5 Movies You Didn’t Know Were Written by Famous Directors

Every movie starts with an idea. That idea later turns into a script, and the script is the first criterion by which we can determine whether a movie will succeed or not. And while you might think you know everything about the films you love, Hollywood has a way of surprising us with unexpected collaborations.

You may have no idea that one of your favorite movies could be written by your very favorite director. And when you'll find out, the whole puzzle will finally come together.

So let's pull back the curtain and explore these fascinating connections that might just change the way you see some of these films forever.

M. Night Shyamalan: Stuart Little (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan is a true horror genre icon, but that didn't stop him from writing one of the most charming movies of our childhood. The king of plot twists co-wrote the heartwarming Stuart Little alongside Greg Brooker.

This story follows an adorable mouse adopted by the Little family navigating life in New York City. The film tackles the topic of belonging within your family as well as your chosen one. It taught all of us that home is where your heart is.

Shyamalan's involvement might seem surprising to some, yet it actually makes perfect sense. His talent is undeniable when it comes to creating emotional core stories, and Stuart Little is exactly that.

Fun fact: Shyamalan wrote Stuart Little the same year he did his thriller hit Sixth Sense. Now that's what we call versatility.

You can watch Stuart Little on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

Noah Baumbach: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Before Noah Baumbach became known for his Frances Ha (2012) and Marriage Story (2019), he teamed up with Wes Anderson to adapt Roald Dahl's classic into a stop-motion masterpiece.

The animation is truly a blessing that came to life. It's also a lot of people's favorite childhood book. And you know how difficult it is to adapt something that people hold so dear. Yet the duo of Noah Baumbach and Wes Anderson pulled it off flawlessly.

It's a clever story about family, responsibility and being true to your nature, all wrapped up in Anderson's signature visual style and Baumbach's excellent dialog.

Catch Fantastic Mr. Fox on Disney+, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

Francis Ford Coppola: Patton (1970)

Francis Ford Coppola gave us the Corleone family saga, but two years prior to the first film of our favorite franchise, he co-wrote Oscar-winning Patton alongside Edmund H. North.

The film presents an unflinching portrait of one of World War II's most controversial figures. Patton explores the thin line between genius and madness, duty and glory.

The movie is a must-watch just for the sole purpose of seeing Coppola's giant talent in depicting powerful and complex personalities. He could do all that even before his most famous works. No wonder the movie earned 7 Oscars, winning Best Writing as well.

You can give this one a revisit or discover it for the first time on Spectrum, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.

Joss Whedon: The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

The Cabin in the Woods is a truly unique horror film, but long before it became a modern classic, it was just an idea in Joss Whedon's head. Later, that idea would become a script that Joss Whedon would co-write with his longtime partner Drew Goddard (who took the directing chair).

Both of them worked on our beloved Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Goddard explained their chemistry in an interview to Gizmodo:

“I was always at my happiest in my life when I was writing for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Part of the reason Cabin happened is that Joss and I really just enjoyed working together. I missed it so much I was constantly bothering him saying, “Let’s work together again,” because the time I spent working on Angel and Buffy was the happiest in my career and the proudest work I’ve done.”

And when two talents get along this much, you know there's no way they can create something ordinary or boring. In fact, these two things are the complete opposite of both Buffy and The Cabin in the Woods. The latter is a loving critique of horror cliches that manages to be terrifyingly hilarious.

You can watch The Cabin in the Woods now on Apple TV+.

The Wachowski Sisters: V for Vendetta

The Wachowski sisters, famous for messing with our minds in The Matrix ( 1999) brought their vision to V for Vendetta (2005). The movie is an adaptation of Alan Moore and David Lloyd graphic novel.

V for Vendetta explores topics of tyranny and personal rebellion. Set in a dystopian future, it tells the story of a masked vigilante known only as V who fights against an oppressive regime with revolutionary passion.

This dystopian sci-fi feels more relevant with each passing year, and The Wachowskis' screenplay feels eerily prophetic. It challenges us to question authority and the price of true freedom while delivering some iconic lines.

V for Vendetta is available on Plex, Fandango at Home, Amazon Video or Apple TV+.