A plasticizing screw for a molding machine, includes a base element which is stretched along a longitudinal axis and a screw tip which is connected to the base element, and the screw tip is located after the base element. A return flow shut-off device includes a first anterior limit stop, a second posterior limit stop, and a shut-off ring movable in a limited manner between the two limit stops along the longitudinal axis. The first, anterior limit stop comprises a first limit stop surface facing towards the base element and the shut-off ring. The shut-off ring comprises a ring-shaped screw tip abutting surface facing towards the first, anterior limit stop. The screw tip abutting surface is formed rotationally symmetric around the longitudinal axis, and the first limit stop surface comprises a convex curvature facing towards the shut-off ring.