Top 10 Best Teen Movie Endings
#10: Love Letter “To All the Boys I've Loved Before” (2018)
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One of the best (and most beloved) teen movies in recent years has to be this Netflix original. 2018 was a bit of a rough year in the world, and this sweet and simple rom-com was exactly what we all needed. It harkens back to a time where happy endings were okay in romance movies, and we got a classic happily ever after when Lara Jean and Peter kick off their new (not fake) relationship on the lacrosse pitch. Of course, she expresses her feelings to him in a letter, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
#9: Wishes Do Come True “Sixteen Candles” (1984)
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This John Hughes masterpiece is one of the most iconic teen movies ever made. Protagonist Sam spends the story feeling hurt that her family forgot her birthday because her sister’s wedding is the following day, and wondering if her crush, Jake Ryan, will ever notice her. In the climactic scene, Jake surprises Sam by showing up after the wedding ceremony to pick her up. He gives her a cake (with 16 candles on it, duh) and the two finally kiss while she says that her birthday wish has already come true.
#8: We’ll Always Be Together “Grease” (1978)
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The entire end sequence of “Grease” is extremely memorable, with Sandy showing up in a whole new look (that has given us bad girl fashion inspo for decades) and singing “You’re the One that I Want” with Danny. Some might say it’s bad messaging that Sandy felt she had to change for a man, but don’t forget that Danny put on a letterman sweater for the occasion. After it’s clear that these two are going to make it work, the entire gang ends the film by singing “We Go Together” as Sandy and Danny literally ride off into the sun.
#7: An Ending to Remember “A Walk to Remember” (2002)
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A lot of the endings we’ll be discussing today are happy ones, but this is a definite exception. From the moment we found out that Jamie had leukemia, we probably should have known that we’d be grabbing for the Kleenex by the end of “A Walk to Remember,” but no matter how many times we see it, it doesn’t get any less devastating. After Jamie and Landon get married, we learn that she died soon after. Even sadder perhaps is when Landon goes back and visits Jamie’s father, telling him that he’s sad that Jamie never got to witness a miracle. Reverend Sullivan proceeds to tells him that he himself was the miracle all along.
#6: A Whole New Girl World “Mean Girls” (2004)
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When Cady is crowned queen at the Spring Fling dance, she breaks down barriers by breaking the tiara into pieces and handing them out to everyone who she felt deserved the title too. Cady makes up with Damian and Janis, she kisses Aaron, and it feels like a classic happy ending. But we also get a bit of an epilogue showing what everyone did after the Plastics broke up, as Cady describes in a voiceover how girl world was finally at peace, and balance was finally achieved at North Shore High School.
#5: Blue Is the Warmest Color “Love, Simon” (2018)
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After Simon asks Blue to meet him at the carnival, he and all the other students wait in anticipation. Simon rides the Ferris wheel over and over again to see if Blue will actually reveal himself. When it seems like he’s never going to show up, Bram finally approaches the ride and asks Simon if he can sit with him. Simon is just as surprised as the audience that Bram is actually the guy he has been talking to all along. The two share a sweet and lighthearted conversation before they kiss at the top of the ride with everyone watching from below.
#4: Sonnet 141 “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
This teen movie is based on Shakespeare’s play “The Taming of the Shrew” and there are references to the Bard throughout the story, including at the end when the students are asked to pen their own versions of the poet’s Sonnet 141. Kat writes a poem called "10 Things I Hate About You" directed at Patrick, in which she describes her complicated feelings for him while tearing up in front of the class. After she leaves the room embarrassed, she finds the guitar she has been lusting after in the front seat of her car, and Patrick shows up to reveal that he bought it for her.
#3: Life Moves Pretty Fast “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” (1986)
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Ferris Bueller spends the entire movie figuring out an elaborate scheme to cut class for the day and by the end, it seems inevitable that he’s going to get caught. But it all wraps up with his sister Jeanie covering for him and basically blackmailing the Dean of Students. Ferris makes it back up to bed just in time for his parents to come home. The scene ends with the iconic line, first uttered at the beginning of the film, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
#2: The Truth Comes Out “Cruel Intentions” (1999)
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“Cruel Intentions” is an over-the-top drama about teenage sex and intrigue, but the shocking ending came straight out of left field. One of the film’s primary figures, Sebastian, is abruptly killed when he’s hit by a car while fighting in the street with Ronald. No one could have seen this coming and then on top of that, Sebastian’s journal ends up being printed and distributed to everyone in school during his memorial service. Annette somehow ends up with Sebastian’s car and it seems like she’s the only one who has a somewhat happy ending. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. We’re All in This Together “High School Musical” (2006) Tenderness “Clueless” (1995) What Happens Now? “Pleasantville” (1998) Soccer Balls “She's All That” (1999) From A to Z “Easy A” (2010)
#1: Sincerely Yours… “The Breakfast Club” (1985)
After their Saturday detention ends, everything has changed for the members of The Breakfast Club. In Brian’s essay, he breaks down the stereotypes that were held up earlier in the film. Having bonded with each other, though, this brain, athlete, basket case, princess, and criminal come to realize just how similar they truly are. Of course, what makes this scene oh so iconic is the Simple Minds song “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” blaring in the background. Judd Nelson throwing his fist in the air and the frame freezing make for one of the most memorable moments in movie history.
