What Mary Poppins Returns’ Brilliant Ending Really Means

Warning: SPOILERS for Mary Poppins Returns.

Mary Poppins Returns has a wonderfully uplifting ending, but what does it actually mean? The titular nanny, played by Emily Blunt, returns to the big screen after a 54-year absence, though time hasn’t passed quite as quickly on Cherry Tree Lane. Set in the 1930s, Michael and Jane Banks (Ben Whishaw and Emily Mortimer) are now adults, with Michael a widowed father of three, and Jane a doting aunt and very supportive sister. The bank is set to repossess their childhood home, unless Michael can find the certificate that proves he owns shares. The whole movie is a pure Disney classic from start to finish, with perfect performances from the all-star cast, and outstanding musical numbers.

When Michael finds the certificate and his loan is cleared, like his father before him he heads to the park with his children, though this time, instead of flying a kite, they buy balloons from the singing balloon lady, played wonderfully by Angela Lansbury. With a sprinkling of magic, everyone holds tight to their balloon as they soar up in the sky, singing “Nowhere To Go But Up.” It’s the perfect closing number, and as the cast all sing and float through the clouds, Mary Poppins realizes it’s time to take her leave.

Related: Mary Poppins Returns Soundtrack: All The New Songs Ranked

Mary Poppins Returns‘ ending is on the face of it rather simple, a homage to the original movie that leaves audiences on a high, but there’s a lot more going on than at first seems. Here’s what it really means.

• This Page: The Truth About Mary Poppins
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Is Mary Poppins’ Magic Real?

With its teasing of adults forgetting magic – and what it’s like to be a child – Mary Poppins Returns draws attention to one of the biggest questions about the titular nanny. In the original Mary Poppins, it was assumed that no adults could understand or see Mary Poppins’ magic at work (apart from Bert), but Mary Poppins Returns explores this concept further. Having visited Michael and Jane when they were children, Mary Poppins has quite literally worked her magic once before. Now as adults, Michael and Jane dismiss their past memories as nonsense. Is it actually nonsense, or is she truly magical?

Certainly her arrival from the sky is noted by Bert in Mary Poppins, and by Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda). He also, like Bert before him, happily accompanies her and the children on many adventures – to visit cousin Topsy (Meryl Streep) and perhaps most importantly, inside the Royal Doulton bowl. If her magic was not real, would Jack be along for the ride? He also watches in awe as she sails up into the sky to change the hands on Big Ben. The presented theory is that her magic is entirely real, but most adults have lost that childlike innocence of believing without question. Maybe the adults in Mary Poppins Returns are so wrapped up in their own lives that it’s not until the end of the movie, when a spring fair is taking place, that they are able to relax and have fun, thus enabling them to experience the magic once more.

Related: Screen Rant’s Mary Poppins Returns Review

The grim alternative is that Mary Poppins is not magical at all. That it’s simply her attitude, demeanor, and stern yet uplifting encouragement that helps us all to see the magic in everyday life. Maybe, instead of taking the children on an underwater adventure, she simply makes their bathtime fun by telling stories that let their imagination take flight. It could be that when Georgie breaks the bowl, she weaves an elaborate tale about the characters on it, to stop him from feeling so bad. If Mary Poppins isn’t magical, then the ending takes on a different meaning. Rather than actually flying, each character is coming to terms with past events, and is filled with hope and joy as they realize there really is nowhere to go but up.

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About The Author

Becky Fuller
(870 Articles Published)

Becky has been writing for Screen Rant since 2014. She has a degree in musical theater and performance and thinks that musical soundtracks should form a fundamental part of everyone’s daily existence.
She spends her time at Screen Rant writing about all of the things she loves, mainly Disney, Harry Potter, family movies and of course, anything that might have a little bit of singing in it. She also has a deep affection for Netflix Marvel shows, movies and TV shows that focus on character, and pretty much anything that represents quality British movies or TV programs. Becky thinks that Paddington 2 might well be the best movie ever made.
Becky also works as a theater critic, and divides her time between watching theater, movies, and TV. Sometimes she does other things, like working as a fitness instructor or taking pictures of her cats, and she attempts to raise three children.

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