Warning! Spoilers for major fantasy movies and franchises ahead!Crafting a good plot twist in a fantasy movie takes skill, as it’s sometimes easy to see them coming within the genre. Since so much time must be spent building the world and providing exposition to give the audience context, it can be complicated to provide enough foreshadowing for a plot twist to hit the audience at the right time. However, when a narrative turn in a fantasy story is good, there’s nothing better than shocking the viewer and changing their perspective on everything that’s happened in the film so far.

While there are plenty of bad movies with frustrating plot twists, these films successfully set up their narrative turns with enough foreshadowing to make them satisfying without giving them away. It would be amazing to go back in time and watch these movies again to experience the thrill of discovering what the story is hiding. However, a twist isn’t only effective if it’s surprising. If it carries enough narrative weight, a twist is important, no matter how shocking it is. Whether the turn is supposed to be dramatic or comedic, these films expertly craft them for the viewer.

10

Snape Being A Hero

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

Although book readers knew this twist was coming for a long time, this didn’t change the impact of the reveal in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2​​​​​. For many years, Harry sees Snape as one of his biggest enemies in school, as Snape goes out of his way to target Harry, though he does occasionally protect him. However, when Snap kills Dumbledore, it seemingly confirms that Snape was a villain all along. It’s not until the last moments of Snape’s life that Harry discovers the truth, shaking him to his core.

Snape’s heroic turn at the end of the narrative changes how the audience views him and Harry.

Snape’s casting in the Harry Potter TV remake will be one of the most important decisions the upcoming series faces. While Alan Rickman was brilliant as Snape, he was a little too old for the part, making his relationship with Lily and James less believable. The TV show will have to take many of the major beats in Harry Potter and make them new since audiences will be going into the series already familiar with the story. Snape’s heroic turn at the end of the narrative changes how the audience views him and Harry.

9

Héctor Is Miguel’s Great-Great-Grandfather

Coco (2017)

One of the most touching Disney-Pixar movies in recent history, Coco is a magical adventure that follows Miguel as he searches for his long-lost great-great-grandfather in the Land of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ on Día de los Muertos. Music and familial bonds are a huge part of Coco, as music is forbidden by Miguel’s living family. In his search to find his grandfather, who he believes to be the iconic musician Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel meets Héctor, a downtrodden man living in the Land of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, who’s about to be forgotten.

One of the best plot twists in Disney movies comes when it’s revealed that Héctor is really Miguel’s grandfather, and Ernesto was the one who killed him to take credit for his music. It’s a dark and devastating twist, as Héctor comes very close to fading from living memory before Miguel saves him. Though it’s clear that Héctor is more than just a friend who Miguel meets throughout his adventure, their time together is made even more meaningful by their familial connection.

8

Saruman Betraying Gandalf

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

In The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo relies heavily on Gandalf to protect him and lead the Fellowship as they begin their trek to Mount Doom. However, Gandalf comes close to being lost forever when he’s imprisoned by the very person he sought out for help against Sauron. Saruman is a white wizard and had been an ally to Gandalf in the past, but when Gandalf arrives at his tower, it’s clear that something has changed. Saruman has fallen victim to the seductive pull of Sauron’s power.

This twist happens early on in the movie, but it’s a critical moment that sets up the high stakes of the story and the far-reaching influence of Sauron. Frodo and Gandalf’s allies could all be swayed by the power of Sauron and the Ring, and Saruman’s betrayal here is excellent foreshadowing for Frodo’s actions at the end of The Return of the King. While the twist in The Return of the King is also a big moment in The Lord of the Rings, it’s through Saruman’s betrayal that much of the series’ morality is foreshadowed.

7

Borden Having A Twin

The Prestige (2006)

The structure of The Prestige unfolds like the magic tricks that the story relies on, misdirecting the audience’s attention and revealing something that’s too incredible to be believed. Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale star in Christopher Nolan’s fantastical drama as rival magicians who will do whatever it takes to have the best possible act. One recurring trick, The Transported Man, is particularly relevant to the plot, as Bale’s Alfred Borden performs it so flawlessly that the second man can’t be a double.

However, it turns out that Borden is using a double, but it’s not a stranger who looks like him; it’s his twin. Throughout the entire movie and Borden’s entire life, he and his brother have been living one life and masquerading as the same man to fool the whole world, including their loved ones. While Angier’s way of performing the trick is more gruesome and violently shocking, Borden’s trick is the cleanest and the most impressive of the film.

6

The Wizard Is Evil

Wicked (2024)

The recent screen adaptation of Wicked has been an enormous hit with audience members across generations. While many viewers are familiar with the story from the stage musical and the original book, it’s interesting to see how the narrative has been altered for the film. Though the Wizard is a genial hero in The Wizard of Oz, despite his deceptions, Wicked goes even further, painting him as a fascist leader who suppresses the voices of those who would speak out against him, like Elphaba.

It’s her reaction to the Wizard’s betrayal and her determination not to capitulate to his demands that makes the twist so effective.

Erivo was one of the best actors of 2024, combining her musical theater skills with a knockout performance as Elphaba. It’s her reaction to the Wizard’s betrayal and her determination not to capitulate to his demands that makes the twist so effective. The twist doesn’t come out of nowhere, but it was a stroke of genius to turn the tables on the original narrative and lift Elphaba up as a hero even further.

5

Bastian Is Controlling The Story

The NeverEnding Story (1984)

One of the best live-action children’s fantasy movies, The NeverEnding Story has remained a classic for a reason. Despite the occasional dated visual effects, The NeverEnding Story is a gorgeously imagined magical tale about coming-of-age and grappling with loss. The protagonist, Bastian, has been bullied in school and is still reeling from the loss of his mother, finding solace in the тιтular book, The NeverEnding Story. Within the tale, Bastian finds himself taken on an incredible adventure in the world of Fantasia.

However, as the novel progresses, the line between fantasy and reality starts to blur, and Bastian notices that his actions and words are part of the story. The denouement shows Bastian and the audience that he has the power to save Fantasia and the Childlike Princess because he has become part of the story himself. While it’s clear throughout The NeverEnding Story that Bastian has more influence than he knows, the fact that he always had the ability to save the world inside of himself is an impactful moment for young viewers.

4

Westley Is Only Mostly ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

The Princess Bride (1987)

Cary Elwes strikes a handsome figure as Westley, the hero of The Princess Bride, who spends the majority of the film trying to return to his beloved, ʙuттercup. Though there are dramatic moments in The Princess Bride, it’s a comedic film, and many of the narrative turns serve to elevate the humor of the story. While Westley and ʙuттercup’s romance takes center stage, the power of friendship, teamwork, and the act of good triumphing over evil are all important themes in The Princess Bride.

Discovering that Westley is still alive and has been holding on for ʙuттercup is a sweet discovering, and reviving him is a hilarious part of the story.

The twist is a great example of how plot twists can work in a variety of ways, and don’t always have to be extreme, violent, or intensely dramatic. Since he’s the hero, the audience naturally doubts that Westley is truly ᴅᴇᴀᴅ after Prince Humperdinck’s torture, as he still has to save the day and ride off into the sunset with ʙuттercup. Discovering that Westley is still alive and has been holding on for ʙuттercup is a sweet discovery, and reviving him is a hilarious part of the story.

3

Haku Saved Chihiro As A Child

Spirited Away (2001)

Spirited Away is often described as one of Studio Ghibli’s best movies, thanks to the visual design and the moving story that has connected with audiences for generations. The fantastical nature of the narrative transports the protagonist, Chihiro, to the spirit world so she can save her parents, and she makes many colorful characters along the way. One of the most important spirits she meets is Haku, a mysterious boy who works for the witch Yubaba.

The relationship between Chihiro and Haku is one of the best parts of Spirited Away, and there are hints throughout the story that they have a hidden connection. However, Yubaba has taken the memories and idenтιтies of the workers in the bathhouse, so neither Chihiro nor Haku can recall their past encounters. At the climax of the film, Haku remembers saving Chihiro when she was a young girl, allowing him to reconnect with his idenтιтy as a river spirit.

2

The Skeksis And Mystics Were Single Beings Split By The Crystal

The Dark Crystal (1982)

The Skeksis are the terrifying antagonists of The Dark Crystal, so fueled by their quest for absolute power that they nearly exterminate the Gelflings. One of the lone Gelflings to survive the genocide, Jen, is raised by the Mystics, a gentle and wise race who groom Jen to one day take on the Skeksis and prevent them from sealing their control of the Dark Crystal forever. With the missing shard of the Dark Crystal in tow, Jen journeys to the Skeksis to end their reign of terror.

Though it takes a lot of sacrifice, Jen completes the Crystal, and the true idenтιтy of both the Skeksis and the Mystics becomes clear. They were singular beings who were split apart into the good and evil parts of themselves when the crystal split, demonstrating the need for both positive and negative attributes in every being. As the urSkeks, the beings tell Jen that he finally allowed the world to find balance and peace.

1

Dr. Crowe Is ᴅᴇᴀᴅ

The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan is known for the unbelievable twists featured in his projects, but The Sixth Sense is unquestionably his best. Bruce Willis gives an all-time best performance as Malcolm Crowe, a psychologist who treats a young boy, Cole, who says he can see and communicate with ᴅᴇᴀᴅ people. Throughout the story, Crowe is determined to help Cole connect with the living world and no longer feel isolated, though Malcolm has felt disconnected from his wife during this time.

It’s devastating to discover that Malcolm has been ᴅᴇᴀᴅ almost the entire time in The Sixth Sense, and only Cole has been able to see him. While Malcolm must mourn the loss of his life and his separation from his wife, learning that he is ᴅᴇᴀᴅ is a good thing. It allows Malcolm to come to grips with his fate and move on to the next life. Additionally, this twist is the perfect ending for Cole’s development, as he helps Malcolm as much as the doctor helped him.