As “50 First Dates” marks its 20th anniversary this year, Drew Barrymore surprised viewers on her talk show by revealing the film’s original ending. Contrary to the movie’s conclusive happy ending, the initial script featured a much more somber conclusion for Henry (Adam Sandler) and Lucy (Barrymore).
Barrymore reminisced about the original ending, stating, “The movie was initially titled ‘50 First Kisses’ and was set in Seattle. In the original version, Lucy tells Henry, ‘You should go live your life because this isn’t a life here.’ Henry leaves but returns to a restaurant and simply says, ‘Hi, I’m Henry,’ before the film ends.” Her co-host Ross Matthews responded with gratitude, noting, “Honestly, thank you for changing it.”
The beloved romantic comedy follows marine veterinarian Henry and art teacher Lucy, who suffers from anterograde amnesia, causing her to forget their love each day. The film’s final version ends on a positive note with the couple enjoying a boat trip in Alaska with their daughter.
In a 2019 interview, director Peter Segal revealed another alternate ending. This version featured Henry creating a mural in Lucy’s bedroom to help her remember their love. Segal explained, “The mural was meant to reintroduce Lucy to her life and Henry.
Unlike earlier scenes where she saw him as a stranger, the mural would help her reconnect with her past.” Eventually, Segal and the team chose a more uplifting ending, focusing on Henry’s dream of studying walruses in Alaska with Lucy and their child. This conclusion, according to Segal, provided a strong and emotional ending for the film.