10 Sci-Fi Movies With Mind Blowing Plot Twists

Sci-fi movies often have cerebral and unpredictable plots, so naturally they also have some of the most iconic and unforgettable twists of all time. A good sci-fi movie can change the way that audiences think by introducing fascinating new concepts. Well-timed twists ensure that they’re memorable, but also that they can have a deep impact on someone’s mind.

Sci-fi has always deployed creative twists, even in the earliest days of the genre before the medium of film was invented. Classic sci-fi shows like The Twilight Zone show that twists continued to be central to the genre’s allure as these new art forms developed, and sci-fi movies and TV shows still use groundbreaking twists in the 21st century.

10

Planet Of The Apes (1968)

The Famous Twist Warranted An Entire Prequel Series

Planet of the Apes

9/10

Release Date

April 3, 1968

Runtime

112 minutes

Director

Franklin J. Schaffner

Writers

Rod Serling, Michael Wilson

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The original stretch of the Planet of the Apes franchise never recaptured the magic of the original movie, partly because its iconic twist was such a tough act to follow. One key reason why the prequel series has been so successful is that it fully unpacks the twist in as much detail as it deserves.

Although Planet of the Apes initially appears to take place on an alien planet, the ending reveals that George Taylor had actually been exploring Earth after his spacecraft crash-landed. This has often been cited as one of the greatest twists in all of cinema, even though it’s been spoiled over and over again.

9

Annihilation (2018)

Annihilation’s Ending Refers Back To Its Beginning

Annihilation

7/10

Release Date

February 23, 2018

Runtime

115 Minutes

Alex Garland’s atmospheric sci-fi drama Annihilation makes some big changes to Jeff VanderMeer’s book, but it keeps the spirit of ambiguity and cosmic horror alive. Annihilation can be hard to understand, as Garland plays tricks on his audience with a strange narrative and some even stranger sci-fi devices.

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Some movies are absolutely carried by their twists, elevating an otherwise mediocre or forgettable experience into a more clever narrative.

Annihilation is filled with unexpected twists and head-scratching moments, but perhaps the most powerful comes right at the end, as Lena discovers that her husband had been replaced by a doppelgänger created by the shimmer. It’s the kind of reveal that makes audiences want to go back and watch the entire movie all over again, to explore the meaning of the shimmer in further detail.

8

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

Blade Runner’s Legacy Sequel Could Set Up A Whole New Chapter

Blade Runner 2049

8/10

Release Date

October 6, 2017

Runtime

163 Minutes

Writers

Michael Green, Hampton Fancher

Blade Runner 2049 faced the tough task of following a bona fide sci-fi classic decades after the fact, but Denis Villeneuve rose to the occasion, creating a worthy sequel that fits into the world of Ridley Scott’s original. The story ends with a stunning reveal that leaves audiences wanting more.

The reveal that Deckard and Rachael managed to have a child changes the entire complexion of both Blade Runner movies in a single moment, and it sets up Blade Runner 2099 perfectly. Although there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the TV series, Blade Runner 2049 gives it a roadmap to expand on the idea of a replicant uprising.

7

Moon (2009)

Moon’s Intelligent Narrative Makes It Just As Memorable As Big-Budget Blockbusters

Moon

8/10

Release Date

July 10, 2009

Runtime

97 minutes

Director

Duncan Jones

Writers

Nathan Parker

Moon serves as proof that great sci-fi movies don’t necessarily need huge budgets for splashy effects and action sequences. Its taut script is just as compelling as any blockbuster, in its own way, with a twist that lingers in the mind. Rather than coming at the end, Moon features a twist midway through that changes everything.

The reveal that both copies of Sam are clones of the original sets the story on a dark path, and the corporate greed of Lunar Industries is slowly revealed. This twist transforms Moon from a psychological thriller into something even more disturbing, since there’s no ambiguity over the crushing bleakness of the reality that the two Sams are faced with.

6

Alien (1979)

Alien’s Twist Is A Little Underrated

Alien

10/10

Release Date

June 22, 1979

Runtime

117 Minutes

Writers

Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett

Sci-fi fans often discuss Alien as a classic of the genre, with an immersive horror atmosphere and some great worldbuilding. However, one thing that doesn’t always get the credit it deserves is the twist that Ash is actually an android working to advance the Weyland-Yutani Corporation’s agenda.

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There have been some truly terrible twists in science fiction movies over the years, with some being so egregious that it ruins the movie.

The Alien franchise has explored the idea of androids in further detail since the first movie, starting with Ripley’s skepticism on her mission in the first sequel, Aliens. This doesn’t detract from the power of that first twist, since it changes the outlook of the story in an instant. Alien isn’t a story about humanity struggling to control nature as much as it is about corporations willingly burning human lives in pursuit of profit.

5

Interstellar (2014)

Christopher Nolan’s Love Of Twists Arguably Reaches Its Peak In Interstellar

Interstellar

7/10

Release Date

November 7, 2014

Runtime

169 Minutes

Many of Christopher Nolan’s best movies revolve around jaw-dropping twists, but the genius of his particular style is that his movies retain their rewatch value even when the audience knows what’s coming. Interstellar is a prime example of this, since the twist offers so much more than shock value.

It’s revealed that Cooper is the ghost from Murph’s childhood, sending coded messages through the tesseract. Ultimately, this twist closes the loop, since Murph’s childhood experiences eventually lead to the creation of the tesseract, which allows Cooper to send the messages. It’s yet another example of Nolan breaking down a mind-bending concept in an entertaining and visually stunning fashion.

4

The Prestige (2006)

Nolan’s Most Underrated Movie Is Packed Full Of Twists

The Prestige

9/10

Release Date

October 20, 2006

Runtime

130 minutes

The Prestige is so densely packed with twists that it doesn’t even reveal itself to be a sci-fi movie for the bulk of its runtime. The reveal that Angier is cloning himself using a machine provided by Nikola Tesla is soon overshadowed by a few more shocking twists, like the one which shows what happens to Angier’s clones.

On the other side of the feud, the truth behind Borden’s “Transported Man” trick is just as surprising. Borden being two separate people changes the entire story, and his lines about his conflicted feelings and lost memories suddenly make sense. The closing monologue is Nolan’s way of teasing his audience after executing the perfect trick.

3

Arrival (2016)

Arrival’s Twist Captures Its Cerebral Ideas Perfectly

Arrival

8/10

Release Date

November 10, 2016

Runtime

116 Minutes

Writers

Eric Heisserer, Ted Chiang

Arrival is based on a short story by Ted Chiang, and Eric Heisserer’s intelligent script translates the story’s central ideas to the big-screen perfectly. Even though Chiang’s writing focuses on the specifics of how language can shape the brain, Arrival ensures that these literary concepts are dynamic and entertaining on film.

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Wrapping up a film with a twist can be a challenging balancing act as the story needs to make sense and feel unique, but these titles did just that.

Arrival‘s shocking twist that the flashbacks are actually Louise’s flash-forwards to the life she is yet to live makes her story even more tragic. Rather than simply living with her grief, she is living with the knowledge that she’s unable to stop the trauma coming her way. Regardless, she surrenders herself over to the experience.

2

Ex Machina (2014)

Ava’s Plan Proves That She’s Even More Intelligent Than Caleb Thought

Ex Machina

9/10

Release Date

April 10, 2015

Runtime

108 minutes

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Ex Machina follows a programmer as he visits his company’s reclusive genius CEO. From the moment Caleb arrives at Nathan’s isolated home in the woods, it’s clear that not all is well, but the true extent of what’s going on is only revealed by a drip-feed.

There are a few twists along the road in Ex Machina, most of which reveal more about Nathan’s true intentions with Caleb and his robots. The biggest twist is saved for last, however, as Ava traps Caleb to make her escape and live a life of freedom. It shows that Nathan was right about her manipulating Caleb, but even he couldn’t fathom her intelligence and survival instincts.

1

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars’ Big Twist Has Colored The Entire Franchise

The second Star Wars movie delivers one of the most famous plot twists of all time, one that has been utterly spoiled in every conceivable way ever since. Still, the reveal that Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father is so seismic and thematically powerful that it deserves respect.

The Star Wars franchise has always been indebted to this one moment, ever since it happened. Of course, the prequel trilogy is largely devoted to Anakin Skywalker’s slow transition to the dark side, but even the sequel trilogy displays an obsession with family lineages. With a new raft of upcoming Star Wars movies, this theme will likely remain just as prevalent.