Best Movie Boss Fights in Final Fantasy Games, Rated

Key things

• Final Fantasy boss fights focus on cinematic spectacle and dynamic combat elements.
• Endsinger in FF14: Endwalker features visually dramatic stages and challenging mechanics.
• Adamantoise in FF15 impresses with its massive scale and visual experience.

In all years Final Fantasythere were many memorable boss fights. Whether players appreciate combat puzzles, secret superbosses, or visual spectacle, there's something for everyone. Ever since its first 3D incarnations, Final Fantasy has always tried to push visuals into games, first through CGI and later bringing that flair to environments and battles.

Of course, the newer entries in the series have improved the visuals and taken advantage of modern hardware to create combat that goes beyond what the earlier games could do. The move to more action-oriented combat systems can be divisive, but it has allowed for more dynamic elements in boss fights. The boss fights here all focus on their cinematic spectacle as much as the fight itself.

9 Endsinger

Endwalker's Epic Finale

End Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker the plot could not have taken place in a more epic setting. Players ride on the back of the original Shinryu and fight the Endsinger in a clash at the edge of space. FF14 has some interesting raid bosses in its various expansions, but Endsinger is one of the most impressive.

Combat is a two-phase challenge, and the phase shift itself is visually dramatic and striking. Players not only have to avoid AOE paint attacks on the ground, but also avoid falling off the edge of the arena into the void of space. The music elevates the film's luster, drawing on motifs from previous battles.

8 Adamantois

Larger than life

Final Fantasy 15Adamantoise's interpretation is the most epic in the series in terms of scale. Final Fantasy 15 it sure liked showing off its open world beauty with giant field enemies that are visible from afar, but none of these enemies are even a match for the mountain-sized Adamantoise.

The fight itself can be a bit of an endurance match as Adamantoise has the most HP of any enemy in the game. However, seeing it for the first time after unlocking the hunt at the end of the game is one of the most amazing visual experiences in the game.

7 Bahamut Arisen

Great simulation

Most simulations fight in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth it doesn't match the cinematic nature of the other fights in the game, mostly due to the rather bland “blue computer space” in which they take place. Bahamut Arisen manages to defy this by being a visual spectacle in its own right.

It's actually more impressive for players going into battle for the first time with no idea how to win, as it means they'll likely see a mode switch and Bahamut's Gigaflare ultimate attack. Of course it means losing the fight, but the cinematic destruction is worth it.

6 Ifrit

The power of fire

Ifrit could be the penultimate boss Final Fantasy 15but his fight is probably more impressive than the finale. It's an impressive spectacle, from his interesting take on form to his flaming sword attacks and his ability to pick up Noctis and the group and toss them around like toys.

Even more cinematic, activating certain conditions and triggering Shiva's summons during combat can lead to a unique scene where Shiva nullifies Ifrit's fiery powers with diamond dust. Way Final Fantasy 15 the summoning used remains controversial to some, but it is an interesting interaction.

5 Bahamut

Air dominance

Bahamut was always impressive Final Fantasywhether it appears as a summon, an enemy, or both. Final Fantasy 16The concept of Eikon vs Eikon takes combat a step further in terms of cinematic visuals. The four stage fight sees Dion Lesage run wild in his Eikon form and take on Clive and Joshua in theirs.

The fight unfolds in phases, with Clive as Ifrit fighting on the ground before Joshua takes to the skies as the Phoenix. The climactic end of the fight shows Joshua and Clive combining their eiconic powers to fight each other, and Bahamut's final attacks are as impressive as ever.

4 Hell house

Hell in a cell

Despite being a mid-game boss, the setting of this fight, the spectacle of the fight itself, and the interesting way this quirky enemy has been redesigned for the new combat system make it a memorable encounter. Cloud and Aerith find themselves in this monstrous mansion in an underground coliseum.

It's an interesting enemy design in its own right, but the phase changes and the way the boss uses the arena to attack are just as impressive. The flying third stage is particularly spectacular, along with commentary from the Colosseum announcers helping to kick the cinematic factor into high gear.

3 Titanium

A bitter clash

Huko Kupka, who is maddened by the death of his lover and the aether he has absorbed, the final confrontation between Clive and Hugo is bittersweet. It begins with the two clashing in their Eikon forms before the ether transforms Kupka into the Titan Lost, a gigantic version of the Titan with tentacles made of stone.

Many of the fights take the form of cutscenes and QTEs both between and during the four distinct stages. While some players felt this took away too much control, it allows for the cinematic spectacle of Ifrit climbing a giant Titan, tearing it to shreds, and fighting Kupka's smaller figure while falling through the giant's remains.

2 Sephiroth

End of the Beginning

• FROM Final Fantasy 7 Remake

The inclusion of Sephiroth as a final boss after Whisper Harbinger could be seen as controversial, as players of the original game did not actually encounter Sephiroth until later in the story. Still, Sephiroth was always meant to be represented much more Final Fantasy 7: Remake and his inclusion here makes for an epic final boss.

The fight itself forces Cloud to start alone before his allies slowly join him. It's a slow build that leads to the final phase of the showdown against Sephiroth in a nod to his one-winged angel, complete with an epic version of this track playing in the background.

1 Ultima Origin

Final settlement

The last fight for Final Fantasy 16 has a lot to catch up on in a game that revolves around the visual spectacle of boss fights. Fortunately, the multi-phase battle against Ultima's various forms does not disappoint as both a visual and emotional highlight of the game.

The fight starts firing on all cylinders as the three Eikons Ifrit, Pheonix and Bahamut attack Ultima together. After some emotional scenes, Clive fights Ultima's next form using the power of both Ifrit and Pheonix.

In the final stages of the fight, Clive is seen defeating Ultimalius without his Eikon form while the boss uses moves from all the Eikons. The end of the fight is a spectacular QTE sequence, like many of the boss fights in the game, but the visuals and emotional impact of the ending help elevate this fight even in a game full of visual feasts.