Summary

• These dialogue-heavy movies offer deep and intense conversations that drive the plot and captivate the audience, making them perfect for those who appreciate the power of words over action.
• From romantic comedies to legal dramas, these films span various genres but share a common theme of prioritizing dialogue over action, allowing for rich character development and thought-provoking storytelling.
• These movies are carefully curated for dialogue enthusiasts, as they not only excel in delivering strong conversations but also replace action scenes with meaningful dialogue, creating a unique and niche cinematic experience.

Movies come in varying shapes and sizes, with some having more action while others contain more dialogue, and though neither one is better than the other, the following list is for those who crave the wordier side of things. These are movies that have plenty going on plotwise, but almost all of these points are conveyed through dialogue rather than action. In these films, one is much more likely to witness a tense battle of wits than a straight-up physical confrontation, and that is completely fine. In fact, for some, it is preferable.

The following list includes ten of the best dialogue-heavy movies to watch. These films range from iconic legal dramas to silly comedies and intellectual romances. Despite their varying genres, all of the following movies are equipped to satisfy the audience member that is on the lookout for strong conversations and dialogue. Another stipulation that comes with these films is that they go quite easy on the action. Not only do these movies have the best dialogue, but this dialogue often replaces scenes that might have been filled with action in another film. Overall, these film recommendations are niche and perfectly curated for the dialogue fan.

10 Metropolitan

It shouldn't be much of a surprise that a film about a group of young friends hanging out in Manhattan is a particularly dialogue-heavy movie. Metropolitan is a romantic comedy-drama following a gang of wealthy New York socialites that spend time together in a glamorous apartment during debutante season, discussing the issues of the world. However, their conversation is turned upside down when a new, critical perspective s the party. Metropolitan was nominated for Best Screenplay, which should say a lot about the significance of the film's dialogue.

9 The Shawshank Redemption

A classic film that many may overlook when considering dialogue over action is The Shawshank Redemption. The reason for this is that the premise may make the Stephen King adaptation appear action-heavy. The film follows a man who is wrongly charged with murder and sent to prison. While there, he s up with a group of other inmates, and 19 years . Although The Shawshank Redemption takes place in a prison, the true bread and butter of the story lay within the dialogue. The intimate conversations Andy Dufresne has throughout the film, plus Red's narration, make this film the essential piece of dialogue-heavy cinema that it is today.

8 Clerks

While many comedies are based in gags and physical comedy, 1994's Clerks shows its strengths through its script. The movie follows a convenience store worker called into work on his day off, which is ultimately disrupted when he discovers that one of his ex-girlfriends has died. From there, the main character spirals into an internal debate about whether to stay with his current girlfriend or reunite with a different ex. Apart from generally having an abundance of dialogue, Clerks stands out for its wit and quick lines which are easy to quote. Overall, the film's screenplay helps build the world, which is undeniably lovable.

7 Before Sunrise

Before Sunrise is an iconic film in the romance genre, and much of the reason for that is its use of dialogue over action. Released in 1995, Before Sunrise follows an American man and a French woman that meet on a train in Europe and spend a single night together in Vienna. While many romantic dramas use tropes or conflicts to push the plot forward, this film simply uses its actors and their words. Surprisingly, this made for an incredibly effective and meaningful movie that actually spawned two sequels. Before Sunrise and its ading films encapsulate the intimacy that can arise through simple conversation.

6 The Social Network

Though some dialogue-heavy films like to let their words sink in, this next movie is quite the opposite. The Social Network is a biographical drama following Mark Zuckerberg's journey from regular Harvard student to creator of the world's biggest social media platform. This film's dialogue, like Zuckerberg, does not wait around for others to understand. The Social Network is quick, sarcastic, and heavy on the business side of things. However, don't let that deter you. This film is full of iconic lines such as Andrew Garfield's "Sorry! My Prada's at the cleaners! Along with my hoodie and my 'f**k you' flip-flops, you pretentious d*****bag!”

5 Annie Hall

Another romance known for its dialogue is Woody Allen's Annie Hall. The film follows Allen as comedian Alvy Singer, as he narrates the rise and fall of his relationship with struggling nightclub singer Annie Hall. The fact that the protagonist is narrating the film is enough to make this a dialogue-heavy film, however, the movie goes further by including endless one-liners and hilarious quips. In some ways, Annie Hall is so renowned because of its dialogue. So, if that doesn't make it one of the best dialogue movies to watch, then nothing else will.

4 The Man From Earth

The only science fiction movie on this list is 2007's The Man from Earth. It follows a college professor that receives an impromptu celebration by his colleagues before moving to a new home. When pressed about why he is leaving, the professor reveals that he is actually thousands of years old. The Man from Earth is unique because, as a science fiction film, it would seem more likely to rely on action over dialogue. However, this movie is really only conversation, and one that is dynamic, interesting, and full of revelations. For those seeking a film that is just one long discussion, this is definitely a strong and distinctive choice.

3 My Dinner With Andre

Yet another film that takes place over the course of a single conversation is My Dinner with Andre. The film stars Andre Gregory and Wallace Shawn as fictionalized versions of themselves, having a conversation about life and theater at Café des Artistes in Manhattan. What makes their conversation especially interesting is Andre's talk of spiritualism paired with Wallace's own sense of humanism. There is no doubt that My Dinner with Andre is bursting with dialogue, but audiences should watch it because of its unique premise and rave reviews. Some critics considered it one of the best films of 1981, and believe it is devoid of clichés.

2 Glengarry Glen Ross

While David Mamet's best movies are often dialogue-heavy, this one is likely the most popular. Glengarry Glen Ross is a drama following the chaos that ensues at a New York City office when the workers discover that all of them will be fired besides the top two at the end of the week. Considering the premise of this film, it isn't out of left field to see how Glengarry Glen Ross could be dialogue-heavy. But more than that, the writing, which was adapted from a play, brings this film to life. It is smart, compelling, and drives the story while also keeping audiences on their toes.

1 12 Angry Men

Though the film has been adapted several times, most notably in 1957 and 1997, either version works to convey the intensity and severity of 12 Angry Men's dialogue. 12 Angry Men follows the jury on a murder trial as they try to make a unanimous decision about the fate of an inner-city teen. While the men seem to all be in agreement as first, one juror sheds doubt on the case, leading to arguments about the case and the men themselves. This is definitely the film to watch when seeking heavy dialogue. It will make viewers think, and despite lacking action, will thrill audiences from beginning to end.