Movies With Happy Endings:
Movies with Happy endings are universally loved as it proves that no matter what happens, it will be alright in the end. But sometimes, Happy endings are not as happy as one wants them to be. These movies end on a seemingly happy note, but they have tragic and depressing implications in reality.
#1: Avatar (2009)
The fans were relieved at the end of Avatar when Jake managed to save Pandora from the humans, but what most people fail to realize is that Jake’s actions ultimately doomed Earth. The Earthlings were in dire need of Unobtanium, a mineral that was critical in meeting their energy needs in the 22nd Century. So by helping Na’vi, Jake possibly doomed humanity.
#2: Blade Runner (1982)
It was nice to see Deckard finally getting a shot at happiness at the end of this iconic Sci-fi movie. But in reality, the ending of Blade Runner is nothing but a tragedy. It is explicitly mentioned in the movie several times that Replicants have a short life span, and Deckard is aware of this fact. Deckard knew that his happiness was going to be short-lived as he will lose Rachael soon.
#3: E.T. the Extra-terrestrial (1982)
E.T.’s ending was a complete tearjerker, but the fans were at least satisfied with the fact that our beloved alien managed to get back to his world without any harm. But what about Elliot? He went through a lot of trauma at a young age that could cripple anyone emotionally. On top of that, he stole an alien from a government zone and set it free. The government would never let him and his family roam free.
#4: The Jungle Book (1967)
The orphaned Mowgli grew up in a jungle along with Wolves, and the only friends he knew were animals, including a bear and a panther. Returning him to civilization was the right choice, but it has a lot of negative implications. Mowgli does not have any social skills, and he has never been educated. It is highly probable that he will become a dysfunctional human being and a social outcast.
#5: Independence Day (1996)
We were overjoyed when the heroes finally defeated the aliens at the end of Independence Day, and that too in a spectacular fashion. But what about the exploding mothership’s debris that is now heading towards the ground? It’s mentioned in the sequel that dozens of Spaceships attacked Earth in 1996, the destruction must have been catastrophic. Millions of humans must have lost their lives thanks to the falling debris.
#6: Dirty Dancing (1987)
Dirty Dancing is an iconic romance movie that ends on a musical high. But the future seems really bleak for Baby and Johnny. Baby’s father believed that Johnny got her daughter pregnant, and Johnny was thought to be a thief. Johnny was even fired from his work and now Baby, a teenager, is supposed to live with an unemployed older man?
#7: Forrest Gump (1994)
Forrest Gump has a very sweet and heart-warming ending until you realize that Jenny died from AIDS (it is heavily implied in the movie) and passed it to Forrest. It gets even darker when you realize that their kid was born HIV-positive. Even if you put this possibility aside, Forrest Jr. is going to grow up without a mother and a father who has a few problems of his own.
#8: The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Little Mermaid is a memorable Disney movie that ends happily, as Ariel meets the love of her life. But the fans overlooked one critical fact. Ariel decides to leave behind all of her friends and even her family to be with a Prince she has never really interacted with, without breaking a sweat.
#9: Big (1988)
Big is a light-hearted and entertaining movie until you realize that it leaves behind a lot of traumatic consequences. Josh Baskin turns back into a 12-year-old boy at the end but what about Susan? She sees the love of her life turn into a child. Susan now has to live with the fact that she slept with a 12-year-old boy. Her career is in shambles, and we cannot even imagine the psychological toll she must have gone through.
#10: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Roy Neary’s dream of interacting with extraterrestrial life form is fulfilled at the end of this movie, and all of us were overjoyed to see him leaving Earth with the aliens. But what about his wife Ronnie and their children who will probably never see their father ever again? Roy just abandoned them and took off.
