The action genre can be a huge hit just as often as it can be a huge bust. While many movie buffs love a good superhero flick, a war drama, or just action-packed goodness, there are definitely others in this genre that are guilty of falling flat and being nothing new or interesting.
With that being said, the ending often makes or breaks any movie - whether it's good or bad. This genre can have unexpected, riveting, or satisfying final moments, or it can totally disappointing and confusing. So, it's time to settle it - here are five action movies with great endings, and five that were just plain awful.
Great: Inception (2010)
With Leonardo DiCaprio at the forefront, this film ending is as memorable as it gets.
The last shot is the spinning top, spinning and spinning, while fans anxiously wait to see if it topples over - to show that Dom is dreaming. However, it never does, and the screen fades to black. It's as ominous as it comes, but it's absolutely perfect.
Awful: 2012 (2009)
This disaster flick was released in 2009 and told a story of the world ending in 2012. While most feel that 2012 is just mediocre overall, the final straw for most viewers was definitely the ending.
After an action-packed and thrilling film, and many people dying, the film ends with the world finally returning to a livable state, and some of the main characters living their lives. Of course, the last line in the film is "no more pull-ups." Yeah, everyone heard that right.
Great: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road is filled with intense and riveting content. From high-speed chases and incredible desert shots to Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron being cool as can be, this post-apocalyptic action thriller has everything and more.
Of course, the ending stands out about all else, where Furiosa and her team of women are accepted by The Citadel as leaders, and Max disappears into the crowd - of course, not without a nod to his unexpected partner.
Awful: Planet Of The Apes (2001)
Planet of the Apes is part of an iconic and popular franchise, but the ending of the movie has been criticized and debated ever since - and it came out nearly two decades ago.
The entire ending is confusing, with apes that seemingly traveled to earth at a previous time, and then Mark Wahlberg's character being able to reach them. This time-traveling and time-changing ending is nothing but confusing, and frankly, it's disappointing.
Great: Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale is a classic Bond flick with Daniel Craig at the forefront, and it's full of action, explosions, and stellar fight scenes. There's a plot twist that's also totally satisfying, but at the end of this flick, Bond turns the tables on Mr. White.
Of course, the best part about the ending is that the terrorist - thinking he's safe - asks the mystery man on the phone who's calling. After Bond appears over him with a shotgun, he delivers one of the most famous movie lines of all time: "The name's Bond, James Bond." And the screen fades to black.
Awful: Signs (2002)
Honestly, this bad ending is guilty in both one sci-fi action flick to make the list. This flick is iconic, but its ending definitely is one of the most frustrating out there.
After a riveting and action-packed flick surrounding an alien invasion, it turns out that the aliens - that traveled across a galaxy - are allergic to water. This is as confusing as it is totally ridiculous and definitely disappointing.
Great: Drive (2011)
This is certainly a hidden gem in the action genre. Drive stars Ryan Gosling as an unnamed getaway driver, who finds himself twisted into his neighbor's (and lover's) husband's troubled past with a crime mob.
After 'Driver' kills the mob boss, with a blade in his own stomach, he gets back into his car. The camera lingers for what feels like ever on his face - and after the audience thinks he's dead, he blinks. Then, the soundtrack kicks in, and he roars off into the night, leaving everything behind him.
Awful: Superman (1978)
All action movie fans definitely have their favorite superhero flicks, and while Superman might be one of them, it is hard to deny that it might just be one of the most ridiculous and confusing endings out there.
Superman (Christopher Reeve) is upset that Lois Lane dies, so what does he do? Naturally, he spins the world - backward - to reverse time. This is an interesting idea, but it ignores basically everything about the universe.
Great: The Godfather (1972)
directed by Francis Ford Coppola. After so much tension, murder, and drama, the final scene is ominously simple.
The camera shows a door and two rooms - with Kay on one side, and then Michael crossing over into the room with the other men, where the door closes shut. This powerful shot is bursting with meaning and is one of the most iconic movie endings of all time.
Awful: I Am Legend (2007)
While there are two, the director's cut definitely exists because everyone was so outraged at the original.
This movie is astounding, and it was ruined with a typical Hollywood self-sacrifice ending. Everyone was thinking: why couldn't he just get in the safe? While the director's cut has a deeper final moment, nothing can undo the damage of the original.
