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EW's 40 Perfect Movie Endings
August 12, 2007
Source: Entertainment Weekly
by Alex Billington
It's a Sunday and what more do you want to do than kick back and watch a great classic movie. Maybe Indiana Jones, maybe Matrix, maybe even something like The Thing or the original Halloween. Well compliments of Entertainment Weekly, they've put together a list of 40 perfect movie endings. Ranging from the new Bourne Ultimatum (which I suggest everyone go see) to North by Northwest and The Sixth Sense. If you're struggling to think of something great to watch any night of the week, then this list may give you some inspiration.
Over at EW.com you can see a photo and a description of the end (spoilers of course!) for every movie listed. However for simplicity purposes I've written out the full list below. It's not in any specific order, just numbered.
1 - THE 40 YEAR-OLD VIRGIN (2005)
2 - RESERVOIR DOGS (1992)
3 - LOST IN TRANSLATION (2003)
4 - SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959)
5 - VALLEY GIRL (1983)
6 - THE THIRD MAN (1949)
7 - BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997)
8 - MANHATTAN (1979)
9 - A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (1992)
10 - WHITE HEAT (1949)
11 - THE KARATE KID (1984)
12 - NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959)
13 - PRIDE & PREJUDICE (2005)
14 - THE KILLING (1956)
15 - THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM (2007)
16 - SAW (2004)
17 - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005)
18 - THE GODFATHER: PART II (1974)
19 - THE OTHERS (2001)
20 - A TASTE OF CHERRY (1997)
21 - SIXTEEN CANDLES (1984)
22 - VERTIGO (1958)
23 - ONCE (2007)
24 - THE SIXTH SENSE (1999)
25 - DR. STRANGELOVE (1964)
26 - CINEMA PARADISO (1988)
27 - ROCKY II (1979)
28 - BEFORE SUNSET (2004)
29 - THE SEVENTH SEAL (1957)
30 - RUSHMORE (1998)
31 - GONE WITH THE WIND (1939)
32 - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005)
33 - THE 400 BLOWS (1959)
34 - SIDEWAYS (2004)
35 - CASABLANCA (1942)
36 - ABOUT A BOY (2002)
37 - THE SEARCHERS (1956)
38 - BIG NIGHT (1996)
39 - FACING WINDOWS (2003)
40 - ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST (1975)
If anything, this list here sounds like more of the crown gems of cinematic history than anything. The ending is always one of the most important parts and if that's perfect, then the movie is nearly perfect.
Personally I'm glad they chose to include Cinema Paradiso (one of my own personal favorite movies), Once, and Reservoir Dogs. I'm sure there are plenty more everyone else could add to this list, so go ahead and drop off your best suggestions below.
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Reader Feedback - 30 Comments »
2
A great list with some real classics on there.
Glad they included:
The Third Man, Casablanca, Vertigo, North By Northwest, The Seventh Seal, The Killing and Reservoir Dogs.
I also think that Notorious should be added to the list.
I noticed that a lot of old movies end quite fast and abruptly. But I guess that's good, because these days a lot of movies drag on and on because the director doesn't know how to end them.
Zach on Aug 13, 2007
4
Im gonna get some heat for this, but what about "The Da Vinci Code"? I really liked the ending, whatever you may think of the rest of the film. The music in that scene was great too. (Chevalliers d´sangreal, something like that)
I agree on "Seven" too…gotta be there!
walker on Aug 13, 2007
6
7
"Se7en" and "Donnie Darko" should both be on this list…. in my opinion!
TheGuyInThePj's on Aug 13, 2007
8
the usual suspects?
tjfurr on Aug 13, 2007
9
Donnie Darko fanboys are still around? :p
Sneakers! Yes, that's a guilty pleasure of mine, too 
Se7en should be there as well.
Mark on Aug 13, 2007
10
What, no Return of The King? The thing had 7 endings! Surely one of them had to be good enough to make this list.
Clarke on Aug 14, 2007
11
12
A List Of Movies With Perfect Endings That Does Not Include "The Usual Suspects"?
You Gotta Be Kiddin Me
PopCorn on Oct 19, 2007
13
My list of eprfect movie endings:
The Usual Suspects
Donnie Darko
Once Upon A Time In The West
Saw
2001: A Space Odyssey
Fight Club
Ross Miller on Oct 22, 2007
14
I can't believe you didn't include The Shawshank Redemption! Or what about The Silence of the Lambs?
hammer38 on Jan 23, 2008
15
Se7en
Fight Club
There Will Be Blood
p.s. so glad that rushmore made your list, that's one of my favorite movie endings of all time!
James Porter on Feb 13, 2008
16
Haha Great list! — The Others was one of the best endings I have seen… In my opinion Seven was the best and Field of Dreams in the top five…
Seven!!! Field of Dreams!!! on Feb 24, 2008
17
Am I the only one who is crazy to think that 40 Year-Old Virgin made this list? Yeah it was funny, but it's certainly not among the best endings of all time. It was creative and quirky, but not that good.
I would agree that Shawshank Redemption should be on the list. Or maybe the Sting? That is a classic; or Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. That was a tremendously memorable ending, and dramatic. Even a Walk to Remember was better than 40 Year-Old Virgin. I just don't get it. The Last Castle, the Mosquito Coast, Terminator 2 had a marvelous ending, Blade Runner, It's a Wonderful Life was sweet and moving, Leon the Professional, and the Breakfast Club was good for it's time and demographic.
But of their weren't different opinions, then who would I disagree with? I hope whoever reads this had a good day, and bless you.
Moriarty on Mar 19, 2008
18
Don't forget about the great ending to Crocodile Dundee, when Mick Dundee walks over the shoulders of the crowd in the NY subway station.
Jennifer on Apr 20, 2008
19
no shawshank redemption?that should have made that list.
calvin on Apr 29, 2008
20
where the hell is the italian job (original)!!! the best ending ever!!!
paul on May 30, 2008
21
the usual suspects isnt on this list. this list is horrible. no usual suspects? it is in the top 5 of greatest endings in like every poll ive ever seen. it was so good that they spoofed it in scary movie, just the ending nothing else. the ending to 40 year old virgin is just awkward to watch if your with other people, its hard to watch its so weird.
Keyser Soze on May 31, 2008
22
Alex for once I agree with you.
E on Jun 26, 2008
23
What?!? Come on, you've gotta be kidding me. Charade isn't on the list but North by Northwest is? They're in the same class, same main actor, but Charade's ending is FAR better. Well… North by Northwest is good… but still, Charade should be on there.
EmilyK. on Sep 11, 2008
24
city lights - best ending ever
franklin on Oct 19, 2008
25
This list is useless without "The usual suspects"
webpurchaser on Nov 16, 2008
26
1- The Usual Suspects
2-Fight Club
3-The Bourne Ultimatum
4-Seven
5-Saw
webpurchaser on Nov 16, 2008
27
[...] the ending to The Bourne Ultimatum last summer was ranked by EW as one of 40 perfect endings, that’s not stopping Universal from continuing on the franchise. Late last year there were [...]
TELL ME » Blog Archive » More Sequels: Fourth Jason Bourne Film on Track for 2010 on Dec 3, 2008
28
Animal House — "Senator and Mrs. John Blutarsky" — ’nuff said.
Chuckles on Mar 29, 2009
29
I'm not sure why movies like The 40-Year Old Virgin and Sideways (both overrated , in my opinion) made the list…And why Rocky II? Lost in Translation was a very good movie, I don't see what's so special about the ending. Casablanca should be there in first place. And what about Treasure of Sierra Madre? Also, if the list includes classic westerns like The Searchers, why was Shane left out? I also think that Woody Allen's "Love and Death" should go right along with "The Seventh Seal" ending — two movies that should be watched together.
Jeanie on May 24, 2009
30
[...] Film on Track for 2010 Although the ending to The Bourne Ultimatum last summer was ranked by EW as one of 40 perfect endings, that's not stopping Universal from continuing on the franchise. Late last year there were early [...]
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