override a template file in a theme

add_template_file.php

function include_template_files() {
    global $wp;
    $plugindir = dirname( __FILE__ );

    if (is_home() || is_front_page()) {
        $templatefilename = 'home.php';
        $template = $plugindir . '/theme_files/' . $templatefilename;
        include($template);
        exit;
    }
    if (is_post_type_archive('special')){
        $templatefilename = 'archive-special.php';
        $template = $plugindir . '/theme_files/' . $templatefilename;
        include($template);
        exit;
    }
}

add_action('template_redirect', 'include_template_files');