Photo by Olga Tutunaru on Unsplash

By Vivek Agrawal, METANABES

 

 

For aspiring screenwriters, reading movie scripts is akin to a baseball player’s batting practice – an essential part of the craft.

As you delve into scripts, you’ll begin to uncover the intricate links between language and storytelling and witness proper formatting in action.

Understanding how scenes unfold on paper versus the screen is paramount for those aiming to write their own movie scripts.

 

 

THE BENEFITS OF READING MOVIE SCRIPTS FOR SCREENWRITERS

 

While watching movies is vital for creating them, reading screenplays offers distinct advantages, especially for budding screenwriters.

By perusing scripts authored by various writers, you gain insight into your preferred style of screenwriting.

Despite adhering to a structured format, screenwriters often employ these conventions creatively to their advantage.

Here, we present ten websites where you can freely access professional movie scripts for your review.

 

 

IMSDB – Internet Movie Screenplay Database

 

IMDB is renowned for its extensive film-related information, and IMSDB proves equally valuable for screenplays across diverse genres.

[Link to IMSDB](http://www.imsdb.com/)

 

 

Go Into the Story

 

As the official blog for The Blacklist, a notable screenwriting community known for its annual compilation of unproduced scripts, Go Into the Story offers a treasure trove of downloadable movie scripts.

[Link to Go Into the Story](http://gointothestory.blcklst.com/free-script-downloads/)

 

 

Drew’s Script-o-Rama

 

Drew, the site’s namesake, has been sharing scripts with inquisitive readers and writers for nearly two decades, amassing a substantial script library.

A remarkable feature of Script-O-Rama is its collection of multiple drafts for select films, a valuable resource for those interested in tracing a Hollywood movie’s evolution in the writing process.

[Link to Drew’s Script-o-Rama](http://www.script-o-rama.com/snazzy/table.html)

 

 

Simply Scripts

 

Simply Scripts boasts an extensive and diverse script library, encompassing plays and non-English screenplays.

Constantly updated, it offers scripts for acclaimed movies such as Interstellar and Foxcatcher.

[Link to Simply Scripts](http://www.simplyscripts.com/movie.html)

 

 

AwesomeFilm

 

AwesomeFilm offers a plethora of downloadable scripts at your fingertips, neatly organized in alphabetical order for effortless navigation. For those in search of a screenplay to peruse, this site certainly lives up to its name.

[Link to AwesomeFilm](http://www.awesomefilm.com/)

 

 

Screenplays For You

 

Screenplays For You presents a sleek and user-friendly website housing an extensive collection of scripts. You’re likely to discover a script within your desired genre, ranging from understated award-winning dramas like Sideways to action-packed blockbusters like Avatar.

[Link to Screenplays For You](http://sfy.ru/)

 

 

The Daily Script

 

The Daily Script provides a wealth of screenplays through a straightforward and easily navigable layout. It maintains a cozy ambiance for screenwriters, even utilizing Courier New as its primary font.

[Link to The Daily Script](http://www.dailyscript.com/movie.html)

 

 

The Screenplay Database

 

The Screenplay Database is another valuable resource teeming with an array of scripts. If you have a particular film type in mind, the website offers genre-based searches, helping you stumble upon unexpected gems.

[Link to The Screenplay Database](http://www.screenplaydb.com/film/all)

 

 

The Script Lab

 

The Script Lab proves invaluable for those seeking more recent screenplays. Its homepage conveniently categorizes scripts into the three most recent years of releases. So, if you’re yearning for scripts from 2014, like Birdman or Boyhood, this site is your go-to.

[Link to The Script Lab](https://thescriptlab.com/)

 

 

Movie Scripts and Screenplays

 

The aptly named Movie Scripts and Screenplays delivers exactly what it promises: an extensive list of manuscripts that you can swiftly locate using its search function.

[Link to Movie Scripts and Screenplays](http://www.moviescriptsandscreenplays.com/)

 

 

More Sources:

 

https://indiefilmhustle.com/free-screenplays-download/ 

https://thescriptsavant.com/movies.html/

https://www.scriptrearderpro.com/best-screenplays-to-read/

https://www.simplyscripts.com

 

Indian Films / Web Series Scripts

 

https://www.filmcompanion.in/companion-zone/scripts

 

These online resources open a window into the world of screenwriting, providing a wealth of scripts to explore and learn from as you embark on your screenwriting journey.