25 Awesome Movies Where Bad Guys Win At The End

It is in our nature to always cheer for the good guys to win in movies. We are probably tired of seeing all the injustice around us in the real world. For those two hours, while we are watching a movie, we need to separate ourselves entirely from the harsh reality surrounding us.

This implies that the good guys always win. They might be up to their necks in… trouble, but they will eventually triumph against all odds. And they always get the girl (or a boy) at the end. What could be better?

Well, maybe a movie where the bad guys win? It’s hard to believe, but there are actually awesome movies where the bad guys take the day. However, they are rare.

It takes a lot of effort from the writers, directors, and actors to portray a likable bad guy—the kind of bad guy that wouldn’t ruin the movie’s chances at the box office...

We have chosen 25 of the best “bad guys win” movies, and we hope they will inspire you to watch them if you haven’t already. Oh, darn, we’ve spoiled their endings for you. But it doesn’t matter; they are still great to watch.

It goes without saying that you will encounter some major spoilers ahead:

1. Watchmen (2009)

Warner Bros. Pictures (via IMDB)

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

Lucasfilms

3. Fallen (1998)

Warner Bros. (via IMDB)

4. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Lionsgate

5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

United Artists (via IMDB)

These villains are crafted so well that they keep us glued to the screen. We simply love to hate them and can’t get enough. But, as we mentioned before, it takes a lot of effort to create a bad guy who will win without sinking the movie at the box office.

In general, we want the good guys to win—always. So we will dislike the movie if we see a character we don’t like emerging from the battle as a winner. That’s why it is so challenging to create a bad guy that we love to hate.

And, of course, a character that would make us think the movie is excellent even though the ending is different from what we subconsciously desire.

6. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (1999)

20th Century Fox

7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Orion Pictures (via IMDB)

8. No Country For Old Men (2004)

Miramax Films

9. Fight Club (1999)

20th Century Fox (via IMDB)

10. Saw (2004)

Lions Gate Films

11. Taxi Driver (1976)

Columbia Pictures

12. The Green Mile (1999)

Warner Bros.

13. Primal Fear (1996)

Paramount Pictures (via IMDB)

14. Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Warner Bros. (via IMDB)

15. The Usual Suspects (1995)

Gramercy Pictures (via IMDB)

16. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Warner Bros.

17. Hannibal (2001)

MGM Distribution Co. (via IMDB)

18. Se7en (1995)

New Line Cinema

19. Memento (2000)

Newmarket

20. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

Marvel Studios

21. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Continental Distributing

22. The Devil’s Advocate (1997)

Warner Bros. (via IMDB)

23. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

New Line Cinema

24. The Omen (1976)

20th Century Fox

25. Shutter Island (2011)

Paramount Pictures

These are genuinely excellent movies, and you should definitely watch them.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our list. Who doesn’t love these characters? Darth Vader or Hannibal Lecter—who is your favorite?