Top 20 Most Satisfying Teen Movie Endings

To say Sam Baker doesn’t initially exactly get the sixteenth birthday of her dreams is an understatement. Her family is so preoccupied with her sister’s upcoming nuptials that they forget all about it. And she thinks her dream boy Jake Ryan has no idea she exists. But when she exits the church following her sister’s wedding the next day, he’s there waiting for her. It’s their first real interaction, yet it’s charged with an adorably sweet energy. The duo take off together, and what follows is an instantly recognizable scene. It’s got a cake, a very specific undergarment, and a perfectly romantic kiss. We’d call this a pretty good belated birthday.

Both the Clovers and Toros deliver stellar performances during the final contest. But in the end, the East Compton squad takes home the first place prize. It’s amazing to see them finally receive the recognition they’ve been denied for so long. And to make matters better, there’s actually no animosity between the two cheer captains. In fact, it’s just the opposite. Torrance feels so good that her squad created an original routine that she doesn’t care about coming about second. Seeing her prioritize integrity and love over victory shows how much she’s grown as a person.. Plus, the “Hey Mickey” number during the credits is incredible. While it gets stuck in our heads every time, it's totally worth it.

Every “High School Musical” film knew how to craft the perfect ending. The first movie notably set a high bar when everyone came together to help Troy and Gabriella make their callback. That final ensemble number doesn’t hurt either. The third film in the series ends things just as beautifully. As the musical comes to a close, we hear where everyone’s planning to go for college. They’ve all found themselves and are ready to face what’s next. They’ll go forward while holding onto their friendships. To make things more heartwarming, the film’s capped off with a touching graduation speech and a musical number that leaves us in tears. The last image we see is the curtain descending on this beloved musical trilogy.

After a hectic adventure, Molly makes amends with her best friend Amy and arrives at graduation in the nick of time. And thank goodness she does. She gives her love interest Jared a climactic smooch in front of everyone and proceeds to deliver a speech that doesn’t disappoint. It’s funny, gripping and emblematic of how far she’s come since she started her wild journey. That hugely positive reaction from the crowd is undoubtedly well-deserved. As if that wasn’t moving enough on its own, the film culminates in a sweet moment of pure friendship. The two besties unexpectedly delay their separation just a little bit longer to get a delicious meal together. We hope they enjoy those pancakes.

When we first meet Charlie, he’s a kid who's literally counting down the days until graduation. By the end of the film, he’s become someone who embraces the moment and leans into life. His path there is full of soaring highs and sad lows. But while it may not be a fairytale, we think it’s better. The film tackles crucial topics like mental health and trauma with a honesty and nuance that inspires us. So when Sam, Patrick, and Charlie ride through the tunnel following the latter’s hospital stay, it’s a triumphant moment. The music is just right and his narration is nothing short of poetic. [SB: “We are infinite”].

The best thing Lara Jean Covey ever did was write secret love letters to her crushes. This decision eventually leads to her heading onto the field to talk to Peter at the end of the first film. As they open up about their feelings for one another, their honesty can only be described as swoon-worthy. They embrace their real love and share an immensely satisfying kiss. Although John Ambrose later shows up to the Covey house unexpectedly, it doesn’t take away from this ending. Because while Peter and Lara Jean face some challenges throughout the series, their love for each other never wavers. The final film brings it all full circle with an ending that makes us believe they’ll make it.

Zack waiting for Laney in her living room after prom never fails to make our hearts melt. After having a touching conversation in the yard, the two enjoy a sweet reconciliation. And don’t even get us started on the moment the mood lighting comes on! As they sway and talk, the pair becomes the couple we knew they were destined to be. They also acknowledge that Zack still must fulfill the terms of a certain bet. He honors it by showing up to graduation with nothing more than a soccer ball to help him preserve some decency. While he doesn’t hold onto it for long, Laney’s smile when he throws her way says it all!

This movie is undoubtedly hilarious. Yet there’s a heart at the core of the story that really shines through in its ending. After Viola tells the truth and reveals that she is not in fact her brother Sebastian, she gets to finish the soccer match as herself. And she scores the game winning goal in an absolutely exhilarating moment! But the good times don’t stop there. Thanks to an amazingly cheesy invitation, Duke unexpectedly shows up to Viola’s debutante ball. After a sweet talk outside, he escorts her and they kiss in front of everyone. As a bonus, we then see them on the pitch together. These last moments perfectly maintain the film’s witty tone while also making you feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Ferris’ race against the clock to beat his family home is intense, to put it mildly. And just when he thinks he’s made it, he nearly gets busted by Rooney. But his sister comes through and helps him out. Watching him pull the whole thing off is simply epic. Plus, Rooney is completely embarrassed. As the credits roll, he gets on a school bus with his proverbial tail between his legs. The look of defeat on his face is priceless. And just when you think the fun is over, there’s that iconic post-credits scene where Ferris basically tells everyone to get lost!

After Kate discovers John Tucker is secretly dating Carrie, Heather, and Beth at the same time, the ladies unite to get back at him. The plan seems simple: Kate will pretend to date him, make him fall in love, and then crush him. It naturally gets a little more complicated than that. But after a chaotic and cake-filled birthday where the truth comes out, everything falls into place. After Kate and John call a truce, he becomes a better person..sort of. But then again, it's really about her in the end. Not only are Kate and Scott completely smitten with one another, but she has girlfriends she can rely on. She definitely leaves her mark at school. [SB: "And the girl who made John Tucker fall in love? Well, she's a legend".]

The kids of “The Breakfast Club” go through a lot together. What starts off as an awkward day in detention quickly grows into something deeper. Though it’s not always easy, they learn to look past labels and see each other for who they really are. By the end of the film, they step out of their comfort zones and form new relationships that nobody could have predicted. The group’s essay reflects that beautifully. It’s moving, deep, and cuts to the core of what it feels like to be a teenager trying to navigate life. Of course, the whole thing is punctuated with just the right tune, and John Bender’s iconic fist in the air. What more could you ask for?

When Mia arrives at the ball, she’s soaked, in jeans, and pretty disheveled. But none of that matters. Mia still steps up to the podium and gives an epic speech where she claims the throne. Although it’s a little awkward, it’s also truly special. Thanks to her dad’s encouraging words she’s finally ready to be a princess on her own terms. But her big night doesn’t end there. Once Mia puts on a stunning dress and tiara, she shares a perfect moment with Michael. Their kiss is so special that her foot pops just like she’s always wanted! In the end, Mia flies to her new home with her diary and Fat Louie by her side. We’d say Genovia is in pretty great hands.

There’s no doubt that Jamie’s death is heartbreaking. But everybody can feel good about the fact that her final moments were full of love. While this story is certainly tear jerking, it’s also uplifting. Nowhere is that clearer than the film’s ending. As we flash forward four years into the future, Landon shares a heartwarming talk with the Reverend. Their conversation makes him realize just how special he was to Jamie. To see him thriving, in large part thanks to her, is touching. More importantly, it feels like she’s still there. The metaphor he uses proves that she’s with him wherever he goes in life. It’s not exactly a traditional happy ending, but it’s undoubtedly a hopeful one.

They say to be careful what you wish for. The teenage Jenna Rink certainly figured out why the hard way when she accidentally ends up becoming a thirty year old woman! Luckily, her tumultuous misadventures help her reconnect with who she truly is. Jenna finally realizes that she was focusing on the wrong things in life. And although it seems like there’s no hope of turning back the clock, she gets a second chance thanks to some leftover wishing dust. Jenna goes back to her thirteenth birthday and makes drastically different choices that impact her life in the best way. In the end, she gets a picture perfect future with Matt, an ideal house, and Razzles!

To see Olive be honest on her webcast as the story catches up to its narration is incredibly gratifying. Throughout the course of the film, she struggles to maintain a false idea of herself while spreading fake stories of intimacy. Olive’s actions hinder her personal relationships and make it harder for her to figure out who she is. So, it’s great to see her finish her stream by owning the fact that her personal experiences don’t belong to anyone else. And things get even better when Todd shows up. Olive goes to join the boy of her dreams, they kiss, and happily leave together on the mower. The iconic rom-com references sprinkled into this ending are just the cherries on top.

Cady arrives at Spring Fling having finally realized the error of her ways. During her coronation as queen, she gives a speech that still rings true today. That moment where she breaks off pieces of the crown for everyone to share tugs at our heartstrings every time! After her great speech, she makes amends with Janice and Damian and finally begins an honest relationship with Aaron. Thankfully, the film also gives us a glimpse at life after the Plastics. Each girl is thriving in her own unique way. That’s right, it seems like everyone’s actually just getting along! It’s a refreshing ending to all the chaos. And Cady picturing the downfall of the new aspiring Plastics makes us chuckle every time!

As Simon sits on the ferris wheel, we can’t help but feel nervous for him. He’s waited so long to meet Blue that it’s hard not to wonder if his love interest will show up. And even if the mystery man does, will the offline reality live up to the online fantasy? So, there’s a definite sense of catharsis when Bram hops onto the ride and we learn that he is in fact Simon’s online pen-pal. Our hearts burst with joy as they ride the ferris wheel and share a sweet kiss. The film then takes us beyond that beautiful moment and we get to witness their relationship in action. It’s better than anything we could have imagined!

At the end of this film, Kat is more vulnerable than we’ve ever seen her. After finding out Patrick dated her as part of a deal, she boldly recites a sonnet in front of the class in a powerful scene. Kat’s raw emotion toward the boy who hurt her commands everyone’s attention. Fortunately, the story quickly takes a happier turn. Kat is surprised to find a guitar in her car afterwards. Of course, it’s from none other than Patrick, who put the money he earned from the deal to excellent use. They make up, embrace their feelings, and share a passionate kiss. This romantic and sweet moment is also infused with the wit and banter that make us love this pair!

Where do we start with this fantastic ending? After Sam tells Austin off in the locker room, it looks like they’re done for good. But as she’s about to leave the football game, he lets go of others’ expectations of him and goes after her. Their kiss in the pouring rain is downright enchanting. To top it all off, Sam then uncovers her dad’s will in the most appropriate of places. She breaks free of her step-mother’s command and begins her life with the people who love her. Not only is the diner is configured to honor her father’s legacy, but everybody gets exactly what they deserve. Plus, she goes to Princeton with her Prince Charming by her side. It’s simply magical!

While Sebastian’s death is jarring, Annette refuses to take this turn of events lying down. On the contrary, she makes Kathryn pay in the most exhilarating way possible in the middle of a eulogy! Copies of Sebastian’s diary expose the evil stepsister’s misdeeds to everyone. Meanwhile, Annette triumphantly drives off in her love’s car with Sebastian’s journal and sunglasses! This ending mirrors the film’s opening and is alo juxtaposed with scenes of their time together. You can’t help but feel fulfilled watching it all unfold. Evidently, Reese Witherspoon was serving justice long before her “Legally Blonde” days. Her methods may have been less conventional here, but they were definitely no less satisfying.