Maybe the concept of a contented horror film ending must be graded on a curve, however that does not imply it is inconceivable. There are horror motion pictures on the market that select to finish on uplifting notes, even when the characters have been by way of hell to get there. Different scary motion pictures in some way handle to depart a personality higher off than they had been at first of the story.
A “comfortable” horror film ending does not imply every little thing is ideal, however there’s a lot for a personality to be glad about by the point the credit roll. For a few of these motion pictures, it means somebody will get out of a foul relationship. For others, it means two characters discover the suitable relationship amidst all of the horror. For one film on this record, happiness is surviving in a franchise the place nobody ever survives. In the case of horror, happiness is relative.
Listed here are 10 horror film characters who got here as near a contented ending as attainable after enduring a horror film.
10
Ichabod Crane
‘Sleepy Hole’ (1999)
Primarily based on the basic Washington Irving story, Sleepy Hole is a quintessential Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands) film of the Nineteen Nineties. Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean) stars as police constable Ichabod Crane who, in 1799, is dispatched to the village of Sleepy Hole. There have been just a few suspicious murders within the village, with every sufferer lacking a head.
A Spouse and Child within the Huge Metropolis
Whereas Ichabod’s destiny is considerably ambiguous in Irving’s unique story, he makes out fairly properly on the finish of this movie. He returns to New York Metropolis on the finish with Katrina (Christina Ricci) and younger Masbath (Marc Pickering) by his aspect. Presumably, he and Katrina at the moment are married and Masbath is now his manservant/ward (this half is much less clear). He solved the thriller in Sleepy Hole, banished the headless horseman, and reconnected emotionally with the reminiscence of his mom. So far as film endings go, Ichabod just about will get all of it.
9
Kimberly Corman and Officer Thomas Burke
‘Ultimate Vacation spot 2’ (2003)
Ultimate Vacation spot 2
- Launch Date
-
January 31, 2003
- Runtime
-
90 Minutes
-
A.J. Cook dinner
Kimberly Corman
-
-
Michael Landes
Thomas Burke
-
Terrence T.C. Carson
Eugene Dix
Ultimate Vacation spot 2 is a sequel that manages to place a brand new spin on the unique premise. When Alex Browning (Devon Sawa) saved his classmates within the first film, it despatched into movement a collection of occasions that in the end prevented individuals who ought to have died in different incidents from assembly their meant destiny. In consequence, Loss of life is coming for the characters in Ultimate Vacation spot 2 to revive order to Loss of life’s design. There at the moment are six motion pictures within the Ultimate Vacation spot franchise, however this film does the unthinkable: it lets two of the characters cheat loss of life for good.
Sole Survivors
On the finish of Ultimate Vacation spot 2, Kimberly Corman (A. J. Cook dinner) realizes that the one option to actually cheat loss of life is to die after which be resuscitated, thus fulfilling her destiny earlier than escaping it. She drives an ambulance right into a lake and when she is pulled out and revived, it breaks the cycle. This enables Kimberly and Officer Thomas Burke (Michael Landes), the opposite remaining survivor from the freeway accident, to dwell. Whereas Kimberly has watched shut associates die, this ending is taken into account to be the happiest in the entire franchise. Primarily based on that curve, Kimberly and Thomas positively deserve a slot on this record.
Associated
6 Most Spectacular Horror Performances of 2025 (So Far)
The yr is simply midway over, however now we have already seen many unimaginable performances in horror motion pictures.
8
Florence Dempsey
‘Thriller of the Wax Museum’ (1933)
Thriller of the Wax Museum
- Launch Date
-
February 18, 1933
- Runtime
-
77 minutes
- Director
-
Michael Curtiz
- Writers
-
Carl Erickson
- Producers
-
Hal B. Wallis
Forged
-
Glenda Farrell
Florence Dempsey
-
-
Allen Vincent
Ralph Burton
-
Fay Wray
Charlotte Duncan
Whereas audiences may be extra aware of the 1953 Home of Wax starring Vincent Value, Thriller of the Wax Museum is the unique Technicolor wax museum horror film and a pre-code Hollywood delight. Lionel Atwill (To Be or To not Be) stars as a sculptor decided to rebuild his sabotaged wax museum…even when it means utilizing actual human our bodies to make the figures look extra practical. The film is directed by Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) and encompasses a pre-King Kong Fay Wray.
This Girl Has It All
On the heart of the movie is Florence Dempsey (Glenda Farrell), a sharp-witted reporter who begins to piece collectively the connection between Atwill’s character and a current string of murders throughout New York Metropolis. She’s impartial and fast-talking — the quintessential pre-code feminine reporter. On the finish of the film, Florence cracks the case and turns her story in to the newspaper. She has a wealthy bachelor ready to take her anyplace she needs to go, however as an alternative decides to marry her editor. You may anticipate one thing much less standard than marriage on the finish of a pre-code horror film, however the truth that Florence has choices, company, and happiness on the finish of this film isn’t any small feat.
7
The Previous Man’s Spouse
‘Evening of the Demons’ (1988)
Directed by Kevin S. Tenney (Witchboard), Evening of the Demons follows a gaggle of associates who throw a celebration inside an outdated funeral parlor on Halloween evening. The enjoyable involves a halt, nonetheless, when many of the party-goers are possessed by a demon. Judy (Cathy Podewell) and Rodger (Alvin Alexis) are the survivors on the finish of Evening of the Demons, however that survival has its value. They have been by way of hell and have watched all of their possessed associates die within the course of. They’re fortunate, in fact, however not comfortable. So who will get the comfortable ending in Evening of the Demons?
A Shock Scene-Stealer
Firstly of the film, there’s a grumpy character billed as Previous Man (Harold Ayer). He is purchased razor blades and apples and says the children on the town will “get what they deserve.” He returns on the finish of the movie, when Judy and Rodger run by his home throughout their escape. The Previous Man sneers at them, then goes inside to get pleasure from a bit of his spouse’s home made pie. Sadly for the Previous Man, his spouse made the pie utilizing his razor blade apples and the blades reduce by way of his throat, killing him. He isn’t comfortable…however who’s comfortable? The Previous Man’s Spouse, performed briefly by Marie Denn (Bury Me an Angel). She walks into the room, kisses her useless husband’s head, and says “Glad Halloween, pricey.” Technically, it is homicide, however the look on the lady’s face proper earlier than these credit roll is one in every of excellent contentment.
6
The Perron Household
‘The Conjuring’ (2013)
The Conjuring
- Launch Date
-
July 19, 2013
- Runtime
-
112 minutes
- Writers
-
Chad Hayes, Carey W. Hayes
- Sequel(s)
-
The Conjuring 2, The Conjuring 3
Directed by James Wan, The Conjuring is loosely based mostly on the true story of the Perron household. Within the Nineteen Seventies, the Perron household strikes right into a farmhouse in Rhode Island and shortly uncover that the place is haunted. They name in supernatural investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for assist, performed by Patrick Wilson (Insidious) and Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel) within the movie. Carolyn and Roger Perron are performed by Lili Taylor (Six Ft Below) and Ron Livingston (Loudermilk), with Shanley Caswell (Energy Ebook III: Elevating Kanan), Hayley McFarland (Misinform Me), Joey King (A Household Affair), Mackenzie Foy (Interstellar), and Kyla Deaver (Earlier than I Wake) taking part in their 5 daughters.
A Heartwarming Horror Film
The Conjuring is a type of uncommon horror motion pictures that’s crammed with dread and jump-scares, however nobody truly dies. Carolyn does get possessed, however Ed and Lorraine save her. The Perron household stays in the home and every little thing seems okay. The Warrens take the haunted music field to their assortment of cursed artifacts and the Perrons transfer on with their lives. It is fairly heartwarming, particularly when you think about the truth that this is identical director who made Noticed and Malignant.
5
Chris Washington
‘Get Out’ (2017)
Get Out
- Launch Date
-
February 24, 2017
- Runtime
-
1 hour, 44 minutes
Get Out is a up to date basic written and directed by Joedan Peele (Us). Daniel Kaluuya (Nope) stars as Chris Washington, a younger Black photographer who goes to spend the weekend along with his white girlfriend’s household. He expects assembly his girlfriend’s dad and mom can be awkward, however he doesn’t anticipate the horrible fact: that the white, privileged Armitage household is kidnapping Black folks and changing their consciousness with these of ailing white individuals who need to be younger once more. Chris has just a few shut calls and has to kill some folks so as to survive, however the ending to this grim horror film is surprisingly optimistic.
A Pal You Can Rely On
In the long run, Chris cannot convey himself to kill his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), although she lured him to her household, understanding precisely what would occur to him. A automotive with flashing lights arrives and dread sinks within the viewer’s intestine. You assume it is the police and that they’re about to consider Rose’s lies that Chris is the villain. Alas, the automotive doesn’t belong to the police. It belongs to Chris’s good friend Rod (Lil Rel Howery), who works for TSA and has been fearful about Chris the entire time. Rod picks up Chris and the 2 drive away. Initially, Peele had deliberate for the police to point out up and for Chris to go to jail. It was in the end decided, nonetheless, that this ending was too darkish, and so he determined to have Rod rescue Chris on the finish, as an alternative. The viewers nonetheless has that second of terror, considering the police have discovered Chris, then aid once they notice what is definitely taking place.
Associated
10 Should-Watch Horror Motion pictures That Flip 25 This Yr
Let’s revisit a few of the greatest horror motion pictures that flip 25 in 2025.
4
Grace
‘Prepared or Not’ (2019)
Prepared or Not
- Launch Date
-
August 21, 2019
- Runtime
-
95 minutes
Prepared or Not is a comedic horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (co-directors of Abigail) with a screenplay by Man Busick (Ultimate Vacation spot: Bloodlines) and R. Christopher Murphy (Fortress Rock). Grace (Samara Weaving) and Alex (Mark O’Brien) have simply gotten married, and it is alleged to be the happiest day of their lives. However on the finish of the day, Grace sits right down to play a sport together with her new in-laws and learns that the Le Domas household has a darkish custom: the household is cursed and should sacrifice the brand new bride so as to proceed dwelling and prospering.
She Can Do Approach Higher
Grace’s life is turned the wrong way up. The particular person she trusted most on this world betrays her. She has to struggle for her life. It is a worst-case situation and but… Grace makes it to the following morning. She beats the curse and the Le Domas’s all explode (sure, that is proper, explode). When Grace walks out of that burning home, coated in blood, and sits on the entrance steps to smoke a cigarette…each girl who has ever lived pertains to her at this second. She has been by way of hell, however she has survived and is actually higher off. When push got here to shove, her husband selected his household over her and that’s one thing she is best off understanding up entrance than studying it approach down the road.
3
Cecilia Kaas
‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)
Primarily based on the 1897 novel by H.G. Wells, The Invisible Man is a science fiction horror film written and directed by Noticed scribe Leigh Whannell. Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) suspects one thing is amiss when she is informed that her abusive ex-boyfriend, Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), has died. She’s confirmed right by way of a collection of unusual occasions which in the end reveal that Adrian shouldn’t be solely alive, however has invented an invisibility swimsuit that he’s now utilizing to torment Cecilia.
A New Starting
Cecilia most likely has essentially the most traumatic arc on this record. Adrian is ruthless in his pursuit of her, going as far as to homicide Cecilia’s sister after which body her for the crime. In the long run, Adrian will get his personal brother to take the autumn and walks away a free man. Cecilia meets with him, saying she is prepared to renew their relationship if he admits he’s the one who killed her sister. Adrian refuses and Cecilia excuses herself to the toilet. Throughout this time, safety footage captures Adrian slitting his personal throat. It seems, Cecelia stole an additional invisibility swimsuit and used it to kill him. It may be the darkest ending on this record, however Cecelia is secure and free. She will transfer on together with her life with out trying over her shoulder anymore.
2
Josh Johnson
‘Worry Road: Half Three – 1666’ (2021)
Worry Road: Half Three – 1666
- Launch Date
-
July 16, 2021
- Runtime
-
115 minutes
- Director
-
Leigh Janiak
-
Kiana Madeira
Sarah Fier / Deena
-
Benjamin Flores Jr.
Henry / Josh
-
Olivia Scott Welch
Hannah Miller / Samantha Fraser
-
Ashley Zukerman
Solomon Goode / Nick Goode
The Worry Road movie trilogy is predicated on the favored R. L. Stine guide collection, directed and tailored for the display by Leigh Janiak (Honeymoon). Kiana Madeira (Trinkets) stars as Deena Johnson, a youngster in 1994 who is decided to save lots of her ex-girlfriend, Sam (Olivia Scott Welch) from their city’s supernatural curse. Half One is about in 1994 and Half Two is about in 1978. Half Three goes all the best way again to 1666 and divulges how the curse began, who’s accountable, and what Deena and her associates should do within the current to cease it from taking extra lives.
The Finest Little Brother Round
Technically, Deena and Sam find yourself collectively, which is a contented ending, however in addition they undergo essentially the most over the course of the three movies. Sam dies briefly. Deena will get stabbed and loses her two closest associates. Of all of the survivors on the finish of the Worry Road trilogy, it’s Deena’s youthful brother, Josh, whose life appears to actually enhance on the finish. He is extra social, extra assured, and extra thoughtful to his massive sister. He experiences a ton of progress and appears to be thriving by the tip of the trilogy.
1
Ally and Jay
‘Coronary heart Eyes’ (2025)
Coronary heart Eyes
- Launch Date
-
February 7, 2025
- Director
-
Josh Ruben
By Hollywood requirements, Coronary heart Eyes is the happiest ending you will get. The film trade loves a love story. Coronary heart Eyes is a romantic comedy horror mashup directed by comic Josh Ruben. Olivia Holt (Completely Killer) and Mason Gooding (Scream VI) star as Ally McCabe and Jay Simmonds, new coworkers whose evening takes a lethal flip when the “Coronary heart Eyes” serial killer, who targets {couples} on Valentine’s Day, errors them for girlfriend and boyfriend.
Fortunately Ever After
Ally and Jay fall in love whereas preventing off the killer, in the end unmasking and defeating the pair behind the crimes. There may be rather a lot of collateral injury, however the film does not actually dwell on that half. Ally and Jay begin relationship, Ally’s faltering profession takes off, and the film closes with the 2 getting engaged. There’s even a mid-credits fakeout made to trick the viewers into considering the killer is again. Ally’s cellphone rings and the viewers is not certain what to anticipate, however in the end it’s simply Ally’s good friend Monica (Gigi Zumbado), who was hiding to take photos of the proposal. Ally and Jay have their lives, their careers, and one another. It is arduous to discover a horror film that is this beneficiant to its predominant characters.