It is often said that all is well that ends well. This saying also holds true for movies. You can be watching an epic movie that is simply perfect in every sense. However, if that flick doesn’t end on a satisfying note, it can ruin the whole experience. Over the course of history, several decent movies have been affected by lackluster conclusions. Some people might argue that it isn’t fair to lash out at a film based on its ending sequence alone. However, most viewers feel insulted when they invest a considerable amount of time in a film only to be left disappointed in the end. So, without any further ado, here are the 15 most controversial movie endings of all time:
15. La La Land (2016)
Although La La Land had a heavy presence at the 84th Academy Awards, it played with the viewers’ feelings. The 2016 rom-com musical film follows the journey of Sebastian and Mia (portrayed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone respectively) as they fall in love with each other while following their respective career ambitions. The film is packed with all the tools to win viewers over.
However, many people have questioned its ending where the two lead characters decide to part ways. Although it wasn’t a completely illogical step given the context of the movie, people invested in the storyline felt betrayed after all was said and done.
14. Signs (2002)
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Night Shyamalan’s films often encourage the audience to expect the best as the plot thickens. However, his endings always leave the viewers scratching their heads and usually, unsatisfied. A prime example of this claim is the 2002 science fiction horror film Signs.
With a stellar main cast, captivating plot, and right tone, what could go wrong? Apparently, the flick’s ending doesn’t do justice to the hype built prior to it. It is revealed that water is the weakness of the invading aliens. The unnecessary plot convenience and loopholes make the final act quite anticlimactic and confusing at the same time.
13. Man of Steel (2013)
Following in the footsteps of Marvel, DC decided to launch its own Cinematic Universe and rolled out Man of Steel as the first installment in the shared Universe. The film in question is a Superman origin story. Packed with stunning visuals, strong characters, and a decent story, it seemed like MCU would soon be facing some tough competition from its rival.
However, Man of Steel ended in a controversial manner. The climax featured Superman killing the film’s antagonist General Zod. The polarizing response this scene got follows the DC Cinematic Universe to this day… and not in a good way!
12. X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
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A surprising addition to this list but we can surely justify its inclusion here. Days of Future Past is undoubtedly one of the best comic book movies of all time. It managed to bring together the cast members of the original and prequel trilogies.
While becoming a classic movie, however, it somehow managed to undermine the importance of some of the previous X-Men films. In the end, it can be seen both Jean/Phoenix, as well as Scott/Cyclops, are alive and well in the future, erasing the events of The Last Stand entirely. If it wasn’t for that, we had a perfect film at our disposal.
11. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Apparently, films starring Leonardo DiCaprio can be packed with disappointing moments as well. The 2013 Biographical black comedy flick in question focuses on Stockbroker Jordan Belfort’s career, his fraudulent activities, and his ultimate downfall. Although the film is well-written and the cast members performed their parts extremely well, the ending is quite messed up.
The closing sequences feature Belfort becoming a motivational speaker after completing his prison sentence and offering (somewhat) the same tips to his listeners that got him into trouble in the first place. Therefore, the ending leaves the audience confused in regard to how should they perceive Jordan Belfort.
10. The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
The expectations are generally low when it comes to Horror movies these days. However, adding Chris Hemsworth to the cast who was the talk of the town in the early 2010s for his portrayal of Thor in the MCU, people might decide to give the movie a chance.
This 2012 horror-comedy is like a typical horror film for most of its duration but it manages to remain quite enjoyable. However, in the final act, the main characters find themselves as humanity’s last hope. Everything that follows is just absurd, to say the least.
9. Lucy (2014)
Scarlett Johansson has proven on multiple occasions why she is one of the greatest performers of the current era. Even then, she is not immune to the curse of starring in decent films with insulting climaxes. The prime example of this saying is the 2014 science fiction action flick in question. Scarlett’s character in the movie gains telepathic and telekinetic powers after being affected by a drug.
Although dealing with strange powers and consequently, becoming a public enemy translates well to the big screen, Lucy takes things a bit further and ends on a weird and disappointing note where the protagonist enters the space-time continuum and leaves her human vessel (body).
8. Now You See Me (2013)
Let’s admit it first; everyone loves it when a movie ends with a jaw-dropping twist, right? Well, not if it sacrifices the whole story for that one twist. 2013’s heist thriller film is what we are referring to here. With a stellar cast and fun plot, it was thought that Now You See Me would be the next big deal in Hollywood.
Although the film turned out to be fine, the ending caught everyone off-guard… and not for the right reasons. Mark Ruffalo’s character reveals himself to be the leader of the Horsemen. While everything was explained, it felt quite odd to know that the cats and mice involved in the chase throughout the film were working together.
7. The Mist (2007)
Stephen King’s work has set a standard when it comes to horror films with good storylines. While most horror flicks are packed with clichéd plots, movies based on King’s novels have engaging stories. The Mist was no exception as well.
The 2007 horror film surely had the viewers engaged right until the end. However, when the credits started rolling, it didn’t feel like we had just witnessed a masterpiece. The reason behind it is the movie’s absurd ending sequence where it is revealed to the lead character David that he had killed his group for no reason at all since help was just minutes away from them.
6. Jurassic Park 3 (2001)
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The third installment in the Jurassic Park film series got most things wrong. Firstly, it lacked the fun elements that made the first one successful. Moreover, the film not being written completely at the time of its shooting affected it.
But the major letdown was the film’s ending. While it was hinted throughout the film that we would see a collision between the dinosaurs and lead characters at some point (most likely during the climax), the dry ending centers on the main cast getting rescued by the Marine Corps and the Navy.
5. Next (2007)
Next is quite an enjoyable Science Fiction film centering on Cris Johnson (Portrayed by Nicolas Cage). He can see two minutes into the future. His unique set of skills (no pun intended) causes the FBI to recruit him to assist in preventing a Nuclear Explosion. Despite all the efforts, the bomb goes off and destroys the entire city.
However, it is then revealed that most of the film’s second half takes place in Cris’ premonition and that he has been able to see more than two minutes into the future, courtesy of his love interest Liz, and her involvement in the sequences that would follow.
The team then successfully prevents the bomb from going off. Although it makes for an interesting turn of events, the audience might find it quite odd to know in the end that a significant chunk of the movie took place in the protagonist’s head.
4. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
Like Next, this movie’s ending has the same problem where it is revealed in the ending that a significant part of the film didn’t even happen in the first place. The epic battle between the Cullens and the Volturi was one of the most intense sequences in the entire saga.
The pace, flow, and structure of the entire battle sequence were so well-executed that they got the viewers on the edge of their seats. However, it is then revealed that the entire sequence was just a part of Alice’s vision, and to be fair, it made for a lackluster ending.
3. War of the Worlds (2005)
Even though War of the Worlds has managed to go down in history as a decent action/adventure film, the same can’t be said about its ending. A disaster movie’s success is measured by the casualties that occur in it. It seemed at first that the chaos would do its part to the fullest in this 2005 Alien film.
However, that doesn’t turn out to be the case as the main characters’ entire family overcomes the obstacles in the end, and to top it all, the aliens succumb to the microbes. Speaking about an insulting ending to an otherwise decent flick; this one rests among the top.
2. The Devil Inside (2012)
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Nothing makes the audience more furious than watching a movie without a definite ending. The Devil Inside might have not received the memo in this regard. This 2012 found footage horror film, with its engaging plot, managed to lure in the viewers.
However, after a series of unfortunate events, a car collision takes place, and shortly after, a title card appears on the screen to notify the audience that the investigation of the case documented in the film was an ongoing one.
The viewers are also presented with a website link with information related to the case. Imagine keeping your audience glued to the screen for nearly an hour and a half, only so they can be left on a cliffhanger.
1. The Lego Movie (2014)
Topping the list is one of the most successful animated films out there. The Lego Movie can undoubtedly be watched and enjoyed by viewers of all ages. It has a proper story, a decent screenplay, and fun dialogues.
However, one thing that still bothers us to this day is how the ending sequence affects the entire movie. It is revealed that all of the events in the movie are being played out on a gigantic Lego set by a child named Finn. Everything that follows this revelation is nothing but a major letdown.
How did you find our list of the most controversial movie endings of all time? Are you aware of any other films that have attempted to insult their viewers’ intelligence? Do let us know in the comments!
