Optional thinking refers to the ability to entertain optional reasons, consequences or solutions to problems. Its impediment derives from the biasing of cognitive processes that lead to "close-mindedness" (Kruglanski). Based upon a cognitive-psychological approach to popular movies, it will be claimed that most such movies impede optional thinking and encourage close-mindedness given their narrative structure and use of strategies of suspense, surprise, and point of view deployment. Other approaches to the engendering of optional thinking in films will be critically assessed (namely, formalism, neo-Marxism and postmodernism). Finally, the identification of optional thinking encouragement in some popular narrative movies will be discussed. Among the films to be discussed are "Duel" (Spielberg), "The Sixth Sense" (Shimalyan, "Wavelength" (Snow), "Le Chinoise" (Godard), "Exzistenze" (Kronenberg), and "Inglorious Bastard" (Tarantino).