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Nov 4, 2023 · In this guide we’ll cover: Understanding genre traditions helps writers utilize familiar narrative tools. A list of 78 major film genres and subgenres. Choose genres suited to your writing strengths and target demographic. Blending genres creates unique hybrids like sci-fi comedy or fantasy thriller. The right genre resonates with audiences ...
- Thriller. Thriller screenplays are dark, twisted, and engrossing. They expertly blend mystery, tension, and anticipation into one exciting story. Successful thrillers are well-paced, introducing red herrings, divulging plot twists, and revealing information at the exact right moments to keep the audience intrigued.
- Western. Western screenplays tell the tale of a cowboy or gunslinger pursuing an outlaw in the Wild West. The main character is often seeking revenge and will face off with the criminal in a duel or shootout at the end.
- Horror. Horror screenplays are shocking, suspenseful, and scary. Their main purpose is to leave people with an overwhelming sense of fear and dread. Audiences who love horror films enjoy being scared and seek them out specifically for the adrenaline rush produced by ghosts, gore, monsters, and jump scares.
- Comedy. Comedy screenplays are funny and entertaining. They center around a comedic premise—usually putting someone in a challenging, amusing, or humorous situation they’re not prepared to handle.
- 50 of The Best Screenplays to Read and Download in Every Genre.
- Best Screenplays to Read: Drama.
- Best Screenplays to Read: Comedy.
- Best Screenplays to Read: Action/Adventure.
- Best Screenplays to Read: Thriller.
- Best Screenplays to Read: horror.
- Bonus: More of The Best Screenplays to Read in Every Genre.
- A Quick Note on Spec Scripts vs. Shooting scripts.
- Best Scripts to Read: Frequently Asked Questions.
- Which Screenplays Did We Miss?
We’ve been strong advocates for the benefits of reading screenplays in order to improve your writing for a very long time. But where should you start? We’ve put together a mega list of thefifty best screenplays to read for aspiring screenwriters. This list of the best screenplays to read is grouped into the five main genresyou’ll find in Hollywood ...
1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. screenplay by Charlie Kaufmann.
Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy erases memories of being with girl. This typically Kaufman-esque story could arguably be called best screenplay he’s ever written. Watch out for the long chunks of description, though, as this style isn’t recommended in spec movie scripts.
2.The Fabelmans. screenplay by Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner.
On writing The Fabelmanswith Spielberg, Tony Kushner said, “We wrote three days a week, four hours a day, and we finished the script in two months.” This is proof positive that you don’t have to spend every free moment writing. You just need focused chunks of writing.
3. Little Children. screenplay by Todd Field and Tom Perrotta.
Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta, this is a skillfully woven tale of suburban angst that retains a very novelistic feel. An excellent case study in how to make voiceover work forand not against your script.
1. (500) Days of Summer. screenplay by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber.
Neustadter and Weber began this screenplay by simply writing down on index cards all of the most painful relationship experiences they’d ever had. Many of them wound up in the final draft and it’s this mixing of realism with its avant-garde structure that makes it a great script to read for the aspiring writer.
2. Barbie. screenplay by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach.
Noah Baumbach and Greta Gerwig were given full creative freedom in writing Barbie—which really comes across on the page and in the finished movie. Remember: you’ll need the rights if you want to base a script on an existing IP, like Barbie, so our recommendation is to use this script as inspiration for your own fantasy comedy, whatever story that may be.
3. Bridesmaids. screenplay by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig.
This best screenplay choice broke new ground by having female characters indulge in moments of “poop humor” in a way not seen before on screen. But beyond the infamous wedding dress scene, there’s a heart to this script and a vulnerable protagonist with whom we can all identify.
1. All Quiet on the Western Front. screenplay by Ian Stokell and Lesley Paterson and Edward Berger.
Writer, Lesley Paterson entered five world triathlons over sixteen years in order to part-fund the film’s production and keep up the annual option renewal. She won all five and went on to share the 2022 BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay with Stokell and Berger. Now that’s dedication for you.
2. The Bourne Ultimatum. screenplay by Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns and George Nolfi.
Reading this script feels like you’re watching Peter Greengrass’ choppy, frenetic direction. It’s all right there on the page and studying this script will really show you how to give action scenes a sense of urgency.
3. The Dark Knight. screenplay by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan.
Christopher Nolan helped bring a much darker edge to the Batman franchise with Batman Begins,and this collaboration with his brother is an even better screenplay. Absorb all you can from this exceptional piece of work.
1. Collateral. screenplay by Stuart Beattie, Frank Darabont and Michael Mann.
Three of the best script writers in Hollywood collaborated for this modern classic. Beattie originally had the idea for the movie aged seventeen while riding in the back of a cab in his native Sydney. He then worked up a two-page treatment called The Last Domino, which he turned into a screenplay. Later he was lucky enough to be put in touch with Darabont and then Mann who both contributed revisions.
2. The Departed. screenplay by William Monahan.
Monahan’s reworking of the original Asian gangster movieInfernal Affairsas a fight between Boston’s police department and the Irish American crime scene is very impressive. In fact, it earned him a Best Screenplay (Adapted) award from not only the WGA but also the Academy Awards.
3. Get Out. screenplay by Jordan Peele.
The first draft of this much-lauded horror/comedy satire was written Peele in two months. He then went on to write a staggering 200 more drafts before finalizing the one that went on to win the Best Original Screenplay Oscar in 2017.
1. Alien. screenplay by Walter Hill, Dan O’Bannon, and David Giler.
Famed for its minimal, vertical writing style, O’Bannan would say of his original draft, “I didn’t steal Alien from anybody. I stole it from everybody.” Classic 1950s sci-fi films such as Forbidden Planet, Thing From Another World and Planet Of The Vampires. They’re all in here and it’s definitely one of the best screenplays of all time.
2. The Babadook. screenplay by Jennifer Kent.
The Babadook is another script based on a short film—Kent’s 2005 movie, Monster. Perhaps that’s why, in contrast to Jordan Peele’s 200 drafts of Get Out, Kent had nailed the script in just five drafts. A fantastic exploration of the darkness within ourselves, and one of the best horror movie scripts for any aspiring writer to read.
3. Dawn Of The Dead (Remake). screenplay by James Gunn and Michael Tolkin.
The screenplay only credits Gunn and Tolkin as rewriters of this George A. Romero script. In fact, Scott Frank (Out Of Sight, Minority Report) was also brought in to add some oomph to the action sequences. A worthy remake of the 1978 original and one of Stephen King’s favorite movies.
You can download even more great screenplays in every genre in these posts below. Read as many movie scripts as you can and watch your screenwriting ability soar. 50 Best TV Scripts to Download and Study to Improve Your Writing 20 Best Comedy Scripts to Read and Download for Free 20 Best Action/Adventure Scripts to Read and Download for Free 20 Bes...
Both “shooting” movie scripts and“spec” movie scriptsare included in this list. If you’re an aspiring screenwriter trying to break into the industry with a spec, it’s important to ignore all the little formatting quirks that often come with shooting movie scripts. Sluglines with periods instead of dashes, large chunks of descriptive text, excessive...
Q1. What should screenwriters read? A. As many scripts as possible! You should also not confine yourself to just reading screenplays written by professional screenwriters, like those presented here. Read as many spec scripts as you can as well—the good, and especially the bad ones. You’ll learn just as much from these as from shooting scripts by se...
What are your favorite movie scripts? Which movie scripts do you consider required reading? Are they on our list? If not, please comment below and let us know what screenplays you think we’ve missed out. [© Photo credits: Unsplash, Flickr]
- Action. The action genre is very broad with many sub-genres. Most action movies call for big action sequences, explosions, chases, gun fights, hand-to-hand combat, etc.
- Adventure. Adventure movies are the action genre's closest relative. They are seemingly one in the same beyond a single element — location. Adventure movies are best defined as action movies set within an exotic location.
- Comedy. Comedies have plots that are often light-hearted and are written solely to make audiences laugh. They often exaggerate the situation, the language, action, relationships, and characters.
- Crime. Crime and gangster films have been a staple Hollywood genre since the 1930s during the aftermath of the Prohibition Era. Many are based on or inspired by real-life gangsters.
- Narrative Screenplay. The narrative screenplay is the most common and widely recognized form of screenwriting. It adheres to traditional storytelling methods, presenting a linear sequence of events that follow the journey of characters through different situations and challenges.
- Documentary Screenplay. Documentary screenplays take a different approach, focusing on factual events and real-life subjects. Unlike traditional narratives, they follow a non-fictional method of storytelling.
- Adaptation Screenplay. Adaptation screenplays are born from existing source materials, such as novels, plays, or real-life events. Writers face unique challenges in transforming these pre-existing works into captivating screenplays.
- Experimental Screenplay. The experimental screenplay pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling, embracing unconventional narrative structures and stylistic elements.
Nov 11, 2013 · When it comes to story types, genres and plot types, the number of different types ranges from 1 to whatever. A single plot archetype might be that all stories begin with conflict. Comedy and Tragedy might be all that's needed for 2 types. Script EXTRA: Download FREE copy of Breakdown of Film Genres to get insights into writing genres and ...
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Oct 7, 2024 · Define Screenplay. A screenplay is a written work that details every visual, aural, action, and dialogue element needed to tell a story for the screen. Think of it as the instructions for a film, guiding everyone involved—from the director to the actors—on how the story should unfold. Screenplays are typically written in a specific format ...
