Top 10 Most Iconic Final Scenes in Classic Hollywood Movies

The flight through a vortex of colored lights leads to a bedroom where Dave becomes an aged version of himself until, in the end, he reverts back to a fetus - seen floating above the Earth in some kind of orb. We might not all agree on what the ending of “2001: A Space Odyssey” means… or even have any idea at all. But once you’ve seen the film, there’s no way you will ever forget it. The Star Child, the Strauss music… It’s a bold vision that puts a coda on a film that is all about bold visions and ideas.

In the classic 1965 musical, the hills aren’t just alive with the sound of music, but in the final scene, we witness the sound of freedom as well. It’s via the green hills and mountains that Maria and the rest of the Von Trapp family escape Austria and the Nazis for the freedom of neighboring Switzerland. As the family walks along, the song “Climb Ev'ry Mountain” is reprised with the camera pulling out to show us the beauty of the mountains and the new life they are walking towards.

When it comes to “Psycho,” there are multiple iconic moments and images. Of course, there’s the shower scene that gets discussed as much as probably any scene in the history of cinema. There’s the scene near the end when we learn the truth about Norman Bates’ mother. And then there’s that final scene. The one that brings it all together. While it is Norman sitting in a jail cell, it is his mother’s voice that we hear via voiceover, as she tells us that she has now completely taken over his person. A take-over further cemented visually with the famous quick frame of the superimposed image of Bates' mother's skull on his face.

In “Some Like It Hot,” Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon play jazz musicians who dress up as women to escape after witnessing a mafia murder. As the story progresses, Jack Lemmon as “Daphne” becomes the object of affection of a millionaire named Osgood Fielding III. As Daphne, he agrees to marry Osgood - but at the end of the film, as they’re escaping on a boat, Lemmon attempts to get out of it. He comes up with numerous reasons - none of which are persuasive to Osgood. Then, in a final, desperate move he’s sure will end any amorous feelings, he takes off his wig to reveal his true male self. What follows is what The AFI ranked among the 100 greatest movie quotes of all time.

Life isn’t looking so wonderful to George Bailey at the beginning of this classic 1946 film. Seeing himself as a failure to both his family and his business, George is standing on a bridge contemplating an end to his life. But then along comes the angel Clarence Odbody who makes George realize how much he has truly done for all the people around him. In the final scene, George returns home to find that the town has rallied behind him and saved him and his business. As the crowd sings “Auld Lang Syne,” you can’t help but smile - and maybe even shed a tear - each and every time. It truly is a wonderful life!

Initially the astronauts believe they are on an alien planet 300 light-years from home and over 2000 years in the future. That sure does make sense to the viewer once we meet the talking apes that rule said planet. It isn’t until the very last moments of the film that we witness one of the great twist endings in film history. At first, we aren’t quite sure what Charlton Heston, as George Taylor, is looking at. Why does he stop and dismount his horse? What has he seen that has him so shocked and angry and slamming his fist into the sand? And then we see it. The Statue of Liberty! They’ve been on Earth the whole time.

“Sunset Boulevard” is a classic film about celebrity, fame, and one woman’s descent into madness when all that goes away. Norma Desmond was a huge star of the silent film era, but these days she is all but forgotten and desperate once again for the adulation and celebrity of stardom. Unfortunately, she can’t see or isn’t willing to admit to herself, that it isn’t going to happen. Even when the police come to arrest her for murder, Desmond’s complete mental distance from reality has her thinking she is finally making her big comeback movie. It’s sad and dark and it is all summed up with her final words to the director.

“Rosebud.” The final word of Charles Foster Kane. What does it mean? In essence, that is what “Citizen Kane” is about. Considered by many to be the greatest film ever made, Orson Welles’ masterpiece is a true exploration of the art of filmmaking and was innovative in so many ways. The entire film is a classic from start to finish, but that finish can’t be denied its iconic status in the history of cinema. What was it that meant so much to this man who had everything? This man was richer and more powerful than almost anyone on the planet. As the film comes to an end it appears as though we will never know. And then, through the flames we see it…. Rosebud!

Given that “Gone with the Wind” is, adjusted for inflation, the highest grossing movie of all time - there obviously must be more iconic moments throughout it’s almost 4-hour run time than the final scene. And there are. But oh that final scene, it sure has stuck with us for over 80 years now. Even many of those who haven’t put in the 221 minutes to watch the movie know Rhett Butler’s famous last words to Scarlett O'Hara. Not to mention O’Hara’s final words of the film as she decides she must return home and isn’t willing to give up on getting Rhett back… at least not today.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Sound of Silence, “The Graduate” (1967)
They’ve Run Off Together…. Now What?

Final Showdown, “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (1966)
From the Mexican Standoff to the Final Shot - & Ennio Morricone’s Amazing Score

We’ll Meet Again, “Dr. Strangelove” (1964)
An Explosive Finale to Say the Least

A Tragic Morning, “Night of the Living Dead” (1968)
Ben Managed to Survive the Night, Only to Be Mistaken for a Ghoul & Killed

It All Comes Full Circle, “All About Eve” (1950)
There Will Always Be Another “Eve”

We thought about not putting “Casablanca” atop our list. But we knew that if we didn’t put it at number one we’d regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of our lives. So, here it is. The iconic Humphrey Bogart sending away the love of his life because he knows it’s the right thing to do. While the audience was probably wishing to see him and Ingrid Bergman walk off together at the end of the movie - instead we got Bogey and Claude Rains walking off into the night to begin their beautiful friendship… and we loved it.

Which final scene on our list holds a special place in your cinematic heart? Let us know in the comments.