Top 30+ of the best screenplays of the century (so far)

'The Departed' (2006)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Adapted from the Hong Kong movie thriller 'Infernal Affairs,' screenwriter William Monahan transposed the action to his native Boston. The outcome, according to the WGA, is "an unforgiving crime drama with swagger to spare."

'Jojo Rabbit' (2019)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Ostensibly a kids' World War II movie, this is one that grown-ups tend to rave about. Taiki Waititi's satirical screenplay is based on the Christine Leunens novel 'Caging Skies,' and is notable for its hilariously bold lampooning of Hitler.

'The Dark Knight' (2008)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Twist-master Christopher Nolan collaborated with brother Jonathan Nolan on the screenplay for the second installment of a blockbuster 'Batman' trilogy. The WGA describes the result as an "epic script."

'Juno' (2007)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Diablo Cody's witty, thoughtful screenplay about a teen pregnancy won the 2008 Writers Guild Award for original screenplay. Striking a balance between comical and tender, it's a low-key classic.

'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Quentin Tarantino's most recent film is his imagined story of the real-life Manson family murderers meeting their own grisly fate. The WGA praised the script for its "emotional resonance."

'Michael Clayton' (2007)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

According to the WGA, Tony Gilroy's screenplay "proved that great legal thrillers needn't take place in the courtroom." The titular Michael Clayton is a "fixer" responsible for covering up ill-doings at a legal firm, until he decides to take a stand.

'Children of Men' (2006)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Shared credits for this dystopian movie go to Alfonso Cuaron, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus, and Hawk Ostby, for adapting the novel of the same name by P.D. James. The chemistry clearly came together, because the tale of doomed humanity has influenced shows like 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'The Walking Dead.'

'Lady Bird' (2017)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Among the relatively few female writers at the upper end of the list, Greta Gerwig impressed the WGA with her screenplay's "highly effective mother daughter relationship." It's a gently humorous coming-of-age tale, which rings true in its depictions of growing pains and a longing for independence.

'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Director Wes Anderson wrote the screenplay to this with actor Owen Wilson, who stars in the film alongside brother Luke. Filled with Anderson's trademark quirky humor, it's an intensely lovable movie about three child prodigies reunited with their absent father.

'Bridesmaids' (2011)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Game-changing in its cast of comedic female characters unafraid to break with stereotypical gender conventions, Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig's screenplay is full-on hilarious. Full of cringe-comedy moments, it gets funnier with every rewatch.

'Memento' (2000)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

The 'backwards' narrative of Christopher Nolan's screenplay made for a mesmerizing movie about a man with extreme memory loss trying to solve the riddle of his wife's murder. It's a riddle for audiences, too, perfectly plotted by Nolan.

'Inglourious Basterds' (2009)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

The World War II-set 'Inglourious Basterds' is notable for its dark humor, chilling characterization, and—this being a Quentin Tarantino film—its gruesome violence.

'Moonlight' (2007)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

Adapted from the play 'In the Moonlight, Black Boys Look Blue' by Tarrell Alvin McCraney, Barry Jenkins' moving masterpiece took the 2017 Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. The two writers shared similar struggles growing up in the same Miami neighborhood, and Jenkins has referred to the adaption as a "combined biography of myself and Tarell's life."

'Parasite' (2019)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

With a story by Boong Joon Hu and screenplay by Hu and Hang Jin Won, this dark satire put Korean cinema on the world stage. A movie looking at what happens when the lives of the 'haves' and 'have-nots' intertwine, it was inspired by Boon's experiences tutoring the children of a wealthy Seoul family.

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

'The Departed' (2006), 'Jojo Rabbit' (2019), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), 'Juno' (2007), 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (2019), 'Michael Clayton' (2007), 'Children of Men' (2006), 'Lady Bird' (2017), 'The Royal Tenenbaums' (2001), 'Bridesmaids' (2011), 'Memento' (2000), 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009), 'Moonlight' (2007), 'Parasite' (2019), 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)

If you could erase all memories of a past relationship, would you? That's the question posed by the movie taking second place on the WGA's list. Charlie Kaufman's "structurally ingenious" screenplay about romantic love, memory, and the evolution of relationships gives plenty of food for thought.

Post Related