Whenever we talk about movies, the ending part matters the most, where the storytelling can either fly high or go right down the tube: it is the one last impression of twist, resolution, expectation, shock, etc. that shakes the minds of the audience long after they leave the theatre, sometimes contributing to a cultural conversation long after about what they’ve just seen. Since 2000, Hollywood has released many films, but only a select few have truly mastered the art of an impactful ending. A good ending can leave audiences breathless, and the options below deliver some of the best ones from the 21st century. Get ready to be excited and moved by some of the best endings of the top 5 movies the 21st century has produced. These endings will inspire passion and debate while marvelling at fearless storytelling and stellar filmmaking.
5. Shutter Island (2010)
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10 Rotten tomatoes: 69% NewsSlash Ratings: 8.2/10
Scorsese’s Shutter Island is truly mind-bending, as only a thriller can be. Starring Leo DiCaprio as Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshal, who investigates a missing person case at an insane asylum well off the beaten path. The more he digs around, the stranger it gets. You are swept into the lost secrets of the island and accidentally become entangled in delusion and dark conspiracies too.
That ending, though? Total mind-blower. Turns out Teddy is Andrew Laeddis, a patient who’s lost it, and the whole thing’s a therapy session played out on a grand scale. Then he hits you with that last line: “Which would be worse: to live as a monster or to die as a good man?” Is he faking it, or pretending he’s still nuts? Or did the treatment fail? It sticks with you and makes you rethink the whole damn movie.
4. Whiplash (2014)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10 Rotten tomatoes: 94% NewsSlash Ratings: 8.5/10
Whiplash captures that feeling of chasing a dream so hard it hurts. The director, Damien Chazelle, tells the story of Andrew Neiman, who wants to be a great jazz drummer, and his scary teacher, Fletcher, portrayed to perfection by J.K. Simmons. It’s a rollercoaster of rehearsals, pain, and just plain head games.
And the last ten minutes? Absolutely amazing. After Fletcher humiliates Andrew on stage, Andrew decides to present a big middle finger in the form of an epic drum solo. Fletcher is angry at first, but he begins to enjoy it—a nod here, a smile there—and they both end in an intense war of skill without saying a word. There’s no chat, and things don’t get wrapped up nicely. It just ends with these two going at it with their music, and then boom, the screen goes black right in the middle of the solo. You’re left just catching your breath.
3. La La Land (2016)
IMDb Rating: 8/10 Rotten tomatoes: 91% NewsSlash Ratings: 8/10
This movie isn’t just some light, musical fluff. It’s a touching story about love, the sacrifices we make for our dreams, and how life often throws us curveballs. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone kill it as two dreamers in L.A. He’s all about jazz, and she’s trying to make it as an actress. They fall head over heels, but life has other plans for them.
That ending? A total punch to the gut. Years later, Mia and Sebastian bump into each other, both successful, but their lives went a different way. Then comes this beautiful what if scene—a dream of what could have been if they’d stayed together. Then, bam, back to reality. A simple look, a small smile, and nothing else. They both moved on, not sad, but thankful for what they had. It’s a really human ending, accepting that some great stories just don’t last forever, but they still mean something.
2. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10 Rotten tomatoes: 85% NewsSlash Ratings: 8.4/10
Okay, so that Infinity War ending? Total shocker, right? I mean, after a decade of waiting, the Avengers go head-to-head with Thanos, who’s on a mission to erase half of everything. And get this—he pulls it off! Just like that! Half the folks are gone—Spider-Man, Black Panther, the whole crew. Then the movie ends with Thanos just sitting there, all smug, watching the sun come up. Crazy.
People left the theatre speechless. The movie actually let the bad guy win, at least for a while. It changed what people thought superhero movies could do. The ending started tons of talks and theories and made everyone wait impatiently for the next movie. It definitely made its mark.
1. Inception (2010)
IMDb Rating: 8.8/10 Rotten tomatoes: 87% NewsSlash Ratings: 8.8/10
Probably no ending this century has been argued over more than Inception’s. Christopher Nolan’s head-trip of a movie is about Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), who can steal secrets from people’s dreams. His mission is to do the opposite: plant an idea in someone’s head so he can go home to his kids. At the end, Cobb spins his totem, a spinning top, to see if he’s dreaming or not. The camera focuses on the top as it spins, almost wobbles, and then… black screen.
No answer. Just cuts off. The ending is frustrating, yet so smart. Is Cobb still stuck in a dream, or is he back for real? Nolan lets us decide, making the ending really personal. It’s not just how the story ends, but how it sticks with you.
Conclusion
Forget tidy bows and predictable fades to black. The endings that stick with you? They’re the ones that take a chance, catch you off guard, and leave you chewing things over. When so many movies play it safe, these flicks prove boldness can really kill. Want a gut punch? A thrill ride? Something that breaks the mould? These five endings deliver. Time to grab some popcorn and settle in—if you haven’t already. What are your favourite movie endings? Did yours make the cut, or did we miss a great one?
Written by Nidhi Singh