Some great movies with ambiguous endings that have kept viewers thinking long after the credits rolled. Movies with ambiguous endings often spark discussion and interpretation among viewers. Here are some of the best films known for their unclear conclusions.
These films masterfully keep the audience on edge, leaving viewers with lingering questions that make them memorable long after they've ended.
Inception (2010)
Directed by Christopher Nolan, the movie ends with a spinning top, leaving viewers to wonder whether Cobb is still dreaming or has finally returned to reality.
Shutter Island (2010)
Another mind-bender from Martin Scorsese, this film leaves the audience questioning whether Teddy Daniels has been a patient all along or if he’s being deceived by the institution.
The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s horror classic ends with two survivors sitting in the snow, uncertain if either is infected by the alien organism, leaving their fates unresolved.
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Coen Brothers' thriller ends abruptly with Sheriff Bell's reflections, leaving the audience unsure about the fate of the killer and the moral order of the world.
Blade Runner (1982)
Ridley Scott's sci-fi classic ends with Deckard and Rachael fleeing the city, with hints dropped throughout the movie that Deckard himself might be a replicant, leaving that question unresolved.
Prisoners (2013)
Another Denis Villeneuve film, this one ends with a faint whistle that might indicate the protagonist is about to be found — or left for dead. It’s a subtle yet powerful finale that leaves his fate hanging.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola’s melancholic drama ends with a whispered exchange between the protagonists that the audience never hears, leaving their relationship open to interpretation.
The Usual Suspects (1995)
The film’s twist ending leaves viewers wondering just how much of the story was fabricated by the mysterious Keyser Söze, and how much, if any, was true.
The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers’ folk horror film ends with the protagonist ascending into the air, joining a coven of witches, but it’s unclear whether this is real or a hallucination brought on by her isolation and trauma.
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s horror film ends with a disturbing ritual and the protagonist’s apparent possession, but how much of the supernatural horror is real versus psychological breakdown is left uncertain.
Total Recall (1990)
The original film leaves it unclear whether the events are real or a fabricated memory, ending with a fade to white that invites speculation about reality and identity