Luke Faces Off Against Darth Vader In The Empire Strikes Back
Whether it's a shocking twist, a heartbreaking death, or even a hopeful resolution, these 10 science fiction movie endings are the best that the genre has to offer.
Sci-fi crafts imaginative futures and dreams up new ways that humanity can get better, or even worse. Perhaps more so than any other genre, the ending of a sci-fi movie can make or break the entire experience. While there are plenty of science fiction films that don't stick the landing, the true classics have finales that complete the cinematic experience.
The wide variety of types of endings is also unique to the science fiction genre, and exceptionally clever filmmakers continue to devise new conclusions that push the envelope just a little bit further. Nevertheless, many of the best science fiction movie endings represent archetypal ideas that have stood the test of time. That's because science fiction, no matter how imaginative or original, is still a mirror of contemporary issues.
Underneath all the trappings of the genre are recognizable emotional themes that resonate with viewers today as they did 100 years ago. The all-time best science fiction movie endings come from multiple eras, and leave viewers with a wide variety of thoughts to consider. Some movies are optimistic, showing that even the darkest day can brighten, while others are unabashedly gloomy and pessimistic.
Regardless of their tone, the perfect sci-fi endings put a fine point on their respective films and their themes. 10 Children Of Men Though it was something of a box office disappointment back in 2006, Children of Men is one of the best sci-fi films of the 2000s. Its story of a not-too-distant dystopia, coupled with its plot about an infertility crisis, makes the film more of a potent warning than a farfetched sci-fi epic.
There's an inevitability to its ending that actually improves the film, instead of making it predictable or bland. By allowing Kee and her baby to survive, the film explicitly implies that children are being born again. It makes all the sacrifices throughout the film necessary, and pays off Theo's arc from a cynical bureaucrat to a passionate hero.
With the rest of the film so bleak and unforgiving, the ending of Children of Men is a cathartic and hopeful release not usually seen in that era of sci-fi. 9 The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers Remakes are almost never better than the original, but the 1978 version of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers gives its predecessor a run for its money. Replacing red scare politics with urban paranoia, the '70s sci-fi horror classic is much more frightening than the other films in its genre.
It builds to an ending that is simple, but shockingly effective. For the first time, the film shifts perspective from Matthew to Nancy, and the audience is forced to watch in horror as he is revealed to be nothing but another alien drone. The unearthly scream is the final note in an otherwise eerily quiet movie, and leaves the viewer with one last scare.
Underneath all that is a biting cynicism that reflects the dour mood of the country in the late 1970s. 8 Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is not a conventional science fiction film, but it still has one of the genre's greatest endings. In its endlessly quirky way, the Jim Carrey vehicle uses almost fantastical science fiction technology to explore one of the most fundamentally human stories, that of romance gone wrong.
After tearing the viewer's heart out for nearly two hours, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind does something wholly unexpected. Joel and Clementine decide to give their relationship another shot, despite the fact that they know it hasn't worked in the past. Though it's wrapped in doom, the ending is actually rosy and optimistic.
It's about the importance of memories, even the negative ones. 7 Terminator 2: Judgment Day Terminator 2 is an explosive sequel that eschews the neo-noir of its predecessor for an almost endless string of amazing action sequences. What the movie does best is tell a deeply personal story about John Connor, and his bond with the unfeeling T-800 sent back in time to protect him. It wraps up everything very nicely in the last few minutes.
The ending of Terminator 2 is simultaneously hopeful and sad, giving the viewer a double dose of emotions before the credits roll. It's implied that the heroes created a better future, neatly closing up the paradox created through time travel.
However, that victory is somewhat sour because the T-800 must destroy himself to preserve the timeline. It fulfills one of the themes of the Terminator franchise, that being sacrifice for the greater good, no matter how painful. 6 Arrival Science fiction is a reflection of the best and worst of humanity, and Arrival is the perfect illustration of that idea.
With its heady plot involving language and non-linear time, the movie demands that the viewer pay close attention to both its story, and its deeper message. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the 2016 gem is a utopian sci-fi story at its heart. A lot happens at the end of Arrival, including the enlightenment of humanity.
However, there is also a much smaller story being told in the finale. Banks' foreknowledge, both good and bad, doesn't change her trajectory. Instead, she openly chooses to embrace her future, knowing it will come with pain.
Even while evolving, Banks learns to accept that being a human is a messy prospect. 5 Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan After the stumbles of the first film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan cemented the franchise's legacy on the big screen. For the first time since the characters appeared in the 1960s, Kirk and the rest of the Enterprise crew grow up in The Wrath of Khan, reflecting the strains of aging and regret.
The exciting revenge plot is a cover for something much deeper. Spock's death at the end of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan hangs over the film from the first frame, and it's subtly hinted at throughout. The ending is brilliant because Spock's death is the ultimate sacrifice, and the loss of a character that had been beloved for nearly two decades. More importantly, it teaches Kirk a valuable lesson.
Even in an idealistic future, there are no-win situations. 4 The Empire Strikes Back The Empire Strikes Back is arguably the greatest sci-fi sequel ever made, and the pinnacle of the entire Star Wars extended universe. It represents a major step for George Lucas' opus, offering more mature storytelling and a richer narrative in general. It's also the second act in a three-act trilogy, so its ending is the lowest point for the heroes.
The strength of the ending of The Empire Strikes Back is somewhat overshadowed by the Darth Vader/Luke Skywalker parentage twist. Though it's certainly shocking, the movie's downbeat finale is an overall perfect way to end the second Star Wars film.
The heroes are left to lick their wounds, but there is hope that good will triumph over evil in the next movie. 3 The Thing John Carpenter's The Thing is the first film in the director's unofficial Apocalypse Trilogy, and the sci-fi remake certainly lives up to that lofty title. In between scenes of truly harrowing suspense and stomach-churning special effects, The Thing is an effective science fiction story about the dangers of curiosity and the threat of an extraterrestrial menace.
Subscribe to the newsletter for deeper sci-fi ending insights Dive deeper — subscribe to our newsletter to access in-depth breakdowns of sci-fi endings, thematic analysis, symbolism and filmmaking craft. Curated lists and thoughtful context will make every finale more meaningful while covering related film topics. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
It is a cynical experience from the very first scene, and that cynicism continues to the ending. Though it appears to be hopeful, MacReady and Childs seemingly defeat the alien, their deaths are almost guaranteed. With no shelter and no one to save them, they will likely die. Even more cynically, The Thing implies that the alien has infected one of them and that it will live on.
No matter how hard they try, mankind simply can't win. 2 Planet Of The Apes What appears to be a simple popcorn movie about a literal planet of apes, is actually a biting commentary about politics. Planet of the Apes is one of the defining science fiction films of the 1960s, and it has spawned a massive franchise that's going strong today.
Even those unfamiliar with the sci-fi genre likely remember the effective twist at the end of the 1968 classic. It's revealed that Taylor has been on Earth the entire time, and that the ape society is built on the burnt ashes of human civilization. The image of the Statue of Liberty in ruins is the perfect way to get the point across, especially considering the film's deeper meaning.
It's not just a wonderful twist, but an ingenious sci-fi ending that pays off the rest of the movie's themes. 1 2001: A Space Odyssey 2001: A Space Odyssey is a pivot point for the genre of science fiction in cinema, introducing heady new ideas and transforming imaginations for generations. Stanley Kubrick's thoughtful and bizarre space adventure spans the history of humankind, from the lowly beginnings to the next step in evolution. 2001 is a landmark movie, regardless of its genre.
After wrapping up the main plot, the finale of the film delves into outright surrealism. David is the first human to reach the next level of consciousness, so naturally things get weird. Though the visuals are amazing, and the choices are creative, the ending of 2001: A Space Odyssey is meant to symbolize the unknowable depths of human potential. Science fiction is rarely so self-reflective.
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
10 Greatest Disney Animated Movie Opening Scenes, RankedQuasimodo from behind as he looks out between columns high above Paris in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Read more »
10 Greatest Sci-Fi Movies About UFOThe spacecraft landing in Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Read more »
The Greatest Sci-Fi Series Beat 'Black Mirror' at Its Own Game in Just 1 EpisodeCain saluting other officers in the Battlestar Galactica reboot show.
Read more »
Godzilla Director’s $791M Sci-Fi Disaster Movie Just Became Free to StreamComic Book Movies, News, & Digital Comic Books
Read more »