We love a great drama. Have zero issues with an ugly-cry tearjerker. And will never say no to an all-time best comedy. But when it comes to the ultimate big-screen, small-screen, any-screen experience, we LIVE for the art of the cinematic reveal, a.k.a. the movie plot twist.
Usually delivered as a fun surprise in the third act, this effective trickery on the part of the screenwriter and director throws viewers for a loop, pulling the rug out from underneath them, and when done exceptionally well, results in that elusive spark every filmmaker tries to achieve: movie magic. Ahead, some of the best plot twists in movies to date. And, yes, there are spoilers.
For more roundups, check out the scariest horror movies of all time, the most anticipated shows of 2024, and where to stream all the 2024 Oscar nominees.
Julie Kosin is the senior culture editor of ELLE.com, where she oversees all things movies, TV, books, music, and art, from trawling Netflix for a worthy binge to endorsing your next book club pick. She's the former director of audience strategy and entertainment at HarpersBAZAAR.com. When not glued to her laptop, she can be found taking pictures of her dog or haunting used bookstores.
DeAnna Janes is a freelance writer and editor for a number of sites, including Harper’s BAZAAR, Tasting Table, Fast Company and Brit + Co, and is a passionate supporter of animal causes, copy savant, movie dork and reckless connoisseur of all holidays. A native Texan living in NYC since 2005, Janes has a degree in journalism from Texas A&M and got her start in media at US Weekly before moving on to O Magazine, and eventually becoming the entertainment editor of the once-loved, now-shuttered DailyCandy. She’s based on the Upper West Side.
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