The EXACT Moment Movie Franchises Should Have Ended

The EXACT Moment Movie Franchises Should Have Ended

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at movie franchises that could’ve gone out on a high note if only they knew when to end. This list is nothing but spoilers.

Vito’s 50th Birthday

“The Godfather Part II” (1972)

Business and vengeance trump family in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterful sequel as Michael Corleone has his brother Fredo assassinated. Reminiscing about his father’s 50th birthday, we see how far Michael has drifted from his former self and what matters most. Michael felt he didn’t belong in college and his time in the army wouldn’t last. He might not have realized it then, but Michael was destined to take his father’s place. Where Vito surrounded himself with family, Michael ultimately finds himself alone. Coppola considered “The Godfather” movies a pair, having nothing left to say after “Part II.” With Paramount resolute on making a trilogy and Coppola eventually falling on hard financial times, though, they pulled him back in for an unnecessary epilogue 16 years later.

Heroes United

“Zack Snyder’s Justice League” (2021)

If the theatrical cut of “Justice League” was a new low, then Zack Snyder’s cut found the DCEU at its apex. This super-sized event culminates in a triumphant finale as heroes line up for a group shot, providing the ideal place for a mic drop. Then there’s the epilogue. While this extra half-hour or so provided some further closure, it also set up several storylines that’d go nowhere. Adding insult to injury, most of the following DCEU movies failed to reach the same heights. The studios thus decided to start from scratch. So, instead of ending on an iconic image of our main heroes, we got Patrick Wilson eating a bug. That’s more like how you’d end a canceled sitcom rather than a cinematic universe.

Jack Goes Boating

“Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” (2007)

The original “Pirates” trilogy brings Jack Sparrow’s story full circle. After his most bombastic voyage yet, Jack winds up back where he started. He has no ship, he has no crew, but he’s still a master of improv and dumb luck. With nothing but a dinky boat, a map, his trusty compass, and a bottle of rum, Captain Jack sets sail once more. It shows Jack will always be out there, searching for the next adventure. That said, we didn’t need to see those next adventures. With the subsequent installments, the “Pirates” franchise got watered down by convoluted plots and dull new characters while Jack struggled to keep things afloat with his old schtick. Even when literally at world’s end, franchises can still go overboard.

Just Keep Swimming

“The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007)

The “Bourne” movies just kept getting better, wrapping up all loose ends in “Ultimatum.” Jumping into the East River, Jason Bourne, or David Webb, is presumed dead. That doesn’t mean his body was recovered. The audience smiles along with Nicky as Jason swims away. It’s another full circle ending, as Jason was fished out of the sea when we first met him. Everyone seemed to agree that Jason’s story was over, hence why “The Bourne Legacy” shifted focus to a new protagonist. After that film fell below expectations, Jason Bourne returned by popular demand in a sequel we honestly remember nothing about. Matt Damon summed it up in 2007 when he said of the franchise, “We have ridden that horse as far as we can.”

For Paul

“Furious 7” (2015)

Tragedy loomed over “Furious 7” with the sudden death of Paul Walker. Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, the team pulled together, delivering a tear-jerking tribute to Paul and his career-defining role, Brian O’Conner. Set to the song “See You Again,” Dom and Brian drive off in different directions, thinking about the good times and the day they’ll be reunited. It was a beautiful goodbye to Brian… and it really should’ve been a farewell to this franchise. While the fast family continued to grow, a crucial element has been missing without Brian, who now solely exists in Off-Screen Land. Even if these movies are still good for a few fun set pieces, Brian’s absence is just one of the reasons the following sequels felt forced.

A New Future

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014)

Before you flip out in the comments, the “X-Men” brand still could’ve continued through standalone spinoffs like “Deadpool” and “Logan.” In terms of traditional “X-Men” movies with large ensembles, though, “Days of Future Past” clearly should’ve been this continuity’s grand finale. Timelines collide as Wolverine is sent back to prevent the rise of Sentinels in 1973. Returning to 2023, Wolverine finds that they not only stopped the Sentinels, but erased pretty much everything that happened in “The Last Stand.” With history rewritten and several familiar faces returning, it seemed like a fresh slate for future movies to build upon. Of course, knowing now what awaits in “Apocalypse” and “Dark Phoenix,” most of these characters should’ve been left in the past.

Letting Michael Burn

“Halloween” (2018)

There are multiple moments where the “Halloween” franchise could’ve left us on a satisfying note. Michael Myers was supposed to die in “Halloween II,” only to return two movies later. Michael appeared deader than ever in “H20,” but nothing that a “resurrection” can’t fix. With 2018’s “Halloween” ignoring the other sequels and Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Laurie Strode, it seemed like these characters would finally get the ending they deserved. And they did! Michael is set ablaze in a trap that not even he should be able to survive while three generations of Strode ladies drive off. Universal just couldn’t let it burn, however, churning out two more sequels that ironically made the same mistakes as the movies they previously retconned.

Getting Away From Her

“Aliens” (1986)

Everything was taken a step beyond in James Cameron’s follow-up to the 1979 sci-fi classic, from its action to its heart. When Ellen Ripley faces the alien queen, we’re just as pumped as we are emotionally invested. The franchise could never top this rousing showdown, but surely “Alien 3” would make an effort, right? Rather than up the ante, the next film immediately undoes everything that made “Aliens” so compelling, taking Newt and Hicks out of the equation. Since then, the “Alien” franchise has struggled to justify its endurance through sequels, prequels, and crossovers that’ve failed to hit the mark. Whether or not this series ever rebounds, we’re better off pretending Ripley’s story ended with her daring escape and everything after was Newt’s bad dream.

Off Into the Sunset

“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989)

Riding into the sunset might sound cliche, but it’s all about execution. Seeing Indiana Jones saddle up with his friends and father as John William’s immortal score plays, we couldn’t think of a better way to close out this last crusade. Well, make that third-to-last crusade. Although that title seemed as conclusive as possible, an aging Indy was roped back in for two more adventures involving aliens and Archimedes. Those sequels aren’t without their fans, and by fans, we mean apologists. You can look past their flaws, but even the most diehard defenders can’t deny “Last Crusade’s” ending was anything less than perfection. It’s how we’d like to remember Indy and we can only hope AI doesn’t bring him back for a fourth last crusade.

The Value of Human Life

“Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (1991)

Where the previous film had us cheering when the T-800 was destroyed, this sequel made us bawl our eyes out. To ensure Judgment Day doesn’t occur, the T-800 must sacrifice itself. John is truly making the sacrifice, saying goodbye to the only father figure he’s ever known. Sarah, who’s been haunted by memories of the other T-800 for almost ten years, also mourns this machine, leaving us with a poignant message about humanity. Between “Aliens” and “T2,” James Cameron knows how to end a franchise. Hollywood does not, repeatedly reminding us how much we loved the first two “Terminator” films while dumping on the franchise’s legacy. Who knows what the future holds, but as far as we’re concerned, this story ended with a thumbs up.

What was the logical closure point for your favorite franchise? Let us know in the comments.