100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings

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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

Louise, played by Susan Sarandon, and Thelma, played by Geena Davis, driving away from the police in ‘Thelma & Louise,' 100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings

‘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:

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.

Randle, played by Jack Nicholson, being hugged by "Chief,” played by Will Sampson, in 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' 100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’

—

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!

ScreenCraft Preparation Notes

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

The post 100 Prompts for Memorable Movie Endings appeared first on ScreenCraft.

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Author: Ken Miyamoto

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