Great Writers Read Great Scripts! Here's Where to Find Them.
Screenwriters Read Great Scripts Carole Kirschner.jpg
I always tell my clients: “Creativity in – Creativity out!” If you want to be a better writer… read great scripts.
You can see how “the greats” do it, get a sense for what stories are currently getting Hollywood’s attention (like the annual Blacklist winners), and sometimes even just give yourself a confidence boost that yes, your work is on par with what’s getting produced.
But where do you find said screenplays?
Here are 8 websites where you can download and read great scripts:
1. IMSDB – Internet Movie Screenplay Database
All of the websites on this list are solid resources - but the layout of IMSDB is hands down one of the most user-friendly. There’s an easy search bar if you know the specific title you’re looking for, and you can also search by genre and alphabetically (why not click a letter, scroll through, and see what interests you?).
2. Drew’s Script-o-Rama
One of the great things about this site is, in some cases, it has multiple drafts of the same screenplay - which means you can really delve into how a story evolved over time. Also, inside tip, try clicking their ‘What’s New?’ tab to see what’s most recently been added. Currently it lists last year’s award season contenders. So if you’re hankering to read 1917, Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood or The Farewell head here.
3. Daily Script
Another useful resource with a huge amount of scripts to choose from. On Daily Script you can read scripts online rather than downloading them if storage space is an issue. Most scripts in this catalogue list the IMDb link next to the title - so once you’re done reading a screenplay you’re one click away from checking out the writer, cast, and crew of that project. Great resource!
4. Go Into the Story
Go Into the Story is the official blog for The Black List, the online screenwriting community famous for its annual “Top Ten” list of the best unproduced scripts. This website not only has fantastic screenplays by up-and-coming writers like you, you can also find some great screenwriting articles as well.
5. Movie Scripts and Screenplays
If you can’t tell by now, there’s not a huge amount of difference between these websites - but sometimes it takes searching a few before you turn up the title you’re looking for. This one is good if you’re looking for older screenplays.
6. Simply Scripts
Not just for live action screenplays, Simply Scripts also includes theater, musical, anime and even non-English scripts (if you ever want to read Pan’s Labyrinth in Spanish - this is the place to go). This website is also updated frequently (not all of these websites are) so if you’re looking for something current, this might be your best bet.
7. Screenplays For You
Again, there isn’t a huge amount of difference between these sites. You can also search this one alphabetically and by genre.
8. The Script Lab
This website has great variety. There are movie scripts, as well as a few TV bibles, and television episodes (like the episode scripts from Atlanta).
Where do you go to find inspiring screenplays? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!