10 Great Superhero Movie Twists We'll Remember Forever
These superhero movie twists are unforgettable.
The superhero movies of the MCU, the DCU, and other comic book franchises occasionally feature twists so good that they're likely to be remembered forever. The movies of the MCU may have propelled the genre to box office greatness, but the superhero genre is deceptively broad and versatile. With so many comic book stories being adapted to the big screen over the years, itâs fair to say that many of their narratives have been truly unforgettable.
For those superhero movies whose endings hold up years later, thereâs often an element of surprise involved in the narrative thatâs hard to forget. Offering up a narrative twist may not be a guarantee that the movie will be memorable, but the best or most surprising tend to live long in the memory. With that in mind, here are 10 great superhero movie twists that we think we will remember forever.
10 George Clooneyâs Surprise ReappearanceThe Flash (2023)
Though itâs far from one of the best movies in the DCEU, 2023âs The Flash was able to deliver one of the franchiseâs most memorable twists. The movie saw its hero fight alongside his younger self, Michael Keatonâs Batman, and Sasha Calleâs Supergirl in a futile attempt to save an alternate timeline from General Zod. Its ending saw Barry return to his own timeline and prove his fatherâs innocence. However, the movieâs final stinger revealed that it was, in fact, a different timeline, one where George Clooneyâs Batman replaced Ben Affleck.
Considering the movieâs position in the DCEUâs timeline, The Flashâs ending was little more than a playful shock for its audience. However, the twist is decidedly memorable for several reasons: firstly, it was hugely unexpected, and secondly, it pokes fun at the character who is commonly considered the worst of all Batmen. Clooneyâs surprise reappearance was a humorous and unexpected development, making it a twist well worth remembering.
9 The Winter Soldier Killed The StarksCaptain America: Civil War (2016)
The MCUâs movie timeline has seen a number of narrative twists, with some standing out as more memorable than others. A select few can also boast being emotionally complex and dramatic, such as Captain America: Civil Warâs final twist regarding Bucky Barnesâ past. After locating Baron Zemoâs lair, Iron Man, Captain America, and Bucky discover the villainâs true plan: to reveal to Tony Stark that Bucky was responsible for killing his parents.
The twist might not be the most surprising, but thatâs part of what makes it so memorable. Even though it was specifically set up by the movie, it still came as a shock reveal to many, especially the character of Tony Stark himself. Itâs a twist that served as the final straw for the MCUâs Avengers, forcing the team apart and precipitating an unforgettable and emotional battle between Iron Man and Captain America.
8 Miranda Tate & Baneâs IdentitiesThe Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises rounded off Christopher Nolanâs Dark Knight trilogy with an appropriately epic climax, following an older Bruce Wayne as he confronts the idea of a life after his time as Batman. The movieâs plot sees him working alongside Miranda Tate to provide renewable energy to Gotham, while also protecting the city from Bane and the League of Shadows. The filmâs big twist sees Tate reveal herself as Talia al Ghul, the real mastermind behind Baneâs plan.
The twist is memorable on several levels. Obviously, its implications for the story and the connection it makes to Batman Begins help it to stand out, but thatâs not all. Leading up to The Dark Knight Risesâ release, it was clearly expressed that Tate was an original character, making the twist more surprising as a result. Considering the way it fit into the movie and the trilogyâs narrative, it was a development that we wonât soon forget.
7 The Vulture Is Lizâs DadSpider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
After his introduction in Captain America: Civil War, Spider-Man made his long-awaited solo debut in the MCU in Spider-Man: Homecoming. The movie saw the young hero face the Vulture, an arms dealer and smuggler of alien tech, while also dealing with the more mundane complications of modern teenage life, such as high-school and relationships. After managing to secure a date with his crush, Liz, Peter Parker sees his two worlds collide when he discovers that her father is none other than the Vulture himself.
The reveal of Adrian Toomes as Lizâs father makes for a memorable twist, not least because of its presentation in the MCU. The scene frames the moment perfectly, with Peterâs high spirits being outlined by an upbeat song which abruptly cuts out with Toomesâ appearance. The subsequent tension between the pair makes the twist even better, serving as one of the MCUâs best and most memorable narrative curveballs.
6 The Joker Switched Rachel & Dentâs LocationsThe Dark Knight (2008)
Widely hailed as one of the greatest superhero movies ever made, 2008âs The Dark Knight brought both Batman and his nemesis the Joker to life on the big screen in emphatic fashion. The movie itself is memorable for its quality, but it also boasts one of the most devastating twists in the genre. After capturing the Joker, he reveals that he is holding both Harvey Dent and Rachel Dawes in separate locations, and that they are both set to be killed at the same time, forcing Batman to choose.
Forcing Batman to choose between the needs of the city and his relationship with Rachel was dark enough, but the locations the Joker gave to the hero were reversed. This saw Batman save Dent instead of Rachel, with the police arriving too late to rescue her. The tragic outcome of the simple twist only makes it even more memorable, and it stands out as one of the Jokerâs cruelest movie moments.
5 Ego Killed Meredith QuillGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 saw Star-Lord unravel the mystery of his parentage, meeting Ego the Living Planet, who reveals himself as Quillâs father. Much of the movie focuses on the pair building a bond, with Ego explaining his desire to grow and connect with as many lives as possible. However, shortly after putting his ultimate plan into motion, Ego reveals that he was the one who killed Star-Lord's mother, Meredith Quill, admitting to putting the tumor that killed her inside her head.
The twist might not be the most surprising, as Ego was shaded as suspicious throughout the movie, but the reveal still made for an unforgettable moment. Seeing Star-Lord's heartbreak at learning that his father killed his mother is an emotionally powerful moment, and one that proved vital to his story. The twist cemented Ego as one of the MCUâs most callous villains, making it especially memorable.
4 Ozymandiasâ Secret Plot Meant Heâd Already WonWatchmen (2009)
Zack Snyderâs 2009 adaptation of Watchmen brought the award-winning comic book to life in live-action in a way that few thought was possible. The movie blended an epic noir story with gritty superhero action, following Rorschach as he set about unraveling the mystery of the Comedianâs death. This all leads him to the movieâs final twist: not only was the hero Ozymandias responsible, but his plot to kill millions had already come to fruition.
Watchmenâs twist ending was threefold: Ozymandias was the villain all along and it was too late to stop his plan, but Rorschachâs journal would bring his deeds to light in the end. The movieâs ending undergoes several memorable turns in just a few scenes, paying off its story in an unforgettable climax. The nature of Watchmenâs twist ending makes it a movie that is truly impossible to forget, thanks in no small part to the narrative brilliance of its final scenes.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The MCUâs adaptation of multiple Marvel Comics storylines has helped make it one of the most successful franchises of all time. Along the way, it has employed a number of shocking and daring twists that redefine its entire narrative. Such was the case with Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which revealed that SHIELD had actually been infiltrated by Hydra on every conceivable level.
The reveal flipped a huge part of the MCUâs story upside down. The organization that the heroes had been fighting for were actually the villains all along, and Captain America, Black Widow, and Nick Fury were forced to dismantle all of SHIELDâs power. The twist had huge ramifications for the MCUâs general story, many of which still have a major bearing on the franchise after more than a decade. This makes it without a doubt one of the biggest and most unforgettable twists in the history of the superhero genre.
2 Loki Survived & Supplanted OdinThor: The Dark World (2013)
Though it is far from the most memorable or beloved chapter in Thorâs MCU story, 2013âs Thor: The Dark World featured some key moments in the heroâs narrative arc. The movie saw Thor join forces with Loki to fight against Malekith to prevent him from using the Aether, with the God of Mischief paying the ultimate price in their climactic battle. In the movieâs emotional final scene, Thor speaks to his father, Odin, about Lokiâs heroic sacrifice, only for it to be revealed that Loki survived and secretly replaced Asgardâs king.
The twist stands out on two distinct levels. Firstly, the narrative aspect of Loki seemingly returning from the dead to take control of Asgard was a major MCU development that teased an exciting future. More importantly, it was a sign that the franchise had nailed its characterization of Loki, establishing his villainous brand of mischief as a dangerous and unpredictable force within the MCU.
1 Ducard Is Raâs Al GhulBatman Begins (2005)
2005âs Batman Begins might largely exist in the shadow of its sequel, The Dark Knight, but it is a memorable title within the context of superhero movies. As well as introducing Christian Baleâs Batman to the big screen, it also featured perhaps the best twist in the history of the genre. After being mentored by Ducard as a member of the League of Shadows, it is later revealed that Ducard was their leader, Raâs al Ghul, all along.
The twist was important not just on a narrative level, but a thematic one. It taught Batman a valuable lesson about theatricality and trust, also serving as a shocking development within the context of the movie. As such, itâs one of the most memorable twists in the history of the superhero movies of the MCU, the DCU, and beyond.
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