Top 20 Unscripted Animated Moments That Were Left in the Movie
#20: Seinfeld Buzzes with Improv “Bee Movie” (2007)
Improvised dialogue seems inevitable when you have comedic extraordinaire, Jerry Seinfeld buzzing around the recording studio. Indeed, the comedian leaned into his stellar skillset and paved the way for his castmates to do the same. Remember when Vanessa convinces Barry to stay for coffee? We got this caffeinated scene from a riffed exchange between the two actors. Needless to say, they brewed up something special. As Seinfeld told Rotten Tomatoes, it’s off-the-cuff moments like these that made the script feel fresh. Chris Rock, who voices Mooseblood the Mosquito, also got in on the improv action. His comedy made his small role a standout character. When it comes to improv, this cast is the bees-knees.
#19: Eating Lead & Ghosted by Jell-O “Monsters vs. Aliens” (2009)
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Typically voice actors are invited to record their lines separately. To an unseasoned improviser, this could prove quite challenging. However, it seems like a walk in the park in the talented hands of comedy giants like Seth Rogan, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Rainn Wilson, and more. When Colbert's President Hathaway discovers the alien's appetite for lead, he throws out this amusing quip. There’s another great point where poor B.O.B gets snubbed by a plate of Jell-O. And while receiving a fake number, even from a wobbly dessert, is heartbreaking, it gave Rogan an opening to come up with this hilarious line. This cast's comedic skills are out of this world and monstrously hilarious.
#18: A Hustler Must Be Quick on Their Feet “Zootopia” (2016)
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In this anthropomorphic world, an ambitious rabbit called Judy Hopps makes an unlikely alliance with Nick Wilde, a con artist fox. The two share a scene at an ice cream parlor where prejudice stands between Wilde and a Jumbo Pop. When the fast-thinking rabbit comes to his aid, Nick suddenly realizes he doesn’t have his wallet. But this freeloading scheme was a last-minute addition from Jason Bateman’s fox. Since the actor recorded several versions of this scene, we can’t help but wonder what didn’t make the cut. Well, a good hustler does have to be a quick thinker. And Bateman’s cunning like-a-fox approach was just right.
#17: Sebastian’s Crabsolutely Perfect Ad-Libs “The Little Mermaid” (1989)
According to Samuel E. Wright, who voiced the crab-ulous crustacean, the filmmakers weren’t initially too keen on him improvising. But the filmmakers eventually had a change of heart and let him dive deeper into the comedic side of the character. Wright returned to the recording booth and spent roughly three hours channeling King Triton’s right-hand crab and just letting loose. Thankfully, parts of Wright's improv ended up in the film, creating some of the character’s most iconic and hilarious lines. The line about teenagers was a particularly brilliant stroke of genius from the actor. It’s a good thing the creators didn’t let this opportunity float away.
#16: Rat Telenovela “Encanto” (2021)
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“Encanto” joins the ranks of animated film scripts with extra dialogue thanks to multiple great moments. Luisa actress Jessica Darrow went off-script when she added an awesome cry of defeat from. Outside of this moment, we also got a brilliant gag thought up by John Leguizamo. While his character Bruno lived out a solitary life, he had to get creative to stay entertained. This prompted HIM to cast his rat friends in an array of television shows that included at least one telenovela. According to co-director and co-writer Charise Castro Smith, this was a Leguizamo original and one of her favorite jokes in the entire film. His brief synopsis is so engaging that we’re already invested in the story and want to hear more.
#15: “Samantha?” “Frozen 2” (2019)
In “Frozen,” it’s Elsa who works her magic to bring Olaf to life. But behind the scenes, that honor belongs to Josh Gad. The actor recalled playing around with the dialogue and being genuinely surprised when this gem made it into the first movie. But that isn’t the only Olaf classic line Gad’s responsible for either. When the snowman gets separated from his friends in the Enchanted Forest, he calls out to them. Although we consider ourselves pretty Disney savvy, we didn’t recall a Samantha being a part of the cast. It’s a testament to Gad’s comedic talents that such a simple ad-lib became so iconic that it was even featured on unofficial merch. This is an unscripted moment that’s definitely worth melting for.
#14: A Helluva Good Improviser “Hercules” (1997)
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The Disneyfied Hades is among the funniest animated villains of all time. This is largely thanks to James Woods’ brilliantly unique, dry, and deadpan delivery of the God of the Underworld’s lines. But did you know that this wasn’t the original plan? The villainous deity was initially scripted as a serious character intended for Jack Nicholson, who eventually backed out of the movie. When Woods later took over the role, his breezy delivery was so good the character was rewritten for him. He was naturally also welcomed to improvise. Not only did Woods shift the entire vibe of the film in a good way, but he created some of the film’s most memorable moments. The actor called the role one of his “personally cherished creations.”
#13: King Julien Likes to Ad-lib, Ad-lib “Madagascar” franchise (2005-)
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We could’ve said (ze)bravo to Chris Rock for his hilarious impromptu inputs as Marty. His ad libs were making us laugh through the third installment. However, we had to bow down to the master of improvisation, Sacha Baron Cohen, who voices King Julien. Before Cohen read for the role, the looney lemur only had a couple of lines. But that all changed after the actor came in and riffed in an accent for nearly ten minutes. In the skillful hands of the comedic icon, King Julien swung straight into our hearts with some of the funniest and kookiest lines. He also led a musical performance that we’re still bopping to today.
#12: A Tidal Wave of Improv “Surf’s Up” (2007)
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The filmmakers snubbed animation conventions and had their actors record scenes together for this parody mockumentary. Typically the directors provided a loose synopsis for any given scene, and the cast was encouraged to ride that improv wave the rest of the way. The idea was to make the dialogue sound as authentic as normal conversations. When Shia LeBeouf arrived late for a recording session, his castmates were told to act as if his character was late for an interview. In a real testament to their chemistry and comedic chops, the scene ended up in the movie. “Surf’s Up” is an underappreciated flick, but it’s flippin’ great!
#11: The Tea Party “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
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The Mad Hatter’s tea party is one of the best scenes from Alice’s adventures in Wonderland. It’s also where we learned what an Unbirthday is and that you can't fix a watch with mustard. However, did you know that Ed Wynn, who voiced the Hatter, came up with most of the dialogue? Apparently, this scene resulted from Wynn and Jerry Colona, who voiced the March Hare, just messing around while the recording equipment was still running. Walt Disney himself apparently overheard their talks and insisted on putting their lines in the movie. It’s such a memorably wacky interaction and so mad that it would certainly make the Hatter and Hare incredibly proud.
#10: Buzz Has a Meltdown “Toy Story” (1995)
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Tim Allen, who famously voices the space ranger known as Buzz Lightyear, was no stranger to ad-libbing during “Toy Story’s” early days. Indeed, some of his most memorable lines weren’t even in the original script. For example, “Sad Strange Little Man” was entirely Allen’s invention. But one of his funniest bits of improv happens during the scene where Buzz finally comes to terms with what he really is and, let’s just say, he’s not taking it well. Of course, Allen wasn’t the only one flexing his ad-libbing chops. Remember that scene where Woody puts on a covert puppet show for his friends to convince them that Buzz’s alright? Well, credit goes to Mr. Tom Hanks for that one.
#10: Buzz Has a Meltdown “Toy Story” (1995)
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Tim Allen, who famously voices the space ranger known as Buzz Lightyear, was no stranger to ad-libbing during “Toy Story’s” early days. Indeed, some of his most memorable lines weren’t even in the original script. For example, “Sad Strange Little Man” was entirely Allen’s invention. But one of his funniest bits of improv happens during the scene where Buzz finally comes to terms with what he really is and, let’s just say, he’s not taking it well. Of course, Allen wasn’t the only one flexing his ad-libbing chops. Remember that scene where Woody puts on a covert puppet show for his friends to convince them that Buzz’s alright? Well, credit goes to Mr. Tom Hanks for that one.
#9: Who Does Wilbur’s Dad Look Like? “Meet the Robinsons” (2007)
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In this futuristic Disney flick, our protagonist Lewis meets Wilbur Robinson, a kid who claims to be from the future. Later on, he also meets the rest of the Robinson family, except Wilbur’s dad Cornelius. So he enquires after the mysterious figure. While it was scripted, Wilbur’s response was originally just meant to be a placeholder that they expected to change. We can totally believe this, considering that Cornelius looks nothing like Tom Selleck. However, they ultimately decided to stick with the name drop and even hired the actor as a result, making this entry a bit different from the rest on this list. There’s no denying Selleck’s distinct voice is a welcome addition to the film though! It just goes to show that sometimes the most unexpected moments can have the best payoff.
#8: Bucky or Binky? “Brother Bear” (2003)
One of Disney’s more underappreciated films, “Brother Bear,” features Joaquin Phoenix as Kenai, a young man turned into a bear as punishment for killing one in a fit of rage. He meets an orphaned bear cub called Koda, who he eventually takes under his paw. It’s a rocky journey at first since the two mammals struggle to find common ground. During one scene, Phoenix flubbed his lines, calling a character named Bucky Binky instead. Jeremy Suarez, who voiced the bear cub, didn’t miss a beat in correcting his co-star and riffing off the mistake. His quick wit was so brilliant and funny that it was left in the movie’s final cut.
#7: Morph Needs to Get the Map “Treasure Planet” (2002)
Another animated flick that doesn’t get nearly enough love, “Treasure Planet” took the classic “Treasure Island” story and blasted off into space. It had a great premise, a phenomenal cast, and plenty of humor, but it ultimately fell under the radar. Perhaps if audiences were aware of just how talented the voice cast is, things might have turned out differently. For instance, did you know that the scene where Silver and Jim try to convince Morph to bring them the map was totally made up by Brian Murray and Joseph Gordon-Levitt? Talk about some real talent! Also, apparently, David Hyde Pierce, who voiced Doctor Doppler, came up with the line, “Go, Delbert, Go Delbert.”
#6: Iago’s Rant “Aladdin” (1992)
When you think of “Aladdin’s” greatest ad-lib machine, we imagine Robin Williams probably springs to mind. But he wasn’t the animation’s only Genie-us improviser! Renowned comedian and voice actor Gilbert Gottfried created the instantly recognizable sound of Jafar’s hilariously hot-tempered sidekick, Iago. According to an interview with the comedian, he was given plenty of free reign to improvise. An extra on the “Aladdin” DVD highlights one instance where Iago’s contemplating whether to pack a photo of himself and Jafar as they prepare to leave the palace. The commentary explains that they decided to keep it in because it made Williams laugh. We can’t think of a bigger compliment than that!
#5: Fiona’s Belch “Shrek” (2001)
One of DreamWorks’ most beloved franchises, “Shrek” put a unique spin on the traditional fairytale romance. With a talented cast that includes Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, there was plenty of room for ad-libbing, and indeed, some of the most memorable lines were thought up on the spot. For instance, apparently, Myers used this quote to chastise a director who was getting on his nerves. Incidentally, he used it again while playing Austin Powers the following year. But perhaps the most impressive is the fact that Fiona’s burp was a total happy accident. Diaz had been drinking a soda while recording her lines, and we guess the fizz got to her. Still, she didn’t break character, prompting Murphy to improvise his reaction too.
#4: Lots of Improv “The Emperor's New Groove” (2000)
This underrated flick broke Disney’s mold for elaborately planned films and became a breeding ground for improvisation instead. For example, Patrick Warburton made up Kronk’s “Mission Impossible” style theme song. Also, the entire squirrel running gag actually started as an inside joke among the creative team but eventually made its way into the movie. Supposedly, David Spade ran amok with this creative freedom and often had to be reeled back in by the directors. Perhaps most amusingly, though, was Eartha Kitt being genuinely taken aback by Yzma’s kitty voice. She was supposedly so surprised that she stopped mid-line to ask if that was really her. Clearly, the directors liked it, and the rest, as they say, is history.
#3: “Thank You for Nothing” “How to Train Your Dragon” (2010)
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Thanks to its largely comedic cast, the directors were sure to leave plenty of room for improvisation here. While there are a plethora of examples to choose from, we’ve decided to go with this one. Yep, a bit of on-the-spot comedy from Hiccup voice actor Jay Baruchel became one of the most iconic and quotable moments from the film, if not the entire franchise. It was even included for promotional purposes, so clearly, they knew they’d struck gold. The sequel also has its fair share of memorable lines, such as during this strained encounter between Stoick and Valka. Craig Ferguson as Gobber ad-libbed this entertaining moment that no doubt left the adults in the audience in stitches.
#2: “...Do the Hula?” “The Lion King” (1994)
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In the lead-up to this animated feature’s big climax, Simba and the gang find their path to Pride Rock blocked by a pack of hyenas. Simba tells his friends that they’ll need to create a diversion, which doesn’t go down too well with Timon. However, it does lead to one of the flick’s funniest and most memorable moments. Without Nathan Lane’s quick wit, we may have never enjoyed the sights of a meerkat performing a Lūʻau with backing vocals from a warthog. That’s right: Lane ad-libbed the line that led to this moment of pure comedy gold. It became such an iconic scene that it was even called back to in “The Lion King 1 ½.” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Ice-Cold Rita,” “Flushed Away” (2006) Hugh Jackman’s Improv Skills Are Highly Under-Rat-Ed Broken Promises, “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) Cogsworth Actor David Ogden Stiers Improvised This Perfectly Timed Wisecrack What’s Your Name Again?, “Osmosis Jones” (2001) Quick-Thinking from Chris Rock Turned a Gaffe into a Funny Addition to the Dialogue Someone’s Hungry, “Billy & Mandy’s Big Boogey Adventure” (2007) We Guess Some Actors Do Their Best Improvisation on an Empty Stomach “Achilles, Heel!”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996) Kevin Kline Came up with His Horse’s Name All for This Brilliant Punchline
#1: The Road to a Quotable Movie “The Road to El Dorado” (2000)
Traditionally in animation, actors record their lines separately, and the dialogue’s edited together later. However, in this case, Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh shared a ‘voice box’ so that they could easily riff off of one another and improv many of their lines together. Incidentally, this was an idea that was previously used by Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise in “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” who were also permitted to ad-lib. But back to “El Dorado,” we think we can all agree that the chemistry between Kline and Branagh is off the walls, and they make an incredibly compelling duo. Also, thanks to their impromptu dialogue, many of us probably tried to drop the word “loquacious” into as many conversations as possible. It’s moments like this that make this movie as precious as El Dorado’s gold.