It’s how you stick the landing. Everything can be magical for the first 99% of a movie, but if that last 1% doesn’t push the right buttons, it can derail the entire thing.

Below I have composed a list of some of my favorite final movie lines from movies that I have seen officially on my list. They range from classic films, too obscure, too underrated, and to unheard of. Maybe this list will shine some light on new movies readers haven’t seen before, and if that is the case, that’d be awesome.

I was inspired by a tweet a long time ago to make this blog and list, and I have finally done so. So enjoy it, and please comment or let me know what movies I should definitely have included.


King Kong (1933)

“The airplanes got him.”

“Oh, no. It wasn’t the airplanes. It was beauty killed the beast.”

Carl Denham talking with the police lieutenant

The Maltese Falcon (1941)

“The stuff that dreams are made of.”

Sam Spade summing up what the Maltese Falcon is to many.

Casablanca (1942)

“Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Rick talking to Louie at the tarmac.

Sunset Blvd. (1950)

“And I promise you I’ll never desert you again because after ‘Salome’ we’ll make another picture and another picture. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, and the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!… All right, Mr. DeMille, I’m ready for my close-up.”

Norma Desmond In Her Climax Delusional State

Psycho (1960)

“It’s sad, when a mother has to speak the words that condemn her own son. But I couldn’t allow them to believe that I would commit murder. They’ll put him away now, as I should have years ago. He was always bad, and in the end he intended to tell them I killed those girls and that man… as if I could do anything but just sit and stare, like one of his stuffed birds. They know I can’t move a finger, and I won’t. I’ll just sit here and be quiet, just in case they do… suspect me. They’re probably watching me. Well, let them. Let them see what kind of a person I am. I’m not even going to swat that fly. I hope they are watching… they’ll see. They’ll see and they’ll know, and they’ll say, “Why, she wouldn’t even harm a fly…”

The final voiceover for Norman Bates

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

After that my guess is that you will never hear from him again. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that… he is gone.

Dr. Strangelove learning to walk before the world blows up

Planet Of The Apes (1968)

“Oh my God. I’m back. I’m home. All the time, it was… We finally really did it.”

[Screaming]

“You Maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God damn you all to hell!”

George Taylor realizing the desperation of his situation

Chinatown (1974)

“Forget it, Jake. It’s Chinatown.”

Walsh escorting Jake out of the depressing final scene

Alien (1979)

“Final report of the commercial starship Nostromo, third officer reporting. The other members of the crew – Kane, Lambert, Parker, Brett, Ash, and Captain Dallas – are dead. Cargo and ship destroyed. I should reach the frontier in about six weeks. With a little luck, the network will pick me up. This is Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing off.

Come on, cat.”

Ripley final sign off

The Thing (1982)

“Why don’t we just… wait here for a little while… see what happens?”

MacReady talking with Childs

Back To The Future (1985)

“Roads? Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.”

Dr. Emmett Brown ending a summer blockbuster in style

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

Cue the music. Cue the teenage taste for freedom.

Silence Of The Lambs (1992)

“I’m having an old friend for dinner.”

Hannibal talking with Clarice and being delicately honest.

The Usual Suspect (1995)

“After that my guess is that you will never hear from him again. The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist. And like that… he is gone.”

Verbal at the end after the massive plot twist

Good Will Hunting (1997)

“Son of a bitch. He stole my line.”

Sean respecting Will’s move

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

“I do love you and you know there is something very important we need to do as soon as possible.”

“What’s that?

“Fuck.”

Alice talking with Bill while shopping with their child

Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

“I’m Back.”

Sam wrapping up the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Indeed back again.

Saw (2004)

“Game over.”

Jigsaw plot twist

Casino Royale (2006)

“The name is Bond. James Bond.”

The classic line gets directed at Mr. White

The Dark Knight (2008)

“Because he’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight.”

James Gordon explaining to his son the importance of what Batman was doing

Inglorious Basterds (2009)

:You know somethin’, Utivich? I think this just might be my masterpiece!”

Lt. Aldo Raine speaking on behalf of Tarantino after engraving Hans Landa

Toy Story 3 (2010)

“So long, partner.”

Woody saying goodbye to Andy

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower (2012)

“I don’t know if I will have the time to write any more letters because I might be too busy trying to participate. So if this does end up being the last letter, I just want you to know that I was in a bad place before I started high school, and you helped me. Even if you didn’t know what I was talking about or know someone who’s gone through it, you made me not feel alone. Because I know there are people who say all these things don’t happen. And there are people who forget what it’s like to be 16 when they turn 17. I know these will all be stories someday. And our pictures will become old photographs. We’ll all become somebody’s mom or dad. But right now these moments are not stories. This is happening. I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you’re not a sad story. You are alive, and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. And you’re listening to that song and that drive with the people you love most in this world. And in this moment I swear, we are infinite.”

Charlie’s Last Letter

BONUS ROUND – MID-CREDIT SCENE
What Happens In Vegas (2008)

“Why?”

“You know why.”

Tipper punching Mason in the dick during a quick post credit scene.

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