Most of us love a surprise ending. I will sit through the most boring move in the world for a good surprise ending. Actually one of the movies on this list one of my favorites bored me to death the first time I saw it. After that I love to look for the clues through the movie. This is a very difficult list to cut down to 10 especially being my first post, so I think some honorable mentions will make it worth it.
Honorable Mentions:
Memento (2000) This masterpiece of editing does not exactly have a surprise ending, more that it has a surprise beginning. If you've never seen the movie it will make more sense if you see it. It has some confusion at first but it soon comes together in this marvelously done film.
Se7en (1995) This is another great movie. It does have a surprise ending but the surprise only has a five minute build up to it. It was worth an honorable mention on this list.
Soylent Green (1973) This movie is dated and has a nice surprise ending, however it's been spoiled so much over the years you probably know the famous line.
Psycho (1960) One of Hitchcock's masterpieces. This one has the original surprise ending. Worth a watch if you don't think you'll be staying in a hotel anytime after.
10. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) This movie has probably the worst spoiled ending line of all time even more than Soylent Green. A great build up and one of the best kept secrets only George Lucas, Mark Hamil, Irvin Kershner, and James Earl Jones knew this line until premier. Everyone else was told it was a different line.
9. The Others (2001) This movie was great and had a nice surprise ending, albeit a bit predictable. Still a solid film for this list.
8. Planet of the Apes (1968) Classic movie remade, but the original is far better. The surprise is nicely done. This movie survives the test of time.
7. Twelve Monkeys (1995) A unique piece of time traveling work with an ending you weren't even expecting to expect. It comes out of no where and really is well done.
6. Identity (2003) A very well done thriller surprise ending. Should have figured it out before I did but when I did I was most impressed.
5. The Prestige (2006) I call this movie Batman vs Wolverine. I mean come on it even has Alfred in it. It has a really nice mix of characters and the casting was marvelous. The ultimate surprise was a little weak but well worth the price of admission. This is a solid movie.
4. The Game (1997) This movie blew my mind when I first saw it. I still years later am wondering if the movie is over :) j/k. But it will keep you guessing until the credits roll.
2(tie). The Sixth Sense (1999) This was THE "don't ruin the surprise" for most people. Sadly M. Night Shyamalan had to peak from his first movie but wow what a start. See it and I recommend watching the bonus features they clue you in to the hints in the movie to look for upon watching it again.
2(tie). Fight Club (1999) This movie kicks ass in so many ways. The surprise ending is awesome but the movie it's self is pretty kick ass so even if it didn't have the surprise ending the movie would still rock. R.I.P. Robert Paulson.
1. The Usual Suspects (1995) This is the movie I listed in the opening to this post. I'm not a big fan of crime dramas. If you aren't then I say, "watch this anyway." If nothing the ending is so masterfully crafted into the movie you will want to watch it again to see what you've missed. This is the movie that causes me to examine every part of every movie and find myself rarely surprised.
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