5 Best Action Movie Climaxes Ever (& 5 Worst) | ScreenRant
The action movie climax should be shocking and riveting, and change the whole story for the better. These are the best and worst examples.
From huge explosions to intense drama, there's so much to go around and entertain when it comes to action movies. Of course, not all can be totally great.
The climax is the most important part of the movie, and all film fans know that they can make or break a flick. The climax should be shocking and riveting, and change the whole movie for the better, or it can fall flat on its face.
10 Best: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
It would seem unreal to not include Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on any list that includes climaxes, especially when talking only about the action genre. Luke finding out that Darth Vader is his father is one of the best plot twists in history - even three decades later.
This climax had ever viewer on the edge of their seat, and even though it's widely known outside the Star Wars fandom, it's still enough to give every movie buff chills and goosebumps. This climax is the real deal.
9 Worst: The Mist (2007)
While some would definitely agree The Mist has one of the most horrifying climaxes in movie history, there are definitely some out there that think it is brilliant and devastating. However, all can agree it's one of the least satisfying out there.
After creatures invade a small town during a storm, a group of people hold out in a supermarket to survive. During the climax, David makes the tough decision to kill everyone to save them from a horrible death. However, only seconds later, the military arrives.
8 Best: Bonnie And Clyde (1967)
Bonnie and Clyde is one of the most incredible stories and films of all time. These two characters have been cemented in the world of Hollywood, and this '60s movie quite literally never gets old.
In the climax, Bonnie and Clyde are tricked into an ambush, where they are shot brutally and killed. The most intriguing part of this climax is that it's intense and shocking, but it also makes all viewers question their morality. This climax is astounding, and also thought-provoking.
7 Worst: War Of The Worlds (2005)
2005's War of the Worlds is directed by Steven Spielberg, and stars the popular Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning. After an entire film with action, death, and aliens invading and harvesting humans, the climax of this movie couldn't be more disappointing.
After the soldiers finally catch an alien struggling out of its hatch, it is revealed that their immune systems can't handle Earth. This is the definition of anticlimactic.
6 Best: Fight Club (1999)
While the number-one rule isn't to talk Fight Club, it's impossible not to do so when discussing some of the best action climaxes out there. Directed by David Fincher, this flick has Brad Pitt and Edward Norton as two guys deciding to make a secret club.
After so much action and destruction, the climax reveals that Tyler is both of these characters - and that he is single-handedly behind the death and chaos. This was super unexpected by every audience member, and made the ending even more riveting and intense.
5 Worst: Savages (2012)
Savages has Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, and Blake Lively, and they play a trio that has a romantic relationship. They find themselves trapped into working with a Mexican drug-cartel.
After death, torture, and kidnapping - that results in them all dying - Ophelia (Lively) wakes up from a nightmare. The three are released from the DEA, and leave for the beach. This is a roller-coaster, and while it makes little sense, it's also just super disappointing.
4 Best: The Departed (2006)
The Departed has one of the best casts out there: Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, and Vera Farmiga. With an Irish mob, a mole in the police and a mole in the mob, this flick keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
At the climax, no one can guess who is the good guy and the bad guy. Billy, the movie's hero, is shot moments away from victory, and Trooper reveals he's a second mole. When all seems lost, Dignam kills Sullivan. This is a lot to take in, but it's absolutely masterful and hits everyone in a deep and shocking way.
3 Worst: The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
After an action-packed and intense fighting scene with Bane, Tate, Batman, and Kyle, bombs explode and Batman is presumed dead, where he is honored by everyone as a huge hero.
However, at the end of The Dark Knight Rises - at the tail-end of the climax - Alfred is vacationing in Florence, and stumbles across Bruce and Kyle. This might seem like an interesting and uplifting turn of events, but it's certainly far from original.
2 Best: Shutter Island (2010)
It's only fair that Martin Scorsese appears here twice, since his action flicks are brilliant with riveting and unexpected climaxes. With Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, two US Marshals investigate an island for the criminally insane in Shutter Island.
At the climax, DiCaprio's character is revealed to be the true villain of the story - and his entire character is a charade. He is actually Andrew Laeddis, and he's criminally insane. The Shutter Island climax is jaw dropping.
1 Worst: Titanic (1997)
Known as one of the best romantic and action-packed dramas out there, this James Cameron-directed film also has one of the most controversial endings of all time.
In the climax of Titanic, as Rose and Jack float in the water, Rose remains on a large piece of wood and Jack remains in the water, where ultimately he dies of hypothermia. After such an intense story of survival, this is beyond frustrating, especially when there was definitely room for two.