Awards & Winners

Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay

Writers Guild of America Award

The Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay is one of the three screenwriting Writers Guild of America Awards, one that is specifically for film. The Writers Guild of America began making the distinction between an original screenplay and an adapted screenplay in 1970, when Waldo Salt, screenwriter for Midnight Cowboy, won for "Best Adapted Drama" and Arnold Schulman won "Best Adapted Comedy" for his screenplay of Goodbye, Columbus. Separate awards for dramas and comedies continued until 1985.

Check all the winners of Writers Guild of America Award for Best Adapted Screenplay presented under Writers Guild of America Award since 1985 .


Billy Ray

Honored for : Captain Phillips
(Based on the book A Captain\u2019s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips)

Nominations 2014 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Tracy Letts August: Osage County
Based on August: Osage County Play
Richard Linklater Before Midnight
Based on characters created by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan
Julie Delpy Before Midnight
Based on characters created by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan
Ethan Hawke Before Midnight
Based on characters created by Richard Linklater & Kim Krizan
Billy Ray Captain Phillips
Based on the book A Captain\u2019s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy SEALS, and Dangerous Days at Sea by Richard Phillips
Peter Berg Lone Survivor
Based on the book by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson
Terence Winter The Wolf of Wall Street
Based on the book by Jordan Belfort

Chris Terrio

Honored for : Argo
(Based on a selection from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired Magazine article The Great Escape by Joshuah Bearman)

Nominations 2013 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Chris Terrio Argo
Based on a selection from The Master of Disguise by Antonio J. Mendez and the Wired Magazine article \"The Great Escape\" by Joshuah Bearman
David Magee Life of Pi
Based on the novel by Yann Martel
Tony Kushner Lincoln
Based in part on the book Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Stephen Chbosky The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Based on his book
David O. Russell Silver Linings Playbook
Based on the novel by Matthew Quick

Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash

Honored for : The Descendants
(Fox Searchlight, Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings)

Nominations 2012 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Alexander Payne The Descendants
Fox Searchlight","Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings
Nat Faxon The Descendants
Fox Searchlight","Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings
Jim Rash The Descendants
Fox Searchlight","Based on the novel by Kaui Hart Hemmings
Steven Zaillian The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Columbia Pictures","Based on the novel by Stieg Larsson, originally published by Norstedts
Tate Taylor The Help
DreamWorks Pictures","Based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett
John Logan Hugo
Paramount Pictures","Based on the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Steven Zaillian Moneyball
Columbia Pictures","Based on the book by Michael Lewis
Aaron Sorkin Moneyball
Columbia Pictures","Based on the book by Michael Lewis

Aaron Sorkin

Honored for : The Social Network
(Based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, Sony Pictures)

Nominations 2011 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Danny Boyle 127 Hours
Fox Searchlight Pictures","Based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston
Simon Beaufoy 127 Hours
Fox Searchlight Pictures","Based on the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston
John Requa I Love You Phillip Morris
Roadside Attractions","Based on the book by Steven McVicker
Glenn Ficarra I Love You Phillip Morris
Roadside Attractions","Based on the book by Steven McVicker
Aaron Sorkin The Social Network
Sony Pictures","Based on the book The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich
Peter Craig The Town
Warner Bros. Pictures","Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan
Ben Affleck The Town
Warner Bros. Pictures","Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan
Aaron Stockard The Town
Warner Bros. Pictures","Based on the novel Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan
Joel Coen True Grit
Paramount Pictures","Based on the novel by Charles Portis
Ethan Coen True Grit
Paramount Pictures","Based on the novel by Charles Portis

Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

Honored for : Up in the Air

Nominations 2010 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Jason Reitman Up in the Air
Sheldon Turner Up in the Air
Scott Cooper Crazy Heart
Nora Ephron Julie & Julia
Geoffrey S. Fletcher Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

Simon Beaufoy

Honored for : Slumdog Millionaire

Nominations 2009 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Roberto Orci Star Trek
Alex Kurtzman Star Trek
Eric Roth The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Robin Swicord The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Simon Beaufoy Slumdog Millionaire
Jonathan Nolan The Dark Knight
Christopher Nolan The Dark Knight
David S. Goyer The Dark Knight
John Patrick Shanley Doubt
Peter Morgan Frost/Nixon

Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

Honored for : No Country for Old Men

Nominations 2008 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Paul Thomas Anderson There Will Be Blood
Ethan Coen No Country for Old Men
Joel Coen No Country for Old Men
Sean Penn Into the Wild
Ronald Harwood The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
James Vanderbilt Zodiac

William Monahan

Honored for : The Departed

Nominations 2007 »

Nominee Nominated Work
William Monahan The Departed
Sacha Baron Cohen Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Anthony Hines Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Peter Baynham Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Dan Mazer Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Todd Phillips Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Aline Brosh McKenna The Devil Wears Prada
Todd Field Little Children
Tom Perrotta Little Children
Jason Reitman Thank You for Smoking

Diana Ossana, Larry McMurtry

Honored for : Brokeback Mountain

Nominations 2006 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Dan Futterman Capote
Larry McMurtry Brokeback Mountain
Diana Ossana Brokeback Mountain
Jeffrey Caine The Constant Gardener
Josh Olson A History of Violence
Stephen Gaghan Syriana

Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Honored for : Sideways

Nominations 2005 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Tina Fey Mean Girls
Alexander Payne Sideways
Jim Taylor Sideways
Richard Linklater Before Sunset
Julie Delpy Before Sunset
Ethan Hawke Before Sunset
Kim Krizan Before Sunset
José Rivera The Motorcycle Diaries
Paul Haggis Million Dollar Baby

Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman

Honored for : American Splendor

Nominations 2004 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Anthony Minghella Cold Mountain
Robert Pulcini American Splendor
Shari Springer Berman American Splendor
Fran Walsh The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Philippa Boyens The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Brian Helgeland Mystic River
Gary Ross Seabiscuit

David Hare

Honored for : The Hours

Nominations 2003 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Bill Condon Chicago
David Hare The Hours
Peter Hedges About a Boy
Chris Weitz About a Boy
Paul Weitz About a Boy
Alexander Payne About Schmidt
Jim Taylor About Schmidt
Charlie Kaufman Adaptation
Donald Kaufman Adaptation

Akiva Goldsman

Honored for : A Beautiful Mind

Nominations 2002 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Akiva Goldsman A Beautiful Mind
Ken Nolan Black Hawk Down
Helen Fielding Bridget Jones's Diary
Andrew Davies Bridget Jones's Diary
Richard Curtis Bridget Jones's Diary
Daniel Clowes Ghost World
Terry Zwigoff Ghost World
Fran Walsh The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Philippa Boyens The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Peter Jackson The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Stephen Gaghan

Honored for : Traffic

Nominations 2001 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Stephen Gaghan Traffic
Robert Nelson Jacobs Chocolat
D.V. DeVincentis High Fidelity
Steve Pink High Fidelity
John Cusack High Fidelity
Scott Rosenberg High Fidelity
Wang Hui-Ling Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
James Schamus Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Kuo Jung Tsai Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Steve Kloves Wonder Boys

Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Honored for : Election

Nominations 2000 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Alexander Payne Election
Jim Taylor Election
John Irving The Cider House Rules
Eric Roth The Insider
Michael Mann The Insider
Lewis Colick October Sky
Anthony Minghella The Talented Mr. Ripley

Scott Frank

Honored for : Out of Sight

Nominations 1999 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Elaine May Primary Colors
Scott Frank Out of Sight
Steven Zaillian A Civil Action
Bill Condon Gods and Monsters
Scott Smith A Simple Plan

Brian Helgeland, Curtis Hanson

Honored for : L.A. Confidential

Nominations 1998 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Hossein Amini The Wings of the Dove
Brian Helgeland L.A. Confidential
Curtis Hanson L.A. Confidential
Paul Attanasio Donnie Brasco
James Schamus The Ice Storm
Hilary Henkin Wag the Dog
David Mamet Wag the Dog

Billy Bob Thornton

Honored for : Sling Blade

Nominations 1997 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Billy Bob Thornton Sling Blade
Elaine May The Birdcage
Douglas McGrath Emma
Anthony Minghella The English Patient
John Hodge Trainspotting

Emma Thompson

Honored for : Sense and Sensibility

Nominations 1996 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Emma Thompson Sense and Sensibility
William Broyles Jr. Apollo 13
Al Reinert Apollo 13
George Miller Babe
Chris Noonan Babe
Scott Frank Get Shorty
Mike Figgis Leaving Las Vegas

Eric Roth

Honored for : Forrest Gump

Nominations 1995 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Eric Roth Forrest Gump
Robin Swicord Little Women
Alan Bennett The Madness of King George
Paul Attanasio Quiz Show
Frank Darabont The Shawshank Redemption

Steven Zaillian

Honored for : Schindler's List

Nominations 1994 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Steven Zaillian Schindler's List
Jeb Stuart The Fugitive
David Twohy The Fugitive
Terry George In the Name of the Father
Jim Sheridan In the Name of the Father
Amy Tan The Joy Luck Club
Ronald Bass The Joy Luck Club
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala The Remains of the Day

Michael Tolkin

Honored for : The Player

Nominations 1993 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Bo Goldman Scent of a Woman
Michael Tolkin The Player
Peter Barnes Enchanted April
David Mamet Glengarry Glen Ross
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala Howards End

Ted Tally

Honored for : The Silence of the Lambs

Nominations 1992 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Ted Tally The Silence of the Lambs
Dick Clement The Commitments
Ian La Frenais The Commitments
Roddy Doyle The Commitments
Fannie Flagg Fried Green Tomatoes
Carol Sobieski Fried Green Tomatoes
Oliver Stone JFK
Zachary Sklar JFK
Pat Conroy The Prince of Tides
Becky Johnston The Prince of Tides

Michael Blake

Honored for : Dances with Wolves

Nominations 1991 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Michael Blake Dances with Wolves
Steven Zaillian Awakenings
Nicholas Pileggi Goodfellas
Martin Scorsese Goodfellas
Donald E. Westlake The Grifters
Nicholas Kazan Reversal of Fortune

Alfred Uhry

Honored for : Driving Miss Daisy

Nominations 1990 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Alfred Uhry Driving Miss Daisy
Oliver Stone Born on the Fourth of July
Ron Kovic Born on the Fourth of July
Phil Alden Robinson Field of Dreams
Kevin Jarre Glory
Shane Connaughton My Left Foot
Jim Sheridan My Left Foot

Christopher Hampton

Honored for : Dangerous Liaisons

Nominations 1989 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Christopher Hampton Dangerous Liaisons
Frank Galati The Accidental Tourist
Lawrence Kasdan The Accidental Tourist
Anna Hamilton Phelan Gorillas in the Mist
Tab Murphy Gorillas in the Mist
Jean-Claude Carrière The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Philip Kaufman The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Jeffrey Price Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Peter S. Seaman Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Steve Martin

Honored for : Roxanne

Nominations 1988 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Steve Martin Roxanne
James Dearden Fatal Attraction
Stanley Kubrick Full Metal Jacket
Michael Herr Full Metal Jacket
Gustav Hasford Full Metal Jacket
William Goldman The Princess Bride
David Mamet The Untouchables

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

Honored for : A Room with a View

Nominations 1987 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Ruth Prawer Jhabvala A Room with a View
Hesper Anderson Children of a Lesser God
Mark Medoff Children of a Lesser God
Paul Mazursky Down and Out in Beverly Hills
Leon Capetanos Down and Out in Beverly Hills
Howard Ashman Little Shop of Horrors
Raynold Gideon Stand by Me
Bruce A. Evans Stand by Me

Richard Condon, Janet Roach

Honored for : Prizzi's Honor

Nominations 1986 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Richard Condon Prizzi's Honor
Janet Roach Prizzi's Honor
John Pielmeier Agnes of God
Menno Meyjes The Color Purple
Kurt Luedtke Out of Africa
Horton Foote The Trip to Bountiful

Woody Allen

Honored for : Broadway Danny Rose

Nominations 1985 »

Nominee Nominated Work
Bruce Robinson The Killing Fields
Robert Towne Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
Michael Austin Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
Phil Dusenberry The Natural
Roger Towne The Natural
David Lean A Passage to India
Charles Fuller A Soldier's Story