What Are The 7 Best Plot Twist Movies Of All Time

When I go to the movies, I want to be on the edge of my seat. I want the director to make me feel like I'm in the palm of their hand. And when the tension gets high, and I think I know where the story is going. I want them to break left and completely knock me on my rear. That's one of the main things I love about plot twists. When they're done well, they're the fodder of master storytellers wielding their power over us. Today, I want to go over the ones I think are the very best. Let's dive in. (Potential spoilers below)1. Planet of the ApesDirector: Franklin J. SchaffnerWriters: Michael Wilson and Rod Serling (based on the novel by Pierre Boulle)Cast: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans. One of the all-time mic drop moments is the very end of this movie, where we realize we've been on Earth this whole time. It was stunning at the time and still holds up. 2. Gone GirlDirector: David FincherWriter: Gillian Flynn (based on her Novel of the same name)Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry. I think a lot about this movie and this twist. It's sort of the perfect idea of just completely going against the whodunnit by having the victim do it, and then reverse that they're still alive. It's such a mature idea that can only come from a love of genre. 3. Old BoyDirector: Park Chan-wookWriters: Hwang Jo-yun, Lim Joon-hyeong, Park Chan-wook (based on the Japanese manga)Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong I resisted the urge to just make this a list of completely messed up movies, but Oldboy's twist is so purely in line with its idea of vengeance. The reveal of Mi-do being Oh Dae-su's daughter is diabolically awful.4. Fight ClubDirector: David FincherWriter: Jim Uhls (based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk)Cast: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter This is one of those movies that hits so hard, pun intended, you remember where you were when you first saw it. I was in my buddy's basement and everyone went so nuts we had to start the movie over when we realized Brad Pitt wasn't there.5. The Usual SuspectsDirector: Bryan SingerWriter: Christopher McQuarrieCast: Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak, Pete Postlethwaite, Kevin Spacey Another movie that necessitates an immediate rewatch, this slow burn of who Soze is hides all its twists in plain sight, and then allows them to walk out of the office. 6. The Sixth SenseDirector: M. Night ShyamalanWriter: M. Night ShyamalanCast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams The twist might be more famous than what actually happens in this horror movie. But the reveal of Bruce Willis as a dead person is so wonderful and so emotional that it hits every time. 7. PsychoDirector: Alfred HitchcockWriter: Joseph Stefano (based on the novel by Robert Bloch)Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, Martin Balsam I wonder what this was like in the theater in 1960. I would love to have been there. I can only gauge my reaction at home when I first learned Mom was dead and Norma was playing dress up.Even More Best Plot Twist Movies Of All TimeAside from my seven favorites, here's a list of more movies with plot twists you should check out. MementoShutter IslandDonnie DarkoThe OthersThe Crying GameThe VillageThe MachinistThe PrestigeThe IllusionistThe HandmaidenParasiteKnives OutThe UninvitedThe Skeleton KeyThe GamePrimal FearFractureThe GiftEnemyThe Invisible GuestBad Times at the El RoyaleGet OutSe7enIdentityVertigoChinatownJacob's LadderPlanet of the ApesThe Skin I Live InEx MachinaBlack SwanSoylent GreenMulholland DriveThe Cabin in the WoodsPredestinationArrival Summing Up The Best Plot Twist MoviesI bet your head is still spinning from all these movies. I genuinely love watching a movie with a huge twist and just embracing it. Seeing them in a crowded theater is an experience I would not trade for the world. What are some movies I left off the list? Let me know what you think in the comments.

Mar 26, 2025 - 17:22

What Are The 7 Best Plot Twist Movies Of All Time

When I go to the movies, I want to be on the edge of my seat. I want the director to make me feel like I'm in the palm of their hand.

And when the tension gets high, and I think I know where the story is going. I want them to break left and completely knock me on my rear.

That's one of the main things I love about plot twists. When they're done well, they're the fodder of master storytellers wielding their power over us.

Today, I want to go over the ones I think are the very best.

Let's dive in.

(Potential spoilers below)

1. Planet of the Apes

Director: Franklin J. Schaffner
Writers: Michael Wilson and Rod Serling (based on the novel by Pierre Boulle)
Cast: Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans.

One of the all-time mic drop moments is the very end of this movie, where we realize we've been on Earth this whole time. It was stunning at the time and still holds up.

2. Gone Girl

Director: David Fincher
Writer: Gillian Flynn (based on her Novel of the same name)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry.

I think a lot about this movie and this twist. It's sort of the perfect idea of just completely going against the whodunnit by having the victim do it, and then reverse that they're still alive. It's such a mature idea that can only come from a love of genre.

3. Old Boy

Director: Park Chan-wook
Writers: Hwang Jo-yun, Lim Joon-hyeong, Park Chan-wook (based on the Japanese manga)
Cast: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong

I resisted the urge to just make this a list of completely messed up movies, but Oldboy's twist is so purely in line with its idea of vengeance. The reveal of Mi-do being Oh Dae-su's daughter is diabolically awful.

4. Fight Club

Director: David Fincher
Writer: Jim Uhls (based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk)
Cast: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter

This is one of those movies that hits so hard, pun intended, you remember where you were when you first saw it. I was in my buddy's basement and everyone went so nuts we had to start the movie over when we realized Brad Pitt wasn't there.

5. The Usual Suspects

Director: Bryan Singer
Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak, Pete Postlethwaite, Kevin Spacey

Another movie that necessitates an immediate rewatch, this slow burn of who Soze is hides all its twists in plain sight, and then allows them to walk out of the office.

6. The Sixth Sense

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams

The twist might be more famous than what actually happens in this horror movie. But the reveal of Bruce Willis as a dead person is so wonderful and so emotional that it hits every time.

7. Psycho

Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Writer: Joseph Stefano (based on the novel by Robert Bloch)
Cast: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, Martin Balsam

I wonder what this was like in the theater in 1960. I would love to have been there. I can only gauge my reaction at home when I first learned Mom was dead and Norma was playing dress up.