Top 10 Most Surprising Movie Endings

“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004)
In a world where you can erase your ex from your memory, Joel and Clementine both go through with the procedure, only to be drawn together again in a romantic and fateful finale. Even after they realize what’s happened, the two decide to try their relationship again. The climactic moment shows both lovers taking the plunge in the hopes that they can do better this time. It’s an ending that leaves you wondering and hoping for the future. While there’s plenty of heartbreaking parts to this movie, the conclusion surprises you with how happy it is.

“The Silence of the Lambs” (1991)
FBI trainee Clarice Starling takes down the killer Buffalo Bill, but the evil Hannibal Lecter escapes custody. The latter character calls the hero after her graduation to deliver a chilling line. This both emphasizes Lecter’s menacing presence and sets up that he’s chasing his next target. Viewers once again get to question their relationship to the villain, being both entertained and frightened by him at the same time. It’s a simple phone call that says so much about two people on opposite sides of the law. You can’t help but wonder what happens after the film, making for an ending that keeps you engaged long after it’s over.

“Get Out” (2017)
After learning the truth, Chris Washington escapes the Armitage house only to come up against Walter and the treacherous Rose. Of course, these are actually the Armitage grandparents, who have invaded the bodies of their own employees. The fight goes on until a police car arrives. It’s a moment that’ll make your heart drop, but that’s before you realize the truth. The driver is the hero’s friend Rod coming to save the day. With some dark humor, the movie comes to a close with a fantastic subversion of your expectations. It’s such a close call that you might still be out of breath by the end.

“Pulp Fiction” (1994)
At the beginning of this Quentin Tarantino classic, we see two robbers take over a diner. The final scene chooses to return to that sequence in an inventive way. Jules and Vincent go for breakfast, but later find themselves at the mercy of Pumpkin and Honey Bunny. Samuel L. Jackson’s character uses his wits to calm everyone down with an impressive speech. Instead of ending things with a gun fight, Tarantino lets the ensemble talk it out in one of his finest pieces of writing. It’s amazing to watch a master deliver the perfect bookend to his movie.

“The Departed” (2006)
With all the double-crosses happening, this movie keeps your blood pumping until its final scene. This includes giving the mole Colin Sullivan a finale he deserves. After shooting his way out of a sticky situation, the cop returns home to Sergeant Dignam pointing a gun at him. It’s a satisfying shock that gives Sullivan a massive dose of karma. Dignam doesn’t even need to say anything to signal his pent up rage and need to seek revenge. The conclusion ties up all the loose ends of this tricky thriller. Director Martin Scorsese leaves you with one more dead body, finally letting audiences off a terrific ride.

“Fight Club” (1999)
What starts as a cathartic club for men turns into a huge conspiracy. In the end, the narrator discovers that he and his partner, Tyler Durden, are actually the same person. He attempts to destroy his alter ego before watching Project Mayhem’s bombs explode outside. It all comes together in a stunning moment of visual splendor and a killer needle drop courtesy of the Pixies. Director David Fincher lets you take it all in with a mix of drama, irony, and wonder. It’s not the only chilling ending from a Fincher film either. “Seven” also gives viewers an unforgettable twist in a police detective who’s manipulated into becoming a killer.

“The Usual Suspects” (1995)
Verbal Kint leaves an emotional interrogation looking innocent, but he’s hiding a terrible secret in “The Usual Suspects.” Agent Dave Kujan doesn’t realize it until he inspects his bulletin board. The shocking twist puts the entire plot in a different context, leading to the revelation that Kint is actually Keyser Söze. He escapes the police station and hops into a car, having completed his scheme. You almost have to hand it to the villain for pulling the rug out from under everyone, wowing audiences with his evil genius. It’s one of the many reasons writer Christopher McQuarrie won the Oscar for his screenplay.

“Memento” (2000)
Throughout this cerebral thriller, Leonard Shelby tries to conduct an investigation while dealing with amnesia. Director Christopher Nolan moves you back and forth in time before revealing the shocking truth of it all. It’s a trippy surprise that calls to mind the filmmaker’s other works, such as “The Prestige.” Shelby learns that he’s already caught the man he’s after, but this doesn’t stop him from continuing his search. This decision shows off the protagonist’s more ruthless side and encourages you to watch it all again. If you’re paying close attention, you’ll realize just how clever Nolan’s vision is.

“The Sixth Sense” (1999)
Malcolm Crowe looks to find purpose after being attacked in his home. He believes that helping the young Cole Sear through his problem of seeing dead people might bring his life new meaning. The child psychologist then returns to his wife only to realize that he’s been a ghost the whole time. Crowe’s stunned reaction mirrors our own the first time we saw the film. M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller makes you question everything you’ve seen, giving the hero’s story a much more haunting context. It’s among the most unexpected and strangest twists of its decade. While many people know the character’s fate by now, it doesn’t take away from the powerful ending.

“The Graduate” (1967)
After stumbling through an affair with Mrs. Robinson, Benjamin Braddock falls for the older woman’s daughter, Elaine. He then decides to boldly interrupt his new love’s wedding. To almost everyone’s surprise, the bride runs off with Braddock and boards a bus. The two sit together, pleased with themselves until they realize what they’ve done. Their expressions start to fade as they finally come to understand the consequences of their impulsive actions. It’s a romantic story that lets the couple run off together while avoiding the easy ending. We don’t know what’ll happen to them, but there’s a glimmer of hope that they’ll make it work.