Movies About Writing

Updated May 1, 2024

Have you heard these Movies About Writing? We think you'll find some new films. We gathered 25 of the top ones.

Her (2013)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a 2013 American science-fiction romantic comedy-drama film written, directed and produced by Spike Jonze. The story follows Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely, introverted writer who develops a relationship with Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), an artificially intelligent virtual assistant personified through a female voice. Theodore is undergoing a divorce and finds himself drawn to the humanlike qualities of Samantha, who develops profound emotional intelligence over the course of the film. As the story progresses, Theodore finds himself falling in love with her, which raises the ethical and moral implications of a person's relationship with an AI. The film explores themes of companionship, connection, and isolation, and ultimately serves as a commentary on modern-day relationships. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

A Taxi Driver (2017)

★★★★

3.2 out of 4 stars

From Hun Jang, starring Song Kang-ho, Thomas Kretschmann, Hae-Jin Yoo, Ryu Jun-Yeol
Rated Not Rated

A Taxi Driver is a South Korean historical drama film directed by Hun Jang. Set in the 1980s, the film follows the story of taxi driver Man-seob (Song Kang-ho) who agrees to drive a German journalist to the city of Gwangju to cover the civil uprising that is taking place there. Along the way, Man-seob and the journalist experience firsthand the brutalities and injustices of a government crackdown on the student protesters. As the pair get closer to Gwangju and the situation continues to worsen, Man-seob is forced to make difficult decisions in order to save lives and protect the people he has come to care about. The film is a powerful, heartbreaking story of courage, resilience and friendship in the face of adversity.

Coraline (2009)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Henry Selick, starring Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Jennifer Saunders
Rated PG

Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is a young girl who moves into a new home with her parents and discovers a secret door that leads to a parallel world. In this alternate world, she finds a version of her family that she initially believes is perfect. But the more she explores, the more she discovers that her "other" family is really a sinister reflection of the real world. With the help of a talking cat, Coraline must use her resourcefulness and courage to outwit the dangerous creatures and escape the alternate world before it's too late.

Adaptation. (2002)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Spike Jonze, starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton
Rated R

Adaptation is a 2002 comedy-drama directed by Spike Jonze, and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film stars Nicholas Cage as Charlie Kaufman, a struggling screenwriter who is adapting the book The Orchid Thief for a Hollywood studio. As he struggles to write the screenplay, he finds himself having to deal with a twin brother, Donald (also played by Cage), who is far more successful. The story follows Charlie as he struggles with his creativity, his relationships, and his own insecurities. His journey leads him to discover what it takes to be a writer, and to make meaningful art. Ultimately, Charlie succeeds in finding his own voice and creating an adaptation that is true to the original source material.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From Josh Boone, starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern
Rated PG-13

"The Fault in Our Stars" is a 2014 romantic drama directed by Josh Boone. It stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort as two teenagers who meet and fall in love at a cancer support group. Despite the grim subject matter, the film is ultimately an uplifting story about love, life, and mortality. Hazel Grace Lancaster (Woodley) is a sixteen-year-old with terminal cancer, while Augustus Waters (Elgort) is a former basketball player with a prosthetic leg. Together they embark on an unforgettable journey of self-discovery, facing their fears and confronting the harsh realities of life and death. Along the way, they find solace and strength in each other, ultimately realizing that "some infinities are bigger than other infinities."

Freedom Writers (2007)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Richard LaGravenese, starring Hilary Swank, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Scott Glenn
Rated PG-13

Freedom Writers is a 2007 drama film directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Hilary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, and Patrick Dempsey. The film is based on the book The Freedom Writers Diary written by the Freedom Writers, a group of students from Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California, who were part of an assignment to write diaries about their experiences in the wake of the LA riots. The film follows the story of a young idealistic teacher, Erin Gruwell (Swank), who takes a job at a newly integrated high school in Long Beach, California in 1994. Despite the apathy and animosity of her students, Gruwell perseveres in her teaching, leading her students on a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and personal growth. With the help of her husband (Dempsey) and her colleagues, Gruwell encourages her students to write down their struggles and triumphs in diaries, and as they share their stories with each other, they come to realize that they can use their writing as a powerful way to overcome the barriers that divide them. Together, the Freedom Writers discover their own voices and learn to value their stories.

The Player (1992)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Robert Altman, starring Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg
Rated R

The Player is a 1992 American neo-noir black comedy crime film directed by Robert Altman and written by Michael Tolkin, based on his 1988 novel of the same name. The story follows Griffin Mill, a Hollywood studio executive, who is receiving death threats from a writer whose pitch he rejected. As Mill tries to identify the writer to appease him, he unwittingly becomes increasingly enmeshed in a murder investigation. The film features an ensemble cast, including Tim Robbins as Griffin Mill, Greta Scacchi, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher, Brion James, Cynthia Stevenson, and Fred Ward. The Player is a satire of the contemporary Hollywood film industry, featuring an array of famous actors playing exaggerated caricatures of themselves, including Jack Lemmon, Julia Roberts, Bruce Willis, and many others. Through a series of misadventures, Griffin Mill discovers the power of the film industry and the importance of being true to oneself. Audiences and critics praised the film for its sharp dialogue and sly wit. The Player was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $21 million in the US, and receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Following (1998)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Christopher Nolan, starring Jeremy Theobald, Alex Haw, Lucy Russell, John Nolan
Rated R

Following is a neo-noir crime thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows the story of an unnamed young writer who follows strangers in London hoping to find inspiration for his work. He soon finds himself caught up in a criminal underworld of burglary and deception. Along the way he meets a mysterious older man named Cobb, who teaches him the tricks of the trade and helps him hone his skills as a thief. As his activities become more daring and dangerous, the young writer finds himself in over his head and must fight to survive. The film is a complex and thrilling exploration of identity, morality, and the power of perception.

Richard Jewell (2019)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Clint Eastwood, starring Paul Walter Hauser, Sam Rockwell, Brandon Stanley, Ryan Boz
Rated R

Richard Jewell is a 2019 biographical drama directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Billy Ray. The film stars Paul Walter Hauser as the titular character, Richard Jewell, who was falsely accused of being involved in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics bombing. The film tells the story of how Jewell, a security guard, discovered a suspicious package during the Olympics, which he reported to the authorities. The subsequent investigation into Jewell's involvement in the bombing led to his wrongful arrest and stigmatization in the media. The film follows Jewell's fight to clear his name, and the eventual public acknowledgment of his innocence. Despite being exonerated, Jewell's life was forever changed by the ordeal, leading him to eventually pass away in 2007. The film also stars Kathy Bates, Sam Rockwell, Jon Hamm, and Olivia Wilde.