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Generally speaking, horror movies rarely ever have something that could be considered a happy ending. Either all or most of the characters die, and even when that isn't the case, the protagonist usually has to sacrifice a lot to survive, leaving their victory feeling bitter. Alternatively, a fate worse than death awaits them. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Some horror movies manage to create mostly positive, one could even say wholesome endings, in which the characters not only live but also become happier or better people. This may be because they have learned something important about themselves, overcome their dark past, or just strong relationships with others. For those who want horror films with a dash of hope at the end this Halloween, here are a few movies to choose from.
8 Aliens (1986)
Even though the sci-fi movie Aliens sees multiple characters die, its ending is surprisingly positive. The main heroine, Sigourney Weaver's Ripley, not only manages to survive and defeat the Alien queen, but she also protects the little girl Newt, who, in a way, becomes her adoptive daughter over the course of the film.
In the beginning, Ripley lacks connections to others since nearly everyone she knows is dead. But by the end, she not only has Newt by her side, but also the soldier Hicks (Michael Biehn). Being lonely isn't easy even for action heroines, so it's satisfying to see Ripley find a new family despite her trials.
7 The Sixth Sense (1999)
The ending of The Sixth Sense and Bruce Willis' fate has since become iconic. The final twist that made the film a classic might seem tragic, but the film ultimately has a heartwarming ending. Its main hero isn't really Bruce Willis's Malcolm, but Haley Joel Osment's Cole instead.
When the movie starts, Cole is a tortured child pursued by ghosts and constantly living in fear. By the end, Cole has come to terms with his powers thanks to Malcolm's assistance. He no longer fears ghosts, and is prepared to help those who need it instead. What's more, his mom learns about his powers and believes him, finally bridging the distance between them.
6 Let The Right One In (2008)
Somewhat happy endings are hard to come by in vampire films, but this one manages it. Just like Cole from The Sixth Sense, the main hero Oscar is originally an outsider with no friends. That is, until he meets Ellie, a mysterious girl who turns out to be a vampire.
Move a few deaths forward, and Oscar and Ellie are prepared to start a new life together. At one point, Ellie kills the boys who torment Oscar, and he, in return, promises to stay with her. The film puts a lot of emphasis on their friendship, so even though Ellie is a vampire and she has to hurt others to live, she and Oscar still support each other.
5 Priest (2011)
Paul Bettany stars as the titular priest in this underrated film, which moves from a dark vampire horror to a somewhat optimistic ending. When the film ends, the heroes know the worst fight still awaits them, but they rejoice at the fact they survived.
The main characters also uncover the secrets that have burdened them for many years, such as the fact Bettany's priest has a child. When the time comes to continue with their lives, they're more free and open than before. Plus, Lily Collins' heroine reunites with her love, another optimistic aspect of this movie's ending.
4 The Final Girls (2015)
One of the best ways to turn the tables when fighting a killer in a horror movie, is for the characters to realize they're in a horror movie. In The Final Girls, group of friends is transported into a horror movie and has to face a serial killer.
Even though most of them die, they manage to defeat the killer in the end — only for the characters to come back (including the dead ones) and realize they're now in a sequel. Despite the somewhat open ending, it's still a positive one. Not only do the characters live, but Taissa Farmiga's Max manages to reunite with her mom in the film.
3 Get Out (2017)
It's always satisfying to see evildoers punished for their actions in a film — and that rarely happens in the horror genre. In Get Out, Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya, manages to get his revenge on his girlfriend and her family who wanted to steal his body.
What's more, his best friend, the policeman Rod, arrives to help Chris and drives him to safety, proving that the strength of friendship is sometimes enough to overcome any challenges. The film's ending is even more positive thanks to the fact Chris doesn't go to prison for defending himself against those who had tried to kill him. It feels like justice, as they had their deaths coming.
2 Happy Death Day (2017)
Horror comedies often offer positive endings, since they combine the usually dramatic horror genre with something lighter. Happy Death Day is a good example of this dichotomy. Its heroine, Tree, is an awful person when the film starts, and she treats people around her like trash.
But when she's caught in a time loop that always ends with her murder, Tree gradually transforms into a kinder person who even manages to find her way back to her dad. By the end of the film, she's not only found and defeated her murderer, but also became a better person. She's even built a meaningful relationship with a boy who likes her. It's impressive, considering who she used to be.
1 Ready Or Not (2019)
Meeting someone's in-laws for the first time is never easy, let alone when they made a pact with the devil and are now trying to kill you. In Ready Or Not, Samara Weaving's Grace manages to survive through the night hunted by her husband's family.
Grace gets her satisfying ending when the people who tried to murder her multiple times, including her traitorous husband, blow up in her face — literally. This dark comedy is the best definition of "wholesome ending," even though there's nothing clean about all the blood.