40 Of The Most Wild Movie Plot Twists Of All Time, Ranked

We love the movies. From action to romance, sci-fi to period drama, there’s nothing we don’t adore. But we reserve a special place in our collective heart for those movies that mercilessly pull the rug from under you, turning reality on its head and leaving you questioning your very nature. Those insanely good films that make you gasp, your flesh crawl and your brain leak out of your ear. Here, in our opinion, are 40 of the very finest movie twists of all time. But be warned: spoilers abound. Can you handle the insanity?

40. Arrival (2019)

In a pitch-perfect use of the flash-back that’s actually a flash-forward, Arrival’s quietly powerful twist is as destructive as it is beautiful. Though if visions of a horrible future are what comes with knowing some aliens, we’ll pass thanks. Knowing that her joyful family life will end in tragedy thanks to some extraterrestrial magic, Amy Adam’s character jumps into that future, regardless of the pain she knows is coming. When that truth is finally revealed, the air physically leaves the room. Powerful stuff.

39. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Is there anything more terrifying for a teenage boy than meeting his age-appropriate girlfriend’s dad? We’re guessing not. But when that dad also happens to be the supervillain current nemesis of said teenage boy’s superhero alter-ego, it dials the terror up to 11. Because no one sees that coming. Not even Spider-Man. Can we say awkward?

38. A Beautiful Mind (2010)

Now, you might think that suspending your disbelief in such a way that allows you to buy Russell Crowe as a genius is the insane plot twist here. You would, surprisingly, be wrong. Because it’s actually the elaborately constructed world his character inhabits – even his niece wasn’t real. Ditto the cushy job in espionage services. Mind-blowing, right?

37. April Fool’s Day (1986)

One of the original and best it’s-all-a-ruse endings in cinematic history. A weekend spent being chased by a homicidal maniac actually turns out to be a full dress rehearsal for one of the weirdest business ideas ever conceived. Yes, come spend a fun-filled couple of days being chased by a completely fictional homicidal maniac. It might look like you died, but you really didn’t. Good times. Back then, it seemed hilarious. We’re pretty sure, though, that every horror weekend ever held is based on this movie.