3 Famous Sci-Fi Movie Endings That Don’t Really Make Much Sense

by

Science fiction has produced a wealth of beloved, classic films that have greatly impacted both the genre itself and popular culture as a whole. Many of these films have launched successful franchises and inspired others to try and replicate their achievements. While surprising plot twists and memorable endings are common in sci-fi and often contribute to a film’s success, a shocking ending isn’t always a sign of a truly great movie.

Science fiction stories can easily become too complicated. While things like time travel and advanced technology are common in the genre and can work well, they don’t always result in satisfying conclusions. Often, these elements actually make a movie’s ending confusing and hard to follow, even after careful consideration. This is true even for some well-known sci-fi films – their endings don’t always hold up under scrutiny.

3) Planet of the Apes (1968)

The ending of the 1968 film Planet of the Apes is famous for its twist, but it’s not as original as people think. The reveal that the planet is actually a future version of Earth has become a common trope in science fiction, though some still find it impactful. Initially, it seems like a shocking and bleak conclusion for the main character, leaving the audience with a sense of despair.

When you think about the ending more carefully, it doesn’t really add up. The idea that the Statue of Liberty is the only thing left to tell Taylor where he is feels strange. If a metal statue could withstand that much water damage, you’d expect the intelligent apes to have preserved other buildings. Also, the astronauts should have realized where they were much sooner, considering they weren’t affected by the planet’s atmosphere – the ending makes it seem like a surprising discovery.

2) Inception (2010)

Christopher Nolan is now famous for making complex films, but that wasn’t always the case. The movie that really established his reputation for intricate storytelling was 2010’s Inception. The film centers around a team of thieves who enter people’s dreams, with the ambitious goal of planting an idea directly into someone’s subconscious. The concept itself is complicated, and Inception delivers a mind-bending and visually stunning experience throughout its entire runtime.

The ending of Inception is famous for being confusing, and many people feel you need to watch the movie twice to fully grasp it. The director has explained that the point is the main character finally accepts his reality, even if it isn’t actually real. However, many find this unsatisfying because it doesn’t really resolve the story’s central questions, and feels like an unfulfilling cliffhanger.

1) 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is widely considered a landmark achievement in science fiction. Created with input from sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke, who co-wrote the screenplay, the movie has captivated audiences for generations with its groundbreaking visuals and thought-provoking story. It also gained broader popularity thanks to its thrilling portrayal of astronauts battling a frightening robot.

Honestly, the movie’s ending is hard to follow. After astronaut David Bowman finds a third strange obelisk on Jupiter, he experiences a fast-forward of his life in a seemingly random room, ultimately turning into a giant fetus floating in space. People have tried to understand what it all means, but it’s still considered one of the most confusing and illogical endings in science fiction history.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/7-upcoming-sci-fi-movies-that-could-be-masterpieces/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-13 21:11