There are some proven ways to tell a compelling story, and these proven ways are called story archetypes.
Story archetypes are the fundamental framework that has shaped storytelling since its inception—whether stories are told through myths and legends passed down from generation to generation, poems, songs, plays, radio programs, television series, or movies.
45 Archetypes Screenwriters Must Know
1. Fish out of water
The protagonists are thrust into an unfamiliar environment, forcing them to adapt and grow.
example: Elf, eviland come to america.
2. Trapped in a time loop
Characters relive the same day or moment over and over again, learning valuable lessons in order to break out of the cycle or grow as a person.
example: groundhog day, palm springs, and edge of tomorrow.
3. Revenge story
The protagonist seeks revenge, often at great personal cost.
example: John Wick, Gladiatorand Kill Bill: Vol. 1.
4. The Hero’s Journey
One character embarks on an epic quest, facing trials and transformations along the way.
example: Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringand Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Read more: Free Download: Discover the 12 Stages of the Hero’s Journey
5. Adulthood
Young protagonists grow older and mature emotionally or psychologically as they deal with life’s challenges.
example: lady bird, breakfast cluband stand beside me.
Read more: “Dìdi” can teach you how to write a growth script
“Lady Bird” (2017)
6. Redemption Story
Characters seek to make amends for past wrongs, find peace or forgiveness.
example: Gran Turin, Christmas carolsand unforgivable.
7. Loser
A character defies the odds and overcomes adversity.
example: Loki, Rudyand pursuit of happiness.
8. Forbidden love
Two characters fall in love despite social, familial or cultural barriers.
example: Romeo and Juliet, The Shape of Waterand Titanic.
9. Humanity and Nature
The protagonist struggles to survive against the forces of nature.
example: abandon, The Revenantand 127 hours.
Read more: 100 Human and Nature Story Prompts
10. Dual personality
Characters encounter their own doubles, leading to identity crisis, tension, resentment, etc.
example: black swan, enemyand prestige.
11. Starting from scratch
A character who rises from humble beginnings to greatness often faces moral dilemmas.
example: slumdog millionaire, greatest performerand a star is born.
12. The Chosen One
A character discovers they have a unique destiny to fulfill.
example: The Hack, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stoneand dune.
13. Journey to the afterlife
Characters venture into the realm of the dead and come back changed.
example: cocoa, what the dream might beand cute bones.
14. A stranger comes to town
A mysterious outsider disrupts the community’s balance.
example: thank you, needed things, first blood.
15. Transformation/Transformation
A character undergoes a physical or mental transformation and must deal with its consequences.
example: fly, bigand beauty and the Beast.
“Beauty and the Beast” (1991)
16. Dystopia
Characters fight against an oppressive society or system.
example: hunger games, snowpiercerand The Handmaid’s Tale.
Read more: How to Write a Dystopian Movie or TV Show
17. Robbery
Characters plan and execute elaborate heists or plots, often facing unforeseen challenges.
example: hot, insiderand baby driver.
18.Love triangle
Three characters are entangled in romantic conflict.
example: twilight, challengerand my best friend’s wedding.
19. The Origin of the Villain
The story explores the circumstances that create a compelling antagonist.
example: clown, Maleficentand evil.
Learn more: 101 Public Domain Story Prompts
20. Anti-Hero as Protagonist
The morally ambiguous protagonist is torn between selfishness and justice.
example: breaking Bad, wolf of wall streetand Nightcrawler.
21. False accusations
Characters are unfairly blamed for a crime or problem and must clear themselves.
example: fugitive, count of monte cristoand the next three days.
22. Find a cure
Characters must find a solution to a life-threatening disease or curse.
example: break out, sons of menand infect.
23. The Reluctant Hero
The protagonist is forced to take action against his will, but ultimately rises to the occasion.
example: Casablanca, Die Hardand Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.
24. Detective novels
The mystery revolves around solving a crime or uncovering the culprit among a cast of characters.
example: clue, Draw the knifeand Only murders in the building.
Read more: How ‘Only Murders in the Building’ is reviving the murder mystery TV genre
25. The monster inside
Characters struggle with inner demons, which may manifest themselves literally or figuratively.
example: incredible hulk, Wolfand Crazy Professor.
“The Nutty Professor” (1996)
26. Find the meaning of life
A character goes on a journey to discover their purpose or meaning in life.
example: into the wild, Truman Showand wilderness.
27. Courtroom drama
The story centers on a legal trial and delves into the many perspectives and characters involved.
example: 12 angry men, some good menand The trial of the chicago seven.
28. Prevent Survival from Supernatural/Alien Threats
Characters fight for survival against supernatural or alien forces, often in isolated settings.
example: alien, thingand quiet place.
29. Escape Story
The protagonist must escape from a situation of captivity or oppression.
example: The Shawshank Redemption, Roomand Escape from Dannemora.
30. The rise and fall
A character rises, only to fail miserably.
example: scarface, Boogie Nightsand wolf of wall street.
31. Star-crossed lovers
Two people in love are destined to end by fate or external forces beyond their control.
example: Romeo and Juliet, What’s wrong with our planetand A walk to remember.
32. Living a double life
A character juggles two or more conflicting identities simultaneously, resulting in dramatic or comedic tension.
example: Mrs Doubtfire, Tusiand killer.
33. The Reluctant Villain
Characters are pushed toward evil by circumstances, often against their better judgment.
example: breaking Bad, godfatherand clown.
Read more: 200 Types of Villains, Antagonists and Bad Guys
34. Rebellious Revolt
The character leads a fight against an oppressive system or regime.
example: hunger games, V for Vendettaand brave heart.
35. Haunted places
Characters explore or inhabit a place filled with supernatural or psychological horror.
example: The Shining, paranormal activityand spiritualism.
“The Shining” (1980)
36. Road trip
The characters embark on a physical journey that reflects their inner growth.
example: Little Miss Sunshine, Planes, trains and automobilesand Therma and Louise.
37. Body swapping
Two characters switch bodies, creating comedic or dramatic insights.
example: Blame Friday, home switchand face to face/confrontation.
38. Competition
Two characters or groups clash in a rivalry that reveals their true natures.
example: Amadeus, Zolanderand Neighbor.
39. Protector
The character must protect someone or something at all costs.
example: Logan, The Mandalorianand man on fire.
40. Outsiders seek acceptance
Characters struggle to find acceptance in a society that rejects them.
example: edward scissorhands, like peopleand mask.
41. Treasure hunt
The characters search for valuable treasure, encountering challenges and opponents along the way.
example: Lost Ark Guide, Romance with stonesand The Goonies.
42. Soulmates find each other
After a lifetime of searching, the characters finally find true love.
example: forty year old virgin, Heavy punch drunk love, Eternal sunshine of the spotless soul.
43. Things from the past come back to haunt someone.
The characters’ pasts come back to haunt them as they live their new, nearly perfect lives.
example: history Violence, John Wickand Long kiss good night.
44. Reunion
The characters reunite after some time apart to confront their shared past.
example: Great Cold, beautiful girlsand ten years.
Read more: Anatomy of a Scene: How to Introduce Overall Character in a Drama
45. The rabble
A mismatched group of characters unite to achieve a common goal.
example: Guardians of the Galaxy, dirty twelveand ocean 11.
“Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)
Why should screenwriters use prototypes?
For screenwriters, story prototypes are crucial. Audiences like the familiar, but they also want something new. How writers provide this by using story archetypes to tell their stories.
They don’t have to be formulas. It’s more like a creative blueprint that helps writers construct compelling narratives. Understanding prototypes can allow you to understand your audience’s expectations or subvert their expectations to create new twists on familiar ideas.
Whether you’re brainstorming your next script or stuck in a rut, getting to know your way through identifying story archetypes can help fuel your imagination and guide you in crafting concepts and stories that resonate universally.
That’s really the key – telling universal stories. The most successful films are those that employ archetypes that are familiar to all cultures and age groups.
With that in mind, here’s a list of 45 story prototypes you can add to your creative toolkit to help brainstorm new story ideas, reimagine classics, and infuse your scripts with connections that will connect with a variety of audiences. eternal theme.
Want more ideas? Check out our other story prompts!
Ken Miyamoto has worked in the film industry for nearly two decades, most notably as a studio liaison and then as a script reader and story analyst for Sony Pictures.
As a production writer, he participated in numerous studio meetings with companies such as Sony, DreamWorks, Universal Pictures, Disney, Warner Bros., and numerous production and management companies. He previously signed a development deal with Lionsgate and has taken on various writing assignments, including producing the miniseries Blackout, starring Anne Heche, Sean Patrick Flanery, Billy Zane, James Brolin, Hayley Duff, Brian Bloom, Eric Larsa and Bruce Bucklina star in the thriller Hunter’s Creed, as well as many Lifetime thrillers. Follow Ken on Twitter @ken电影and Instagram @KenMovies76.
