Top 10 Movie Endings of the Year (So Far)

“I Saw the TV Glow” (2024)

This surreal film leaves much to interpret, although most would agree that it’s about identity. Owen’s identity is largely defined by the supernatural teen drama, “The Pink Opaque.” Upon realizing the show hasn’t held up, Owen feels emptier than ever, seemingly destined to go through life feeling trapped. That is until the final scene when a middle-aged Owen rips into his chest, seeing the TV glow. Director Jane Schoenbrun described this as, “the moment when, as a queer or trans person, you understand that you aren’t yourself and that you need to become something else to conjure that magic that was maybe there in childhood.” What remains unclear is whether Owen will finally embrace what’s inside or if he’ll continue to repress the “magic.”

“Kinds of Kindness” (2024)

His role seems minor, but R.M.F. provides a common link throughout this anthology. After dying in the first story, R.M.F. is brought back to life in the third. Emma Stone’s Emily pulls this off with the reluctant help of Margaret Qualley’s Ruth, who possesses resurrection powers. Having been expelled from her cult, Emily believes Ruth is her ticket back in. Emily ecstatically drives off with an incapacitated Ruth in her car. As we’ve seen throughout this segment, though, Emily is a more reckless driver than Cruella de Vil. This pays off with a car crash that accidentally kills Ruth and shatters Emily’s world to pieces. It’s poetic whiplash, but at least R.M.F. feels well enough to eat a sandwich.

“Monkey Man” (2024)

The final act of Dev Patel’s directorial debut is pure adrenaline as our hero - known as Kid - storms through a hoard of baddies to the final boss, Baba Shakti. Kid is so distracted by Baba’s monologuing he doesn’t see a blade coming. Potentially fatal stab wounds aren’t going to stop our hero. Just as Baba appears convinced he’s won, Kid turns his weapons against him. The spiritual guru’s death will have ripple effects across politics and religion. For Kid, it’s personal with his mother finally avenged. As Kid remembers his mother, he also thinks about the Hindu deity Hanuman, who resembles the masked monkey he portrayed in the ring. Whether or not Kid survives, he’s created another legendary symbol in Monkey Man.

“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” (2024)

Three centuries after Caesar’s death, apes have become the dominant species. With the arrival of Freya Allan’s Mae, humans may be on the verge of a comeback. Mae is not only smarter than she appears, but more cunning and ruthless as well. As she parts with Noa, we aren’t sure if Mae is a friend or foe. Mae’s true nature becomes even blurrier as she returns home to a satellite base. Mae is far from the only intelligent human, and they have more advanced technology than the apes. Mae has acquired a shiny new toy that’ll give humans the edge if war comes. As Noa and Soona gaze through a telescope into the vast unknown, we’re left to wonder what new conflicts will befall them.

“Dune: Part 2” (2024)

When people first read “Dune” in the 60s, some saw Paul Atreides as a hero. Author Frank Herbert felt the character was more complex, making Paul’s flaws a focal point of “Dune Messiah.” It would’ve been easy to end “Dune: Part 2” on a triumphant note as Paul defeats Feyd-Rautha. From Chani’s perspective, though, the man she fell in love with is unrecognizable. Aside from proposing marriage to Princess Irulan, Paul commences a holy war, committing to his messiah persona. While many have accepted Paul as their savior, Chani doesn’t believe in the prophecy. She won’t bow before the ascending Paul, striking out on her own. Although this ending slightly deviates from the source material, it understands what Herbert was always trying to say.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024)

Sometimes, the less you know about a character, the better. We thought that might be the case with Furiosa, but George Miller pulls off an extraordinary feat in this prequel. Despite exploring virtually everything about Furiosa’s past, the film still requires the audience to read much between the lines. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the ending as Furiosa faces off against Dementus. With her enemy finally defeated, Furiosa contemplates how she’ll take revenge. We’re given multiple possible outcomes, but the narrator claims that Furiosa fertilized Dementus, finding a place for her mother’s peach pit to grow. Even then, we’re not sure how reliable the narrator is. Either way, the name Furiosa has become the stuff of legend, and her story isn’t over yet.

“Love Lies Bleeding” (2024)

Following a bonkers climax - complete with a giant bodybuilding woman - Lou and Jackie drive off into the sunset. As the sun rises, a little problem resurfaces. Earlier in the film, Jackie shot Daisy, a stalker blackmailing Lou. The audience forgets about Daisy until a noise is heard from the back of Lou’s truck. Daisy isn’t quite dead yet, but Lou doesn’t hesitate to finish the job as Jackie slumbers and the credits roll. Although Lou and Jackie have found their way back to each other, they still have blood on their hands. If this humorously grim ending is any indication, their problems won’t simply go away. Nevertheless, Lou is willing to fight for their relationship with the road ahead uncertain.

“Civil War” (2024)

The finale of Alex Garland’s film only seems to grow more relevant. Accompanied by soldiers, war photographers make their way through the White House where the corrupt president has been backed into a corner. When rookie photojournalist Jessie prioritizes a shot over her safety, her mentor Lee intervenes and meets a sudden end. Immortalizing Lee’s death on camera, Jessie appears almost nonchalant. She’s even less empathetic toward the president, whose pleas for mercy go down as his dying quote. Jessie previously hesitated to take a photo of a man and his victims. As she photographs the soldiers with the president, we see how much Jessie has changed, reflecting America’s desensitization to violence. She’s fulfilled her dream of being like Lee, but at what cost?

“Longlegs” (2024)

FBI agent Lee Harker suspected that serial killer Longlegs had an accomplice, but she never imagined it was her mother, Ruth. To spare Lee’s life years earlier, Ruth vowed loyalty to Longlegs and Satan. Longlegs made satanic dolls that Ruth delivered to families, influencing them to commit deadly sins. Rushing to her boss’ daughter’s birthday party, Lee finds a doll already working its dark magic. Killing her boss and mother, Lee seemingly saves young Ruby. Yet, as Lee stares at the doll, out of bullets, it appears she may become another puppet for Satan to work through. Director Osgood Perkins also suggested that at this moment, Lee confronts the reality that she shot her mother. Even if Lee isn’t possessed, it feels like Satan won.

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

Riley Smiles, “Inside Out 2” (2024)
An Ambiguous Yet Joyful Conclusion

Death Returns, “Tuesday” (2023)
Zora’s Life Is Given New Purpose

The Last Dance, “Fancy Dance” (2023)
Whatever Happens Next, Jax & Roki Will Be There For Each Other

“Feeling Good,” “A Quiet Place: Day One” (2024)
Sam Can Now Die Fulfilled

The Logan Who Came to Dinner, “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024)
The End of Era & The Beginning of a New One

“Challengers” (2024)

So far, the most intense climax of the year isn’t a CGI battle or a fight to the death. It’s a tennis match between two friends turned rivals. As Art and Patrick square off in a tie-breaker, the audience isn’t sure who to root for. We find it doesn’t matter who wins as the sweat-soaked match nears its conclusion. Lunging toward each other over the net, a heart-pumping showdown turns into a friendly embrace. The whole crowd goes wild, including Zendaya’s Tashi, who’s romantically entangled with both men. This unexpected turn does little to determine which man Tashi will go with. When all’s said and done, though, Tashi’s first love will always be tennis and she just witnessed one of the best games ever.

Which movie left you on the highest note this year so far? Let us know in the comments.