all of his friends there supporting him,
10:36Aunt Lucy gets a present money can't buy in this lovely finale.
10:42Number 6, Having a Catch, Field of Dreams.
10:46You don't have to be a sports fan to love this movie.
10:48Ray Kinsella might not be allowed to follow the ghost into the cornfield,
10:51but he does get a shot to reunite with his late father.
10:54The resulting scene has them playing catch in a moving finale.
11:15With a row of cars heading for the field to enjoy some baseball,
11:18all seems right with the world.
11:20The family members find a way to reconnect over a sentimental pastime.
11:23You'll likely find yourself with happy tears at the end of this film.
11:27Number 5, Lucky Star, Singing in the Rain.
11:37At the end of this classic,
11:38Don Lockwood reveals Kathy Seldon's true talents and wins her back with a song.
11:43The exposure of Lena Lamont makes us smile,
11:45followed up by a heartfelt reprise of the tune, You Are My Lucky Star.
11:49Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds muster up all of their star power for this iconic film.
11:53Kelly's glowing smile and Reynolds' tears elevate the moment,
11:56giving audiences another reason to celebrate the happy ending.
11:59Finally, the camera pans out to reveal that Don and Kathy
12:02are starring in a film together called, what else, Singing in the Rain.
12:06Number 4, Storybook Ending, The Princess Bride.
12:10As this fairy tale comes to a close,
12:12Wesley and Buttercup are reunited and ride off together.
12:14Their passionate kiss gives their couple a proper ending.
12:26It's exactly the kind of conclusion you want from a classic plot like this.
12:30You feel even better watching the main characters win because they've been suffering for so long.
12:34In the real world, the child and his grandpa also bond over the beauty of the plot
12:38and the grandson's investment in the story.
12:40No matter how many times you watch it,
12:41The Princess Bride gives you that warm and fuzzy feeling as if you're inside a storybook.
12:53Number 3, Truman Escapes, The Truman Show.
12:56After the falseness of his world is uncovered,
12:58Truman Burbank sets off on his own to discover the truth.
13:01He sails to the end of his own world and hits a literal wall,
13:05but then he takes his life into his own hands.
13:07It's inspirational to watch Truman escape the studio and defy the voice of God,
13:11that is, Kristoff, with his signature catchphrase.
13:18With the future looking bright,
13:20the audience watching at home cheers him as he effectively stops the program.
13:23The music adds to the emotional and positive ending.
13:26In one of Jim Carrey's best films, he gives his character an exhilarating exit.
13:30Number 2, Reunion, The Shawshank Redemption.
13:42With Andy Dufresne out of prison, Red waits for his own chance at freedom.
13:45Morgan Freeman's character finally earns his parole and follows in his friend's footsteps.
13:50The two men reunite in Mexico as free men,
13:52giving people hope that their friendship will last.
13:55After most of the movie is set in the darkness of prison,
13:58the final sequence puts audiences out in the fresh air.
14:00The costuming, swelling score, and wide shot instill a sense of tranquility.
14:05You couldn't ask for a better way to end a story where the characters endure so much.
14:28If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
14:34Number 1, Getting Wings, It's a Wonderful Life.
14:45After finding out what happens if he isn't born,
14:47George Bailey comes to realize his importance in the lives of the people he cares most about.
14:51His triumphant return to Bedford Falls comes with heartfelt gestures,
14:55tearful reunions, and a rousing finale.
14:57The entire town rallies around him and gives him the much-needed money for his business.
15:02With good wishes from everyone, the whole cast brings happiness to this last sequence.
15:06Bailey's own brother Harry even shows up to make the moment stick with a fantastic toast.
15:11With everyone present singing Auld Lang Syne,
15:13it's hard to think of anything more you could add to this scene to make it more cheerful.
15:25Did we forget another happy movie ending? Let us know in the comments below.
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