Improvised Moments In Films No One Expected
Films are, above all else, art. All good art requires some planning, flawless execution, and of course, passion. Art couldn’t exist without a bit of spontaneity. There are multiple instances of spontaneity in scenes, just small improvised details, that have made the scenes unforgettable, and iconic. In this article, we’ll be giving you a rundown of some of the best of these scenes in film history. Keep on reading to discover some classic cinema moments!
The Shining
One of the greatest horror films of all time is Stanely Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s classic, The Shining. The most popular scene, which is frequently parodied is when Jack’s character smashes through a door and delivers the line “Here’s Johnny!” What may surprise you is that the scene was improvised. Nicholson was so into the scene that he almost broke down the door at one point. Stanley Kubrick was a fan of “authentic” acting.
The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight is the middle film in the Dark Knight trilogy, and probably the most acclaimed of the three. This is thanks in no small part to Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker. His last role before his untimely death.
The Dark Knight
In the improvised scene, his character walks away from an explosion. It was supposed to be played straight, but Ledger stopped and fiddled with the denotator, something the comic Joker would do.
Fight Club
David Fincher’s Fight Club, which is based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk of the same name, is a certified cult classic. Even today the themes resonate with many viewers. For such a well-put-together film, it might shock you to learn that a lot of it was improv, for natural scenes.
Fight Club
For example, in the scene where Pitt and Norton’s characters fight for the first time, Norton actually punched Pitt, which Brad Pitt didn’t expect.
Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. is a beloved actor. He can do no wrong. Regardless of what he does, fans will flock to see his films. Most recently he won hearts as Iron Man in Marvel films.
Iron Man
The line “I am Iron Man” was improvised, as it didn’t appear in the comics. Instead, it’s a line from an Ozzy Osborne song. Marvel’s Kevin Feige felt that it fit the character, and so he kept the line in.
Good Will Hunting
Robin Williams is one of the best and most beloved comedic actors of all time. His sense of humor and delivery always brought something unique to every move he stared in. Good Will Hunting is a classic and featured a lengthy improvisation.
Good Will Hunting
When his character tells a funny story to Matt Damon, it was entirely unscripted and improvised by Williams, and so Matt Damon’s laughter was real. This is one of the most memorable instances.
Lost In Translation
Francis Ford Coppola is a renowned filmmaker, and his daughter Sofia Ford Coppola followed his path. She wrote Lost in Translation with Bill Murray in mind. When he was brought on board, she gave him the freedom to improvise as he saw fit.
Lost In Translation
He clicked with the film and it turned out excellent. The entire sushi scene with Scarlett Johansson’s character is improvised. This is a great example of organic filmmaking, collaboration, and comedic genius.
Full Metal Jacket
Full Metal Jacket is another Stanley Kubrick classic. The most memorable character from it is Sgt. Hartman, played by R Lee Ermey, who was a real-life drill instructor.
Full Metal Jacket
The part of Hartman was originally meant for another actor, but during a late audition, Ermey improvised a tirade so good, that he got the part on the spot. Most of the scenes with him berating the soldiers is entirely unscripted. It certainly shines through on camera.
The Goonies
The Goonies is a well-loved ‘80s classic. It’s remembered for its brilliant story, and lovable characters played by some fan-favorite actors. Part of the authenticity of the film comes from the fact that the child actors were allowed to improvise their reactions to what was taking place.
The Goonies
For example, the infamous and hilarious “Truffle-Shuffle” dance was improvised. Data’s octopus line is also thought to be improvised, but it’s actually a reference to a deleted scene.
Call Me By Your Name
Call Me By Your Name is a coming-of-age film that is often cited as the thing that launched a new kid on the block, Timothée Chalamet’s acting career. Towards the end of the film, there’s a scene in which Chalamet’s character is crying alone.
Call Me By Your Name
As it wraps up, Chalamet breaks one of the rules of acting and looks directly into the camera. The move was so impactful, that the director decided to keep it in.
Casablanca
Casablanca is a black and white midcentury cinema masterpiece. It famously stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The director, Michael Curtiz, was seen as one of the best at the time, known for his innovation.
Casablanca
It then makes sense that a lot of the film was improvised, a new technique at the time. The most famous scene, the goodbye, was completely unscripted. Curtiz decided that the actors would know what to do at the end.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
The 40 Year Old Virgin is a mid-2000s romantic comedy starring Steve Carrell, Elizabeth Banks, and Paul Rudd. One of the most memorable scenes, the one that certainly got the most laughs, was the one in which Carrell’s character goes to get a full-body wax.
The 40 Year Old Virgin
The reason it was so impactful was that Carrell’s reactions were real and improvised. The waxing was legit, and you can actually see the beauty salon worker laughing for real.
The Silence Of The Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest psychological horror films ever made. It stars Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as Detective Clarice Starling. It was based on a book by Tom Harris and was a smash hit.
The Silence Of The Lambs
Even today it keeps people on the edge of their seats. One of the creepiest scenes involved Lecter hissing at Clarice. It turns out that Anthony Hopkins himself improvised the creepy sound.
Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is the latest film by Quentin Tarantino, and that alone should tell you that it’s an instant classic. The two main stars are Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. In this film, Leonardo DiCaprio wanted to improvise and Tarantino went with it.
Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
The scene in which he destroys his trailer was entirely unscripted. This isn’t the first time DiCaprio has improvised in a Quentin Tarantino film to absolutely brilliant effect.
Crazy, Stupid, Love
The 2011 romantic comedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, still has a cult following. In the scene where Jacob (Ryan Gosling’s character) is explaining to Hannah (Emma Stone’s character) how he usually woos the ladies, he rips off his shirt and gracefully lifting her over his head.
Crazy Stupid Love
This wasn’t in the original script, and was actually totally improvised by Gosling himself! He knew it would drive the fans crazy, and given the online reaction, it certainly worked.
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 war drama directed by Steven Spielberg. It stars Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller and Matt Damon as the titular Private James Ryan. The film is often criticized for historical inaccuracies, but it’s authentic in other ways.
Saving Private Ryan
One of the most humane moments is when Damon’s character tells Hanks’ a story. Damon made the whole story up, as it wasn’t in the script. It was a very authentic film moment.
Bridesmaids
If you have yet to watch Bridesmaids, we recommend you do it as soon as possible, but not before you’re done with this list of course! The 2011 film has an excellent ensemble cast, starring Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrn, Ellie Kemper, Melissa McCarthy, and Wendi McLendon-Covey.
Bridesmaids
They were allowed to improv, and Rudolph did it best when she improvised the scene where she got food poisoning. The scene is definitely the funniest in the film.
The Empire Strikes Back
After its release at the beginning of the ‘80s, Star Wars: Episode V was an instant hit. It follows beloved characters like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Chewbacca.
The Empire Strikes Back
One of the most memorable scenes is where Princess Leia confesses her love for Han Solo, and he responds with a deadpan, and improvised, “I know”. He was supposed to say “I love you too”, but Harrison Ford correctly felt it didn’t fit the character.
Clueless
Clueless is a 24-year-old film, but it has certainly aged like a fine wine. It’s a coming-of-age comedy all about American pop culture and stars a young Donald Faison.
Clueless
Part of the reason the film has aged so well is that it was authentic, with actors being given the freedom to use real slang from their lives. Faison adlibbed the “keeping it real” like, and fittingly, it’s one of the most memorable of the film.
Zoolander
Zoolander is a zany 2001 American comedy starring some of the best comedic actors around. Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrel take center stage in this fashion/spy masterpiece. Ben Stiller improvised one scene in particular out of necessity.
Zoolander
He actually forgot his line, and so he kept repeating himself. His character is a bit of an airhead, and so it fits the scene perfectly, prompting them to keep the full organic take in.
Dr. Strangelove
Considered one of the best satires of all time, Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb, is a film by Stanley Kubrick. It stars Peter Sellers, and Kubrick gave him a lot of leeways to improvise.
Dr Strangelove
Seller’s character was in a wheelchair the whole film, but in the end, stands up and says “Mein Fuhrer! I can walk!” It was unscripted, by Kubrick liked it so he kept it.
Django Unchained
Of course, we have another Tarantino and DiCaprio collaboration, and this is perhaps one of the wildest improvised moments on this list. In one scene, DiCaprio’s character, Calvin Candy, is ranting and slams his hand into a glass table.
Django Unchained
It wasn’t planned, and so DiCaprio injured his hand. He didn’t break character and kept going, even smearing his blood on one of his costars! That is certainly a sheer dedication to the craft of acting.
Blade Runner 1982
Blade Runner is a cyberpunk cinema classic, based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick. The film wasn’t appreciated when it was first released but has since picked up a cult following. Towards the end of the film, Rutger Hauer’s character mentions “tears in the rain.
Blade Runner 1982
” It’s an often-quoted line, but surprisingly, it was completely improvised. That slight addition was very timely and took the scene to another level.
The Warriors
The Warriors is a 1979 cult film based on the Sol Yurick novel of the same name. The film is lauded for its authentic portrayal of gang violence.
The Warriors
Part of the reason it was realistic, is because the actors were allowed, and encouraged, to improvise by drawing on their own experiences of the big city. David Patrick Kelly’s monologue was made up on the spot, inspired by one of his scary neighbors as a child.
Pretty Woman
Pretty Women is what ultimately launched Julia Roberts’ career, and made her a fan favorite actress. From her infectious smile to her beautiful laughter, the film showed it all.
Pretty Woman
Her laugh is somewhat famous, and an improvised scene in which Richard Gere slams a jewelry box shut made Roberts laugh for real, giving the scene real warmth as well as authenticity. Julia Roberts has gone on to star in many well-loved romantic and comedy classics.
Taxi Driver
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Taxi Driver, starring Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle is a well-loved down and dirty film about a lone wolf on a mission. It was instantly popular when it came out, and has shown real staying power.
Taxi Driver
The most famous scene is the one in which De Niro’s character talks to a mirror. He improvised every aspect of it, and ever since then, the scene has been parodied in countless works.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, a 1971 film based on the book by Roald Dahl, was an instant sensation. Gene Wilder does an exceptional job portraying the titular Wonka. Wilder accepted the role on the condition he could improvise his beginning scene.
Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory
He does so by pretending to be infirm but then ends it off with a swift somersault to a round of applause. Johnny Depp would later play the character in the 2000s.
Jaws
Some of the best and most memorable moments in cinema history are improvised. Entries on this list should show that, but if you still need convincing, here’s another.
Jaws
In the film Jaws, after the characters have a brush with the big shark, one of them comments “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”, this is the most popular line in the film and yes, you guessed it, it was completely improvised. It appears authentic is gold.
Tootsie
Tootsie is a comedy film starring Dustin Hoffman and Bill Murray. It follows a down on his luck male actor who disguises himself as a woman to get a part in a drama.
Tootsie
Bill Murray was a supporting character, but he was given the liberty of improvising most of his lines, and he did so brilliantly. His big speech at the party was entirely improvised, and yet it was perfectly pitched the whole way through.
Goodfellas
Goodfellas is a mob film masterpiece, and you can’t say you know mob movies without having seen it. The film is critically acclaimed for its cinematography, but also due to the excellent ensemble cast it features. There’s a famous scene where Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci’s characters have a conversation commonly called “Funny how?”
Goodfellas
It’s the most quoted scene in the film, and the entire thing was improvised by them. Improv shines through once again.
Dumb & Dumber
Dumb and Dumber is a beloved 1994 comedy starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. It should be no surprise that it contained some improvised comedy. Carrey is known for his wacky antics on and off the set.
Dumb And Dumber
In the scene in the van where he asks if the hitman in disguise wants to hear the most annoying sound in the world, he of course improvised the sound. The sound is certainly signature Jim Carrey comedy.
Midnight Cowboy
Midnight Cowboy is an award-winning film shot in 1969. You’d be forgiven for not knowing it though, as it isn’t often talked about these days. You’ll likely know a famous scene in it though!
Midnight Cowboy
During a scene in which Dustin Hoffman’s character is walking across the street, a yellow taxi cab cuts him off. He bangs on the hood and shouts “Hey, I’m walkin’ here!” This amusing moment is often referenced in film pop culture.
Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark
Here we have another scene improvised by Harrisonford, but this time it wasn’t by choice. The Indiana Jones series is much liked, being a staple of the action-adventure genre.
Indiana Jones Raiders Of The Lost Ark
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, there’s a funny scene in which someone tries to dual Ford’s character with a sword, but Ford just pulls out a gun and shoots him. Ford had food poisoning, and so he was too tired for the planned fight scene.
A Clockwork Orange
We couldn’t let you go without one more Kubrick film. A Clockwork Orange, based on the Anthony Burgess novel of the same name, is lauded for its art nouveau take on a dystopian England.
A Clockwork Orange
One of the most intense scenes was one in which the main characters break into a house and attack a couple. During it, the main character played by Malcolm McDowell sings “Singing in the Rain.” Kubrick let McDowell pick the song.
Shaun Of The Dead
Shaun of the Dead is a 2004 film that arguably put one of the greatest comedy duos on the map, Nick Frost, and Simon Pegg. It’s also one-third of Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy. In the film, there’s a scene in which Pegg’s character is upset, and Frost attempts to cheer him up.
Shaun Of The Dead
To do some he makes a bunch of obscene jokes. Of course, the jokes are improvised, and so Simon Pegg’s laughter is real.
Being John Malkovich
Here’s a bold bit of improvising. In the film Being John Malkovich, John Malkovich plays a fictional version of himself. In one scene he’s walking down the street, and a drunk extra, who was actually drunk, throws a can at him and shouts “You suck, Malkovich!”
Being John Malkovich
This wasn’t planned, but Malkovich and the producers thought it was funny, so they kept it. The extra was also bumped up to a speaking role, meaning more pay.
The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring
Based on part one of The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, the Fellowship of the Rings film was directed by Peter Jackson and adored by fans. In it, Viggo Mortensen plays Aragorn/Strider. In one scene, he kicks a helmet and screams.
The Lord Of The Rings The Fellowship Of The Ring
To the viewer, it appears to be fitting frustration, but in reality, it was because Mortensen broke his toe on the helmet. That’s a painful bit of improv, but it worked.
Aliens
Written and directed by James Cameron, Aliens is a worthy follow-up to Ridley Scott’s Alien film, starring Sigourney Weaver. Another great actor that was featured was Bill Paxton. In one scene, Paxton shouts “Game over, man, game over!”
Aliens
While the scene was scripted, Paxton’s line was made up on the spot, and so James Cameron kept it. Naturally, it is one of the most quoted lines in the series. Improvisation shines once again it seems.
The Fugitive
The Fugitive is a pulse-pounding 1993 action thriller based on a 1960s TV show. It stars Harrison Ford as a fugitive and Tommy Lee Jones as the man pursuing him. When Ford’s character is cornered, he says he didn’t kill his wife.
The Fugitive
Jones’ character responds that he doesn’t care. It wasn’t planned, but it fit the character so well, that it was kept in the film and continues to be memorable to this very day.
The Godfather
The Godfather is one of the best films of all time. It’s considered part of the golden age of cinema. Not only did Francis Ford Coppola do a great job directing, but the actors also played their parts to perfection. In a moment of levity, there’s a line where a character says “Leave the gun.
The Godfather
Take the cannoli.” The scene wasn’t planned, but because it fit and added some humor, they decided to incorporate it.