Spoiler Alert: This list includes spoilers for multiple movies.
It’s hard to find any movie fan who doesn’t appreciate a great plot twist, especially one that catches audiences completely by surprise. The one beautiful element of a plot twist isits ability to turn the tables on the audience without their knowledgeby subtly leaving a trail of minor hints or clues that, even after the twist is revealed, leads viewers to experience almost an entirely different movie the second time through.
Although these unexpected story developments exist in every film genre, the characteristics of thescience-fictiongenre present an opportunity for some of the most jaw-dropping and imaginative plot twists. There has been a collection of notablesci-fi filmswith solid plot twists, but titles, such asPlanet of the Apes,Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, andForbidden Planet, feature some of the greatest plot twists in movie history that audiences will never forget.
10’The Thing' (1982)
Directed by John Carpenter
In Antartica, a group of American scientists take in a sled dog after saving it from being shot and killed by a helicopter that had been relentlessly chasing. Shortly after, the dog starts attacking people for no apparent reason, leading the scientists to discover thatthe dog is actually an unknown creature that can take the form of anything and anyone, including them. As they fight to stay alive, the scientists are inevitably consumed by paranoia, becoming suspicious of everyone around them.
The plot twist inJohn Carpenter’sThe Thingis alsoone that also leaves it up for audiences to come up with their own interpretation of the ending. At the end, R.J. MacReady, played byKurt Russell, is the last remaining survivor, but audiences are taken aback when another scientist, Childs (Keith David), who had taken off after another scientist, is alive, leading audiences to believe he was either dead or close to death. He tells MacReady that he had become lost in the storm, but there is an obvious sense of distrust between them about both of their stories. Despite sharing a bottle of whiskey and a few chuckles, it’s clear that they are both wondering if one of them is actually the creature.
A team of researchers set out to study an alien spacecraft found in Antarctica, where they also discover an alien body on the site. The alien buried in ice is actually alive and has the ability to imitate human form. The group must find a way to distinguish who the real person is from The Thing and stay alive. John Carpenter’s 1982 film is a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World and stars Kurt Russel as the hero RJ MacReady.
9’The Prestige' (2006)
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Christian BaleandHugh Jackmanstar inChristopher Nolan’sThe Prestigeas magicians and partners, Alfred and Robert, who, after a tragic accident during one of their performances,go their separate ways and eventually become bitter rivals. When Alfred performs the ultimate magic trick of teleportation, Robert tries relentlessly to uncover his ex-partner’s secret, resorting to conducting dangerous experiments and exploring unconventional scientific methods.
Nolan does a marvelous job of conveying the possibility of genuine magic or innovative science being the key to Alfred’s trick, but the secret is much simpler and entirely more plausible than audiences ever expected. When it’s revealed that Alfred has an identical twin, audiences' minds race with Jackman’s character’s as he fits the piece of the shocking puzzle together, ultimately filling in the blanks of the story which audiences never even knew existed. Despite being one of Nolan’s most underrated films,The Prestigehas one of the best plottwists that is utterly mind-blowing, and, considering Nolan’s expertise in the genre, it’s easy to see why it stands to be one of the greatest.
The Prestige
After a tragic accident, two stage magicians in 1890s London engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.
8’Blade Runner' (1982)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Harrison Fordstars inRidley Scott’sBlade Runneras a former police officer, Rick Deckard, who is forced to resume his previous job as a Blade Runner, who issomeone who is tasked with hunting bioengineered humanoids known as replicants. His mission is to track down and “retire” four replicants who managed to escape the colonies and have since returned to Earth.
The plot twist inBlade Runnerwas initially up for debate among fans whether Deckard is a replicant or not, but in recent years,Scott has confirmed that he is one. There are a few clues in the movie, such as Deckard’s eyes briefly glowing and the pictures in his apartment, which are neither recent nor in color, that indicate his true identity.The final piece of the puzzle centers around Deckard’s dreams of a unicorn. The scene was originally cut from the theatrical version, but in the 1992 director’s cut, the dream gives meaning to the unicorn origami left by Gaff (Edward James Olmos) at the end for Deckard. The paper figure is supposedly an indication that Gaff is aware of Deckard’s memories and dreams, which could only be possible if the Blade Runner’s memories were implanted.
Blade Runner
A blade runner must pursue and terminate four replicants who stole a ship in space and have returned to Earth to find their creator.
7’Moon' (2009)
Directed by Duncan Jones
Sam Rockwellstars as an astronaut, Sam Bell, who is close to the end of his three-year shift at a lunar mine and is looking forward to being reunited with his family. After suffering a near fatal accident,Sam is rescued by a younger version of himself who he believes to be a clone. With time running out, the two Sams work against the clock to try and figure out what is going on before the company’s crew arrives to take him home.
The overlooked science-fiction movie,Moon, featuresa stellar plot twist as well as a powerhouse of a dual performance by Rockwell. The movie gets out in front of there being any plot twist by revealing the fact that there’s another version of Rockwell’s character, which is why it’s rather shocking when the two Sams discover not only that they are both clones, but that there is a vault containing hundreds of clones, each a duplicate of the original Sam Bell.Moonmay have a slightly obvious plot twist, but it makes audiences do a double take after learning that it has more than just one surprise in store for them.
Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet’s power problems.
6’Forbidden Planet' (1956)
Directed by Fred M. Wilcox
The classic science-fiction film,Forbidden Planet, follows a space crew as they travel to a far distant planet, Altair IV, to try andfigure out the details behind the mysterious disappearance of a group of scientistswho had traveled to the planet decades ago. When they arrive, they discover two survivors, Dr. Morbius (Walter Pidgeon) and his daughter, Altaira (Anne Francis), inform the crew that the other scientists were killed by an unknown planetary force.
Forbidden Planetis a crucial sci-fi film of the 1950s that hasaged well through the yearsand is credited as an essential stepping stone for contemporary science-fiction cinema. While the film is recognized for its innovative vision and special effects, it also has one of the most shocking plot twists. The movie intricately sets the stage for a blended sci-fi horror flick, maintaining the facade that the source is an unseen or supernatural intruder, but it turns out that it’s actually a manifestation of Morbius' subconscious.Forbidden Planetwas a monumental contribution to the sci-fi genre and,with a plot twist that leaves audiences flabbergast, there’s no question that it is one of the most memorable twists in classic cinema.
Forbidden Planet
5’The Terminator' (1984)
Directed by James Cameron
James Cameron’sThe Terminatorwas a surprising hit that today ranks as an iconic sci-fi flick of the 1980s, ultimately launching Cameron’s career as well as establishingArnold Schwarzeneggeras a promising leading man. The movie follows an android assassin disguised as a human (Schwarzenegger) who is sent from the year 2029 to 1984 where he must find and kill a woman named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Shortly after his arrival, a human soldier, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), is sent to protect and save Sarah as her survival dictates the future of the human race.
The plot twist of Reese being sent to the year 1984 by his and Sarah’s son, John, is truly one for the ages. Audiences are aware that the future of humanity relies on Sarah having a child, buteven as she and Reese develop a romantic connection, the significance of their intimate encounter doesn’t immediately click until the end. In the final scene, Sarah is seen pregnant with John, essentially tying everything together in a neat, fascinating bow.
The Terminator
A relentless cyborg assassin is sent from the future to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son is destined to lead the human resistance against machines. Protected by a soldier also sent from the future, Sarah must navigate a deadly game of cat and mouse to ensure her survival and humanity’s future.
4’Soylent Green' (1973)
Directed by Richard Fleischer
In a dystopian and overpopulated New York City, detective Robert Thorn (Charlton Heston), is assigned to investigate the recent murder of an executive who worked at a local food rations company, but just as he’s making progress, the government pulls the plug on his investigation. Despite being taken off the case,the detective becomes obsessed with solving the man’s murderand when he decides to conduct his own investigation, he makes a startling and unsettling discovery.
The plot twist in the 1972 sci-fi thriller,Soylent Green, givesa whole new meaning to “you are what you eat” and is also regarded as one of the greatest twists of all time. As Heston’s character continues to pursue the mystery in question, he makes the gruesome discovery that the company’s products are made out of humans. Even though the indicators are presented in plain sight to audiences, no one puts the overpopulation problem and city wide starvation together, making it a plot twist that results in many viewers kicking themselves for not catching on sooner.
Soylent Green
3’Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1978)
Directed by Philip Kaufman
Donald Sutherlandstars as a scientist, Matthew Bennell, who becomes concerned when people begin reporting that their loved ones have been exhibiting strange behavior and believe they have been replaced with impostors. When Matthew’s friend, Jack (Jeff Goldblum) calls him to come look at a mutated body, they both notice a striking resemblance to Jack in the body, leading them toslowly uncover an alien invasion that has taken over their small town.
The 1978 sci-fi horror film,Invasion of the Body Snatchers, is a remake ofDon Siegel’s 1956 classic by the same name, but while the remake basically follows the original plot, it stirs things up with a wicked plot twist. The original film has its own bit of a plot twist, but the 1978 version takes it up a notch, revealing in the end that Matthew has been replaced by a pod person. As the movie seemingly features the same plot, it’s the perfect disguise to convince audiences that it will have the same ending, which adds another level of shock to the final unveiling.Invasion of the Body Snatchersis a remake that not only remains true to the original story but also forges its own place in cinema history with a profound and unforgettable plot twist,rightfully earning it a spot on the list.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
When strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, replicating the city’s residents one body at a time.
2’Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back' (1980)
Directed by George Lucas
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Backpicks up with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and his friends who are now on the planet Hoth, where the Rebel Alliance is overcome by an attack from Imperial Forces. As Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) escape in the Millennium Falcon, Luke travels to Dagobah in search of the Jedi Master Yoda, who he hopes will agree to train him and prepare for an inevitable fight against Darth Vader (James Earl Jones/David Prowse).
There are actually two plot twists inStar Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, the first being when Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) betrays Han and his friends, but the main jaw-dropping plot twist comes at the end during Luke’s fight with Darth Vader. When Darth Vader informs Luke that he is his father, audiences were completely floored and left utterly speechless at the unexpected admission. Since the film’s release,the shell-shocking scene has become one of the most iconic and memorable moments in movie history, solidifying the plot twist inStar Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Backas one of the greatest.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
After the Rebels are overpowered by the Empire, Luke Skywalker begins his Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued across the galaxy by Darth Vader and bounty hunter Boba Fett.
1’Planet of the Apes' (1968)
Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner
When three astronauts wake up from a deep hibernation after a 2000-year space voyage, their spacecraft crashes onto an unknown planet that is hundreds of light years away from their solar system. Stranded and with no way to get back home, the men travel through the planet’s desolate wasteland until they are captured by human-like apes. The men soon realizethey are on a planet which is ruled by a highly-intelligent species and humans are kept as slaves.
There’s no question thatPlanet of the Apesisone of the best sci-fi movies with an unforgettable plot twist that still incites a shuttering chill in audiences. As Charlton Heston’s character travels along the shoreline, he realizes that he hasn’t been on an alien planet but, in fact, has been on Earth the entire time. Consideringthe film’s script was co-written bycertified plot twist expert, Rod Serling, who is best known for his infamous sci-fi series,The Twilight Zone, it makes sense whyPlanet of the Apeshas such an astounding plot twist that, today, ranks as one of the most ingenious and timeless twists in any great science-fiction film.
Planet of the Apes
Astronaut Leo Davidson whips through space and time to a world where apes and gorillas rule the humans. Captured, he is nurtured by Ari and hunted by General Thade as he leads a rebel group of humans and chimpanzees in search of his downed craft. This is his only hope of escape and, ironically, the planet’s only hope of shaking off the tyranny of the gorillas, allowing peaceful humans and chimpanzees to co-exist.
