This would have gone on for two days straight.

Then theres the third ending ofParanormal Activityis the alternate finale included in the home media releases.

Theres no demonic growling, no cops, no exposition - just a stark, brutal final image.

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Each ending offers a drastically different tone.

The original leans into realism and despair.

Which Paranormal Activity Ending Is The Best?

A woman standing in her bedroom in Paranormal Activity

Lets break them down.

The version most audiences remember is the theatrical ending, where Katie disappears after a scream is heard off-screen.

Its quick, shocking, and leaves the viewer rattled.

Paranormal Activity movies ranked

It also firmly positionsParanormal Activityas a franchise-ready property, with Katies fate left deliberately open-ended.

However, the realism that made most of the film so chilling is sacrificed in favor of spectacle.

This version feels the most grounded and believable, staying true to the films documentary-style presentation.

Katie in 2007’s Paranormal Activity

In the end, the best ending depends on what you want out ofParanormal Activity.

There’s something deeply horrifying about the simplicity and finality of this ending.

It offers no explanation, no closure - just raw, disturbing violence.

Steven Spielberg Labeled for Reuse

Its a hard stop to the story and removes any sense of catharsis.

If the goal is maximum impact, the theatrical ending delivers.

Its not hard to see why it was chosen for the wide release.

Katie with a kinfe held to her throat in the alternate Paranormal Activity ending

However, the original ending is arguably stronger from a storytelling standpoint.

The alternate throat-slash ending, meanwhile, is the most daring.

In the end, the best ending depends on what you want out ofParanormal Activity.Scares?

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The alternate is waiting.

However, alternate versions show more extended footage of Katie’s possession and make Kristis death even more disturbing.

One scene reveals her head being violently smashed, offering a grimmer, more personal take on the killing.

Headshot Of Katie Featherston

All in all, alternate endings arent just a curiosity in theParanormal Activityseries - theyre practically a signature move.

In the theatrical version, teen protagonist Alex simply vanishes during the films chaotic climax.

But in the alternate cut, her death is shown on screen.

Cast Placeholder Image

These cuts would have deepened the lore, but perhaps at the cost of pacing and coherence.

All in all, alternate endings arent just a curiosity in theParanormal Activityseries - theyre practically a signature move.

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