10 Original Endings That Would Have Ruined Famous Movies

6. E.T. The Extra Terrestrial - Screw Magic, Give Us Closure

The Actual Ending:

E.T. has escaped capture - and certain torture/experimentation - from the US government, and is finally going to be able to return home. As his spaceship descends from the heavens, E.T. says his goodbyes to Elliot and his family.

With tears in his eyes, Elliot hugs his new best friend tightly. E.T. assures him, with the use of his glowing finger, that he'll always be with him in his heart. As the triumphant music swells, the Reese's Pieces eating extraterrestrial boards the ship and streaks across the sky.

It's a pitch-perfect ending that encapsulates all the magic and wonder of the previous two hours.

The Ending We Almost Got:

Do you hate enchantment and the sense of wonder that comes with the somewhat uncertain ending mentioned above? Do you prefer things have a firm - if a bit meaningless - resolve? Then this alternate ending is for you!

Rather than leave us with the image of Elliot staring wistfully in the stars, the film tacks on this esoteric monologue:

"We come in peace. We've been on this journey for many days. We are adventurers, searching for experience, and if we don't got any, we aren't going to be able to survive in this world. Goodbye E.T."

Then it cuts abruptly to he and his brothers boisterously playing a game of Dungeons & Dragons. Because Elliot has moved on from his alien friend weirdly quickly.