Although characters and plot are key to an audience's enjoyment of a film, dialogue is what really powers a story. While there are many exciting summer 2022 releases, Jordan Peele's Nope is considered a horror masterpiece with a pitch perfect setting and an intelligent script that makes people think.
The words that characters say allow audiences to really get to know them, while setting up backstory and ensuring that the plot is fast paced or a slow burn, depending on the genre. Redditors are sharing their picks for movies with unforgettable dialogue that they're still thinking about.
Superbad (2007)
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For Redditor go_dumble_dork, the dialogue in "Superbad" is great, and many fans love the natural feeling of the conversations between best friends Evan and Seth. They tease each other and don't always sound like they even like each other, but it's clear that they have a strong bond.
Superbad is considered a fan favorite movie about millennials because the script feels so real. Evan and Seth's desire to have an epic time at a party is relatable, along with their feelings of insecurity and wish that they could be cool, popular and fit in easier than they do.
Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
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After David Mamet's play was released in 1984, it was adapted into a film starring Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, and Jack Lemmon. Since Mamet wrote the screenplay, it's similar to the play. Redditor divesh_sam said, "Glengarry Glen Ross has some really good dialogue, among the best I've heard on screen."
The characters are famously tough and the dialogue matches, as Blake in particular says exactly what he's thinking and feeling. In one stunning scene, Blake yells "Put that coffee down! Coffee's for closers only."
The Social Network (2010)
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Aaron Sorkin is famous for savvy and fast dialogue, especially the "walk and talk" style of the characters on The West Wing. Redditor gyannip said "The Social Network" has strong dialogue and Redditor NefariousNeezy added, "They're discussing around 3 topics all at once while establishing both characters. Unbelievable."
All of the characters have snappy and clever dialogue, with moments of humor, like when Amy realizes that her one-night stand created Napster and she says "I just slept with Sean Parker" and he replies, "You just slept on Sean Parker."
The Before Sunset Trilogy (1995, 2004, 2013)
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Redditor Appropriate_Focus402 posted that "Richard Linklaters stuff" including the "Before Sunrise trilogy" has amazing dialogue, and Redditor TheDaltonXP said, "Linklater makes the two characters feel real and the dialogue seems to flow naturally."
Richard Linklater's Before trilogy has amazing quotes, as Celine and Jesse meet cute on a train and walk around Vienna, learning about each other and falling deeply in love. In the sequel, the characters see each other again after Jesse has written a successful book and as they realize that they have to stay together, the dialogue feels totally real and genuine. In the third film Before Midnight, the couple has committed to each other for several years now and have twins.
The Witch (2016)
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With a period setting and haunting imagery, The Witch is a favorite A24 horror film because of the atmosphere and performance from Anya-Taylor Joy. The film is also notable for its dialogue. Redditor greg225 wrote, "Robert Eggers movies are great if you like more old fashioned language."
Black Phillip, the villain in the film, has some of the most memorable and chilling lines, like when he says, "Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?" While period dialogue can sometimes be corny and clunky, it's very smooth and well-written here.
When Harry Met Sally... (1998)
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Nora Ephron lent her writing talents to many classic romantic comedies, and Redditor ilovelucygal praised the dialogue in "When Harry Met Sally." The best quotes in When Harry Met Sally... include Sally ordering meals in a specific way and musing about what love means and whether finding her soulmate will ever happen for her.
Like all of the characters in Ephron's movies, Harry and Sally are stubborn and smart, and they're often honest about what they want and what they dislike. The dialogue gets to the heart of the classic debate about platonic friendship and whether people can really be brave enough to fall in love and be vulnerable.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
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For Redditor Julps2, "Pulp Fiction" has dialogue that stands out, and Redditor JustChilling_ added that "Pretty much everything by Quentin Tarantino" has an amazing script.
Pulp Fiction is considered to be one of the most impressive dark comedies of the past few decades, and since the story doesn't happen in order, the writing is particularly compelling and different. The characters are always brutally honest, with Mia famously saying, "That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the f*ck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence."
Good Will Hunting (1998)
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One Redditor suggested Good Will Hunting, writing that the film "Has some beautiful lines and some funny ones too." Gus Van Sant directed the movie and Matt Damon and Ben Affleck won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
When Will Hunting, who is a janitor at MIT and has a natural skill for the field of math, gets into trouble, he begins meeting with Dr. Sean Maguire. The two change each other's lives through their interactions with each other, learning a lot about life and love. The script is honest and at times romantic, with Sean's famous line "I have to go see about a girl" one of the most meaningful pieces of dialogue from the film.
Mallrats (1995)
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Kevin Smith fans love the best quotes from Mallrats as the film is often praised for its screenplay. Redditor mideonequalsratings said that Mallrats is "chock-full of brilliant and hilarious dialogue" and "It's my favorite comedy."
Brodie Bruce and T.S. Quint find themselves single at the same time, and they spend the movie at the mall, hanging out together and having fun. The fact that the film can take place in the same location and still be hilarious and unforgettable is a testament to Smith's script.
My Dinner With Andre (1981)
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My Dinner With Andre was released in 1981 and focuses on friends talking about the meaning of life and how they each approach their days. Redditor dyrtdaub mentioned this as a movie with amazing dialogue, writing that it's "just two extremely cultured and intelligent guys eating and talking about the choices they made."
Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn co-wrote the screenplay and also star as Andre and Wally. Since the entire film rests on two characters chatting, the dialogue has to be pitch perfect and it definitely is. The characters think carefully, with Wally saying, "Goals and plans are not... they're fantasy. They're part of a dream-life."