Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Jumanji. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Siblings Judy and Peter finish the jungle board game Jumanji just as a volcano erupts in their living room, and when Judy reaches the golden city and shouts “Jumanji,” the chaos vanishes. They return the game to the park, then watch from the window as the Budwing boys, Danny and Walter, run off with the box, boys known for never reading instructions.
Quick facts
– Book: Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg
– First published: 1981
– Type: A children's picture book
– Tone of the ending: Playful and eerie
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
With their parents out for the afternoon, Judy and Peter find a game under a tree in the park. The instructions warn that once started, the game must be finished. Each roll brings the jungle to life: a lion in the living room, monkeys in the kitchen, a monsoon, a guide lost in the house, a herd of rhinoceroses.
What Happens at the End of Jumanji
Judy and Peter keep playing despite growing danger, including a python on the mantel and a volcano erupting lava. Judy rolls and reaches the end. The house returns to normal, and they fall asleep. Their parents come home with guests, including Mrs. Budwing, who says her sons never read directions. Judy and Peter see the Budwing boys taking the game.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The children finish the game.
- Everything returns to normal.
- The game finds new players.
- The ending hints at the sequel.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Judy | Wins the game |
| Peter | Plays with Judy |
| Danny and Walter Budwing | Take the game |
What the Ending Means
The ending celebrates finishing what you start, with a wink about trouble to come.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the black-and-white illustrations, which won the Caldecott Medal. The sequel, Zathura, follows the Budwing brothers.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Adventure. The game brings wild adventure.
Responsibility. The children must finish what they start.
Siblings. Judy and Peter work together.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Jumanji as playful and eerie. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Chris Van Allsburg to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are playful and eerie will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Chris Van Allsburg closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1995 film with Robin Williams adds a man trapped in the game for decades.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Jumanji with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about adventure, and do you agree with Chris Van Allsburg's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as playful and eerie, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces adventure and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Chris Van Allsburg leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Jumanji often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Jumanji earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Jumanji on Amazon
Books to Read After Jumanji
- Zathura by Chris Van Allsburg
- The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
Related: Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Jumanji You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Jumanji?
Siblings Judy and Peter finish the jungle board game Jumanji just as a volcano erupts in their living room, and when Judy reaches the golden city and shouts “Jumanji,” the chaos vanishes. They return the game to the park, then watch from the window as the Budwing boys, Danny and Walter, run off with the box, boys known for never reading instructions.
Is the ending of Jumanji happy or sad?
Most readers call it playful and eerie.
What does the ending of Jumanji mean?
The ending celebrates finishing what you start, with a wink about trouble to come.
Is the ending of Jumanji the same in the adaptation?
The 1995 film with Robin Williams adds a man trapped in the game for decades.
Who wrote Jumanji and when was it published?
Jumanji was written by Chris Van Allsburg and first published in 1981.
Is Jumanji worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's picture books. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Chris Van Allsburg prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Jumanji before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.