This classic 80’s comedy is so funny because of its improvised lines. Bill Murray improvised his Dalai Lama speech completely, and in his Cinderella Speech, the only scripted line he was given was “Carl cuts off the tops of flowers with a grass whip.” The rest he made up. The film has garnered a large cult following and has been regarded by Time and ESPN as one of the funniest sports movies ever.
Like some of his costars, Bill Murray honed his skills in improv on Saturday Night Live, where he gained recognition for funniest sketches of those seasons. It certainly helped that fellow castmember and Caddyshack star, Chevy Chase was there for all the good banter and riffing.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry dines at the Weasleys house while the Weasley parents argue about their children. Molly is angry that they took out the enchanted car while her husband Arthur is quite supportive. The next line was practiced 13 or 14 times, with each time being different from the former.
They eventually went with “what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?” The film adaptation of the novel was released in 2002 and became at the time the seventh highest-grossing film ever.
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters was a classic and featured some of the best cast members of Saturday Night Live. No wonder it's one of the funniest cult classics of our time. One of the funniest actors was Rick Moranis. The actor was also on the improv show, Second City Television, which means he was a master of improvisation.
He is known for doing impressions of Woody Allen, Merv Griffin, and David Brinkley. So it’s no surprise that he so effectively improvised in the 1984 supernatural comedy film. He completely made up his speech to party guests on the spot.
Knocked Up
Seth Rogen prepares for fatherhood in this 2007 comedy, directed by comedy guru Judd Apatow. Rogan and co-stars improvised many lines, including the beginning referencing Steven Spielberg’s Munich. INn a scene in Knocked Up Rogan and Rudd are childishly messing with each other. Pete (Rudd) says, "Know how I know you're gay?" the two of them go back and forth, repeating the line and filling in the blank with a comedic response.
The two actors first thought of the idea while on the set of 2005's The 40-Year-Old Virgin in a 30-second scene and then decided to bring the joke to Knocked Up. Judd Apatow, who was the director and screenwriter for both projects, put full trust in the guys and gave them the freedom to do what they wanted.
Aliens
When one thinks of improvising, we often tend to think of the comedy element and all the ridiculous things you say when you're just let your mind run free. But in this 1986 Aliens sequel, a heavy sci-fi, Sigourney Weaver’s character is awoken from hypersleep. Bill Paxton plays the role of Private Hudson.
Paxton improvised many of his lines including the iconic, “Game over, man! Game over!” His acting and improvisational skill earned him real critical acclaim that he ended up winning the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor.