Netflix U.K. Just Straight Up Changed The Ending Of 'The Notebook'

So, this is super weird. The version of the beloved romantic drama The Notebook currently streaming on Netflix U.K. has a totally different ending from the one we know and love. The decision to change the film's ending has left a ton of viewers upset and confused. Why change the ending of a movie that came out 15 years ago? There are some interesting theories.

The original ends with Allie, who has been suffering from severe dementia in her old age, becoming lucid one last time after Noah reads her the story of their lives. After sharing a sweet slow dance, they lay next to each other in Allie's hospital bed and pass away at the same time.

Now, though, when you stream the ending on Netflix U.K., the final scene is cut and replaced with birds flying across the lake on the retirement home's grounds. For those familiar with the original version of The Notebook, it's similar to the scenic lake shot seen as the credits roll.

Not only were fans blindsided by this change, The Notebook's author, Nicholas Sparks, was also surprised. “I didn’t know it was coming,” Sparks told The Today Show. “So, I find out about this the same way everyone else does and they think, ‘hmm.’ For me, it’s an opinion thing, it’s a different ending, you are definitely going to have an opinion on it one way or another.”

Netflix has acquired a ton of movies for streaming over the years, so, it begs the question why change this one particular ending? Well, Netflix didn't just acquire the streaming rights to The Notebook. They're actually licensing it, which allows Netflix more wiggle room to make adjustments like this one.

Some fans are theorizing that omitting the ending where Allie and Noah pass away lines up with the book's original ending and opens the door for Netflix to adapt the sequel novel,The Wedding, into an original film.

What do you think about this interesting change?

Photo: New Line Cinem