Fly Me to the Moon Ending Explained: What Happens to Kelly & Cole?

Fly Me to the Moon is a historical romantic comedy starring Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum. Set in the ’60s during the Space Race, it follows the romance between Cole Davis (Tatum), a NASA launch director, and Kelly Jones (Johansson), a marketing specialist hired to revamp NASA’s public affairs. The story takes a twist when Moe Berkus (Woody Harrelson), the government agent who recruited Kelly, reveals they must film a fake moon landing to secure America’s victory.

Here is everything you need to know about the ending of Fly Me to the Moon, featuring spoilers

What happens at the end of Fly Me to the Moon?

As NASA prepares to send Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin to the Moon, Moe gives Kelly a new job. She must find a way to live-broadcast a fake moon landing to ensure America’s victory in the Space Race.

However, Kelly decides to tell Cole. Together, they figure out how to broadcast the real footage without Moe knowing. When the three astronauts land on the Moon and speak to President Nixon, there is a brief moment of panic for Cole, Kelly, and their accomplices. They fear they have been airing fake footage all along.

Fortunately, a black cat that has appeared multiple times in the film makes its presence known again. While Kelly, Moe, and the others try to catch it, the cat walks into the fake moon landing set. As the live footage broadcast to the world doesn’t show the animal, Kelly and Cole happily realize they are showing the real thing after all.

Meanwhile, Moe comes to the same conclusion. All is forgiven as Cole and Kelly’s actions not only lead to the desired results but also save his job.

Do Joe and Kelly end up together?

Yes, Joe and Kelly end up together in Fly Me to the Moon. Kelly finally tells Cole her real name, which is Winnie. As Moe leaves, he tells Kelly that all records of her past indiscretions will be erased and offers her a job. However, she declines, presumably to stay at NASA.

Where is the black cat at the end of Fly Me to the Moon?

Fly Me to the Moon underscores various superstitions about black cats before subverting them in the end. The black cat ultimately proves to be a godsend for all the major characters. Although the film doesn’t explicitly reveal where the cat is at the end, we can safely theorize that it remains within the NASA premises, letting people know it’s still there only when it wants.