12 Movies and TV Series Where Actors Unlocked Their Creativity and Made Their Scenes Much Better

Most actors are required to stick to the scripts they are given as a strict set of rules to follow through the scenes of their character. However, filmmaking is truly a creative process that will create some surprises along the way. Actors are forced to take direction well, but at the same time, they should exert their talent to bring their own ideas to the table. Over the years, we can see a lot of iconic improvised moments in our favorite movies and these moments are a result of the actors immersing in their characters and working with anything that comes their way.
For example, in the TV sitcom “Curb Your Enthusiasm”, Larry David totally relies on improvisation and it partly contributes to the success of the movie. Improvisation is a risky technique, but in many cases, it can create entertaining content.
We've collected 12 times when actors improvised in their movies for the better. You can see more there: 9 Actors Changed Their Characters For The Better, 12 Actors Who Took a Risk To Change the Script, and Movie Bloopers And Improvised Quotes.

#1 Squid Game

Movies Where Actors Unlocked Their Creativity Source: © Ojing-eo geim / Siren Pictures and co-producers

Remember that scene where Gi-hun caused Sae-byuk’s coffee to drop while running away from debt collectors and Gi-hun picked it up in a comedic way? Well, the scene is totally improvised. You can notice Jung Ho Yeo who played Saw-byuk hid her face and chuckled.

#2 Stranger Things

Source: © Stranger Things / Netflix and co-producers

The movie starred David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers. After the first kiss, they asked for the second when Hopper was convincing Byers that they would be saved.

#3 The White Lotus

Source: © The White Lotus / Rip Cord Productions and co-producers

After the farewell scene of Tanya and Belinda, Jennifer Coolidge who played Tanya, walked through the door and returned to take sunglasses, so the scene totally changed. Natasha Rothwell, who played Belinda, said, “Just salt in the wound on Belinda’s big cathartic moment. So I just used it to fuel my upset.”

#4 Ticket to Paradise

Source: © Ticket to Paradise / Universal Pictures and co-producers

George Clooney and Julia Roberts seemingly worried about the dancing scene – one of the funniest scenes in the movie. They didn’t even ask the choreographer for help and did it naturally.

#5 The Crown

Source: © The Crown / Sony Pictures Television and co-producers

In the original script, the scene where Diana and Mohamed AI-Fayed met was supposed to be shorter. However, due to their incredible chemistry, the actress Debicki who played Diana recommended trying filming without rehearsing it. The two even added some new lines to their conversation.

#6 The Menu

Movies Where Actors Unlocked Their Creativity Source: © The Menu / Alienworx Productions and co-producers

According to the original script, Margot cries when finding out about Tyler’s betrayal. However, the actress Anya Taylor-Joy who played Margot, found it weird, so she improvised. In the new scenes, she attacks Tyler, showing her rage.

#7 Spider-Man: No Way Home

Movies Where Actors Unlocked Their Creativity Source: © Spider-Man: No Way Home / Marvel Studios and co-producers

The scene where MJ (Zendaya), threw bread at Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield) is improvised. Zendaya had the idea when seeing a bread basket.

#8 Don’t Look Up

Source: © Don't Look Up / Hyperobject Industries and co-producers

In the first scene in the Oval Office, Meryl Streep showed a masterclass in improvisation. For each take — and there were 20-25 of them — she’d come up with a new absurd conversation.

#9 Emily in Paris

In the episode Scents & Sensibility, Lily Collins and Lucien Laviscount didn’t want their character just to walk around Paris. They added the hug scene.

#10 Bridgerton

The scene where the characters played pallmall was improvised. They were allowed to play without any scripted choreography so the scene looked very playful.

#11 House of the Dragon

“my love”, the last words Viserys said was Paddy Considine’s improvisation. The character wasn’t talking to Alicent but to his first wife, Aemma, who “is the one that comes to meet him” when he dies.

#12 Enola Holmes 2

Millie Bobby Brown, who portrayed Enola, expressed her improvisation by saying the line “Crazy idea, have you ever considered a flatmate?”. Initially, the director wanted to delete it because he thought it wasn’t appropriate for the time setting of the movie. Luckily, he changed his mind.