20 Most Satisfying Movie Moments

17. The Whisper - Lost In Translation (2003)

Sofia Coppola's Oscar-winning romantic drama tells the simple story of two lonely souls who meet in Tokyo and form an unlikely relationship - aging movie star Bob Harris, played to perfection by the one and only Bill Murray, and Charlotte, played by Scarlett Johansson in one of her earliest roles. The Japanese setting proves to be perfect for our lost characters to get to know one another, but the movie seems to come to a quick climax when Bob has to leave to go home.

The goodbye that Bob and Charlotte originally share is too brief to satisfy, but Coppola grants them a final moment when Bob spots his kindred spirit in the street outside on the way to the airport. Bob gets out of his car, walks over to Charlotte, and whispers something inaudible into her ear. The fact that we never get to hear what he says doesn't matter - it's their moment. Though it's vague, given the scenario it feels entirely satisfying to know that these wonderful characters got to share a proper goodbye before the credits roll.

16. Aragorn Beheads Lurtz - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Peter Jackson's wonderful fantasy adventure The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring concerns the adventures of nine companions - four hobbits, two men, an elf, a dwarf and a wizard - who are bound together to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. If the ring falls into the wrong hands, darkness will descend upon Middle-Earth, and evil will cover the land. Not too much of a burden, then, huh? We follow our fellowship through all kinds of dangers as they risk certain death, though - using courage and team-work that manage to make it through alive. That's until they make it to Amon Hen, where Boromir, fighting to save the hobbits from a band of orcs foes, is shot with several arrows by their leader, the terrifying Uruk-hai Lurtz. At his point, as audience members, we're fuming - who will save Boromir? When Aragorn arrives to battle Lurtz, we're cheering in the aisles, and though Boromir doesn't make it, watching Aragorn chop Lurtz's head off is still one of the most purely satisfying moments in any fantasy movie... well, ever.