Do movies need a happy end?

[Bob Gray]

The ending to The Mist was stupid. A tacked on bleak ending is every bit as bad as a tacked on happy ending.

To answer the question, I think the answer is pretty obviously that yes, a movie can have a downer ending and still be good. But it's a bit more difficult to pull off effectively.

 

[TuBB]

No, it’s actually refreshing to see a film not go with the conventional ending theme. Life is another example.

 

[SL1200]

I guess it has something to do with predictability. Same with a hot girl walking in and you immediatly know that they are going to hook up. Most of the movies are so clearly building up to something. Something you see coming from a mile away. Takes all the fun out of it for me personally..

 

[dawnignited]

I don't care if a movie has a happy ending or a downer ending, just so long as it fits in the tone set by the rest of the film.

 

[odog]

Movie companies have tracked this kind of thing. Movies that have a happy ending are way more likely to have better returns on their second, third, etc. weekends. Having a sad ending means you absolutely will lose money at the box office, even if critics like it, and the people who see it love it.

If you tell someone “yeah I saw this great movie but it was kind of sad“ they are not rushing out to see it. Sad endings will cost the movie company millions of dollars. So how many companies care more about artistic integrity as opposed to millions of dollars?

It sucks, but it’s true.

 

[ArchGoat]

Scarface dies at the end.


Still one of the best movies all time

 

[breadfighter]

Literally just finished 12 Monkeys and I was left confused as to whether the ending was happy or sad. It was pretty bittersweet though. Someone must have been cutting onions in the room at the end.

 

[Liquid Smoke]

Not if you want to keep selling sequels...

 

[ProBoxingInsidr]

they dont, but we are certainly conditioned to expect it. i recently saw upgrade which did not have a happy ending and it kind of startled me. it's almost a pleasant surprise when it happens

 

[ProBoxingInsidr]

massages do

 

[Gene Tunney]

No, because there is a time and place for everything. That being said, most movies should have a happy ending because there already is enough negativity in the world.

 

[Kraysla]

No, they don't, but i prefer when they have an ending. Having a film end open-ended seems so unsatisfying. I know some people can appreciate it, but i prefer a conclusion.

 

[odog]

Literally just finished 12 Monkeys and I was left confused as to whether the ending was happy or sad. It was pretty bittersweet though. Someone must have been cutting onions in the room at the end.

I actually remember when I saw that movie in theaters. When walking out I said to my friends “holy shit that was awesome. I love that movie.” They were all like “it was OK.”

 

[RollSonnenRoll]

I hate the cliche that every horror movie has to have a the killer/monster is alive for one last scare ending. Would actually be refreshing to see one with a happy ending

 

[koolinkunming]

I actually remember when I saw that movie in theaters. When walking out I said to my friends “holy shit that was awesome. I love that movie.” They were all like “it was OK.”

It WAS awesome. It’s my favourite Brad Pitt performance too.

 

[breadfighter]

I actually remember when I saw that movie in theaters. When walking out I said to my friends “holy shit that was awesome. I love that movie.” They were all like “it was OK.”

It WAS awesome. It’s my favourite Brad Pitt performance too.

Yeah I gave it a 9/10 in the movie rating thread. For as long as it was it kept my attention the whole time. Now that I read more about the ending, the movie and ending was pretty bleak for Willis's character.

 

[CrazyN8]

Just saw Upgrade, solid fun action movie and a decidely not happy ending but it felt right and worked for me.

 

[odog]

It WAS awesome. It’s my favourite Brad Pitt performance too.

Same. Probably favourite Bruce Willis role as well.

 

[5crew]

No, they don't, but i prefer when they have an ending. Having a film end open-ended seems so unsatisfying. I know some people can appreciate it, but i prefer a conclusion.

I'm surprised the replies so far says it doesn't necessary needs a happy ending. I totally agree with that.
But seem as @odog posted, it seems to translate to profit making. Most people still wants a nice and neat happy ending that explains all. Reason why alot of popcorn flicks makes alot of money as well.

I like GREAT films that have open ended endings. Under the condition that the film already has an excellent plot initially, not just crappy ones but ends suddenly confusing audiences. The good ones let viewers imaginations decides the fate of the character we got invested in by the 90mins to 120mins end.

So many people hated Inception, a large number because of it's ending I might add.
At least in the theater I watched, all of us went.. Ohhh? while gasping. It broke the internet with discussion if he was in the real world or not. It was a masterpiece ending imo.

Another is 2013 Prisoners. When Gyllenhaal turned after hearing the faint sound of the whistle but cuts to black. Did he really go to investigate and save Jackman's character? Or did he shrug it off? There was a thread here few years ago where another Mayberrian was in a heated debate with me that he was saved. I told him, it's up to individual interpretation. Imo, he wasn't.

That's a good ending imo. Makes people discuss/argue even after leaving the theater. I personally don't like popcorn flicks but understand why they do so well in box office.

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

No, but my massages do.