There are fewer more disappointing feelings than those one has when watching a movie with an unsatisfying ending. While being able to come to one’s own conclusions has its benefits, the lack of finality can be frustrating. Cliffhangers are intended to be these optimistic nuggets for viewers, signaling a potential sequel or just that there’s more to the story than meets the eye. If the sequel never materializes, or the end is too vague, there’s a possibility of having a large portion of the audience feeling short-changed after movie cliffhangers that never offer answers.
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Many films have finished on a vague note, leaving viewers wanting more. That can be a good thing, especially if more is definitely coming; some of the best movies have had cliffhanger endings. But sometimes, banking on a sequel that never happens can be a frustrating issue for those watching. letting the viewer decide may also seem like a kindness, so those who are more positive choose the happier scenario and those who are cynical will opt for doom, but again, those discussions often don’t have any form of closure. It could also be perceived as arrogance when filmmakers choose to end their movie with an unresolved cliffhanger, open-ended scene, or just cut in the middle.
10 Batman Returns (1992)
Directed by Tim Burton
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9/10 13 8.8/10 Batman Returns pg-13ActionCrimeFantasySuperhero
Batman Returns sees the return of Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne after his victory over the Joker. This time, the Dark Knight faces a new threat in the form of The Penguin, an outcast who wants revenge on Gotham City. Featuring Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot, Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle a.k.a. Catwoman, and Christopher Walken as Max Schreck, Batman Returns is Tim Burton’s second and final movie based on the iconic DC comics character.
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*Availability in US Release Date June 19, 1992 Runtime 126minutes Cast Michael Keaton , Danny DeVito , Michelle Pfeiffer , Christopher Walken , Michael Gough , Michael Murphy Director Tim Burton Writers Bob Kane , Daniel Waters , Sam Hamm prequel(s) The Batman Budget 80 million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
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There’s so much greatness going on in Batman Returns as well as its predecessor, it was no wonder that Tim Burton and Michael Keaton had more to give. The villains were fantastic and camp, and the fact that audiences didn’t get to see more of Michelle Pfeiffer’s version of Catwoman is a crime. The moody and slightly whimsical interpretation of Gotham City was a great way to bring this iconic fictional city to the big screen, and the dialogue didn’t take itself too seriously which is a great asset to comic book adaptations.
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The end of the film was a satisfying one. Max Schreck was killed, the Penguin met his end in a very touching way, and Catwoman was on her last life. Or so viewers thought. As the music swells and the credits are about to roll, Michelle Pfeiffer’s silhouette appears as she gazes upon the Bat Signal. While it may seem like a great way of confirming that the character is still alive and well, the fact that there has still not been a conclusion to their story is a tough pill to swallow.
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9 Allegiant (2016)
Directed by Robert Schwentke
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5/10 The Divergent Series: Allegiant PG-13Sci-FiActionAdventureMysteryRomance
Allegiant is the third and final film of the Divergent Series film adaptation of the books by Veronica Roth. Beatrice (Triss) and Four, along with a small group of their friends, venture into the world outside the fence and are taken into protective custody by an agency called the Bureau of Genetic Warfare, where they’ll learn new truths about their dystopian world that will change everything. The film was meant to be part one of the finale, but due to the film’s critical and financial failures, the final chapter was canceled.
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*Availability in US Release Date March 18, 2016 Runtime 120minutes Cast Maggie Q , Theo James , Jonny Weston , Keiynan Lonsdale , Naomi Watts , Shailene Woodley , Bill Skarsgard , Miles Teller , Jeff Daniels , Ansel Elgort , Zoë Kravitz Director Robert Schwentke Writers Stephen Chbosky , Noah Oppenheim , Adam Cooper , Bill Collage prequel(s) Divergent , The Divergent Series: Insurgent Budget $110–142 million Studio(s) Lionsgate Distributor(s) Lionsgate Expand
Riding high on the wave of YA novel adaptations, the Divergent saga felt confident in setting up its story. Veronica Roth’s source material consisted of three novels that told the full story, and an additional book from Four’s perspective. As with many film franchises, the focus was on getting as much money out of the franchise as possible, and just like Twilight and The Hunger Games before it, the last book was set to be split into two films. The problem was, the interest in this particular franchise wasn’t quite as high as some of the other big book movies of the time.
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The actors were definitely not the issue, Shailene Woodley and Theo James led the cast, with support from Kate Winslet and Asley Judd among others. There was a good mix of future stars and legacy talent, that was very exciting to watch. The stories themselves were entertaining, if not terribly original. Both Divergent and Insurgent made similar numbers at the box office so the fact that the third film underperformed must have come as a shock. This could have been due to audience fatigue, they had already been forced to power through multiple movies that lengthened the original literature they were based of. Either way, the flop of Allegiant, which finishes about midway through the novel it’s based off, left audiences with no on-screen resolution to Triss and Four’s story.
8 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Directed by Mark Webb
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7/10 13 7/10 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 PG-13ActionAdventureSuperhero
In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Andrew Garfield returns to the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, dealing with balancing his life as a high school student and his responsibilities as a hero. After reconnecting with his old friend, Harry Osborn, Peter learns details regarding his late father’s mysterious past and begins to connect the dots that his father’s disappearance, the emergence of new supervillains, and other dark dealings in his city are all connected to Oscorp.
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*Availability in US Release Date May 2, 2014 Runtime 142 minutes Franchise(s) Spider-Man Cast Andrew Garfield , Felicity Jones , Chris Cooper , Emma Stone , Martin Sheen , Paul Giamatti , Sally Field , Jamie Foxx , Dane DeHaan Director Marc Webb Writers Jeff Pinkner , James Vanderbilt , Alex Kurtzman , Roberto Orci prequel(s) The Amazing Spider-Man Sequel(s) The Amazing Spider-Man 3 Budget 230 million Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Expand
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It could be argued that the new outing for the beloved webslinger came too soon after the original trilogy, but Andrew Garfield wasn’t a carbon copy of Toby Maguire, and was a able to show a different side of Peter Parker. Slightly cooler and edgier, he wasn;t quite as shy and awkward as his predecessor, and he didn’t keep his secret from his love interest, Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) for too long. This was able to add more layers to their relationship, which was a nice contrast to all the secrecy of the the previous trilogy.
Both installments performed well at the box office, and with critics and fans alike, so when part two turned out to be the end, viewers were understandably disappointed. Peter wasn’t able to grieve and process the loss of Gwen, he wasn’t able to grow and find strength from this tragedy, and audiences didn’t get to see what happened with Paul Giamatti’s character. The reunion in Spider-Man: No Way Home, did alleviate that pain a little bit, but it’s unfortunate that Andrew Garfield wasn’t able to give more to his dream role, even though it’s clear he would have done a great job with it.
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7 The Wrestler (2008)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
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8/10 The Wrestler RDramaSport
Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a 2008 drama that centers around Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a pro wrestler who tries to get his life together while reliving his glory days on the ring. Marisa Tomei co-stars as stripper Cassidy with Evan Rachel Wood as Randy’s estranged daughter Stephanie.
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*Availability in US Release Date December 17, 2008 Runtime 109 minutes Cast Evan Rachel Wood , Mark Margolis , Marisa Tomei , Todd Barry , Mickey Rourke Director Darren Aronofsky Writers Robert Siegel Budget $6 million Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Searchlight Pictures Expand
A comeback for Mickey Rourke, who was beaten to an arguably well-deserved Oscar by Sean Penn. Randy Robinson is washed-up in his career and a joke on the circuit. But, the tide seems to turn both in his professional and personal life, and the audience joins him on this upward trajectory. The role was made for Rourke as he traverses this uncertain terrain with trepidation and hope, and viewers find themselves rooting for this underdog.
As it often happens in films about slightly older sportspeople, there are health concerns that affect the main character’s ability to do his job, and that inevitably happens to Randy. But, with pride and hubris at play, and also a need to feel appreciated and validated, everything rests on that final match pf the film. Will he win? Will he survive? That was left up to the audience, thanks to Darren Aronofsky’s fade to black at the very end.
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6 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
Directed by George Roy Hill
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9.7/10 Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid PGWesternAdventure
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid follows the exploits of two notorious outlaws as they navigate the challenges of a changing American West. Starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, the film combines elements of adventure and buddy comedy, capturing their attempts to evade capture while maintaining camaraderie. Directed by George Roy Hill, it explores themes of friendship and survival against the backdrop of early 20th-century societal shifts.
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*Availability in US Release Date September 24, 1969 Runtime 111 Minutes Main Genre Western Cast Paul Newman , Robert Redford , Katharine Ross , Strother Martin , Henry Jones , Jeff Corey , George Furth , Cloris Leachman , Ted Cassidy , Kenneth Mars , Donnelly Rhodes , Jody Gilbert , Timothy Scott , Don Keefer , Charles Dierkop , Pancho Córdova , Nelson Olmsted , Paul Bryar , Sam Elliott , Charles Akins , Eric Sinclair Character(s) Butch Cassidy , Sundance Kid , Etta Place , Percy Garris , Bike Salesman , Sheriff Ray Bledsoe , Woodcock , Agnes , Harvey Logan , Marshal , Macon , Large Woman , News Carver , Fireman , Flat Nose Curry , Bank Manager , Photographer , Card Player #1 , Card Player #2 , Bank Teller , Tiffany’s Salesman Director George Roy Hill Writers William Goldman Studio(s) 20th Century Distributor(s) 20th Century Expand
Paul Newman and Robert Redford teamed up to bring to life this iconic double act of outlaws. Made during a time when Westerns were still a hugely popular genre, this particular picture introduced more heart and nuance to an often showy category, one of the many reasons that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid still holds up today. In addition to the action, there’s a focus on friendship, camaraderie, and loyalty. As the two anti-heroes navigate their complicated lives of crime, they have to rely on each other in life-or-death situations.
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A focus on anti-establishment factors is quite prevalent in this film, as the two characters represent lawlessness with a purpose. As the audience watches their story for nearly two hours, they become close to them and root for them to succeed. But, alas, the long arm of the law finally finds Butch and the Kid, and a shootout ensues. It ensues but it does not conclude, because that is where the film ends. As the film is based on real people, it’s possible that viewers can do their own research, but as many film fans know, changes in stories happen all the time. So, it’s left up to the audience to decide what happened to the outlaws, and whether or not they get a happy ending.
5 The Birds (1963)
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
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8/10 The Birds PG-13HorrorRomanceMysteryDrama
The Birds is a 1963 horror film from director Alfred Hitchcock, telling the tale of a small town in Northern California that is plagued by hundreds of violent birds. Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, and Jessica Tandy star in the film, which has since become one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most iconic movies.
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*Availability in US Release Date March 29, 1963 Runtime 119 minutes Cast Tippi Hedren , Suzanne Pleshette , Jessica Tandy , Veronica Cartwright , Rod Taylor Director Alfred Hitchcock Writers Evan Hunter Budget $2.5 million Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand
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There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the plot of this classic film and many, many questions that it poses. Why did the birds start attacking? Was it all Melanie Daniels’ fault? Will they strike again? None of these queries are addressed, at least not in ant concrete way, and the audience is left to fill in the blanks themselves. An air of intrigue is necessary, especially in a thriller, and a lot of the fear and trepidation comes from how random this all seems. However, having at least a bit of context could have been useful.
It’s one of those films that could have warranted a sequel, despite Hitchcock not being known to revisit his stories. As the car drives away after the horrors of the past few hours, it’s up to the viewer to decide if the danger has officially passed. Will the birds follow them to another place? Will they continue terrorizing this small coastal town? Or, is it all actually over? Audiences will never know.
4 Hellboy (2019)
Directed by Neil Marshall
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4/10 Hellboy RFantasyHorrorActionAdventure
Hellboy (2019) is a reboot of the cinematic series based on Mike Mignola’s graphic novels. Directed by Neil Marshall, the film stars David Harbour as Hellboy, a half-demon raised by humans, who must thwart an ancient sorceress threatening humanity. Milla Jovovich portrays the villainous sorceress, while Ian McShane and Daniel Dae Kim round out the supporting cast. The film strives to blend dark folklore with action elements.
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*Availability in US Release Date April 10, 2019 Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Fantasy Cast David Harbour , Milla Jovovich , Ian McShane , Sasha Lane , Daniel Dae Kim Director Neil Marshall Writers Andrew Cosby Budget 50000000.0 Studio(s) Campbell Grobman Films , Dark Horse Entertainment , Millennium Media , Summit Entertainment , Boyana Film Studios , Lawrence Gordon Productions , Davis Films , Lionsgate Expand
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There have been many unsuccessful comic book adaptations over the years, but with Marvel mostly immune to this curse, and DC on a new high, superhero projects were mostly doing well. There had been the occasional misstep, sometimes due to bad marketing, oversaturation, or complicated protagonists, but in 2019, this should have been a surefire hit. However, this became the only outing for that iteration of Hellboy. David Harbour fully committed to his role, enduring hours of makeup and prosthetics, and fully immersing himself in the universe.
The film was clearly set up as the beginning of a franchise, but, unfortunately, poor box office performance meant that there were no more stories to be told. $55 million worldwide was beyond disappointing and, despite the set-up of Koshchei the Deathless, and some rather commendable casting, those who did see this version will have to deal with its standalone status. Luckily, Hellboy: The Crooked Man hit VOD this year.
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3 Planet Of The Apes (2001)
Directed by Tim Burton
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6.3/10 Planet of the Apes PG-13Sci-FiActionAdventure
In 2029, Leo Davidson ventures through a space-time storm to rescue his chimp friend, landing on Ashlar, a world ruled by talking apes. With newfound allies, he uncovers his spacecraft’s fate and sparks a revolt against ape tyranny. Saved by his chimp companion, Leo returns to Earth, but discovers a deeply disturbing reality.
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*Availability in US Release Date July 27, 2001 Runtime 120 Mins Main Genre Sci-Fi Cast Mark Wahlberg , Tim Roth , Helena Bonham Carter , Paul Giamatti , Michael Clarke Duncan , Kris Kristofferson Director Tim Burton Writers Pierre Boulle , William Broyles Jr. , Lawrence Konner Distributor(s) 20th Century Fox Expand
Despite there having been a more successful reboot of the franchise, this particular attempt at relaunching this universe didn’t get a sequel. It wasn’t a huge flop, having earned nearly $200 million in the US alone, but, by the same metrics, it wasn’t a huge success either. The vision was there, Burton created a murky world with interesting characters, and the CGI was definitely an improvement to the films from the 1960s and 1970s. The casting was good too, with Helena Bonham Carter giving her usual powerful performance in a role that wasn’t normally in her wheelhouse.
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The caliber of cliffhanger is also quite a big one to deal with. As Leo (Mark Wahlberg) returns to Earth, finding it’s now run by apes, the audience is left with so many questions. Unfortunately, these particular questions are never answered as the subsequent sequels were not part of this storyline. So any viewers who really want to know the story of how the Lincoln Memorial is now a statue of one of the apes, will have to use their imagination.
2 Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
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10/10 15 8.5/10 Inception PG-13Adventure Sci-FiThrillerAction
Inception, directed by Christopher Nolan, features a skilled thief who uses dream-sharing technology to steal corporate secrets. He is tasked with planting an idea into a CEO’s mind, while confronting his troubled past, which threatens the mission and his team.
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*Availability in US Release Date July 16, 2010 Runtime 148 minutes Main Genre Action Franchise(s) Inception Cast Leonardo DiCaprio , Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Elliot Page , Tom Hardy , Ken Watanabe , Dileep Rao , Cillian Murphy , Tom Berenger , Marion Cotillard , Pete Postlethwaite , Michael Caine , Lukas Haas , Tai-Li Lee , Claire Geare , Magnus Nolan , Taylor Geare , Johnathan Geare , Tohoru Masamune , Yuji Okumoto , Earl Cameron , Ryan Hayward , Miranda Nolan , Russ Fega , Tim Kelleher Character(s) Cobb , Arthur , Ariadne , Eames , Saito , Yusuf , Robert Fischer , Browning , Mal , Maurice Fischer , Miles , Nash , Tadashi , Phillipa (3 Years Old) , James (20 Months Old) , Phillipa (5 Years Old) , James (3 Years Old) , Japanese Security Guard , Saito’s Attendant , Elderly Bald Man , Lawyer , Flight Attendant , Cab Driver , Thin Man Director Christopher Nolan Writers Christopher Nolan Budget $160 million Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
Christopher Nolan has always been a fan of subverting expectations and bending reality. He was able to do so on a very grand scale in this high-octane thriller, which requires a lot of attention from the audience. With so many levels to the story, and characters and viewers being pulled deeper into the dream world, it’s easy to get lost. While Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon Levitt et al. do their best to explain the concept, it’s still quite hard to follow at times.
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Related Is Cobb Dreaming At The End Of Inception? All Clues, Evidence, Comments & Theories
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Having the spinning top as an anchor to the real world is what lets the audience know what’s a dream and what isn’t, so the last shot in Inception‘s infamously frustrating cliffhanger ending can be interpreted in many different ways. The fact that it never falls, makes it unclear whether Cobb decided to stay with his wife or made it back to his children. To add another layer, it’s unclear if he had any choice in the matter, as he could just have gotten lost in the madness. Either way, there are still ongoing discussions about whether or not the spinner falls or not, and viewers will never know what’s real and what isn’t.
1 Triangle of Sadness (2022)
Directed by Ruben Östlund
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9/10 Triangle of Sadness RComedyDrama
Triangle of Sadness is a film that takes a satirical approach to influencer and wealth culture, a black comedy film by Ruben Östlund. The film is seen primarily through the eyes of Carl and Yaya, two fashion models in a relationship who accept an invitation to partake in a trip on a superyacht filled with incredibly wealthy guests from different nationalities. Unfortunately, chaos ensues when a spoiled dinner makes several guests sick, and a storm suddenly overtakes the yacht, tossing everyone and the ship around. When the ship capsized the following day, a small group of survivors, including Carl and Yaya, made it to a deserted island, where a lack of critical life skills highlights the problems with living with unlimited privilege as they try to survive their new harsh conditions.
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*Availability in US Release Date October 7, 2022 Runtime 150 minutes Cast Harris Dickinson , Charlbi Dean , Dolly de Leon , Zlatko Buric , Henrik Dorsin , Vicki Berlin , Woody Harrelson Director Ruben Östlund Writers Ruben Östlund Budget $15.6 million Expand
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This incredibly quirky and subversive film had audiences scratching their heads since its first Cannes standing ovation. There’s a lot to unpack, and a lot to try and understand. It’s shot in a way that immerses the viewers into every situation. With each sound of a windshield wiper, and buzz of a fly, they’re feeling what the characters are feeling. The seasickness scene is so visceral that it’s almost possible to feel the smell in the air. But, after spending so much time on scenes of people being violently ill, Ruben Östlund completely skips over something that could be the subject of a whole other film all on its own.
As the viewer rejoins the survivors of the pirate attack, they are as clueless as the castaways themselves. It’s up to them to fill in the gaps, and paint a broader picture. Then, after adapting to this whole new reality and societal structure, it turns out they’re living on an inhabited island after all. However, as the camera cuts away before Abigail (Dolly De Leon) is shown killing (or not killing) Yaya (Charbli Dean). With so many potential scenarios of what’s to follow, the questions are endless. Top of the list, however, could be: how did nobody find them for all this time?
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