It’s as true of movies as it is of air travel: if you mess up the landing, people aren’t going to care about how smooth the journey was. The history of cinema is filled with films that spend an hour or two deftly courting their audiences, only to drop the baton at the final sprint. Whether that’s through a shocking, misjudged twist or simply down to a film running out of steam, many movies have endings that left a foul taste in viewers’ mouths.
Sometimes, this is out of the filmmakers’ hands. For example, Fight Club saw its original ending entirely removed by Chinese censors and replaced with a terrible alternative. Other times, it’s solely the choice of the writers, leading to a finale that feels misjudged in story or tone. Here are 17 otherwise impressive films that were ruined by their endings.
10 Cloverfield Lane
In this intriguing sequel to Cloverfield, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher Jr. are locked in an underground bunker, creating thrilling tension throughout the film. However, as the story climaxes, Winstead’s character exits the bunker to find her captor was telling the truth about an alien invasion above. This twist completely dissipates the hard-earned tension that came before, leaving audiences feeling cheated.
Baby Driver
Edgar Wright's Baby Driver features a catchy soundtrack and an engaging premise, but its ending leaves much to be desired. The film starts with a rhythmic lightness, but shifts into a chaotic action melodrama in the final act, with Ansel Elgort's character facing off against a menacing Jon Hamm. Compared to the film's earlier charm, this ending feels like a car crash – a disappointing shift that undermines the entire experience.
Bad Times at the El Royale
Bad Times at the El Royale begins as a witty, unpredictable film, echoing the style of Quentin Tarantino. However, as the story progresses, Chris Hemsworth’s character takes over, leading to a tedious and overblown mess. The film's ending fails to deliver the punch that the buildup promises, resulting in a major letdown for viewers.
Fight Club (Chinese Cut)
The original ending of Fight Club is striking, with the main characters holding hands while watching buildings explode. However, the Chinese cut replaced this moment with a bland postscript that reads, “The police rapidly figured out the whole plan and arrested all criminals, successfully preventing the bomb from exploding.” This change not only alters the film's impact but leaves it feeling like a damp squib.
Happiest Season
The 2020 Christmas romcom Happiest Season is generally charming, showcasing a queer love story that resonates with many viewers. However, the film's ending, where Kristen Stewart's character ultimately chooses a toxic partner, feels like a letdown. This decision undermines the chemistry developed throughout the movie, causing disappointment among audiences hoping for a more fulfilling conclusion.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Steven Spielberg's return to the beloved adventure franchise initially seems promising, but the climax introduces a jarring shift into science fiction with the activation of an alien spaceship. This pivot, while not entirely out of character for the series, feels deeply uncompelling, detracting from the overall enjoyment of a film that otherwise delivers popcorn entertainment.
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Peter Jackson's fantasy epic Return of the King is known for its indulgent storytelling, but its lengthy ending is often criticized. After the main drama resolves, viewers are treated to an excessive sequence where Frodo reunites with friends, dragging the pacing and testing audience patience. This drawn-out conclusion is often cited as a reason why this installment is viewed as the weakest of the trilogy.
The Magnificent Ambersons
Orson Welles' original cut of The Magnificent Ambersons is regarded as a masterpiece, but the studio-mandated “happy ending” has overshadowed Welles' true vision. The film remains respected, yet its ending feels tacked on and detracts from the story's depth. This altered conclusion haunts the film, leaving a sense of loss regarding what could have been.
Now You See Me
This 2013 thriller aimed to emulate Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige, but ultimately fell flat with its big reveal. The surprising twist that “the magic is real” disappointed many viewers and felt like a cop-out. This lack of coherent resolution left the film with numerous loose ends, and its sequel did little to redeem the initial mishap.
Pay It Forward
Pay It Forward presents an uplifting premise, but its ending takes a dark turn that leaves audiences shocked and unsettled. The unexpected death of the young protagonist feels excessively grim and undermines the film’s intended message. Many viewers walked away from the movie feeling slapped in the face by this grim conclusion.
Psycho
While Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho contains iconic moments, its ending suffers from an awkward, tacked-on epilogue that over-explains Norman Bates' motivations. This clumsy wrap-up detracts from the film's psychological horror, suggesting that sometimes, less explanation is more. By removing this unnecessary scene, the film could have achieved a more impactful and lasting impression.
Remember Me
Remember Me features a strong narrative for most of its runtime, but its final moments derail the film. The twist revealing that the protagonist is in the World Trade Center moments before the 9/11 attacks is seen as catastrophically misjudged, leading the film to be critiqued as in poor taste. This ending transformed what could have been a meaningful drama into a controversial talking point.
Spectre
While there are notable elements in Sam Mendes’s Spectre, including a captivating opening sequence, the film's final act spirals into an anticlimactic resolution. Christoph Waltz's portrayal of Blofeld fails to deliver the menace expected from such a legendary villain, resulting in a lackluster conclusion that disappoints fans of the franchise.
Split
M. Night Shyamalan’s Split starts strong as a psychological horror but falters with the reveal of a supernatural twist that feels out of place. The transition into a sequel for Unbreakable undermines the tension built throughout the film. While unexpected, this twist detracts from the psychological depth that audiences were led to anticipate.
Sunshine
Danny Boyle's Sunshine initially impresses with its intelligent storytelling but takes a sharp turn into horror in its final act. Critics have highlighted this shift as a significant flaw, undermining the film’s earlier character-driven narrative. The abrupt change in tone cheapens the overall sentiment, leaving viewers disillusioned.
The Village
Once again, M. Night Shyamalan finds himself on this list with The Village, where a major twist reveals the story is set in modern times, not a period drama as expected. Roger Ebert criticized the film's anticlimactic ending, suggesting it lacks originality. The revelation feels so disappointing that many viewers wish they could rewind and forget the twist entirely.
The World’s End
The third film in Edgar Wright's Cornetto Trilogy starts strong, providing humor and clever Easter eggs. However, the final confrontation fails to deliver on the buildup, resulting in a lackluster and unsatisfying ending. This abrupt shift diminishes the enjoyment and pacing established throughout the film.
In summary, while these films may boast strong plots and captivating performances, their endings ultimately detract from the overall experience. A well-crafted conclusion is crucial, as it can make or break a viewer's perception of the entire story. Film lovers often reflect on how these missteps could have been avoided, reminding us that the journey is only as good as its landing.
