The greatest ending ever?

[polkablues]

Probably my all time favorite ending for any movie is 8 1/2.

THIS.

[Alexandro]

Limbo

John Sayles?

that was a terrific ending.

[Pubrick]

Grave of the fireflies

Fave von trier ending - breaking the waves
Fave woodsy Allen ending -  Manhattan   (it's like magnolia + pdl)
Fave Scorsese ending - age of innocence

Roy Andersson does incredible endings.

[©brad]

Fave von trier ending - breaking the waves

This one wins for me.

[modage]

FilmCrit Hulk has a good article on this called The Ending Is The Conceit mostly about (the totally underrated) "Super" but also discussing "transformative endings," a PTA specialty.

FOR REFERENCE, THE LIST OF OTHER MOVIES THAT INCLUDE THESE SORTS OF TRANSFORMATIVE ENDINGS INCLUDE THE ALTERCATION WITH KAY/CLOSING DOOR OF THE GODFATHER, THE ZIPPING OF THE BAG IN ALL THAT JAZZ, THE “HAIL SATAN!” OF ROSEMARY’S BABY, THE SEAT-BELT SIGN IN SAY ANYTHING, THE WALK ACROSS THE POND IN BEING THERE, THE LAST FEW MINUTES OF FIGHT CLUB (“YOU’VE MET ME AT A VERY STRANGE TIME IN MY LIFE”), AND THE ENTIRETY OF PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON’S WORK (THINK ABOUT IT: HIDING THE BLOOD ON THE CUFF, “YOU’RE A STAR,” THE HINT OF A SMILE, A HUG FROM BEHIND, AND LASTLY, “I’M FINISHED.” PTA IS THE MASTER OF THE SMALL GESTURE).

http://filmcrithulk.wordpress.com/tag/the-ending-is-the-conceit/

[Sleepless]

25th Hour

The first ending that made me cry in the cinema.

[pete]

I like movies that seem to have resolved itself but then come at you with a surprise. obviously 6th sense is the clearest to mind, but I like the ones that are more emotional - like Eat Drink Man Woman, Raising Arizona, and In America.

[Just Withnail]

withnail

[72teeth]

and How to Get Ahead in Advertising!

[Ostrich Riding Cowboy]

Wet Hot American Summer i.e. "No, we said nine so we could be here by nine thirty."

[pete]

crimes and misdemeanors

the first time i cried at one is in dead poets society

[samsong]

all bresson
nights of cabiria
city lights
the new world, days of heaven
l'eclisse, l'avventura, blowup
stroszek
beau travail
sunset boulevard
barton fink
written on the wind, imitation of life
late spring
ghost world
taste of cherry
before sunset