Horror movies ending nightmares: 10 great movies with terrible endings!

The Haunting of Hill House - Steve Dietl/Netflix
The Haunting of Hill House - Steve Dietl/Netflix /
facebooktwitterreddit

Welcome to our guide on horror movies that scared us throughout but left us disappointed with their endings! In this article, we’ll explore 10 iconic horror movies that had fantastic stories but somehow missed the mark when it came to their conclusions.

We’ll talk about why these endings fell short and how they could have been better. So, get ready to dive into the spooky world of cinema and the not-so-great conclusions of these chilling movies.

Horror movies gone wrong: 10 Great horror Movies with infamously bad endings!

1. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

  • The Story: The Haunting of Hill House is a spooky series about the Crain family and their terrifying experiences in a haunted mansion called Hill House. It’s a mix of supernatural elements and family drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
  • The Ending: But, unfortunately, the ending of The Haunting of Hill House left many viewers feeling a bit unsatisfied. The way things wrapped up was rushed and overly sentimental, losing the creepy atmosphere that made the series so captivating.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: To make the ending stronger, they could have kept the eerie vibe consistent while giving more clarity to each character’s fate. Exploring the secrets of Hill House and its malevolent spirits would have kept the audience hooked until the very end.

2. The Babadook (2014)

  • The Story: The Babadook follows the terrifying story of a mother and her son haunted by a creepy presence that emerges from a mysterious book. It’s a psychological horror movie with exceptional performances.
  • The Ending: The problem with The Babadook was its ambiguous ending, leaving many scratching their heads. It didn’t explain the true nature of the Babadook and its connection to the characters, leaving us to figure it out ourselves.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: A more clear-cut ending that explored the Babadook’s origins and its impact on the characters would have been more satisfying. It would have given us a deeper understanding of the creature and its role in the family’s life.

3. The Wicker Man (1973)

  • The Story: The Wicker Man is a British classic about a police officer investigating a missing girl on a strange island inhabited by a pagan community. It’s a mix of mystery, horror and folk traditions.
  • The Ending: The twist ending of The Wicker Man was shocking, but it left some viewers feeling confused. It was so unexpected that it took away from the tension and suspense built up throughout the movie.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: A more gradual reveal of the island’s dark secrets would have made the ending even more powerful. By dropping hints along the way, the movie could have kept us on the edge of our seats until the final revelation.

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

  • The Story: A Nightmare on Elm Street introduced us to the infamous Freddy Krueger, a nightmare-inducing serial killer. The movie was praised for its original concept and excellent direction.
  • The Ending: The issue with A Nightmare on Elm Street was that the ending diminished Freddy’s terror. By defeating him through willpower, it made him less menacing than he was throughout the rest of the movie.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: A more inventive way for the protagonists to face Freddy would have kept the horror alive. It could have showcased their resourcefulness and made Freddy an even more fearsome villain.
Ending nightmares: 10 great horror Movies with terrible endings!
RUAIRI O’CONNOR as Arne Johnson in New Line Cinema’s horror film “THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures /

5. The Conjuring (2013)

  • The Story: The Conjuring is based on the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren. It focuses on one of their most terrifying cases involving a malevolent spirit haunting a family.
  • The Ending: The Conjuring built up fear effectively, but its ending followed familiar horror tropes. The climactic exorcism scene, while intense, didn’t offer anything new and left some viewers wanting more.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: By subverting the typical exorcism clichés, The Conjuring could have delivered a more memorable ending. Adding an unexpected twist to the final confrontation would have left a lasting impression on the audience.

6. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

  • The Story: Rosemary’s Baby follows a pregnant woman named Rosemary who suspects her neighbors are part of a satanic cult with sinister plans for her unborn child. It’s a psychological horror with a compelling performance by Mia Farrow.
  • The Ending: While Rosemary’s Baby is a horror classic, the ending left some viewers feeling uneasy. It raised moral and ethical questions but left too many loose ends.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: A more conclusive ending that explored the cult’s plans and Rosemary’s fate would have provided a better resolution. It would have given us closure and a deeper understanding of the movies’ dark themes.

7. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

  • The Story: The Blair Witch Project is a found-footage horror movie about a group of filmmakers investigating the legend of the Blair Witch in a creepy forest.
  • The Ending: While the ambiguity is part of the movies’ charm, The Blair Witch Project could have benefited from a clearer resolution. The uncertain fate of the characters left some feeling unsatisfied.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: While maintaining the found-footage style, a more definitive conclusion that shed light on the Blair Witch mystery would have given the audience a more satisfying ending.

8. The Mist (2007)

  • The Story: The Mist centers around a group of people trapped in a supermarket as a deadly mist envelops their town, bringing terrifying creatures with it. The film explores fear, desperation and the human condition.
  • The Ending: The Mist is applauded for its bleak and unsettling tone, but its ending, which differed from the source material, disappointed some viewers.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: A different ending that aligned more closely with the original story or offered a glimmer of hope would have been more impactful and left a stronger impression on the audience.

9. Paranormal Activity (2007)

  • The Story: Paranormal Activity revolves around a young couple who experience terrifying supernatural occurrences in their home. The movie is known for its found-footage style and eerie atmosphere.
  • The Ending: Paranormal Activity kept audiences on the edge of their seats throughout, but the ending left some feeling underwhelmed. The final reveal of the demonic entity lacked the impact that the rest of the movie had built up.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: To create a more lasting impression, the movie could have heightened the tension in the concluding scenes and revealed the true nature of the entity in a more captivating way.

10. The Village (2004)

  • The Story: The Village is a psychological horror movies set in the 19th century, where a secluded village is surrounded by a mysterious forest inhabited by frightening creatures.
  • The Ending: The Village was praised for its eerie atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling, but the twist ending left some feeling disappointed. The reveal of the creatures’ true identity was met with mixed reactions from audiences.
  • How It Could Have Been Better: To improve the ending, the movie could have maintained a sense of ambiguity and left some questions unanswered while providing a more satisfying resolution to the main characters’ arcs.

As horror enthusiasts, we love a good scare, but sometimes even the best movies can falter when it comes to their endings. By providing stronger and more satisfying conclusions, these horror movies could have become even more unforgettable. Nonetheless, these movies still have their place in the genre’s hall of fame, leaving us with plenty of spine-tingling memories.

Next. Bird Box Barcelona: A Haunting Journey Into Darkness. dark