15 Great Movies With Terrible Endings That Almost Ruined Them

A movie can pull you in with a gripping story, stellar acting, or stunning visuals, only to trip at the finish line with an ending that leaves you baffled or annoyed. These films are proof that even the best setups can be undone by a poorly executed conclusion.

What makes an ending terrible? Sometimes it’s a twist that feels forced, a resolution that betrays the story’s tone, or a choice that just doesn’t make sense. Here’s my ranked list of 15 great movies that stumbled with their endings, from the least offensive to the most infuriating.

15. ‘The Wolverine’ (2013)

This ‘X-Men’ spin-off, starring Hugh Jackman, delivers a gritty, Japan-set adventure with intense action. Made for $120 million, it shines until the final act, where a giant CGI Silver Samurai robot feels like a cartoonish departure from the grounded tone.

The reveal that a supposedly dead character is alive is predictable and cheapens the stakes. I loved the ninja fights, but that clunky mech battle left me cold. Still, the film’s strong setup keeps it watchable.

14. ‘No Country for Old Men’ (2007)

The Coen Brothers’ $25 million Oscar-winner, with Javier Bardem’s chilling Anton Chigurh, is a tense neo-Western. The ending, where Tommy Lee Jones’ sheriff reflects on a dream without resolving key plotlines, feels like a cop-out.

It’s thematically rich but denies closure for Josh Brolin’s fate or Chigurh’s arc. I was gripped by the cat-and-mouse game, yet the abrupt fade-out frustrated me. The film’s craft saves it from total ruin.

13. ‘High Tension’ (2003)

Alexandre Aja’s $2.5 million French horror flick is a brutal, suspenseful ride. The twist that the protagonist’s friend is the killer, revealed via a split-personality plot, undoes the film’s logic and tension.

It’s a bold swing, but the final scenes feel like a betrayal of the tight narrative. I was on edge until that jarring reveal. The gore and atmosphere still make it a cult favorite.

12. ‘The Village’ (2004)

M. Night Shyamalan’s $60 million thriller, shot by Roger Deakins, builds dread in a secluded 19th-century village. The twist that it’s a modern-day preserve run by elders shatters the period horror vibe.

The reveal feels like a gimmick, undermining the emotional stakes. I was hooked by the creepy monsters, but the ending left me deflated. Strong performances, like Bryce Dallas Howard’s, keep it engaging.

11. ‘Contact’ (1997)

Robert Zemeckis’ $90 million sci-fi drama, starring Jodie Foster, explores alien communication with awe. The ending, where Foster’s cosmic journey is dismissed as a hallucination, feels like a cop-out for such a grand buildup.

It undercuts the film’s themes of faith and discovery. I was captivated by the science and mystery, but the vague resolution frustrated me. The visuals and Foster’s performance still shine.

10. ‘Sunshine’ (2007)

Danny Boyle’s $40 million sci-fi gem follows astronauts on a mission to restart the sun. The third act shifts from cerebral tension to a slasher-style stowaway plot, with blurry visuals and a rushed climax.

It betrays the film’s philosophical depth and Cillian Murphy’s stellar performance. I loved the early suspense, but the ending felt like a different movie. The visuals and score remain haunting.

9. ‘Law Abiding Citizen’ (2009)

This $50 million thriller, with Gerard Butler as a vengeful vigilante, keeps you guessing. The ending, where Jamie Foxx’s lawyer outsmarts Butler with his own bomb, feels implausible given the lawyer’s moral stance.

It’s a cheap win that undermines Butler’s cunning character. I was glued to the cat-and-mouse game, but the finale felt forced. The intense pacing still makes it a fun ride.

8. ‘Now You See Me’ (2013)

This $75 million heist flick, with its slick magician crew led by Jesse Eisenberg, is a blast. The reveal that Mark Ruffalo’s FBI agent is the mastermind behind the Four Horsemen feels illogical and unearned.

It ignores his earlier risks and makes the plot feel contrived. I enjoyed the clever tricks, but the twist soured the payoff. The cast’s charisma carries it through.

7. ‘Savages’ (2012)

Oliver Stone’s $45 million drug cartel thriller, starring Taylor Kitsch, is gritty and stylish. The ending, where all three leads survive a tense standoff, feels like a tacked-on happy resolution that betrays the dark tone.

An alternate ending where one dies fits better. I was into the raw action, but the cop-out finale weakened it. The cast, including Benicio del Toro, keeps it compelling.

6. ‘A.I. Artificial Intelligence’ (2001)

Steven Spielberg’s $100 million sci-fi, inherited from Stanley Kubrick, follows a robot boy’s quest for love. The epilogue, where aliens grant David a day with his mother, feels overly sentimental and tacked-on.

The underwater freeze was a poignant end; the extra bit cheapens it. I was moved by Haley Joel Osment’s performance, but the ending dragged. The visuals are still stunning.

5. ‘The Matrix Revolutions’ (2003)

The $150 million finale to the Matrix trilogy, starring Keanu Reeves, wraps up a groundbreaking saga. Neo’s sacrifice is fine, but the open-ended hint of his return and vague peace deal feel unsatisfying.

It lacks the closure the trilogy earned. I loved the action and philosophy, but the limp finale disappointed me. The earlier films’ brilliance overshadows it.

4. ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983)

This $32.5 million ‘Star Wars’ classic, with Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford, is iconic. The Ewok-led victory and overly tidy happy ending, with everyone surviving, feel like a kid-friendly letdown after the saga’s stakes.

It’s too cutesy for the Empire’s fall. I adore the lightsaber duels, but the teddy-bear party irked me. Its legacy remains untouchable.

3. ‘Signs’ (2002)

M. Night Shyamalan’s $72 million sci-fi horror, starring Mel Gibson, builds dread with crop circles. The reveal that aliens are defeated by water—on a planet mostly covered by it—feels laughably convenient.

It undercuts the film’s tension and Gibson’s emotional arc. I was gripped by the eerie buildup, but the ending made me groan. The family drama still resonates.

2. ‘I Am Legend’ (2007)

Will Smith’s $150 million sci-fi thriller, based on Richard Matheson’s novel, is gripping. The theatrical ending, where Smith’s Neville sacrifices himself to kill mindless mutants, ignores hints they’re sentient, flattening the story’s depth.

The alternate ending, where he spares them, fits better. I loved the suspense, but the rushed finale betrayed the themes. Smith’s performance is phenomenal.

1. ‘War of the Worlds’ (2005)

Steven Spielberg’s $132 million sci-fi epic, starring Tom Cruise, nails post-9/11 dread. The ending, where aliens die from Earth’s bacteria and Cruise’s son miraculously survives, feels too convenient and undermines the bleak tone.

Spielberg himself admitted it’s weak. I was riveted by the intense set pieces, but the happy resolution felt like a cheat. The visuals and tension are still top-notch.

Which of these endings bugged you the most, or is there another movie finale that let you down? Share your thoughts in the comments!