22-07-2025
18 Films With Realistic Endings
We all love a fairytale ending every now and then. But sometimes, we just want the real thing. No last-minute miracles, no rom-com reconciliations at an airport — just raw and real conclusions.
Over on r/Cinema, movie lovers are sharing the films that didn't have a classic Hollywood ending. Here are 18 of the best responses.
"Monsters University. They make an all-or-nothing 'pie in the sky' gamble, fail, and lose everything. Next, there's a montage of them doing the hard work, and it slowly pays off with gradual success."
"La La Land ends like real life does sometimes: with the right people at the wrong time. No dramatic reunion, no last-minute fix. Just two people who loved each other, chased their dreams, and ended up waving from opposite sides of the finish line. It's messy, kinda beautiful, and way too familiar."
"Marriage Story. I watched it during the beginning of my divorce, hoping for the Hollywood happy ending. It turned out way too much like real life!"
"Uncut Gems was one of the most stressful movies to watch. You see Sandler's character dig his own grave step by when we get our ending, it's like: 'Damn! The mob don't fuck around.' I expected broken bones, but we definitely got something closer to what probably happens in reality."
"Anora. Super realistic ending in a Cinderella story that I was not expecting."
"Anora. Super realistic ending in a Cinderella story that I was not expecting."
"Requiem for a Dream. This movie fundamentally changed me as a human. I felt different after watching it."
"Manchester by the Sea. The fact that he didn't end up taking custody after everything is more realistic."
"The Big Short. I like the way they made a mock summary about how everything changed. The banks got regulated and the responsible people got punished, only to reveal that this is America..."
"Reservoir Dogs. It's the only movie I can think of where literally everyone dies in the end."
"Denzel Washington's Flight. He's humbled himself before the world, got sober, and is happily doing his time in prison. But his young son confronts him at the end, insisting that he tells the truth about himself."
"The Mist. It's a nasty ending and I hate it, but I do have to admit that it's pretty accurate as to what could happen in real life."
"Coach Carter. Incredible movie. Just the message that you can have all the skills and popularity, but it doesn't translate to success. With all that hard work you put in, you still have to learn how to lose. That losing can be heartbreaking, especially when you give it your all."
"8 Mile. By the end, he wins a rap battle tournament and everybody starts to respect him more. But there's no cliché where some guy waiting outside offers him a record deal or a life-changing opportunity. Right after the battle, Jimmy goes back to his late-night shift at work, he then bids his friends goodbye, and life goes on."
"Friday Night Lights. Not many teams lose at the end of sports movies."
"The Break-Up. I honestly thought they'd get back together, despite the title of the movie."
"No Country for Old Men. No wild underdog story, no 'handsome protagonist getting the happy ending.' It's bleak, dark, and violent: exactly like what would happen if someone got wrapped up in cartel violence. IMO, a masterpiece of a film."
"Seven. The bad guy is dead but it feels like he won. Morgan Freeman's closing quote really frames the bleakness."
"Marley & Me. A realistic depiction of owning a hyperactive Labrador until they break your fucking heart by leaving you. That moment where he closes his eyes. I wept buckets."
After reading all of these, I'm starting to think I might prefer realistic endings over Hollywood ones. And now? I have a serious watchlist to catch up on.🍿🍿
Do you know a movie that ends in a real, un-Hollywood way? Drop it in the comments or share it anonymously in the form below!
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