Published: May 23, 2024 | Last Updated: November 12, 2025
A movie cliché is an overused trope that has lost its impact. For example, the old horror trope of a limping killer that slowly chases the last girl in a horror movie, who sprints for her life, but is somehow still able to close the distance. What was once scary now feels overdone.
Here is a list of worn-out movie tropes and clichés that you can use in your screenwriting. You can try to avoid them or use them actively – fx in a satire.
The Hero Always Gets the Girl
Despite the odds and circumstances, the protagonist ends up with the love interest.
Example: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984): Indiana Jones ends up with Marion Ravenwood despite numerous obstacles.
The Villain Monologue
The antagonist reveals their entire plan to the hero, giving them a chance to thwart it.
Example: The Incredibles (2004): Syndrome reveals his plan to Mr. Incredible, giving the heroes time to counteract. This is a spoof on the well-known cliché.
Walking Away from Explosions
Characters walk away from massive explosions without looking back or flinching.
Example: The Dark Knight (2008): The Joker walks away from a hospital explosion without looking back.
The Stormy Night
Important or spooky events happen during intense and dramatic weather.
Example: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975): Janet and Brad’s car breaks down during a dark stormy night, leading them to the house of the sweet transvestite Frank-N-Furter.
Last-Minute Save
The hero is saved from certain death at the very last second.
Example: Toy Story 3 (2010): The toys are saved from the incinerator at the last second.
The Love Triangle
Two characters compete for the affection of a third.
Example: Twilight (2008): Bella Swan is torn between Edward Cullen and Jacob Black. This scene doubles up on clichés during a dark stormy night.
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The Mentor’s Death
A wise mentor figure dies, usually to motivate the hero.
Example: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977): Obi-Wan Kenobi dies, inspiring Luke Skywalker to fight against the Empire. Here’s the reimagined scene with some awesome fighting in it.
The Red Herring
Misleading clues that divert attention from the real culprit or outcome.
Example: Scream (1996): Numerous characters are suspected of being the killer, diverting attention from the real murderer.
Read more on Red Herrings in film.
The Rousing Speech
A character delivers an inspiring speech to rally the troops or characters.
Example: Independence Day (1996): President Whitmore delivers a stirring speech to inspire humanity to fight back against the alien invaders.
The Training Montage
A sequence showing the protagonist improving their skills over a short period.
Example: Rocky (1976): Rocky Balboa trains rigorously, improving his skills for the big fight.
Read more on Movie Montages.
The Slow Clap
One person starts clapping slowly, and others join in, usually in a moment of triumph.
Example: Rudy (1993): Rudy is celebrated with a slow clap after finally playing in a football game.
The Fake Death
A character is believed dead but returns later, often to dramatic effect.
Example: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011): Sherlock Holmes fakes his death and returns at a key moment.
The Computer Genius
A character can hack any system in seconds, no matter how complex.
Example: Swordfish (2001): Stanley gets his hacking skills tested by Gabriel, who holds a gun to Stanley’s head and has a girl give him a blowjob.
The Impossible Shot
A character makes an almost impossible shot or move to save the day. It can be with everything from a golf ball to a laser in space.
Example: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977): Luke Skywalker makes an almost impossible shot to destroy the Death Star.
The Evil Laughter
The villain often laughs maniacally after revealing their plan or committing a crime.
Example: The Matrix Revolutions (2003): Agent Smith laughs maniacally after killing The Oracle.
The Overturned Table
During a confrontation, a table is often overturned for dramatic effect.
Example: Daredevil (2005): Kingpin flips the table in anger.
The Big No
A character dramatically shouts ‘No!’ in a moment of distress.
Example: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005): Darth Vader dramatically shouts ‘No!’ upon learning of Padmé’s fate.
The One Last Job
A character is coaxed into doing one final job before they can retire, or they have retired but are brought back into the action. This trope is often combined with the refusing-the-call trope.
Example: Unforgiven (1992): Retired Old West gunslinger William Munny reluctantly takes on one last job with his old partner Ned Logan and The Schofield Kid.
The Hidden Identity
A character hides their true identity until a pivotal moment.
Example: Superman 2 (1980): Clark Kent hides his alter ego, Superman, but Lois Lane figures it out and gets him to reveal it in a pretty reckless way.
The Amnesia Plot
A character loses their memory and gradually pieces their life back together.
Example: The Bourne Identity (2002): Jason Bourne loses his memory and slowly uncovers his past.
The Montage of Success
A sequence showing a character or team achieving a series of successes.
Example: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): Chris Gardner experiences a series of successes, leading to a better life.
The Damsel in Distress
The damsel in distress trope is when a female character is in peril and needs rescuing by the (male) hero.
Example: Spider-Man (2002): Mary Jane Watson needs rescuing by Spider-Man.
The Kid with Amazing Skills Setup
A kid shows extraordinary ability that will be used later in the film during sequences where a lot is at stake.
Example: Jurassic Park (1993): Tim shows his knowledge of dinosaurs and computers, which becomes important later.
The Hero Always Survives
No matter the situation’s dire, the protagonist almost always comes out alive.
Example: Die Hard (1988): John McClane survives numerous life-threatening situations.
Lone Cop/One-Man-Army Against the World
A single person takes on an entire criminal organization or conspiracy, often without backup.
Example: Under Siege (1992): Casey Ryback takes on a criminal organization that commandeers a U.S. Navy battleship largely on his own.
Love at First Sight
Characters fall deeply in love immediately after meeting despite knowing little about each other.
Example: Romeo + Juliet (1996): Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love immediately upon meeting.
The Ugly Duckling Transformation
A character initially perceived as unattractive undergoes a makeover and becomes beautiful and popular.
Example: She’s All That (1999): Laney Boggs undergoes a makeover and becomes popular.
The Car Won’t Start
In moments of extreme danger, the protagonist’s car inexplicably fails to start, heightening the tension.
Example: When a Stranger Calls (2006): The car fails to start at a critical moment, heightening the tension for babysitter Jill Johnson.
Enhance the Image
Characters use technology to enhance blurry or low-resolution images to reveal crucial details magically.
Example: Blade Runner (1982): Rick Deckard uses technology to enhance a blurry photo to find clues.
The Fake-Out Death
A character appears to die, only to make a dramatic return later in the movie.
Example: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002): Gandalf is believed dead but returns dramatically as Gandalf the White.
Summing Up
Clichés are overused expressions or ideas that lack originality. They are something many seek to avoid, but you can also use them strategically in, for example, satire.
Read Next: Want to dig deeper into screenwriting?
Start with the Screenwriter’s Toolkit on literary devices vs. elements – a deep resource covering every major literary device and element used in writing.
Then explore our collection of practical writing techniques covering dialogue, structure, and pacing.
Or jump into the free screenwriting course to start your first draft today.
You can also head back to the Screenwriting section for more tools, theory, and breakdowns.
