10 Movies Where The Monster Gets The Girl At The End

The formula for a monster movie is fairly simple. There’s the hero who has to fight the monster in order to ‘save the girl’ and ‘live happily ever after with her.’ It’s been done a million times in period dramas, fantasy-themed movies, horror films, and action-adventure flicks. Thanks to some creative writing and the demands of modern audiences, these old outdated tropes have seen some interesting renovations in recent decades. Sometimes the ‘damsel in distress’ is the one who does the saving and other times, she decides the supposed knight in shining armor was never all that and falls for “the monster” instead.

If you’re a movie fan who’s into alternative fairytales or modern fantasy, there’s plenty to choose from if you want to see the monster get the girl in the end. The selection includes animated features, Oscar-winning titles, B-horror films, and cult classics. The moral of the story is always the same wholesome message, even if it’s delivered in an ugly package, that true love doesn’t care what’s on the outside.

10 Beauty And The Beast (1991)

Does it really count if he’s no longer a “beast” at the end? Since Beauty and the Beast could be the story that started this whole sub-genre, it’s essential to include it and the Disney adaptation from 1991 is one of the most contemporary. The classic French fairy tale has gone through a myriad of variations since it was first published a few hundred years ago as a moral lesson about inner beauty.

How ironic is it that recent strides in CGI technology brought this story into the present day with some stunning visuals? The ending, which includes the monster transforming into a handsome prince, might subvert that lesson entirely. On the other hand, kudos to Belle, who manages to see beyond his jerkish and brutish nature, and bring about the gentle prince he should have always been.

9 Shrek (2001)

Turning the traditional narrative on its head, what if the knight isn’t exactly the picture of bravery? Maybe he’s a coward who would rather send a monster to take care of the hard part? Or taking it even further, what if the damsel in distress is deemed ‘a monster’ too? That’s one of the ideas driving the plot of Shrek. 

No fairy tale trope is safe from Shrek, Fiona, or the Donkey sidekick, including the one about the damsel in distress. It turns out Fiona has her own ‘monstrous side,’ but Shrek loves her anyway. Even the dragon who was lonely and heartbroken ends up with Donkey and helps the good guys in the end.

8 Hellboy (2004)

There might still be hope that Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy movies will become a trilogy, but, until then, we still have two stellar movies to enjoy, starring one of the comic book world’s most beloved monsters. The first movie plays this trope beautifully and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats and they wait until the last minute to see who Liz will choose.

Not to be outdone, this storyline continues in the sequel, in which Liz and Hellboy are trying to have a “normal” relationship. The gritty, realistic ambiance that keeps these weird movies grounded means that there’s no happily ever after for Liz and Hellboy, but is there for anyone?

7 Ghost in the Shell (1995)

It’s the animated feature that launched a thousand prequels, a few hundred spinoffs, and a single, breathtaking sequel. The original 1995 version of Ghost in the Shell touches on several modern and classic genres, and the realistic art style means fans of live-action will also like it.

Mokoto and Batou are chasing a monster that turns out to be something else entirely, and despite teasing a relationship between the two main characters, it’s the so-called monster that draws Mokoto away in the end. Known as the Puppet Master or Project 2401, the mysterious entity offers the Major what her partner can’t, and that’s unlimited access to the “net” as a whole new life form. One person’s monster is another’s angel.

6 Megamind (2010)

The words “villain” and “antagonist” get mixed up with the term “monster” a lot, but do they mean the same thing? Where does the bad guy come from, anyway? That’s part of what’s going on in Megamind. This time the antagonist gets to tell his story, and it’s a sympathetic one that argues how everyone is a product of their upbringing and environment to some extent.

Was Megamind only renouncing his evil ways to get the girl or was he really trying to be a superhero? There’s some crossover here into the secret, private lives of superheroes and their motives, which is part of the charm of certain live-action titles that delve into similar themes.

5 The Toxic Avenger (1984)

The sympathetic monster is taken to the next level with this wacky cult favorite, and with a reboot in the works, there’s no better time to re-acquaint ourselves with everyone’s favorite anti-hero. He started out as a humble janitor and puny nerd, but after a fall into a vat of toxic waste, he rises again with superhuman strength to avenge, not only his foes, but everyone else’s too.

Formerly known as Melvin, Toxie quickly becomes a local legend. He not only gets the girl in the end but is so beloved by the townsfolk that they thwart an effort on the part of the mayor and National Guard to end his heroics permanently.

4 Teen Wolf (1985)

In an age of movies where teens were often the victims of horrific monsters, this is a story about kids who liked them before it was cool. Instead of winning the girl by fighting a monster, the awkward, fawning Scott turns into a suave, confident Teen Wolf, and the tall, blond cheerleader he always loved from afar suddenly likes him.

The twist to this “beauty and the beast” scenario, however, is that the beautiful Pamela loves the beast, but not the real man hiding under all that luxurious hair. The monster got the girl, but the art of this drama is that he finds out she’s not the one for him.

3 The Shape of Water (2017)

We already know that director Guillermo del Toro has a soft spot for monsters, and The Shape of Water explores that ambiguity to a much greater extent. The movie has a subtle message hidden in the fantastic plot that blurs the lines between human beings and monsters.

In the end, it’s still the age-old question over a grotesque appearance or a fair one. Over the course of the movie, it becomes clear who the monsters really are and it’s not the creature in the tank. The movie was critically acclaimed, screening in prestigious film festivals in places like Toronto and Venice, making it one of the more artistic selections in the genre.

2 Young Frankenstein (1974)

Being a monster isn’t all bad, as this version of Frankenstein’s monster finds out. Mel Brooks takes the 18th-century horror of reanimating a corpse and asks that all-important question, can you date it? Romance it? Introduce it to your dad? It turns out that not only is the answer yes, but you’ll be the happiest bride of Frankenstein ever.

That doesn’t only apply to the Monster himself, but also the main character, a younger descendant of the original Dr. Frankenstein. The real discovery the doctor happens to make in the course of the film is what makes certain people “very popular” as Igor points out, and it’s not really about how you look.

1 Deadpool (2016)

The titular character of this film doesn’t even know if it’s a comedy, a horror, a love story, or what. It’s really a combination of all of the above. From the very beginning, Wade Wilson wants the audience to understand that he’s not a hero, but then what is he?

Throughout the course of the movie, he becomes a monster because of his mutation, but he never loses sight of who he is, and more importantly, the girl he loves. It’s one of the endearing character traits that keep the raunchy Deadpool from being a total jerk.

About The Author

Kristy Ambrose
(159 Articles Published)

Kristy Ambrose has been writing professionally since 2010. She dabbles in various genres, including everything from short blog posts to serialized novels. Her inspiration comes from gamers, beachcombers, foodies and of course her fellow travelers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Victoria.

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