100 Inventive Screenwriting Prompts To Inspire You During the Writers' Strike

Screenwriting is a challenging and rewarding craft that requires imagination, creativity, and the ability to tell compelling stories. However, even the most experienced screenwriters can sometimes get stuck when trying to come up with new ideas for their next project.

That's where screenwriting prompts come in.

Screenwriting prompts are short, open-ended prompts that can inspire writers to develop unique and interesting storylines. They can be used to spark ideas for a new screenplay or to overcome writer's block when working on an existing project. Prompts can come in many forms, from simple phrases to complex scenarios, and they can be tailored to fit any genre or style.

In this article, we will explore 100 quick screenwriting prompts to inspire your next screenplay. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, these prompts are designed to help you think outside the box and develop fresh, exciting storylines that will captivate audiences.

So, grab your pen and paper (or your laptop), and let's get started!

'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'Credit: Universal Pictures

100 Inventive Screenwriting Prompts 

1. A detective investigating a serial killer realizes that they have a personal connection to the case.
2. A group of astronauts on a mission to Mars must confront unexpected challenges and danger.
3. A young woman discovers a mysterious portal that leads to a parallel universe.
4. A high school student must balance their love for science with their passion for music.
5. A family inherits a haunted house and must confront their fears to save their home.
6. A struggling writer must confront their inner demons to finish their first novel.
7. A time traveler gets stuck in the past and must find a way back to the present.
8. A group of survivors must band together to survive a zombie apocalypse.
9. A superhero must decide whether to reveal their true identity to the world.
10. A small town sheriff investigates a string of murders that may be connected to a cult.
11. A woman must confront her estranged family when she inherits her grandmother's estate.
12. A group of friends must solve a murder mystery while trapped in a remote cabin.
13. A couple's relationship is tested when they become stranded on a deserted island.
14. A young girl discovers she has the power to communicate with animals.
15. A young man must confront his fear of commitment when he meets the girl of his dreams.
16. A group of strangers must work together to survive after their plane crashes in the wilderness.
17. A group of scientists discovers a new species of animal that may hold the key to curing a deadly disease.
18. A young couple must navigate the ups and downs of a long-distance relationship.
19. A detective must track down a missing person before it's too late.
20. A high school student becomes the target of a bully and must find a way to stand up for themselves.
21. A group of friends must solve a puzzle to unlock a hidden treasure.
22. A young woman discovers a dark secret about her family's past.
23. A man wakes up with no memory of who he is or how he got there.
24. A group of astronauts on a space station must deal with a malfunction that puts their lives in danger.
25. A young couple must navigate cultural differences in their relationship.
26. A group of teenagers must survive a night in a haunted house.
27. A struggling musician gets their big break but must decide whether to compromise their art for commercial success.
28. A young woman must choose between following her dreams or staying in her small town to take care of her family.
29. A group of survivors must make their way across a post-apocalyptic landscape to reach safety.
30. A group of friends start a business together but struggle to keep it afloat.
31. A woman must confront her fear of commitment when her longtime boyfriend proposes.
32. A detective investigates a string of robberies that lead to a larger conspiracy.
33. A group of teenagers must survive a night in a creepy carnival.
34. A man must confront his past when he returns to his hometown after many years away.
35. A woman must choose between two love interests with very different personalities.
36. A group of friends go on a camping trip and must survive a dangerous encounter with a bear.
37. A young woman must deal with the consequences of a past mistake when it comes back to haunt her.
38. A group of strangers are brought together by a mysterious force and must work together to uncover its purpose.
39. A man must confront his fear of heights to save a person in danger.
40. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of adulthood together.
41. A woman must confront her fear of public speaking to give an important presentation.
42. A young man must choose between his loyalty to his family and his loyalty to his country.
43. A group of scientists discovers a mysterious artifact that has the power to change the course of history.
44. A group of survivors must navigate a world where technology has become sentient and turned against humanity.
45. A woman must confront her past when she receives a letter from her estranged father.
46. A young couple must fight to stay together when their families disapprove of their relationship.
47. A detective investigates a murder in a small town where everyone is a suspect.
48. A group of friends must confront their own mortality when they are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
49. A woman must confront her fear of the water when she becomes stranded on a boat in the middle of the ocean.
50. A group of coworkers must band together to save their company from bankruptcy.
51. A man must confront his fear of the supernatural when he moves into a haunted house.
52. A young woman must choose between her passion for art and her desire for financial security.
53. A group of survivors must navigate a world where the sun never rises.
54. A woman must confront her feelings for her ex-boyfriend when he re-enters her life.
55. A young man must choose between following in his father's footsteps or pursuing his own dreams.
56. A group of friends must confront their own biases and prejudices when they are confronted with a difficult situation.
57. A woman must confront her fear of commitment when her long-term boyfriend proposes.
58. A group of teenagers must survive a night in a haunted hospital.
59. A man must confront his fear of the dark when he becomes trapped in a pitch-black cave.
60. A woman must confront her fear of failure when she applies for her dream job.
61. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of parenthood together.
62. A woman must confront her fear of heights when she is forced to climb a tall building to save someone.
63. A group of survivors must navigate a world where the population has been decimated by a deadly virus.
64. A man must confront his fear of intimacy when he meets the girl of his dreams.
65. A group of coworkers must band together to expose a corrupt boss.
66. A woman must confront her fear of flying when she must take a long-haul flight for work.
67. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of starting a new business together.
68. A young couple must navigate cultural differences in their relationship while planning their wedding.
69. A woman must confront her fear of the unknown when she is stranded on an unfamiliar planet.
70. A group of friends must navigate the ups and downs of long-distance friendships.
71. A man must confront his fear of rejection when he asks out the woman he's been crushing on.
72. A group of survivors must navigate a world where all technology has stopped working.
73. A woman must confront her fear of the supernatural when she becomes the target of a vengeful ghost.
74. A young man must choose between his loyalty to his friends and his desire for revenge.
75. A group of coworkers must navigate office politics to get ahead in their careers.
76. A woman must confront her fear of confrontation when she stands up to her boss.
77. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of moving to a new city together.
78. A man must confront his fear of the unknown when he is sent on a mission to explore an uncharted planet.
79. A group of survivors must navigate a world where the laws of physics no longer apply.
80. A woman must confront her fear of change when she must move to a new city for work.
81. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of starting a new band together.
82. A young couple must navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship while one of them is in space. 

83. A woman must confront her fear of public speaking when she is asked to give a TED talk.

84. A group of coworkers must band together to uncover a conspiracy within their company.
85. A man must confront his fear of commitment when his girlfriend asks him to move in with her.
86. A group of survivors must navigate a world where the only way to survive is to stay awake.
87. A woman must confront her fear of the past when she returns to her hometown for a funeral.
88. A young man must choose between his love for his girlfriend and his loyalty to his best friend.
89. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of starting a new restaurant together.
90. A woman must confront her fear of the future when she is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
91. A group of survivors must navigate a world where the environment has turned against humanity.
92. A man must confront his fear of failure when he tries to start his own business.
93. A group of coworkers must band together to stop a rogue employee from causing chaos in their workplace.
94. A woman must confront her fear of love when she meets a man who challenges her expectations.
95. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of starting a new charity together.
96. A young couple must navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship while one of them is studying abroad.
97. A woman must confront her fear of the dark when she becomes lost in a pitch-black forest.
98. A group of survivors must navigate a world where the only way to communicate is through telepathy.
99. A man must confront his fear of commitment when his girlfriend proposes to him.
100. A group of friends must navigate the challenges of starting a new podcast together.