Search Movie Plot Summaries & Endings Explained

Thriller · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

A Return to Salem's Lot (1987)

A rational anthropologist and an awkward teenager become embroiled in a darkly comedic thriller when they uncover bloodthirsty secrets in a small-town Maine. The town is plagued by an ancient curse, blurring the line between reality and horror. As they investigate, they confront a terrifying question: can humanity truly coexist with the undead, or are they destined for a grim fate?

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Bittersweet ending

My Life as a Dog (1987)

Set in 1950s Sweden, the film follows a perceptive young boy who observes the struggles of those around him. His life takes an unexpected turn when he’s placed in the care of his aunt and uncle. There, he experiences a blend of humor and sadness as he confronts challenges and seeks his place within a new family dynamic, ultimately exploring themes of identity and belonging.

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Horror · Dark tone · Happy ending

Cross of the Seven Jewels (1987)

Caught in a web of mystery, intrigue, love and horror, a man is cursed by a secret black‑magic society and transforms into a werewolf. The only thing that can halt the relentless metamorphoses is a jeweled necklace he wears, forcing him to confront the curse and protect those he loves.

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Western · Light tone · Happy ending

Desperado (1987)

Cowboy Duell McCall rides into town with a herd of cattle, hoping to sell them fast, collect his wages, and be on his way. When he falls for the local schoolteacher Nora, he becomes entangled in a bitter rivalry between the town’s powerful boss and Nora’s father, forcing him to choose between love and loyalty.

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Comedy · Whimsical tone

Scoop (1987)

The 1987 television film, directed by Gavin Millar and adapted by William Boyd from Evelyn Waugh’s 1938 satirical novel, follows a hapless journalist who is mistakenly dispatched to the fictional African country of Ishmaelia. Produced by Sue Birtwistle with executive producers Nick Elliott and Patrick Garland, it features an original score by Stanley Myers and retains the novel’s sharp satirical tone.

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Horror · Dark tone · Ambiguous ending

Specters (1987)

A harrowing descent into terror unfolds when archaeologists uncover a mysterious tomb deep within Rome’s catacombs. Inside, they discover relics that reveal an ancient, ageless evil that may have once predated humanity, threatening anyone who dares disturb it.

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Action · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Extreme Prejudice (1987)

A Texas Ranger, Jack Benteen, is conflicted between his duty to the law and a personal vendetta against drug lord Cash Bailey. Their complex history intertwines with Jack's relationship with Sarita, Bailey's former lover. As the pursuit intensifies, a dangerous game of cat and mouse unfolds, leading to a confrontation that will test both men's resolve and challenge their sense of justice.

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Drama · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Sarvakalasala (1987)

Lal (Mohanlal), an orphan raised in a home funded by his unknown father's money, enrolls in college and pursues three master’s degrees, refusing to leave the campus. The film follows his life in the college hostel and the various incidents and relationships that unfold within the campus community.

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Fantasy · Dark tone · Happy ending

Wicked City (1987)

For centuries a peace treaty has existed between humanity and the demon realm, the Black World. As the accord expires, human detective Taki and demon officer Maki must guard a diplomat whose success could secure a new pact. A radical faction of Black World demons aims to assassinate the envoy, and only the bond between the two cops can avert disaster.

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Family · Tense tone · Happy ending

G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)

When the elite G.I. Joe task force discovers a hidden civilization of serpentine beings called Cobra‑La, the ancient snake people launch a ruthless campaign to reclaim the planet they were banished from millennia before. The Joes must rally to stop Cobra‑La’s vengeful assault and protect humanity.

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Family · Tense tone · Happy ending

G.I. Joe: The Movie (1987)

G.I. Joe confronts a fresh, formidable foe when an ancient civilization of serpentine beings known as Cobra‑La emerges from the depths. Driven underground millennia ago, Cobra‑La now seeks to reclaim the planet, prompting the elite command unit to launch a daring defense against the vengeful snake‑people.

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Comedy · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

Walk Like a Man (1987)

Facing a $30 million inheritance, a man who believes he’s a dog must deal with his brother Reggie’s demand that he “roll over” and surrender the fortune. Bobo, a feral youth raised by wolves, is brought back to his family by a researcher, a reunion that infuriates Reggie, who refuses to share any of the inheritance with him and settle the dispute.

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Thriller · Tense tone · Mixed ending

Summer Camp Nightmare (1987)

What begins as a harmless game pitting campers against their counselors quickly spirals into a terrifying ordeal. When the authoritarian camp director pushes the youth too far, a determined group of campers stage a rebellion, seizing control of the camp and turning the nightmare into a full‑blown revolution.

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Sci-Fi · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Project X (1987)

An Air Force pilot is selected for a mysterious and advanced program called Project X. As he participates in the experiment, he begins to suspect that he is not the only one undergoing testing, and that chimpanzees are also involved. He must uncover the truth behind the project and confront the unsettling reality of its purpose.

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Action · Tense tone · Happy ending

Magnificent Warriors (1987)

A Hong Kong classic set during the Japanese occupation of China, it follows a daring airplane pilot who also works as a spy. He battles the invading Japanese forces to free the ruler of the city of Kaal from a ruthless Japanese general and his advancing army, showcasing high‑fly action and espionage.

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Horror · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Killer Workout (1987)

A seemingly ordinary fitness class turns deadly when a mysterious workout begins claiming victims. Two years earlier, Valerie survived a severe burn after a tanning‑salon accident, and her friend Rhonda now runs the local gym. As members start dying under strange circumstances, the community fears the exercise routine itself may be a lethal trap.

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Fantasy · Whimsical tone

Sister Cupid (1987)

Kit (Jacky Cheung) loses control of his motorbike and crashes into a house, where a mysterious girl (Maggie Cheung) rescues him before vanishing. Soon, his newly‑settled female neighbor (Pat Ha) shows romantic interest, and her sister Dodo becomes involved, leaving Kit tangled in a web of competing affections as he tries to sort out his feelings.

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War · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Escape from Sobibor (1987)

The true story of WWII’s notorious Sobibor Nazi death camp, where a courageous inmate orchestrates and leads the escape of over 300 prisoners.

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War · Dark tone · Bittersweet ending

Escape from Sobibor (1987)

The true story of WWII’s notorious Sobibor Nazi death camp, where a courageous inmate orchestrates and leads the escape of over 300 prisoners.

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Comedy · Whimsical tone · Happy ending

Bride of Boogedy (1987)

In the Disney TV sequel to Mr. Boogedy, the Davis family must confront the revived Boogedy, who relentlessly pursues Widow Marion while a cut‑throat gag‑store rival targets Carleton. Meanwhile, Lucifer Falls prepares a huge carnival that the scheming Mr. Lynch intends to sabotage—unless Boogedy intervenes first. The family bands together to protect their home and the town’s celebration.

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Crime · Dark tone · Sad ending

Dacait (1987)

Arjun Yadav returns to his village after studying, joining his mother, brother Amrit and sister. He tries to ease the feud between Amrit and Thakur Bhanwar Singh, but Amrit is killed, his mother loses her mind, his sister is assaulted, and Arjun is beaten and bound. Rescued by villagers and his friend Makan Malla, he retreats to the ravines and becomes an outlaw seeking revenge.

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Drama · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Three for the Road (1987)

A seasoned politician and an endearing, somewhat awkward friend find themselves on a memorable road trip. Their mission: to safely return a spirited teenager to her estranged father, who holds a prominent position as a senator. Along the journey, they encounter unexpected challenges and humorous situations, forcing them to confront their own personal flaws and appreciate their contrasting personalities while forging a surprising bond.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

The Secret of My Succe$s (1987)

A recent college graduate leaves his small Kansas hometown for the bustling city of New York, hoping for a promising job. However, his dream job isn's available, and he finds himself working alongside his well-meaning but clumsy Uncle Howard. To advance his career, Brantley pretends to be a successful executive, adopting a fabricated persona and navigating the challenges of corporate life with a humorous and inventive approach.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Sad ending

Nombarathi Poovu (1987)

After surviving a fatal bus crash, Padmini, estranged from her husband, meets orphan Gigi in a hospital and quickly bonds with her. She takes Gigi to Dr. Padmanabhan, who after initial hesitation accepts her into his institute for special‑needs children. The film then follows Gigi’s fate as Padmini’s ex‑husband Sethu returns, seeking reconciliation.

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Drama · Light tone · Happy ending

Gammat Jammat (1987)

Bumbling kidnappers find themselves held hostage by their kidnappee and her family.

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Drama · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

Sansar (1987)

Din Dayal Sharma is a head clerk living with his wife Godavari, their three sons—Vijay, a Chartered Accountant married to Uma, Shiva and Vidyasagar—and daughter Rajni. Vijay is the main earner. When Rajni’s marriage is arranged with Jagmohan’s son, she refuses and marries Christian Peter Fernandes, moving into his home.

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Comedy · Whimsical tone · Bittersweet ending

Making Mr. Right (1987)

Image consultant Frankie Stone is hired by a tech firm to program a scientist’s sophisticated android, the “Ulysses Robot,” to behave like a real man. While teaching the machine social cues, she unexpectedly develops genuine feelings for the faux human, questioning what it means to love.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987)

Facing a crime wave, a police commander implements a unique solution: pairing rookie civilian volunteers with experienced officers. Sgt. Carey Mahoney is reluctantly tasked with training this ragtag group, all while trying to stop his persistent rival, Captain Harris, and save his own position within the department. The partnership proves challenging and leads to plenty of comedic mishaps.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

Osmanthus Alley (1987)

After losing both parents at twelve, Ti Hung vows at sixteen to escape her destitution. Through relentless effort she masters embroidery, gaining fame and wealth, which leads to a marriage into an affluent family—only for unforeseen tragedy to strike, reshaping her life.

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Family · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

Beauty and the Beast (1987)

Belle selflessly offers herself as a prisoner to a cursed Beast in exchange for her father's freedom. Living in a magnificent, enchanted castle, she discovers the Beast's gentle heart beneath his frightening exterior. Their growing bond ultimately breaks the spell, restoring the Prince.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Aha Naa Pellanta! (1987)

Krishna Murthy, the son of a wealthy industrialist, falls for Padma, the daughter of a stingy miser. Determined to win her affection and teach her father a lesson, he deliberately adopts the miser’s avaricious façade. His pretended greed creates a series of comic twists as he struggles to keep up the act while staying true to his own generosity.

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Thriller · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Blood Rage (1987)

Twins Todd and Terry appear as charming, innocent boys in a sleepy town, but their harmless façade quickly shatters when, during a night at the local drive‑in, one of them suddenly lunges with an axe and brutally attacks a fellow patron. Their true darkness lurks beneath the surface.

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Comedy · Light tone · Bittersweet ending

Ghost Fever (1987)

Sherman Hemsley plays a hard‑headed city detective determined to capture a group of mischievous ghosts. When two officers are dispatched on a routine eviction‑notice delivery, they find themselves tangled in supernatural chaos, turning a simple job into a bizarre, ghost‑filled ordeal.

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Drama · Tense tone · Bittersweet ending

The Hanoi Hilton (1987)

Imprisoned within the notorious Hanoi Hilton, a group of American prisoners of war endure relentless torment and psychological manipulation at the hands of their North Vietnamese captors. Led by resilient figures like Michael Moriarty, Jeffrey Jones, and Paul Le Mat, the men fight to preserve their dignity and humanity while facing the brutal realities of their confinement. Their experiences test the limits of endurance and the strength of the human spirit.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Blind Date (1987)

A workaholic man named Walter Davis finds his routine disrupted when his brother sets him up on a blind date with the unconventional Nadia. Throughout the evening, Walter is challenged to step outside his comfort zone as he encounters Nadia's unpredictable behavior and learns about her difficult past. He must balance navigating this unexpected encounter with maintaining his professional image, leading to a series of humorous situations.

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Drama · Bittersweet tone · Mixed ending

Two of Us (1987)

Matthew, a handsome athletic teen who has just left school and identifies as gay, keeps only one friend, Phil, who supports him despite hostile peers. As their bond deepens, Phil’s girlfriend Sharon and classmates turn vindictive, isolating the two. Ostracized by friends and family, they decide to run away.

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Horror · Dark tone · Bleak ending

Anguish (1987)

The eyes of the city are his. An ophthalmologist’s assistant with an unhealthy obsession for human eyeballs embarks on a killing spree to gather eyes for his overbearing mother’s collection. As the body count climbs, reality twists in a bizarre way, unsettling both the characters and the audience.

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Drama · Melancholic tone · Bittersweet ending

The Surrogate Womb (1987)

A barren noblewoman encourages her husband to take a young peasant as a surrogate to secure the male line.

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Comedy · Light tone · Happy ending

Hollywood Shuffle (1987)

Bobby Taylor, an aspiring actor working at a hot dog stand, finds his life complicated when he secures the lead role in "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." The film satirizes Hollywood's often stereotypical portrayals of African-Americans, forcing Taylor to balance his career aspirations with his responsibility to be a role model for his younger brother. He must navigate the challenges of the entertainment industry while striving to maintain his integrity and positively influence his family.

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Fantasy · Hopeful tone · Happy ending

The Barbarians (1987)

Warriors. Conquerors. Heroes. Orphaned brothers Kutchek and Gore are taken in by a tribe led by Canary, keeper of a powerful jewel. The evil Kadar desires the jewel and kidnaps Canary, but the stone slips away. Sold as gladiators, the brothers grow into mighty fighters, escape and set out to retrieve the jewel and free Canary.

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