100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings

Flashy beginnings and surprising twists in the middle are great (and necessary), but the ending wears the crown when it comes to identifying what makes the most lasting impact on the audience. A movie's ending is what really matters when it comes to giving the audience a cathartic experience walking out of that theater. If you’re struggling with how you’re going to want to end your story, then we have 100 writing prompts to help you nail the ending of your screenplay.

Don’t forget, the thrilling aspect of reading memorable movie ending prompts is that you can also use them as story prompts for your next story.

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100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings

1. A heart-stopping cliffhanger (if you’re writing a TV pilot or episode)
2. A shocking return from the dead
3. Romantic kiss in the rain
4. An unexpected alliance of enemies
5. A pulse-pounding race against time
6. A powerful act of forgiveness
7. A heartwarming family reunion
8. A thrilling escape from an exploding building
9. A daring undercover operation
10. A mind-bending time loop resolution
11. A suspenseful game of cat and mouse
12. A character's ultimate redemption
13. A high-stakes courtroom showdown
14. A dramatic encounter with a long-lost relative
15. A jaw-dropping magical transformation
16. A secret mission accomplished
17. A sudden realization of love
18. A mystical portal jump to another world
19. A journey to the heart of darkness
20. A cathartic emotional breakdown
21. A powerful, inspirational speech
22. An apocalyptic showdown
23. A hero's self-sacrifice to save the world
24. A breathtaking aerial chase
25. A mysterious prophecy finally fulfilled
26. A mind-blowing technological breakthrough
27. A perilous underwater expedition
28. A shocking revelation about the past
29. A life-altering choice between good and evil
30. The thrilling survival of a hostile environment
31. A shocking exposure of a villain's plan
32. A victorious return from exile
33. A dramatic unveiling of a masterpiece
34. A heart-pounding archaeological discovery
35. A suspenseful space battle
36. A heartwarming gesture of friendship
37. A character's ultimate sacrifice for a loved one
38. A thrilling showdown atop a moving train
39. A shocking uncovering of a government conspiracy
40. A desperate race against an impending disaster
41. A tearful goodbye as a character departs forever
42. A jaw-dropping act of heroism
43. A mind-bending reality shift
44. A life-altering journey through time
45. A dramatic revelation of a hidden truth
46. A thrilling escape from captivity
47. A chilling realization of a character's true nature
48. A heartwarming celebration of victory
49. A Romantic kiss in the rain
50. An explosive showdown between opposing forces
51. A bittersweet reunion
52. An epic battle sequence
53. A cliffhanger for a sequel (but you need to resolve the core story)
54. A last-minute rescue
55. A heartwarming group hug between survivors
56. An unexpected betrayal
57. The villain’s redemption
58. A joyful celebration
59. A moment of silence for those lost
60. A flash-forward to the future
61. A sudden confrontation between the hero and a character thought dead
62. A daring escape with a ticking time bomb (literal or figurative)
63. A mysterious disappearance of a character
64. An unexpected feud between characters
65. A dramatic and shocking confession
66. The world has been saved by the actions of the protagonist
67. A character's true identity is revealed
68. A chilling final line of dialogue
69. A ticking time bomb defused
70. A heart-pounding car chase
71. A heart-pounding helicopter chase
72. A heart-pounding boat chase
73. A heart-pounding foot chase
74. A heart-pounding big wheel chase between two kids from the 1980s
75. A tragic death of a beloved character
76. An unexpected twist of fate
77. An intense showdown of wits
78. A game of chance that decides the fate of characters
79. A life-changing decision after the climax of the story
80. A heroic stand against all odds
81. An emotional reunion between lovers
82. A hidden treasure discovered
83. A moral dilemma
84. An epic transformation
85. A shocking secret exposed
86. A dramatic rescue against a ticking time clock (literal or figurative)
87. A supernatural intervention
88. A heartfelt apology
89. A tense negotiation
90. A redeeming moment for a shamed character
91. A surprising confession of love
92. A shocking flashback that reveals a twist
93. The reveal of a hidden puppet master of the story’s events
94. The characters were dead the whole time
95. The characters are in purgatory
96. The characters are actually the figment of another’s imagination
97. The characters are actually the figment of a supreme being’s imagination
98. It was all a dream or nightmare—or was it?
99. The villain is actually a hero
100. The hero is actually a villain

Use any of these movie ending prompts to solve the problem of how to end your script or for inspiration as a story prompt with an exciting ending.

Read More: 7 Ways to Master the Endings of Your Screenplays

‘Thelma & Louise'

Know the Ending Before You Start Writing

Once you've got that ending locked down in your head—and before you write the script—you've cracked the code for crafting captivating beginnings and middles. Why? Because you can spend your whole writing process writing towards that ending.

You can:

• Have fun writing plants and payoffs
• Create red herrings to mislead the audience
• Inject foreshadowing
• Provide twists and turns throughout the script

For any movie buff, there's no sweeter joy than revisiting the start of a film they've just seen and realizing that the writer had a clear roadmap from the very beginning.

'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'

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Now, here's something to remember: there's no such thing as a perfect ending. Each person in that audience or reading that script brings their own baggage, likes, pet peeves, and more. So as you’re trying to figure out what type of scene to end your screenplay with, forget about the fantasy of pleasing everyone. It's a lost cause. Do what you feel is right for the story and the character. But always make sure to do your best to make a lasting impression at the same time.

Keep in mind that an ending that ticks people off has done its job. If audiences are talking about it, then they clearly care enough about the characters and story to go out of their way to complain or debate about it if they don’t like what they've seen once the credits start rolling. If they’re debating and discussing it, then you’ve done your job as a screenwriter.

Read More: How to Master the Middle of Your Screenplay

WANT MORE IDEAS? TAKE A LOOK AT OUR STORY PROMPTS!

CHECK OUT OUR PREPARATION NOTES SO YOU START YOUR STORY OFF ON THE RIGHT TRACK!

Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison for Sony Studios and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.

He has many studio meetings under his belt as a produced screenwriter, meeting with the likes of Sony, Dreamworks, Universal, Disney, Warner Brothers, as well as many production and management companies. He has had a previous development deal with Lionsgate, as well as multiple writing assignments, including the produced miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Haylie Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric La Salle, and Bruce Boxleitner, the feature thriller Hunter’s Creed, and many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @KenMovies and Instagram @KenMovies76