Great lines can outlive a movie and transcend its story, no matter how good or bad it was. Great lines make their way to playgrounds and office spaces, become private jokes that can cement friendships for decades, and become cultural symbols for generations.
Clichéd Dialogues? Not likely, and if so, for all the wrong reasons. Moreover, the line between cliche and legendary is sometimes really thin.
That is why writing cliched dialogues can be as tempting as writing memorable lines. It really is hard.
But, if it seems ok to use them while you are going with the flow and trying to move forward on a draft, they are a no-no when it comes to showing your script around.
Below is the selection of 80 Cliched Dialogues I still read in scripts and hear in movies and TV Shows, and I really wish I wouldn’t.
80 Cliched Dialogues to Keep Out Of Your Script
1. Try me2. This is your destiny.
3. Watch me
4. I was born ready.
5. Are you sitting down?
6. – Is that all you got?
– I’m just getting started.
7. Cover me. I’m going in.
8. No, no, no, no, NO! I’m not going. [Cut to them going.]
9. No. Come in. ____ was just leaving.
10. We’ve got to stop meeting like this.
11. (Greeting) Well, if it isn’t ____.
12. I’m just doing my job.
13. – You’ll never get away with this!
14. Now . . . where were we?
15. How hard can it be?
16. You go girl!
17. What part of _____ don’t you understand?
18. Don’t even go there.
19. Is this some kind of sick joke?
20. Oh haha, very funny.
21. Did I just say that out loud?
22. It’s just a scratch.
23. – How is he?
– He’ll live.
24. . . . and there’s nothing you or anyone else can do to stop me!
25. You say that like it’s a bad thing.
26. Note to self . . .
27. What seems to be the problem, Officer?
28. What’s the worst that could happen?/ What have we got to lose?
29. I have a bad feeling about this.
30. Don’t you think I know that!
31. Whatever you do, don’t look down.
32. We’ve got company.
33. Oh that’s not good.
34. Awkward!
35. What just happened?
36. We’ll never make it in time!
37. – Stay here.
– No way, I’m coming with you.
38. Okay, here’s what we do . . . [and cut to a different scene]
39. Try to get some sleep.
40. Hi, sis.
41. Wait! I can explain! This isn’t what it looks like.42. That’s it! You’re off the case!
43. In English, please.
44. – What are you doing here?
– I was about to ask you the same thing.
45. This just getts better and better.
46. Shut up and kiss me.
47. Not on my watch!
48. You just don’t get it, do you?
49. It’s called ____, you should try it sometime.
50. That went well!
51. That’s above my paygrade.
52. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
53. We’re not in Kansas anymore.
54. Just follow my lead.
55. Talk to me, people!
56. I didn’t sign up for this.
57. You just made the biggest mistake of your life.
58. That’s gonna leave a mark.
59. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.
60. Do you trust me?
61. We’re too late.
62. This changes everything.
63. It’s quiet… too quiet.
64. I’m too old for this.
65. You haven’t seen the last of me!
66. This ends now!
67. I’ve got a plan.
68. That’s not how this works!
69. You’re going to pay for this.
70. Is that a threat?
71. It was a dark and stormy night…
72. We need to talk.
73. You’re my only hope.
74. This is bigger than both of us.
75. I should have known it was you.
76. You’re out of your league.
77. You underestimate my power.
78. It’s not you, it’s me.
79. Looks like we’ve got a situation.
80. You’re playing with fire.
Bottom line
While clichéd dialogues might be tempting to use due to their familiarity and ease of writing, they often detract from the originality and depth of a script.
Their overuse can result in predictable and unengaging storytelling which translates to bad movies.
It’s crucial for writers to strive for creativity and authenticity in their dialogue to truly capture the audience’s attention and create unique experiences.
