We asked AI to reimagine these sad movie endings, and they’re absolutely perfect

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You know that moment, right? You’re watching a heart-wrenching movie, and when it ends on a tragic note, it straight up morphs you into an emotional crying wreck. It kinda feels like the universe just conspired to make your day a bit gloomier, doesn’t it?

But hey, we humans are a resilient bunch. We have this quirky habit of conjuring up happy alternate endings in our minds, because let’s face it, we’re suckers for a good happy ending. It’s almost like a reflex, this desire to see things wrap up nicely with a big joyful bow.

So, we thought, “Hey, since we humans sometimes struggle to craft those joyous finales, why not let an AI give it a whirl?” Because, why not, right? So here what it came up with

Note: No issues required here

Image Credit: IMDB.

1. ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994)

Original Ending: Jenny dies from an unspecified illness, presumably HIV/AIDS, leaving Forrest to raise their son alone.

Reimagined Ending: Jenny overcomes her illness, undergoing successful treatment which was funded by Forrest’s shrimp business fortune. They marry and raise their son together, nurturing him with equal amounts of love and wisdom from both parents. Jenny and Forrest open a community center together where they help many others find their way in life.

Image Credit: IMDb.

2. ‘A Star is Born’ (2018)

Original Ending: Jack commits suicide by hanging, unable to bear the burden of his failing career and feeling he is dragging Ally’s career down with him.

Reimagined Ending: Jack decides to fight his demons, going to rehab and working hard to get his life back on track. He starts supporting Ally in her rising career, using his experience in the industry to guide her towards a successful and fulfilling career without losing herself in the fame game.

Image Credit: IMDb.

3. ‘La La Land’ (2016)

Original Ending: Mia and Sebastian do not end up together, pursuing their respective dreams instead. They have a melancholy encounter at Sebastian’s jazz club years later.

Reimagined Ending: After pursuing their individual dreams, Mia and Sebastian realize what they have lost and decide to reunite. They find a way to balance their relationship with their careers, showing that it is indeed possible to “have it all”, with the right amount of love and compromise.

Image Credit: IMDb.

4.’The Boy in the Striped Pajamas’ (2008)

Original Ending: Both Bruno and Shmuel die in the gas chamber, a horrifying and tragic culmination of a friendship formed in the most unlikely of places. 

Reimagined Ending: Bruno helps Shmuel escape from the concentration camp, and they both flee to safety. They grow up as best friends in a tolerant and accepting community, becoming lifelong symbols of friendship transcending barriers of race, religion, and war.

Image Credit: IMDB.

5. ‘Titanic’ (1997)


Original Ending:
Jack dies of hypothermia in the freezing waters, and Rose survives, carrying his memory with her throughout her life. 

Reimagined Ending: Jack finds a floating door big enough for both of them. They hold onto each other until rescue arrives. Miraculously rescued by the Carpathia, Jack and Rose start their life anew in America, free from the shackles of societal expectations. They marry and settle down in a humble but cozy home, where their love blossoms unfettered. Using their survival story as a beacon of hope and resilience, they become advocates for safety reforms in maritime voyages.

Image Credit: IMDB.

6. ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)

Original Ending:  The animated war film, which is considered one of the saddest movies ever made, tells the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko, trying to survive in Japan during World War II. Their tale is gut-wrenchingly tragic, as we witness them losing their home and their family, struggling immensely with poverty and starvation, which eventually leads to Setsuko’s death due to malnutrition. A broken Seita soon follows, dying alone in a train station.

Reimagined Ending: After the bombing which made them homeless, Seita and Setsuko are taken in by a compassionate village community. The villagers, though grappling with their own struggles, come together to support the stranded siblings, providing them with food, shelter, and affection.

Seita proves to be resourceful, helping the villagers with various tasks, while Setsuko’s innocent charm brings smiles and lightness in those heavy times. As they grow, their bond with the villagers blossoms into a beautiful extended family. With the community’s support, Seita and Setsuko go on to receive education, providing them with the tools to build a bright future.

As the war ends, the siblings dedicate themselves to rebuilding their country, turning the scars of war into symbols of hope and renewal. As adults, Seita becomes an advocate for peace and diplomacy, using his traumatic experiences to promote unity and understanding, while Setsuko becomes a teacher, nurturing young minds to build a world where the horrors of war are stories of the past, not the present. The movie ends with a serene scene of the rebuilt village, a testimony to human resilience and the power of community and unity.

Image Credit: IMDB.

7. ‘Million Dollar Baby’ (2004)

Original Ending: After becoming a quadriplegic, Maggie asks Frankie to help her die, which he does.

Reimagined Ending: In our revised ending, Maggie’s indomitable spirit pulls her through the devastating injury. With Frankie’s unwavering support, she transitions into a new chapter of her life. Instead of leaving the sport she loves, Maggie becomes a coach, sharing her knowledge, passion, and resilience with a new generation of aspiring boxers.

The movie portrays her journey towards healing, showcasing her spirit and resilience, which inspires everyone around her. Maggie uses her experience to advocate for fair play and safety in the sport, ensuring that what happened to her doesn’t happen to others. Her advocacy changes the landscape of the sport, making it safer and more inclusive.

Frankie and Maggie’s bond grows even stronger, as they become a legendary coaching duo, fostering talents and creating champions who are not only great at their sport but also embody the true spirit of resilience and sportsmanship. The film closes with Maggie, in her wheelchair, ringside, coaching a young and vibrant female boxer, proving that sometimes, life can throw punches, but it’s how we come back that defines us.

Image Credit: IMDb.

8. ‘The Green Mile’ (1999)

Original Ending: In this emotionally charged narrative, John Coffey, a man with supernatural healing abilities but wrongly accused of child murder and rape, is executed in the electric chair. His tragic end leaves the viewers heartbroken, seeing the death of a gentle giant who possessed the rare ability to heal others.

Reimagined Ending: In our reimagined version, Paul Edgecomb, the head guard of the prison, realizes the extent of Coffey’s gifts and orchestrates a secret plan to prove his innocence. With the help of other guards, they uncover the real culprit behind the crimes. Coffey is exonerated, and with his newfound freedom, he starts a healing sanctuary, bringing hope and miracles to people from all walks of life, showcasing the beauty of humanity and redemption.

Image Credit: IMDB.

9. ‘Requiem for a Dream’ (2000)

Original Ending: The movie spirals down into a pit of despair as each character falls victim to addiction in various forms, leading them to face devastating consequences including incarceration, hospitalization, and personal ruin. The bleak ending leaves audiences in a state of shock and desolation.

Reimagined Ending: In our alternate universe, each character finds the strength to overcome their respective addictions before hitting rock bottom. Through sheer willpower and mutual support, they reclaim control over their lives, leading to a series of scenes depicting reconciliation, recovery, and hope. They form a support group in their community, assisting others in their battles against addiction, turning their lives around and helping others to find the light amidst the darkness.

Image Credit: IMDb.

10. ‘My Girl’ (1991)


Original Ending:
In the original ending, we witness the tragic death of Thomas J., a young boy who dies from an allergic reaction to bee stings, leaving his best friend Vada heartbroken and struggling to come to terms with death at such a tender age.

Reimagined Ending: As Thomas J. encounters the swarm of bees, a gust of wind miraculously sweeps through, scattering the bees and giving him a chance to escape. He manages to get away with only a few stings. Meanwhile, Vada, who has been worried sick, reaches the spot with help just in time to administer his medication, saving him from a severe allergic reaction.

Later on, we see a scene where the two friends, accompanied by Vada’s father and his new fiancée, plant new flowers in their favorite spot, signifying new beginnings and the blossoming of friendships and family bonds. 

Image Credit: IMDb.

11. ‘Old Yeller’ (1957)

Original Ending: In this heart-wrenching classic, the brave and loyal dog Old Yeller is infected with rabies while protecting his family from a rabid wolf. In the end, Travis, the young protagonist, has to make the gut-wrenching decision to shoot Old Yeller to prevent the spread of the disease and the potential threat to his family.

Reimagined Ending: After the battle with the rabid wolf, the family is desperate to find a way to save Old Yeller, who is initially showing signs of rabies. As a last attempt, Travis and his family consult a wandering veterinarian who has a serum that can cure rabies, a novel invention at that time.

After a tense few days, the serum shows signs of working, and Old Yeller begins to recover, much to the family’s relief. In this ending, the family and the community come together to celebrate the miraculous recovery of Old Yeller. The tale then spreads far and wide, and Old Yeller becomes a beacon of hope and a symbol of loyalty and resilience. The community bonds stronger, valuing the importance of looking out for each other, and Old Yeller gets to enjoy many more years as a beloved member of the family, embodying the spirit of love, protection, and loyalty.

This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.

Image Credit: IMDB.

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Alex Andonovska

Alex Andonovska is a staff writer at Cheapism and MediaFeed, based in Porto, Portugal. With 12 years of writing and editing at places like TheVintageNews.com, she’s your go-to for all things travel, food, and lifestyle. Alex specializes in turning “shower thoughts” into well-researched articles and sharing fun facts that are mostly useless but sure to bring a smile to your face. When she's not working, you'll find her exploring second-hand shops, antique stores, and flea markets.