Engaging scripts are one of the essential elements of filmmaking, which is why there are two Academy Awards categories for best screenplay. Whether original or adapted, a well-crafted, thought-provoking script must tell an intriguing story that keeps viewers invested enough not to leave their seats throughout the entire course of a film.
No doubt, there would be no movies at all without this crucial component. To celebratethe art of original screenplays, we examine some of the most memorable and creative scripts ever created (according to people on Reddit), fromStranger than FictiontoBack to the Future.
10’Stranger Than Fiction' (2006)
Directed byMarcForster,Stranger Than FictionstarsWill Ferrellas an I.R.S. auditor named Harold Crick. When he suddenly finds every aspect of his life in Chicago being narrated (though he is the only one who is able to hear it), such a thing begins to affect his existence, taking a stool on his love and work life.
Ausermentioned the film in the comments of a Reddit post regarding “the most original screenplay,” to whichStylAppcould not help pointing out that it is “Will Ferrell’s best work!“Zach Helm’s original screenplay is surely an imaginative one, and that is what makes it stand out.
9’Swiss Army Man' (2016)
A24’ssurrealist comedySwiss Army Mancounts on an interesting and unusual premise:Paul Danoplays a man stuck on a deserted island and about to kill himself — until he notices a corpse (Daniel Radcliffe) with supernatural abilities that he later befriends. After naming the dead body Manny, the two head out on a surreal journey.
“In a way. It definitely had someuniqueideas and themes,“slicshutercommented. Written and directed byEverything Everywhere All at OnceBest Director winnersfilmmakersDaniel KwanandDaniel Scheinert,Swiss Army Manmakes for a peculiar, unforgettable watch. “That film has no right to be as charming and sincere as it is,” anotheruseradded.
8’The Usual Suspects' (1995)
With a talented cast featuringGabriel ByrneandBenicio del Toro,Bryan Singer’sThe Usual Suspectstells the story of a group of five criminals arrested and brought together for questioning, as they are the main suspects of a truck hijack in New York. Given the fact that none of them is guilty, they plan revenge against the police.
On the platform, anow-deletedaccount has no doubt thatChristopher McQuarrie’s screenplay is a downright creative one. “I feel Usual Suspects at the time it was released was an extremely original screenplay,” they said. “The idea the entire movie was just Verbal Kint spilling stories from the posterboard from behind Chaz.”
7’Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
Also written by the talented Charlie Kaufman, this thought-provoking sci-fi drama starringKate WinsletandJim Carreyis one ofMichel Gondry’s best works. The plot centers around a broken-up couple who undergoes a medical procedure where all their memories of each other are erased.
According tokilometer815,Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mindis “pretty damn creative.” Sending out messages on the importance of memory and empathy, the intriguing film is a very beloved piece of filmmaking of its genre, and that is also due to its undeniably fascinating storytelling.
6’Groundhog Day' (1993)
ThisBill Murray-led comedy-drama revolves around an egotistical weatherman who reluctantly covers a story about a weather-forecasting “rat” and later finds himselfstuck in a time loop on Groundhog Day, doomed to spend eternity in the same place until he finds a way to escape.
On top of its originality,theHarold Ramis-directed moviewritten byDannyRubinHaroldRamisalso benefits from its timelessness. “One thing Groundhog Day did, was while writing the script, someone told Harold Ramis to yank out all the pop culture references, which would help it feel much more timeless,“Rathmarwrote.
5’The Cabin in the Woods' (2011)
Drew Goddard’sThe Cabin in the Woodsis a highly prized horror mystery centering around agroup of five teenagerswho go for an escapade at a remote cabin in the woods. However, their plans start to crumble when they discover a sinister basement filled with artifacts.
“Been sitting there thinking of a way to answer this question without using the words ‘Cabin in the Woods,'“Paris1968said when a user asked Redditors which is, in their opinion, the most innovative original movie screenplay. Other users on the platform seem to agree thatJoss Whedonand. Drew Goddard’s work is ultimately an impressive creative accomplishment, includingWalbrickswho “was really pleased with that movie when I walked out of it!”
4’Adaptation.’ (2002)
InAdaptation., viewers get to seeNicholas Cagedouble. TheSpike Jonze-directed film also counts onMeryl Streep,Chris Cooper,andTilda Swintonin its cast andfollows a screenwriterled to despair while attempting to adapt “The Orchid Thief” bySusan Orleanfor the big screen.
What is so great aboutAdaptation.’s screenplay is the fact that screenwriterCharlie Kaufmanwas previously “struggling to adapt The Orchid Thief, so he wrote a movie about himself struggling to adapt The Orchid Thief,” adeleted accountexplained.“I was going to come in here to say this… it is one that stuck out my mind,” anotheruseradded in response to a different comment also mentioning the film.
3’Being John Malkovich' (1999)
A highly original and enthralling surrealist comedy featuring another epic collaboration between director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, the bizarreBeing John Malkovichtells the story of a puppeteer who discovers a portal leading into the head of the literal movie starJohn Malkovich.
According toPrimetime22, “Being John Malkovich” makes it to the top as one of the most creative screenplays (it is the product of Kaufman’s genius mind, so it’s really no surprise). However, anotherRedditorargues thatAdaptation. features the superior screenplay.
2’Memento' (2000)
Christopher Nolan’s twisting tale of self-deception,Memento, followsGuy Pearce’s Leonard Shelby, who has short-term memory loss following a break-in at his house, which resulted in his wife being raped and murdered. Even though he struggles to make new memories, Leonard attempts to find the guy who turned his life upside down.
With a captivating, shocking screenplay by Nolan and his brotherJonathan Nolan, this intense feature is guaranteed to blow viewers' minds away. “This is a good answer. I will never forget walking out of the theater and hearing people talking about it. Classic Nolan,“dipping_saucecommented when a user mentioned the film.
1’Back to the Future' (1985)
A thoroughly referenced movie even 38 years later,Robert Zemeckis’Back to the Futureis a time-travel classic that followsMichael J. Fox’s Marty McFly quest for finding his way back to the future (1985) after getting trapped in 1955 by accident.
“I know it’s a circlejerky answer, but I still think no script matches how witty, smart, funny, and fast paced that movie is,“Peeka789wrote, also highlightinghow clever the title is. “Every single line is amusing in some way and every single line contributes to the overall plot. It’s a perfect movie,” they continued.
