Clue launched in 1985 with a clever trick up its sleeve. While most movies feature one ending, this board game adaptation experimented with multiple conclusions shown in different theaters, creating a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that sticks with fans today.
This quiz examines the production history of the movie, the specific details regarding those legendary multiple endings, and the lore behind the mansion where the mystery unfolds. You will see questions about the cast, the director, and the various ways the film was distributed.
If you enjoy cinema history, check out these pages: films with branching outcomes, cult favorites, and page-to-screen adaptations.
Which 1985 feature film based on a board game was famous for featuring three different ending sequences shown in different theater runs?
Monopoly
Monopoly
Battleship
Battleship
Clue
Clue
Risk
Risk
How did the 2002 DVD release of the film Clue handle the multiple endings?
All three endings were included as branching paths on the DVD menu.
All three endings were included as branching paths on the DVD menu.
The DVD version only included the ‘official’ ending approved by the studio.
The DVD version only included the ‘official’ ending approved by the studio.
The theatrical ending was released on the DVD, while the others were extras.
The theatrical ending was released on the DVD, while the others were extras.
The DVD contained a randomizer feature that played a different ending each time the movie was watched.
The DVD contained a randomizer feature that played a different ending each time the movie was watched.
What is the primary setting for the events of the board game-inspired film Clue?
A wealthy tycoon’s mansion gala.
A wealthy tycoon’s mansion gala.
A high-stakes corporate boardroom.
A high-stakes corporate boardroom.
A mysterious mountain laboratory.
A mysterious mountain laboratory.
A secluded country estate at a dinner party.
A secluded country estate at a dinner party.
In the version of the Clue film ending where Wadsworth the butler is the culprit, which character famously reveals that he is actually an undercover FBI agent?
Mr. Green
Mr. Green
Colonel Mustard
Colonel Mustard
Professor Plum
Professor Plum
Mrs. Peacock
Mrs. Peacock
How were the multiple endings of the Clue movie originally distributed to theaters?
They were all discarded and never filmed.
They were all discarded and never filmed.
They were released as post-credit scenes in the original theatrical run.
They were released as post-credit scenes in the original theatrical run.
They were shown randomly to audiences in different theaters across the country.
They were shown randomly to audiences in different theaters across the country.
They were assigned to specific cities: ending A in New York, B in Los Angeles, and C in Chicago.
They were assigned to specific cities: ending A in New York, B in Los Angeles, and C in Chicago.
In the ‘everyone did it’ ending of the Clue film, which character admits to killing Yvette because of murderous jealousy?
Professor Plum
Professor Plum
Miss Scarlet
Miss Scarlet
Mrs. White
Mrs. White
Mrs. Peacock
Mrs. Peacock
What is the origin of the ‘unofficial’ fourth ending that surfaced later for the film Clue?
It was the most expensive ending to shoot and was cut from the original theatrical plan.
It was the most expensive ending to shoot and was cut from the original theatrical plan.
The director of the film added it specifically for the home market.
The director of the film added it specifically for the home market.
It was the ending intended for the overseas theatrical release.
It was the ending intended for the overseas theatrical release.
It was a ‘fan-fiction’ ending authorized by the board game creators.
It was a ‘fan-fiction’ ending authorized by the board game creators.
Which statement best describes the cult following status of the Clue movie?
It was the first film to successfully adapt a strategy tabletop game.
It was the first film to successfully adapt a strategy tabletop game.
It was considered a total failure until finding a large demographic of fans on home video.
It was considered a total failure until finding a large demographic of fans on home video.
It was critically acclaimed but ignored by audiences.
It was critically acclaimed but ignored by audiences.
It was a massive blockbuster upon its initial release.
It was a massive blockbuster upon its initial release.
In the ending where the police arrive at the end of the film, who does the butler Wadsworth claim committed all the murders in a convoluted confession?
Wadsworth was the murderer.
Wadsworth was the murderer.
Mr. Green was the murderer.
Mr. Green was the murderer.
Mrs. Peacock was the murderer.
Mrs. Peacock was the murderer.
Professor Plum was the murderer.
Professor Plum was the murderer.
How does the Clue film pay homage to the board game’s history?
The game board is visibly used as a prop in the final scene.
The game board is visibly used as a prop in the final scene.
The character names and weapon choices are directly lifted from the 1949 version of the game.
The character names and weapon choices are directly lifted from the 1949 version of the game.
The actors actually played the game on set to prepare.
The actors actually played the game on set to prepare.
The film includes a scene where the characters play a game of Clue for the murder weapon.
The film includes a scene where the characters play a game of Clue for the murder weapon.
What medium is most responsible for the resurgence of the Clue film’s cult status due to its multiple endings menu?
2000s DVD player special features
2000s DVD player special features
Late-night cable television airings
Late-night cable television airings
1980s VHS rental shops
1980s VHS rental shops
Social media viral clips
Social media viral clips
Which of these correctly characterizes the reception of the 1985 Clue film?
It was critically panned by every major newspaper at the time.
It was critically panned by every major newspaper at the time.
It features a soundtrack composed by the inventor of the board game.
It features a soundtrack composed by the inventor of the board game.
It was a massive commercial success that spawned three sequels.
It was a massive commercial success that spawned three sequels.
It was a commercial failure that eventually earned a cult following.
It was a commercial failure that eventually earned a cult following.
How did theater operators know which ending was attached to their specific print of the Clue film?
They were shown consecutively without explanation.
They were shown consecutively without explanation.
The endings were never shown on any theatrical print.
The endings were never shown on any theatrical print.
The theaters were told to screen all prints at the same time.
The theaters were told to screen all prints at the same time.
They were labeled A, B, and C on the prints.
They were labeled A, B, and C on the prints.
In any of the movie’s endings, who is the very first person found murdered in the mansion?
The cop.
The cop.
The cook.
The cook.
Yvette the maid.
Yvette the maid.
The motorist.
The motorist.
What was Jonathan Lynn’s role in the production of the Clue movie?
He was a fan of the game who insisted on the multiple endings.
He was a fan of the game who insisted on the multiple endings.
He was the writer of the script and also directed the film.
He was the writer of the script and also directed the film.
He was a famous board game designer hired as a consultant.
He was a famous board game designer hired as a consultant.
He is the nephew of the board game’s creator.
He is the nephew of the board game’s creator.
In the film’s climactic moments, how is the premise of the board game integrated into the plot?
It is revealed that the guests were invited to play a real-life game of Clue.
It is revealed that the guests were invited to play a real-life game of Clue.
The characters are revealed to be chess pieces.
The characters are revealed to be chess pieces.
There is no meta-reference to the board game.
There is no meta-reference to the board game.
The mansion is revealed to be a giant game board.
The mansion is revealed to be a giant game board.
What happened to the ‘fourth ending’ of Clue during its home video and digital releases?
It was entirely omitted from official releases.
It was entirely omitted from official releases.
It was re-shot and released as a standalone short film.
It was re-shot and released as a standalone short film.
It was included as a hidden easter egg.
It was included as a hidden easter egg.
It became the canonical ending in all subsequent releases.
It became the canonical ending in all subsequent releases.
Which of these is NOT a defining characteristic of the Clue film’s style?
The film uses the board game’s actual playing pieces as part of the production design.
The film uses the board game’s actual playing pieces as part of the production design.
The film relies heavily on physical comedy and slapstick.
The film relies heavily on physical comedy and slapstick.
The film’s pacing is often described as erratic due to its multiple endings.
The film’s pacing is often described as erratic due to its multiple endings.
The film features a prominent ensemble cast of comedic actors.
The film features a prominent ensemble cast of comedic actors.
Where were the different endings of Clue shown theatrically?
Major cities across the United States.
Major cities across the United States.
New York and Los Angeles only.
New York and Los Angeles only.
Only European cities.
Only European cities.
Only in the director’s home country of England.
Only in the director’s home country of England.
How is Clue currently viewed by cinema enthusiasts?
A box office record-breaker.
A box office record-breaker.
A critical failure.
A critical failure.
A forgotten mid-80s artifact.
A forgotten mid-80s artifact.
A cult hit.
A cult hit.
What was the producers’ primary motivation for creating three different endings for the Clue movie?
To test out experimental distribution software.
To test out experimental distribution software.
To encourage repeat ticket sales for viewers wanting to see the different endings.
To encourage repeat ticket sales for viewers wanting to see the different endings.
To simplify the mystery for children.
To simplify the mystery for children.
To make the film shorter in length.
To make the film shorter in length.
Which aspect do all versions of the Clue film endings share?
They all end with the house being destroyed.
They all end with the house being destroyed.
They all implicate the same victim.
They all implicate the same victim.
They all share the same culprit.
They all share the same culprit.
They all share the same opening and setting.
They all share the same opening and setting.
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