Good movie scripts are hard to learn from even if you’ve been a movie critic all your life. Nonetheless, most directors make the movie enjoyable with their cinematography even if their scriptwriters end up not bringing about a good script. Though there are tons of movies with amazing stories, it is even tougher for freelancing scriptwriters to gain some knowledge to better their skills. We bring you the best scripts we think can help all you budding scriptwriters to learn from.
Best Movie Scripts for Freelance Script Writers to Learn From
Read on to know which best movie scripts can give you better inspiration for your next project!
Casablanca (1942)
IMDB – 8.5/10, Reviews
Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein are brilliant writers who wrote the screenplay for Casablanca. The plot is set in the early days of World War II in Morocco. Our protagonist is an American expatriate who meets his former lover through unforeseen circumstances and lands in complications.
One of the main things the writers focused on was character depth, as everyone was drawn out distinctively. Each had its subplot, entertaining and memorable—one of the best movie scripts for writers to learn to write good scripts.
Citizen Kane (1941)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
You can approach the outline of the plot in several ways. The script is straightforward yet presented in a complex way. The conclusion isn’t a crisp one alluring the viewers to interpret and read it their way.
The film begins with the death of Citizen Kane alone with his valuable art pieces in his fantastic castle. His dying word was ‘Rosebud,’ which intrigued so many that it inspired the script.
As the plot proceeds, we learn that Rosebud resembles hope, security, and the innocence of childhood that one longs for. The structure is such that every time the story passes over someone’s life, it adds more depth to the character.
‘Citizen Kane’ is a masterpiece that stands above all the others and is one of the best movie scripts ever.
The Godfather (1972)
IMDB – 9.2/10, Reviews
Nothing captured the minds of the Americans than ‘The Godfather.’ Arguably one of the best crime movies ever produced. The film begins with a speech depicting the tough times faced by the immigrants while introducing the don.
The deeper we dive into the screenplay, the more we learn about the dangers associated with the Corleone family. Soon the war begins with different dons that serve as a platter to show the influence of the Corleone’s.
Besides violence and power, the audience also notices that The Godfather is a person who keeps his promise and stands up for the family. He takes care of his kids and the people he vouched for. All the elements in the plot play a crucial role in keeping us hooked on the screen, making it one of the best movie scripts.
Godfather 2 (1976)
IMDB – 9.0/10, Reviews
The Godfather 2 is a film about greed and tragedy. It’s about an honest man who lost his soul to avenge his family, yet the charismatic characters aren’t replaceable. The subtle irony that runs throughout portrays brilliantly how the times have changed.
Many regard this movie as a prequel and a sequel to the first one as the plot alternates between two timelines. After crossing the border and establishing a family, the first is Vito, while the second is about Micheal destroying the family.
The movie shows the downfall of the Corleone’s from the golden era. But the way it’s captured is probably one of the best pieces of filmmaking. One of the best movie scripts for script writers to learn from.
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
IMDB – 8.6/10, Reviews
‘The Silence Of The Lambs’ tells the story of Clarice Starling, a young FBI agent who has to gain the trust of the infamous serial killer, Hannibal Lecter. She requires his help to capture down another serial killer who’s abducted, Catherine Martin.
The plot follows two archetypes for balancing the psychology shown throughout the movie. Archetype is a universal image that stems from the collective unconscious. The secret on how to write good scripts is displayed brilliantly through the film. The anima and the animus are two powerful tools for scriptwriters to add depth to the plot.
By including complex concepts, screenwriters can elevate their writing style incredibly and break new heights. A subtle piece of art that mesmerizes everyone is truly a sight to behold, just like The Silence of the Lambs, making it one of the best movie scripts ever.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
Every few years, a new movie comes out that transcends its purpose and becomes something else. Films like these remind us about the greatness of cinema as an art form. ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ is precisely that.
The film demands full attention from the audience, which happens when we are usually alone. Thoughts that come when we are alone become buried and everlasting—one of the best movie scripts, without a doubt.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
IMDB – 8.2/10, Reviews
Two ingredients necessary for the success of any comedy movie trying to tell a story are: (1) an underlying emotional attachment and (2) a three-step structure of desire, deception, and discovery.
Some Like It Hot is exceptional in the sense that it holds another kind of pain and deception. It underlies the notion that Marilyn Monroe was nothing more than a beauty whose looks were enough to kill a man, but she couldn’t act.
Men, as well as women both, were able to find a connection within Marilyn’s pain. She experiences pain both in her private life and while shooting the movie. However, Marilyn was never able to bask in recognition of her acting ability. She never received her due in the acting industry during her lifetime.
Above all, Billy Wilder put his comedic genius hat on to make this film the classic today. The smooth one-liners, the careful introduction, and the backstories of the character. The consecutive use of sentimental music and love scenes, the flow of the story, and the gags. Lastly, the factor that makes this film work are the elements that make this one of the best movie scripts.
Fargo (1996)
IMDB – 8.9/10, Reviews
When we talk about any theme-driven film, Fargo is a great example. While the plot initially has a lot of trickery, the movie ends with the audience longing for more. The characters develop thoroughly, like in the case of Jerry Lundegaard. Whatever sympathy the audience felt initially vanishes once we see the valid reason for his plan.
So no one’s that interested in seeing if he repents on his actions or not. The story then proceeds towards Marge Gunderson’s search for the killers. The audience is particularly interested in her as she is not too fixated by the outcome. She instead has a resigned look on her face as she asks herself, “What’s it all for?”
As the plot progresses in the story of Fargo, we can relate more as it’s closer to the world we live in. What began as a harmless story quickly turns on itself, revealing a brutal picture of greed and violence. Blind innocence turns into uncontrolled violence throughout the film’s thematic progression. It’s not shown that the world has changed; instead, our view has transformed dramatically as the violent nature was always there.
Chinatown (1974)
IMDB – 8.2/10, Reviews
The screenplay for Chinatown was written by Robert Towne and has always been regarded as one of the best screenplays ever written.
Part of the reason for the success of the screenplay is that while the plot seems straightforward. Furthermore, it introduces new twists that keep audiences guessing and on their toes. The movie is a real mystery as the audience gets no easy answers to anything. As the plot unfolds, all the questions are answered gradually, only for that answer to reveal two more questions. However, if one notices carefully, all of these questions are answered in the first act.
The film’s mystery isn’t about finding answers; instead, it’s about figuring out the questions being asked—one of the best movie scripts, without a doubt.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
IMDB – 8.3/10, Reviews
Sigmund Freud was a firm believer that most adults face a culmination of unresolved conflicts from childhood and adolescence. The protagonist, Will Hunting, was an orphan and lived a miserable life. He was consistently beaten by the people he trusted the most and even stabbed once. The movie uses a story about a kid who used to beat him to show his misery further. He was never away from violence, and it inevitably shaped his adult world.
The central theme in Good Will Hunting elaborates on relationships and how to enhance your self-worth. Will had no concept of self-worth until he found friendship, as Lambeau says, those retarded gorillas. Chuckie, Morgan, and Billy were his friends but to say they are simpletons isn’t right.
They taught him the essence of being a human and about loyalty. Sean raises the right points during his argument with Lambeau and hits the nail on the head. But it’s easy for the audience to notice that Will is not living his life to its true potential as per his abilities.
Jerry Maguire (1996)
IMDB – 7.3/10, Reviews
Jerry is one of the best sports agents who suddenly had a change of heart. He now wants to prioritize the safety of the players and wants to put people first in the sports agency. But, unfortunately, his inclinations get him fired.
As soon as he is fired, Jerry falls into a major conflict and tries to retain his clients but fails to do so. The only player still with him is Rod, the slightly obnoxious wide receiver. Jerry had a fateful encounter with Dorothy and her son Ray at the airport before he was fired.
Jerry urged his other employees to join him in starting a better company before leaving the sports agency. But, unfortunately, the only person to be inspired by him was Dorothy, who came with him. These events combine the different sides of the plot, Jerry’s professional and his personal life.
Lost in Translation (2003)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
One important thing to notice while comparing the script and the film is that the general atmosphere of both is present. From the beginning of the film, it is clear that Bob is reluctant to be there but cannot let go of the 2 million dollars.
Although Bill Murray’s portrayal in this scene makes him more lighthearted than he is in the script, as Murray proceeds to read the script, he gives off the vibe of Bob throughout the movie. Murray and Johansson showcase this throughout the film as they do not necessarily follow the script religiously. Despite that, reading the script enabled them to play the roles Coppola wanted.
Despite this, one can notice that the actors don’t always get to extrapolate on the characters they are playing—one of the best movie scripts ever.
The Truman Show (1998)
IMDB – 8.1/10, Reviews
Truman Burbank is a simple man who works diligently, loves his wife, and always takes care of his lawn. He is breezing through life without any worries as if he is in a haze. But through some events, Truman becomes an unwilling star in his reality TV series. Every event in his life is elaborately choreographed, while every other role is played by actors, including his friends and family.
The plot doesn’t deviate from the specifics and remains the same, with a no-nonsense approach and machismo to the script. This is notable clearly in the scene in which Truman seeks Veronica, a sex worker, to re-live his last encounter with Sylvia, his lost love.
The script of the Truman Show is thoughtful and compelling while not faring far from reality in an idea of staggering originality.
Whiplash (2014)
IMDB – 8.5/10, Reviews
Writer/director Damien Chazelle with the help of J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller creates a tight plot that never leads astray from its central argument. The fantastic performances from both the leads double down to make this a great work of art.
Miles Teller is the protagonist and plays the role of Andrew Neiman as he practices and practices to pursue the goal of being one of the greats. He faces personal and professional obstacles from conductor Terrence Fletcher, played by J.K Simmons. He put his students through immense emotional and physical pain by hurling cymbals and slapping faces. It was all to break his students down before they went to Shaffer Conservatory in New York to become the best.
Andrew still never gives up on his dream and, through his performance, changes Terrence. The cold conductor now cared about improving Andrew’s more than being the hurdle. His personality changes can be seen when he is resetting the cymbal, ensuring a jaw-dropping performance.
The change in his character sets Andrew’s mind with peace as finally, he can say the suffering was worth it now that he is among the greats. Whiplash keeps a tight narrative that’s also effective, making it a great film.
The Hangover (2009)
IMDB – 7.7/10, Reviews
The Hangover is, without a doubt, one of the best movies ever. It’s a simple comedy about a group of friends who go to Vegas for their bachelor, but the party goes awry. Yet many also say it’s a modern masterpiece on a dark Freudian parable expanding upon the miseries faced by people?
The characters’ blackout after a long night of partying also serves as a metaphor for repression. As Phil, Stu, and Alan try to figure out what happened the night before, in the process, they also confront themselves that shocks them.
A masterpiece of cultural commentary and comedy is the subtle underlying theme that makes the movie fascinating. These men represent a large population of American males who suffer from disappointment, and there might be no cure.
The Hangover imparts a great piece of advice, and it’s that the problems arise within us, and so does the answer to these issues too. To solve their mysteries, all we have to do is remember and look within ourselves. We might avoid facing reality deep down, but if we don’t, sooner or later, there will be no escape.
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
IMDB – 7.5/10, Reviews
The best part about this script is the solid and distinctive character that makes the plot enticing. The story gets its audience hooked in from the first scene itself as the idea of narrator and protagonist interlays. Thanks to the script’s originality from the beginning, you can’t predict where this is going. Its story is so gripping that it’s tough to imagine this being a bad film.
Every single element in this script is uniquely connected with different characters. The narration style and description of the theme both elaborate on the boredom of Harold’s life. However, the dullness of the Chicago setting becomes illuminated as his life improves.
However, characters and dialogue make up for a good analysis of the protagonist and the script. From being an uninteresting man to becoming a hero of sorts, he’s a man with strong emotions and dry wit.
The Dark Knight (2008)
IMDB – 9.0/10, Reviews
Bruce Wayne is a man with a lot weighing on his mind, with no clear answer to his approach to crime-fighting. His mortal enemy is the Joker, and every battle with him is like fighting yourself, as Batman’s morals and convictions are frequently questioned.
Furthermore, Batman never seems like an unstoppable superhero; from his very first fight sequence, we see just how easy it’s to injure him. Dogs aren’t afraid of him, bullets still pierce his flesh, and his body starts showing signs of extensive beating. So even in the most basic fights, we know it won’t be easy for Batman, and we fear his safety.
In the film’s beginning, we find Bruce Wayne figuring out Batman’s impact in this world. But he cannot believe that Batman is beatable and thinks he can stand everything. Alfred, his butler, constantly tries to tell him otherwise and show him the truth. Without a doubt, it’s one of the best movie scripts ever.
Wrapping Up
Freelancing as a scriptwriter can be a challenging career. But if you find the right metrics to filter your inspirational sources, you can sell off your upcoming scripts before even you pen them down. If you liked this list of films as the best movie scripts, we have tons of more movie lists for you to get inspired from: