Top 10 Funniest Movie Endings
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for movie endings that had us rolling with laughter. And while we will be incorporating scenes that continue into the end credits, we won’t be including sequences that take place in the middle or after the credits – as that’s a list all its own. And naturally, spoilers ahead. What movie ending never fails to tickle your funny bone? Share the laughs in the comments below!
#10: “Beetlejuice” (1988)
There are many reasons why Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” remains a beloved film some 35-plus years after its release. One of those reasons is Michael Keaton’s turn as the titular troublemaker. The actor’s hilariously eccentric portrayal was on full display in the movie’s ending. After his expulsion, we catch up with “The Juice'' in a bizarre Netherworld waiting room full of outrageous characters. An impatient Beetlejuice does what he can to “skip the line,” but gets his head shrunken for his troubles. The laughter is then paired with toe-tapping as Wynona Rider’s Lydia closes things out with a mid-air dance to “Jump in the Line.”
#9: “The Simpsons Movie” (2007)
“The Simpsons’” long-awaited big-screen feature did not disappoint when it came to delivering laughs. With plenty of the adult animated series’ signature gags, the Springfield gang continued to bring the funny right up to the film’s close. With the city being rebuilt after the events of the movie, we find Homer and Bart rebuilding their family home. Shingling the roof, Homer, (surprisingly) hammers a nail successfully. The problem – he does so into his leg. D’oh! The doting dad then proceeds to run around and rip up all the shingles before falling. This while Bart busts a gut laughing. Classic Simpsons!
#8: “Some Like It Hot” (1959)
Talk about ending a movie in a comically memorable way! The Marilyn Monroe-starring crime comedy “Some Like It Hot” absolutely nailed its ending – bucking censorship rules in the process. After witnessing a murder at the hands of the mafia, two men, played by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, go on the run by disguising themselves as women. The iconic ending sees Lemmon in drag telling an infatuated character, Osgood, all the reasons why they can't marry. It's then that he rips off his wig and reveals that he’s a man. To the audience’s delight, Osgood replies with, "Well, nobody's perfect." That may be, but this ending sure was!
#7: “Deadpool” (2016)
Nobody closes out a superhero film quite like Deadpool. And if we were talking uproarious end credit scenes, “Deadpool 2” would certainly take the cake! However, there’s no denying the “Merc with a Mouth’s” first film go-around ended in classic Deadpool hilarity. After executing baddie Ajax, Wade turns to Vanessa to profess his love. When Vanessa takes off his mask, it’s revealed that our hero has another underneath – one of Hugh Jackman’s face. Just when things look to end on an overly sentimental note, Deadpool pulls out a phone playing Wham’s “Carless Whisper.” Pool then provides some comical commentary and camera direction to send the audience home laughing.
#6: “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019)
Few would have guessed going into Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” that the story would culminate with such a hilarious twist ending. Prior to hitting cinemas, the plot was kept airtight, and all we knew was that it somewhat involved The Manson Family. And with Margot Robbie playing Sharon Tate, we assumed Sharon’s tragic fate at the hands of the Manson crew would play out as it did in real life. But, come the fateful night in the film, things take a surprising turn. Entering Leonardo DiCaprio’s character’s house instead, the murderous pack is dealt with in brutal, yet hysterical fashion. Who knew a flamethrower execution could lead to such laugh out loud comedy?
#5: “This Is the End” (2013)
“This is the End” is a raucous comedy featuring real-life celebrities playing elevated versions of themselves during an apocalyptic event. Starring the likes of Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jay Baruchel, and others, the comedy comes fast and furious. The film’s ending is no exception, as the movie reunites the majority of its protagonists in Heaven. When discovering he can do anything he wishes, Baruchel unexpectedly requests a Backstreet Boys performance. With the famed boy band performing “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” in heavenly attire, the rest of the cast take part in an epic dance number to close out the film. Random? Yes. Hilarious? Very!
#4: “Tropic Thunder” (2008)
There are many memorable characters in this Ben Stiller-directed comedy film. However, fans were perhaps most surprised by the stunning transformation of mega movie star Tom Cruise. Appearing as surly studio exec Les Grossman, Cruise is nearly unrecognizable in his body suit and balding wig. When the film ends with Stiller’s Tugg Speedman winning an Oscar, Grossman celebrates with a hysterical choreographed dance to Ludacris’ “Get Back.” Cruise shows off some seriously entertaining, not to mention impressive, dance moves. Thanks to this finale, the renowned action star showed that he has no issues tackling outrageous comedy roles.
#3: “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” (1975)
Leave it to Monty Python to deliver a hilarious fourth-wall breaking finale. By the end of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” King Arthur and Sir Bedivere are on their way to storm the Castle Aarrgh. But, when the call goes out and the mad rush begins, things are interrupted in an unexpected way. Yep, a police car and paddy wagon enter the picture. Turns out the “Bobbies'' have been tracking the knights since a murder in Act II. A befuddled Arthur and Sir Bedivere are then taken into custody. The switch to a handheld camera is a great touch, as it eventually gets knocked down leading to the end credits.
#2: “22 Jump Street” (2014)
Hilariously self-aware, the filmmakers behind “22 Jump Street” leaned into the fact that the film was a somewhat unnecessary follow-up to the very successful franchise reboot, “21 Jump Street.” If there was any doubt about this though, then you need not look any farther than the movie’s ending. It’s here that we are treated to a series of set-ups for new missions that play out as teasers for an abundance of “sequels.” They include the duo going undercover at everything from a Veterinary School to a “Top Gun-like” academy. We’d totally watch “30 Jump Street: Flight Academy” by the way! Did we mention there’s also amusing cameos from Bill Hader and Seth Rogen!
#1: “The Hangover” (2009)
After a wild night in Las Vegas for a bachelor party, a group of friends wake up with little to no memory of what happened to them. The movie sees them retrace their steps in an effort to find the missing groom and deliver him to his bride on his wedding day. By the movie’s end however, photographic evidence is discovered of their debaucherous adventures. And so, “The Hangover” concludes with quick looks at all the outrageous photos. The extreme and funny pictures not only fill in the blanks as to what happened to the men, but they also send viewers into fits of laughter. It’s the comical movie ending that keeps on giving!