10 Hilarious Movie Scenes That Weren't Actually Scripted
It's the little tweaks they make that make the scenes so funny!
A great movie is written, directed, and edited in such a way that the superb acting of the performers appears natural. The script has the characters saying things they would actually say in their situation; the director ensures they act naturally while doing so, and then the editor uses the best takes to cut together a performance that looks like a stream of consciousness instead of separate statements stitched together.
That being said, everything does not always go according to plan, and while this may generally be a bad thing, going off script has actually proven to be beneficial for many movies (and not just in comedies). These scenes have become audience favorites as well. You might know a lot of hilarious unscripted moments in sitcoms such as Friends, but it truly hits differently when it's done in a movie that has become beloved by many.
What's great about these unplanned scenes is that they ultimately make the movie better, turning out even greater than expected to the general public. Part of why these scenes work is also due to the actors—it's amazing how they pulled it off, especially when their fellow actors react to the sudden change in the script!
10. The Jewelry Box Scene In "Pretty Woman"
When Roberts reached out to touch the jewels in the box, Gere went off script playfully and snapped the box shut, which genuinely surprised the actress. Her laugh was so real that it improved the scene, prompting the director to ultimately decide to leave it as it is.
© Touchstone Pictures9. The Chest Waxing Scene In "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"
The entire chest-waxing scene was completely authentic. It was Steve Carell’s first time being waxed, and every single swear word was a genuine response to the pain.
© Universal Pictures8. The Hitchhiking Scene in "Dumb and Dumber"
The entire scene was improvised—Carrey and Daniels added a lot of craziness to the original script.
7. The Airplane Scene In "Bridesmaids"
Air Marshall John is actually McCarthy's real-life husband, so this flirting scene was all her.
© Universal Pictures
6. The Interview Scene In "Ghostbusters" (2016)
This scene was almost made up on the spot. Katie Dippold, the writer, said that the lenses were removed from the glasses because they reflected on the camera.
However, Hemsworth absentmindedly rubbed his eyes through the frames, completely forgetting why they had to remove the lenses. When Melissa McCarthy pointed it out, he simply said they took them out on purpose so he wouldn't have to clean them.
© Columbia Pictures
5. The Sneezing Scene In "Annie Hall"
Woody Allen had an allergic reaction to the powder in this scene, resulting in a hilarious sneeze that caused the cast to barely keep it together. The scene was then kept in the film.
© United Artists
4. The Fart In The Bed Scene In "This Is 40"
Rudd's farting in this scene was totally unscripted, but he thought it was appropriate for the scene and the character. However, Mann and the crew were not pleased with this.
© Universal Pictures
3. The Car Ride In "Knocked Up"
The entire dialogue was improvised by Rogen and Rudd. In the DVD extras, this scene even runs for over 6 minutes.
The duo, Rogen and Rudd, first came up with the idea on the set of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" during the 30-second "Know how I know you’re gay?" scene. They then decided to continue the joke in Knocked Up.
Judd Apatow, the director and screenwriter for both projects, allowed the two to go off script as he trusted their creativity.
© Universal Pictures
2. "My Wife Used to Fart in Her Sleep" Scene In "Good Will Hunting"
Williams, playing the psychologist Sean Maguire, tells stories that encourage Will to trust him and let his walls down. One story, however, was completely made up, and it's about his late wife's idiosyncrasies, particularly how she used to fart in her sleep.
This was filmed in just one take, and you can even see the camera shake because of the cameraman's reaction. Matt Damon's reaction here was completely genuine.
© Miramax Films
1. Zoolander — "But Why Male Models?"
When David Duchovny finished delivering his speech about the corruption of the modeling world, Ben Stiller forgot what he was supposed to say and blurted out, "Why male models?" instead.
He later confirmed, “I literally was listening to what David Duchovny said, and I’m not really that much smarter than the character of Derek, and I honestly forgot. I hadn’t followed what he was saying; I said it again and got my lines wrong, and David (who’s a very funny guy) improvised the ‘Are you serious? I just explained that.’ Which just goes to show you that Derek and I are actually closer than you might think.”
© Paramount Pictures
Bonus: The Bra Scene In "This Is 40"
Judd Apatow was uncomfortable asking the actresses to disrobe on camera, so this scene with Megan Fox stripping down to her underwear was only done because of her comfort with her body.
© Universal Pictures
One factor that made these scenes great is the actors themselves because, without their sheer talent and charisma, they wouldn't have been able to pull these scenes off so hilariously! Which one was your favorite of them all?
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