30 Horror Movie Endings So Disturbing, They May Just Be The Greatest Of All Time
We recently asked horror lovers in our BuzzFeed Community, "What is the most satisfying ending to a horror movie ever?" and, WHEW BUDDY, they did not hold back! So with that in mind, here are just a few of the most spine-chilling finales shared:
Also, a couple of WARNINGS: Given the nature of this post, there are SPOILERS ahead for these horror films. In an effort to minimize this, we have opted to link out to the scenes in the film titles. So — if you'd like to watch them for yourself — simply click through!
1.Friday the 13th (1980)
"The original movie made lake water scary the same way Jaws made ocean water scary!"
2.Final Destination 5 (2011)
"Not necessarily the pinnacle of cinema, but the final movie ends with the survivors of that film dying on Flight 180 — which is the plane that crashes in the beginning of the FIRST movie, revealing it to be a prequel. I did not expect it at all and thought it was a brilliant way of wrapping up the whole franchise for good."
3.Carrie (1976)
"The original version with the hand coming out of the grave! People LOST THIER SHIT!"
—Jack Steadman, Facebook
4.The Skeleton Key (2005)
"It had such a twisted ending where a morally good character got a fate worse than death!"
5.Halloween (1978)
"I remember being so shook by the ending to the first movie — the iconic 'Was that the bogeyman?' 'As a matter of fact, it was' lines especially. Then we heard Michael breathing. Even today, I still get chills."
6.Funny Games (1997)
"When the whole family got killed in this movie, including the kid. Then the murderers just moved on to the next household to murder all of them."
7.Hereditary (2018)
"The mixture of grief and pain and guilt and trauma that was portrayed in such a raw and visceral way was manifesting itself to the point of some of the creepiest supernatural shit I've ever seen."
8.The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
"It has one of the most memorable endings to me. I loved how they used all of the horror clichés and stereotypes at the beginning for a reason, which led to the wild reveal in the end."
9.Eden Lake (2008)
"That movie was so disturbing throughout, but especially the end."
—Kaitlin Kline, Facebook
10.Phantasm (1979)
"I keep rewriting this trying to explain the ending in a quick way, but I can't, so I'll just say, 'It's a dream...or is it?'"
11.Crimson Peak (2015)
"The ending is absolutely amazing!"
12.The Sixth Sense (1999)
"I recently rewatched it, and wow, it’s still so good and scary. The ending is the best twist!"
13.The Thing (1982)
"It lives in my head rent-free. I still can't make up my mind about what happened, which I truly enjoy."
14.Malignant (2021)
"That twist was unexpected, never been done, and totally disturbing — but in a good way!"
15.Us (2019)
"It fucked me up. Even though we found out the truth, the implications of it mean that there’s something afoot."
16.Psycho (1960)
"Hands down. That look he gave the camera — you could feel him looking at you through the screen. Chills."
17.Dark Skies (2013)
"When the Tall Greys end up taking the other son!"
18.Drag Me to Hell (2009)
"The way she was dragged down through the train tracks while her helpless boyfriend watched in horror! Just when she thought she was safe."
19.Midsommar (2019)
"The way she smiles at the end as if accepting all the madness — not to mention what you see in the hut!"
20.The Blair Witch Project (1999)
"The shot of Mike facing the corner is terrifying in general, and the way it foreshadows what comes next after the camera is cut off was genius. It has obviously stuck with me, since the only time I saw the movie was 15 years ago."
21.Sinister (2012)
"It’s so rare to see the 'bad guy' win, and watching him pick up the child and take possession of her after she murdered her family was spine-chilling."
22.The Invisible Man (2020)
"The whole movie had this heavy suspense, and you were constantly looking for a hint that he was around the corner. Seeing the lead character finally get her revenge on him was so satisfying. She killed him using his own creation against him! It was great."
23.The Witch (2015)
"I'll be honest and admit I hated this movie. I found it boring and not scary at all — but the ending lives in my brain rent-free. Thomasin being the lone survivor and deciding to become the very thing her family was the most afraid of? The scene with Black Phillip and the whole, 'Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?' speech? Her joining the other witches and floating into the air smiling? That ending totally makes up for the dullness of the film."
24.Ready or Not (2019)
"I'm hesitant to reveal anything, but it was perfect. A lesser movie would have backed down, but they really went for it, and it's amazing. Just watch it!"
25.The Mist (2007)
"That ending was polarizing, but honestly, I thought it was great. Any ending that makes you gasp in shock is a winner for me."
26.Train to Busan (2016)
"I’m terrified of zombies, so I was already scared, but then when the dad sacrificed himself so his daughter could get away, I started bawling my eyes out. It was so well done, engrossing, and heart-wrenching."
27.American Psycho (2000)
"Patrick Bateman's monologue at the end was just absolutely breathtaking."
28.The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
"The whole 'I’m having an old friend for dinner' moment with Hannibal Lecter hanging up while Clarice is panicking on the phone? It's iconic."
29.Saw (2004)
"The original one has one of the best endings of all time!"
—Jo Richardson, Facebook
30.And finally — The Shining (1980)
"The ending is *chef’s kiss*. The slow zoom on the photo on the wall of the hotel? I love that it leaves the viewer with so many questions. Was Jack a reincarnated spirit being called back to the hotel? Was he a victim of the hotel’s toxic energy? Did he finally find his 'home' among the other hotel guests? We never really know!"
All right, now it's YOUR turn! Which ones did they miss?! Share the horror movie ending that you believe is the best of all time in the comments below for a chance to be featured in an upcoming BuzzFeed Community post and/or video!
Note: Some entries have been edited for length and/or clarity.
