14 Movies That Spend Two Hours Preventing Something That Happens Anyway
Movies often follow characters trying to stop, prevent or improve some form of situation, be it a world-ending threat or any kind of smaller catastrophe. In most cases, we know the heroes will prevail, but that isn’t always the case; there are times where, believe it or not, the heroes lose.
The films we’ve gathered today are about that: characters going through incredible lengths to avoid a fate that happens anyway. This doesn’t always prevent the proverbial happy ending, but it often does. Be warned: we will spoil the biggest events of all these movies
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
For nearly the entire film, John Connor and Kate Brewster race to stop Judgment Day. In the end, they learn the mission was never to prevent the apocalypse but simply to survive it when the nuclear war begins.
12 Monkeys
James Cole is sent through time to stop the virus that devastates humanity. Despite uncovering important clues, the outbreak still occurs, and the film ultimately reveals that history was never changed at all.
Final Destination
Alex and his friends spend the movie trying to escape Death’s design after avoiding a plane explosion. Although they temporarily delay their fates, Death continues its pursuit, proving the disaster’s consequences cannot truly be avoided.
Knowing
Nicolas Cage’s character spends the film attempting to understand and prevent a series of predicted catastrophes. Despite his efforts, the final and most important prediction comes true as a solar flare destroys civilization.
The Matrix Reloaded
Neo believes he can break the cycle controlling humanity and prevent disaster. Instead, he discovers that the crisis he is trying to stop has happened repeatedly before and that the machines anticipated nearly everything.
Minority Report
John Anderton goes on the run to prevent a murder that the PreCrime system predicts he will commit. Ironically, many of his actions end up pushing events toward the exact future he is trying to avoid.
Donnie Darko
Donnie spends much of the film trying to understand bizarre events that seem destined to lead to catastrophe. Ultimately, the disaster still occurs, and he knowingly allows it to happen to restore the timeline.
The Butterfly Effect
Evan repeatedly travels into the past hoping to improve the future for himself and his friends. Every attempt creates new problems, and he eventually realizes that preventing tragedy may require accepting it instead.
The Ring
Rachel investigates the cursed videotape in hopes of stopping its deadly effects. She solves the mystery behind Samara’s death, only to discover that understanding the curse does nothing to end it.
Oedipus Rex
Based on Sophocles’ tragedy, the film follows Oedipus as he unknowingly fulfills the very prophecy everyone has spent years trying to avoid. Every effort to escape fate ends up bringing it closer.
The Cabin in the Woods
The protagonists fight desperately to survive and prevent the ritual demanded by ancient forces. Their resistance ultimately causes the ritual to fail, resulting in the world-ending catastrophe the organization was trying to stop.
Drag Me to Hell
Christine spends the entire movie attempting to escape a supernatural curse that promises eternal damnation. After exhausting every possible solution, she discovers too late that the curse remains in effect and claims her anyway.
Melancholia
The first half of the film revolves around hope that the rogue planet Melancholia will miss Earth. As the evidence mounts, it becomes clear that the collision everyone fears is absolutely unavoidable.
Avengers: Infinity War
The Avengers are constantly trying to stop Thanos from collecting all six Infinity Stones. Despite numerous sacrifices and victories along the way, Thanos succeeds in completing the Gauntlet and carrying out his plan.