Photo: Columbia Pictures
Have you ever watched a movie, and as soon as it ended you ask, “What did I just watch?” So it goes with even some of the greatest movies where absolutely nothing happens. From the greatest directorial debuts to the most nostalgic movies of our youth, we are plagued with more movies without plots than you ever realized. The beauty of these great movies in the plotless film world? We’d take them any day over the thoughtless movies of today with budgets bigger than the most expensive home in the United States. Yeah, I looked that up. What do you think will better stand the test of time: a $250 million mansion or Avengers: Age of Ultron?
Now have a look at some of the best films which apparently didn’t need plots or any kind of storyline to be great. The Hollywood hacks could learn a thing or two from these classic films, starting with one of our favorites starring a couple actors we used to loathe and now we love.
The Absolute Greatest Movies Where Absolutely Nothing Happens
We still miss these, that’s for sure: Remembering 10 Kinds of Movies We Don’t Get Anymore These Days
No Plot Movies
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Dazed & Confused (1993)
Photo: Gramercy Pictures
Synopsis: On the last day of school, half the kids celebrate being seniors by getting drunk and paddling freshmen on the ass. The other half are freshmen getting paddled.
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Garden State (2004)
Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures / Miramax Films
Synopsis: Zach Braff is over everyone in L.A., but goes home for his mother's funeral only to realize how much normal life sucks and how weird Natalie Portman can be.
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Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Photo: Miramax Films
Synopsis: Quentin Tarantino throws a curveball when he comes up with a script no one else could or would ever possibly write that involves copious amounts of death, blood and Tim Roth.
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Easy Rider (1969)
Photo: Columbia Pictures
Synopsis: Two dudes on bikes living the dream in the Great Outdoors, essentially a badass Brokeback Mountain on Harleys.
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Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures
Synopsis: Some dork amuses us once until we see the actor's other movies, then we never laugh at it again, or even bother to watch it.
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Lost In Translation (2003)
Photo: Focus Features
Synopsis: Bill Murray karaokes in a strange place and acquires the company of a beautiful younger girl. Essentially Bill Murray: True Hollywood Story.
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Taxi Driver (1976)
Photo: Columbia Pictures
Synopsis: Robert De Niro is a taxi driver. That's it. Oh yeah, he loses his sh*t, too.
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The Breakfast Club (1985)
Photo: Universal Pictures
Synopsis: Group of kids gather for detention on a Saturday. No actual breakfast is served.
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Boyhood (2014)
Photo: IFC Films
Synopsis: Some kid goes through puberty and we somehow keep watching.
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Clerks (1994)
Photo: Miramax Films
Synopsis: Kevin Smith directs a movie about a bunch of losers we were warned about by our mothers. This could apply to most any Kevin Smith movie. Looking forward to Mallrats 2, though, whenever it comes.
