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Hey creatives! THE best way to get better as a creative is to read great scripts, and see how the pros do it. So, for your perusal, Stage 32 is giving away scripts to all of this year's Awards nominated movies
Visit the blog and download away!
https://www.stage32.com/blog/announcing-the-stage-32-awards-season-scrip...
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It's such an awesome collection of scripts, Leonardo Ramirez!
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The two I really want to read are "The Wild Robot" and "Gladiator II".
I'm sorry. What constitutes a screenplay being "a great script?" This would suggest that any screenplay worthy of getting nominated for an award is a "great script." There aren't any real verifiable traits of a great screenplay and depending on the production, a screenplay can go through many changes by many people or could be written entirely by AI.
You're definitely not judging a screenplay on the performance of the movie revenue wise. 2011's The Artist was made for $15M and had a Worldwide gross of $128M, but I wasn't impressed with it. It won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. It sure wasn't for dialogue and there wasn't one original thought or idea in the whole movie. I did love the puppy though.
So aside from using too much ink or not enough ink, not saying what your character is thinking in the narration, but showing it through actions and dialogue instead, not using verbs ending in "ing" which is the dumbest rule of insignificance I have ever heard of and of course nominations from a group of people who may or may not have any experience in writing a birthday card, what determines if a screenplay is "great" or not?
To be honest, I would rather read screenplays of the biggest box office performers. Award and award nominations are meaningless because the judges have no criteria for which they judge.
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It’s fair to question what makes a great screenplay, Philip David Lee, but I’d argue that while taste is subjective, strong storytelling, compelling characters, and effective structure are all clear markers of high-quality writing. Great scripts stand out not just because they follow industry standards, but because they resonate—whether through emotional impact, originality, or the sheer craft of storytelling.
Yes, scripts go through revisions, and films often become collaborative works, but that doesn’t take away from the importance of a well-crafted foundation. Many of the most successful films—both critically and commercially—started with screenplays that showcased distinct voices, memorable characters, and compelling narratives. Box office numbers can tell one story, but impact, longevity, and audience connection tell another.
That’s why opportunities like the Stage 32 Script Giveaway exist—to highlight writers who have honed their craft, who understand the art of visual storytelling, and who bring something fresh to the table. Recognition isn’t about arbitrary rules or personal preferences—it’s about elevating work that demonstrates skill, creativity, and the potential to become a great film.
I’d love to hear what scripts you think exemplify strong screenwriting—whether box office hits or overlooked gems!
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Thank you for your curiosity in my opinions, Ashley Renee Smith . Although I could write a book, I tend to enjoy screenplays that wind up making a very entertaining film that I can watch over and over throughout my lifetime so all of my screenplays of course would be on this list. (LOL) I like witty banter between the characters but it has to have a natural flow without being forced. I like original stories and I'm not so impressed with every day problems> I'll state a couple of examples and people can judge me how they want. These may not necessarily be my favorites but they are good examples of what I'm trying to express..
Action Films
Bad Boys 1995
The Long Kiss Goodnight 1996
Drama
Talk Radio 1988
The Competition 1980
Frankie and Johnny 1991
Comedy
Mr. Saturday Night 1992
Noises Off 1992
Even though it seems I'm stuck in the past, these are just a sample of screenplays I admire and enjoy watching. I would love to hear from other Stage 32 people of what their favorite screenplays are. Study what you love, not what other people tell you to love. You'll enjoy the process of writing so much more.
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Some of my favorite features based on the script specifically are:
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Dogma (1999)
Almost Famous (2000)
This Is Where I Leave You (2014)
Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)
Empire Records (1995)
Mean Girls (2004)
Knives Out (2019)
Oceans 11 (2001)
O Brother Where Are Thou (2000)
The Prestige (2006)
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Ashley Renee Smith I love the variety you have listed and how it spans decades. You definitely have a wider range of styles that enchant you. I kind of pigeonhole myself into certain works. This is what is great about the film industry. Anyone can have anything as their favorite! It's too bad the gatekeepers can be more of a burden than an assist in getting good content out to their customer base instead of telling them how superior they are over their consumers or instead flat out insulting them when they don't submissively comply with what they think everyone should love and accept as entertainment.
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"Study what you love, not what other people tell you to love." I agree, Philip David Lee. Some of my favorite produced screenplays are John Wick, No Country for Old Men, The Purge, Get Out, and Panic Room.
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As an actor, my favorite script is
The Hours