Top 10 Most Rewatched Movie Endings

“Citizen Kane” (1941)

Throughout Orson Welles’s debut, everybody wants to know the meaning of the hero’s parting words. The absorbing mystery lingers until one last reveal. It turns out that Charles Foster Kane was referring to a childhood gift. This ends up being a heartbreaking twist, making you reconsider the man’s tougher exterior. The surprise feels like a gut punch every time you see it. If you watch the film again, you can pick up on earlier scenes that hint at his childlike innocence. Representing everything he lost, the sled might be among the more famous pieces of cinematic symbolism. Welles encourages you to think much deeper about the title character in a stunning finale.

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004)

You might find yourself confused during this sci-fi romance. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” does not hold your hand, dishing out a complex plot about erasing people from each other’s memory. Despite the procedure, Joel and Clementine find each other once again. They decide to give each other a shot regardless of the outcome. In this profound ending, the pair shows that there’s hope in seemingly hopeless situations. With the power of love, both main characters take a chance and go to the beach. It’s the kind of open-ended conclusion that you can experience over and over. After several viewings, you might come to appreciate this love story even more.

“Planet of the Apes” (1968)

When Taylor and Nova set their sights on freedom, they find something they never would have guessed. This sci-fi tale makes you reconsider everything you’ve seen up to that point. The hero thinks he’s on another planet, but the end says otherwise. It turns out that the astronaut crash landed on Earth many years in the future. To call it a shocking and devastating conclusion would be an understatement. Powerful to this day, this finale begs you to watch again to pick up on all of the subtleties. “Planet of the Apes” remains a classic to this day for continuing to provoke audiences with its ending.

“Avengers: Infinity War” (2018)

This climactic MCU adventure ends on a massive question mark. Rather than giving anyone hope, “Infinity War” decides to finish on a more lethal note. Thanos obtains every infinity stone and snaps many heroes into dust. With reaction shots galore, many brave souls like Bucky Barnes and Spider-Man disappear. It’s among the more sad endings in any superhero movie. Thankfully, the sequel sets everything back to normal and gives the good guys a beautiful send-off. In both cases, they’re compelling conclusions to a multi-part series. Fans might still be recovering from this one despite the cathartic reversal in “Endgame.”

“The Usual Suspects” (1995)

As Verbal Kint leaves the police station, you wonder if any part of this story will resolve itself. Agent Kujan then turns to see his bulletin board. Little do the authorities know that it was all made up, with the writers pulling off a compelling trick. The villain gets away before anybody can stop him. It’s an ingenious narrative device, culminating in one of the true shocker endings of the 1990s. You have to commend the writers for making such a bold choice and sticking to it. It’s no wonder that this movie has maintained pop culture status to this day. Asking you to do the math, this expert wrap-up sends shivers down your spine.

“Chinatown” (1974)

This neo-noir features a difficult mystery full of complications and shady folks. Private eye Jake Gittes thinks that he can help save the day until bullets ruin everything. The result is a painful reminder to not meddle in other people’s business. Evelyn Mulwray and her sister drive away, but the police put a stop to the escape. It’s a harrowing sequence that’s not for the faint of heart. Some cases just can’t be won, with Gittes coming to realize the awful truth. Everything from the script to Jack Nicholson’s cold stare is perfect, creating an essential moment for viewers to ponder.

“No Country for Old Men” (2007)

Sheriff Bell might be retired, but he can’t stop dreaming. The final section of “No Country for Old Men” shows the law man recounting dreams to his wife. This includes one that features his father and some symbolic messages about life. Some might argue that the film ends abruptly, while others might defend the philosophical nature of the scene. The bottom line is that you can’t quite take all of it in after one viewing. The Coen Brothers’ movie might seem like a genre piece, but it’s brimming with more advanced ideas courtesy of novelist Cormac McCarthy.

“Psycho” (1960)


Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller comes with several wild revelations. It also leaves the audience hanging, making everyone wonder about Norman Bates’ future. The villain appears to have a troubled mind, but it’s unclear if he’ll ever be reformed. “Psycho” leaves the viewer wondering about the difference between Bates’ own personality and that of his mother. The ominous voiceover only makes things more terrifying, with the antagonist giving a smile to the camera. The finale asks you to confront your own preconceived notions about killers and their motives. In the end, Hitchcock doesn’t let you off the hook as the dread seems to pile up.

“Inception” (2010)

He’s finished his biggest job ever, but Dom Cobb still has to return home to his kids. This leads to a major cliffhanger ending. “Inception” is all about the difference between dreams and reality, forcing viewers to question what they’re seeing. The last shot focuses on a spinning top that’ll determine the hero’s fate. Is he still in a fantasy world or did he actually wake up? Director Christopher Nolan doesn’t end up showing you the final result. You can come to your own conclusions, with this movie encouraging repeat viewings to test out various ideas.


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Last Solo Makes You Wonder Who Actually Wins

This Cruel Ending Completes the Cycle of Deadly Sins

Hannibal Lecter Leaves You Hanging with an Ominous Call & a Fun Cliffhanger

As the Bombs Go Off, the Narrator’s Mind-Bending Story Is Only Beginning

Lynch Makes You Question Identity & Reality in This Disturbing End

“2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968)

What’s really happening in this sci-fi adventure? The film features deep questions about the astronauts and humanity itself. In the end, Dave travels through space before finding himself in a strange room. Director Stanley Kubrick had his own view of the finale, but it’s even more fun to come up with your own theory. The hero’s final confrontation with the monolith leads him to evolve into something new. As he seems to be reborn, the lead character is suspended in zero gravity over Earth. Kubrick’s enigmatic film is not full of easy answers or much dialogue at all. The last shots can be interpreted in any number of ways, with the open-ended conclusion giving fans something to discuss.



Did we forget another ending you need to see multiple times? Let us know in the comments below.