12 Movies With Way Happier Endings Than You'd Ever Expect

5. The Martian

The Martian is a delightfully fun and moving film with some genuine moments of tension as we watch Matt Damon survive the perils of isolation on Mars.

The film's multiple characters (on Earth, deep-space and Mars) are all worthy of rooting for, and given that the film is a survival and rescue mission, it's a real concern that not everyone will make it out alive.

Of course, Matt Damon's character is the central figure that needs rescuing- so a part of our brain tells us that he'll survive no matter what. But the rescue party lead by Jessica Chastain dance on the edge of a pin throughout the rescue and at multiple moments, it looks like one of the characters won't make it back to Earth.

But alas! Everyone lives! It's a legitimately happy ending as not only does everyone get back safely, but the closing credits (coupled with Love Train by The O'Jays) show the rescuing astronauts and NASA employees celebrating a happy future.

For a film as tense (and at times a little morbid) as this, it would be understandable to suggest the ending might be bittersweet. Thankfully, that's not the case, and The Martian is a feel-good romp of a film.