Twist endings are the cinematic equivalent of a magician's final reveal, leaving audiences stunned and forcing them to reevaluate everything they've just witnessed. Here are ten movies that have mastered this art, delivering some of the most unforgettable twist endings in film history:

The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological horror film follows a young boy who claims he can see and communicate with the dead. The entire film is steeped in a somber, mysterious atmosphere, leading up to the bombshell revelation that Dr. Malcolm Crowe (played by Bruce Willis) has been dead all along. This twist not only recontextualizes the entire narrative but also highlights the subtle clues sprinkled throughout the film, making it a prime example of masterful storytelling.

Fight Club (1999)

Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club delves deep into themes of identity, consumerism, and mental illness. The story follows an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton) who forms an underground fight club with the charismatic Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). The jaw-dropping twist—that Tyler is a figment of the narrator’s imagination—forces viewers to question everything they’ve seen up to that point. The twist isn’t just a narrative trick; it’s a profound commentary on the search for identity and the destructive nature of unchecked ego.

The Usual Suspects (1995)

Bryan Singer’s neo-noir crime thriller is anchored by the enigmatic figure of Keyser Söze, a legendary criminal mastermind. As the film unfolds through the unreliable narration of Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit together—until the final moments. The reveal that Verbal himself is Söze transforms the entire story into a brilliant con, making the twist one of the most celebrated in cinematic history.

Oldboy (2003)

This South Korean thriller, directed by Park Chan-wook, is a dark and twisted tale of revenge. The story follows Oh Dae-su, a man inexplicably imprisoned for 15 years, who is then released and given five days to find his captor. The shocking twist—that Dae-su’s enemy manipulated him into committing incest—takes the film to a level of tragedy and horror that is both unforgettable and deeply disturbing.

The Game (1997)

Directed by David Fincher, The Game is a psychological thriller that follows Nicholas Van Orton (Michael Douglas), a wealthy investment banker who receives an unusual birthday gift: a real-life game designed to manipulate and upend his life. The twist comes when it’s revealed that the entire harrowing experience was orchestrated as part of the game to give Nicholas a new perspective on life. The ending leaves the audience questioning reality and the true intentions behind the game

Se7en (1995)

David Fincher’s Se7en is a grim and relentless crime thriller that follows detectives Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and Mills (Brad Pitt) as they hunt down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi. The film’s shocking twist comes in the final moments when the killer, John Doe (Kevin Spacey), reveals the last two sins: envy and wrath. The gut-wrenching discovery of what’s in the box is a moment of pure cinematic horror that leaves a lasting impact.

Shutter Island (2010)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a psychological thriller set in a mental institution on a remote island. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Teddy Daniels, a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient. The twist—that Teddy is actually a patient himself, and the investigation was an elaborate role-play to help him confront his delusions—turns the entire film on its head, forcing the audience to question what is real and what is imagined.

Primal Fear (1996)

This courtroom drama directed by Gregory Hoblit features Edward Norton in a breakout role as Aaron Stampler, a seemingly meek altar boy accused of murdering a priest. The twist—that Aaron’s multiple personality disorder is a ruse, and he has been manipulating everyone all along—adds a chilling dimension to the character and leaves the audience stunned by the cold cunning of his deception.

The Prestige (2006)

Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige is a tale of obsession, rivalry, and sacrifice, centered around two magicians in 19th-century London. The film is filled with twists and turns, but the final reveal—that Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) has been cloning himself and killing each clone to perform his greatest trick—takes the film to a whole new level of psychological horror. It’s a twist that forces viewers to reconsider the lengths to which people will go for greatness.

Gone Girl (2014)

Directed by David Fincher and based on Gillian Flynn’s novel, Gone Girl is a thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. The story follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) as he becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike). The mid-film twist—that Amy is alive and has framed Nick for her murder—completely upends the narrative and delves into the dark and twisted nature of their marriage. It’s a twist that redefines the entire film, making it a gripping exploration of deceit and manipulation.

These films are excellent examples of storytelling that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, delivering unforgettable twists that completely alter the narrative and challenge audience expectations.