Best Screenwriters working today
by Okfreedom | created - 11 Dec 2020 | updated - 1 week ago | PublicProbably the best screenwriters working today and my personal favourites.
1. Steven Zaillian
Writer | Searching for Bobby Fischer
Steven Zaillian was born on January 30, 1953 in Fresno, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993), The Irishman (2019) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011). He is married to Elizabeth Zaillian. They have two children.
2. Aaron Sorkin
Writer | The West Wing
Aaron Sorkin grew up in Scarsdale, a suburb of New York City where he was very involved in his high school drama and theater club. After graduating from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater, Sorkin intended to pursue a career in acting. It took him only a short time to ...
3. John Logan
Writer | Skyfall
John Logan was a playwright in Chicago for ten years before writing, on spec, his first screenplay, "Any Given Sunday." He won the 2010 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle awards for his play RED, which premiered at the Donmar Warehouse in London and the Golden Theatre on ...
4. Billy Ray
Writer | Captain Phillips
Billy Ray is known for Captain Phillips (2013), The Hunger Games (2012) and Shattered Glass (2003). He is married to Stacy Sherman. They have two children.
5. Nic Pizzolatto
Writer | True Detective
A producer, writer, director and award-winning novelist. He is the author of the collection 'Between Here and the Yellow Sea' and the novel 'Galveston.' He is originally from Southwest Louisiana, and taught literature at several universities, including the University of Chicago, before going into ...
6. Michael Green
Writer | Logan
Michael Green was born on February 18, 1973 in Mamaroneck, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Logan (2017), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and Blue Eye Samurai (2023). He is married to Amber Noizumi. They have two children.
7. Mark Bomback
Producer | Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Mark Bomback was born on August 29, 1971 in New Rochelle, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) and Godsend (2004).
8. David Farr
Writer | The Night Manager
David Farr was born on October 29, 1969 in Guildford, Surrey, England, UK. He is a writer and producer, known for The Night Manager (2016), Hanna (2011) and Hanna (2019).
9. Beau Willimon
Writer | The Ides of March
Beau Willimon is known for The Ides of March (2011), House of Cards (2013) and Andor (2022).
10. Joe Penhall
Writer | The Road
Joe Penhall is known for The Road (2009), Mindhunter (2017) and Enduring Love (2004).
11. Mark Fergus
Writer | Children of Men
Mark Fergus is known for Children of Men (2006), Iron Man (2008) and The Expanse (2015).
12. Hawk Ostby
Writer | Children of Men
Hawk was born in India circa 1966 but grew up in Nordstrand and Slemdal in Oslo, Norway. He moved to Malaysia and Singapore when he was 15 and has lived in the United States since he was 19.
His parents met in Scotland, mother is Indian and his father is Norwegian. His sisters were born in Sweden.
13. David Arata
Writer | Children of Men
David Arata is a screenwriter, writer, director, and producer. Born and raised outside of San Francisco, Arata attended The University of California at Santa Cruz, where he studied painting, photography, and theater, and began making experimental films in the vein of Robert Frank and Jean Luc ...
14. Brian Helgeland
Writer | Finestkind
Brian Helgeland was born in Providence, Rhode Island and raised in New Bedford Massachusetts. A born worker, Helgeland has endeavored to achieve in the following fields: snow shoveler, scrap newspaper collector, dishwasher, nursing home janitor, drug store clerk and unreliable nightshift gas ...
15. Laeta Kalogridis
Writer | Shutter Island
Laeta Kalogridis was born on August 30, 1965 in Winter Haven, Florida, USA. She is a writer and producer, known for Shutter Island (2010), Alita: Battle Angel (2019) and Alexander (2004).
16. Terence Winter
Producer | The Sopranos
Terence Winter was born on October 2, 1960 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for The Sopranos (1999), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) and Boardwalk Empire (2010). He is married to Rachel Winter. They have two children.
17. Sam Esmail
Producer | Mr. Robot
Sam Esmail was born on September 17, 1977 in Hoboken, New Jersey, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Mr. Robot (2015), Homecoming (2018) and Leave the World Behind (2023). He has been married to Emmy Rossum since May 28, 2017. They have two children.
18. Bruno Heller
Writer | Rome
Bruno Heller was born in 1960 in London, England, UK. He is a writer and producer, known for Rome (2005), The Mentalist (2008) and Gotham (2014).
19. Patrick Ness
Writer | A Monster Calls
Patrick Ness is known for A Monster Calls (2016), Chaos Walking (2021) and Class (2016).
20. Eric Heisserer
Writer | Arrival
Eric Heisserer was born in 1970 in Norman, Oklahoma, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Arrival (2016), Bird Box (2018) and Hours (2013). He has been married to Christine Boylan since October 23, 2010.
21. Charlie Brooker
Writer | Black Mirror
Charlton "Charlie" Brooker (born 3 March 1971) is an English humourist, critic, author, screenwriter, producer, and television presenter. He is the creator and co-showrunner of the anthology series Black Mirror and has written for programmes such as Brass Eye, The 11 O'Clock Show, and Nathan Barley...
22. Michael Schur
Producer | The Good Place
Michael Schur was born on October 29, 1975 in West Hartford, Connecticut, USA as Michael Herbert Schur. He is a TV series creator, a writer, and producer known for series such as The Office (2005), Parks and Recreation (2009), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) and The Good Place (2016). He has been married...
23. Ronald D. Moore
Producer | Battlestar Galactica
Ron Moore was a member of the Kappa Alpha literary society during his time at Cornell University. He dropped out of college during his senior year, after which he moved to Los Angeles, California, with a friend in hopes of becoming a working writer. He was two weeks away from joining the United ...
24. Mark L. Smith
Writer | The Revenant
Mark L. Smith is known for The Revenant (2015), The Midnight Sky (2020) and Séance (2006).
25. Matthew Orton
Writer | Operation Finale
Matthew Orton is known for Operation Finale (2018), Moon Knight (2022) and Devil's Peak (2023).
26. Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Writer | 1917
Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA Award-winning screenwriter Krysty Wilson-Cairns was born in Glasgow, she attended the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Filmmaking, and the National Film and Television School, where she earned her MFA in Screenwriting. ...
27. Matt Charman
Writer | Bridge of Spies
Matt Charman is known for Bridge of Spies (2015), Suite Française (2014) and Black Work (2015).
28. Ryan Firpo
Writer | Eternals
Ryan Firpo is known for Eternals (2021), Ten Years (2016) and Bet Raise Fold (2013).
29. Kaz Firpo
Writer | Eternals
Kaz Firpo is an award-winning director, screenwriter, and photographer, and a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. His work explores humanism and systems of power.
Born and raised in San Francisco, his focus on impact storytelling has landed him on the Forbes 30 Under 30, at the top of the ...
30. Ethan Gross
Writer | Ad Astra
Ethan Gross is known for Ad Astra (2019), Fringe (2008) and Something Happened.
31. Damon Lindelof
Producer | Lost
Damon Lindelof was born on April 24, 1973 in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Lost (2004), The Leftovers (2014) and Watchmen (2019). He has been married to Heidi Fugeman since May 28, 2005. They have one child.
32. Graham Moore
Writer | The Imitation Game
Graham Moore was born on October 18, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The Imitation Game (2014), The Outfit (2022) and Emmerdale Farm (1972).
33. John Hodge
Writer | Trainspotting
John Hodge was born in 1964 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He is a writer and producer, known for Trainspotting (1996), T2 Trainspotting (2017) and Shallow Grave (1994).
34. Simon Beaufoy
Writer | Slumdog Millionaire
Born in Keighley, Bradford, West Yorkshire. He attended Malsis School in Cross Hills Ermysted's Grammar School at Skipton, later he attended Sedbergh School in Cumbria.
He has read English at St Peter's College, Oxford and graduated from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth.
In 2009 he won an Academy ...
35. Peter Craig
Writer | The Town
Peter Craig is an American screenwriter, producer and novelist from Los Angeles, California who is known for writing The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Bad Boys for Life, Blood Father, 12 Strong, The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick and The Town. He is a son of Sally Field and Steve Craig. He has had three ...
36. Scott Z. Burns
Writer | The Report
Scott Z. Burns is known for The Report (2019), Side Effects (2013) and Contagion (2011).
37. Dan Hernandez
Writer | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Dan Hernandez was born on November 20, 1983. He is a producer and writer, known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023), Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) and Koala Man (2023).
38. Benji Samit
Writer | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Benji Samit was born on July 21, 1984 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023), Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) and Koala Man (2023).
39. Shay Hatten
Writer | Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire
Shay Hatten was born on March 18, 1994 in Oakland, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023), Army of the Dead (2021) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023).
40. Derek Kolstad
Writer | Nobody
Derek Kolstad was born on April 4, 1974 in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Nobody (2021), John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) and John Wick (2014).
41. Kemp Powers
Writer | One Night in Miami...
Kemp Powers is known for One Night in Miami... (2020), Soul (2020) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).
42. Chris Butler
Writer | ParaNorman
Chris Butler was born in 1974 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK. He is a writer, known for ParaNorman (2012), Missing Link (2019) and Kubo and the Two Strings (2016).
43. Marc Haimes
Writer | Kubo and the Two Strings
Marc Haimes was born in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He is known for the writer of Oscar Nominated and Annie Award winning stop motion animated film Kubo and the Two Strings (2016), the upcoming Ultraman on Netflix, Nimona (2023) on Netflix, and TV show Lost Ollie on Netflix (2022), Men in Black II (...
44. Will Collins
Writer | WolfWalkers
Will Collins is known for Wolfwalkers (2020), Song of the Sea (2014) and My Brothers (2010).
45. Allan Heinberg
Producer | The Sandman
Allan Heinberg was born on June 29, 1967 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. Allan is a producer and writer, known for The Sandman (2022), Wonder Woman (2017) and The Catch (2016).
46. Moira Walley-Beckett
Producer | Breaking Bad
Moira Walley-Beckett is known for Breaking Bad (2008), Anne with an E (2017) and Flesh and Bone (2015).
47. Seth Lochhead
Writer | Hanna
Seth Lochhead was born on August 17, 1981 in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. He is a writer and producer, known for Hanna (2011), Hanna (2019) and Who Is Jake Ellis?.
48. Lee Hall
Writer | Billy Elliot
Lee Hall has been the recipient of many awards for all aspects of his work. He won the Alfred Bradley Bursary and the Richard Imison Prize with his first play for radio, "I Luv You Jimmy Spud", which he adapted for the screen as "Gabriel and Me" and which premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival. ...
49. Travis Beacham
Writer | Pacific Rim
Travis Beacham is known for Pacific Rim (2013), Impact Winter (2022) and Pacific Rim: Uprising (2018).
50. Gordon Smith
Producer | Better Call Saul
Gordon Smith is known for Better Call Saul (2015), Breaking Bad (2008) and Outsiders (2016).
51. Gennifer Hutchison
Script_department | Breaking Bad
Gennifer Hutchison was born on July 19, 1977 in Concord, Massachusetts, USA. She is a producer, known for Breaking Bad (2008), Better Call Saul (2015) and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022).
52. Cord Jefferson
Writer | American Fiction
Cord Jefferson was born on January 26, 1982 in Tucson, Arizona, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for American Fiction (2023), The Good Place (2016) and Watchmen (2019).
53. Carly Wray
Writer | Watchmen
Carly Wray is known for Watchmen (2019), Mad Men (2007) and Westworld (2016).
54. Jennifer Haley
Writer | Mindhunter
Jennifer Haley is a playwright and television writer whose work delves into ethics in virtual reality and the impact of technology on our human relationships, identity, and desire. Her award-winning play, The Nether, was produced in Los Angeles, off-Broadway, and on London's West End. She wrote on ...
55. Chris Weitz
Writer | About a Boy
Christopher John Weitz is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter who is known for Antz, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, American Pie, About a Boy, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps and The Golden Compass. He is married to Mercedes Martinez since 2006 and has three ...
56. Kelly Fremon Craig
Writer | Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Kelly Fremon Craig is a writer and director from Whittier, California. She made her directorial debut with The Edge of Seventeen. James L. Brooks' Gracie Films acquired the project in 2012, and developed the screenplay with Fremon Craig. She graduated from UC Irvine with an English degree. Fremon ...
57. Steven Knight
Writer | Locke
Steven Knight is a British screenwriter and film director. He is best known for screenplays he wrote for the films Dirty Pretty Things (2002) and Eastern Promises (2007), and also directed as well as written the film Locke (2013).
Knight is also one of three creators of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire...
58. David Lindsay-Abaire
Writer | Rabbit Hole
David Lindsay-Abaire was born on November 30, 1969 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He is a writer, known for Rabbit Hole (2010), Poltergeist (2015) and Rise of the Guardians (2012).
59. William Monahan
Writer | The Departed
William Monahan was born on November 3, 1960 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for The Departed (2006), London Boulevard (2010) and Edge of Darkness (2010).
60. Michael Green
Writer | Logan
Michael Green was born on February 18, 1973 in Mamaroneck, New York, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Logan (2017), Blade Runner 2049 (2017) and Blue Eye Samurai (2023). He is married to Amber Noizumi. They have two children.
61. Jon Spaihts
Writer | Prometheus
Jon Spaihts is an American screenwriter and author. He has written the films Dune starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch, The Mummy starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella, Passengers starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, Prometheus starring ...
62. Henry Gayden
Writer | Shazam!
Henry Gayden was born on November 30, 1979 in Memphis, Tennessee. He is an American screenwriter, best known for writing the films Earth to Echo (2014), Shazam! (2019) and There's Someone Inside Your House (2021).
In his youth, Gayden attended Memphis University School and after graduation, he ...
63. Bill Dubuque
Writer | The Accountant
Bill Dubuque is known for The Accountant (2016), Ozark (2017) and A Family Man (2016).
64. Simon Rich
Writer | An American Pickle
Simon Rich was born in 1984 in the USA. He is a writer and producer, known for An American Pickle (2020), Miracle Workers (2019) and Saturday Night Live (1975).
65. Joseph Weisberg
Writer | The Americans
Joseph Weisberg is known for The Americans (2013), The Patient (2022) and Falling Skies (2011).
66. Jeff Jensen
Writer | Tomorrowland
Jeff Jensen is known for Tomorrowland (2015), Watchmen (2019) and Getting LOST.
67. Nathaniel Halpern
Writer | Legion
Nathaniel Halpern is known for Legion (2017), Tales from the Loop (2020) and This Land We Roam (2011).
68. Robert De Laurentiis
Producer | Fargo
Robert De Laurentiis is known for Fargo (2014), Mann & Machine (1992) and The Umbrella Academy (2019). He is married to Susan DeLaurentis. They have one child.
69. Patrick Somerville
Writer | Station Eleven
Patrick Somerville is known for Station Eleven (2021), Maniac (2018) and The Leftovers (2014).
70. Nick Cuse
Producer | Watchmen
Nick Cuse is known for Watchmen (2019), Station Eleven (2021) and Masters of the Air (2024).
71. William Bridges
Writer | Black Mirror
William Bridges is known for Black Mirror (2011), Soulmates (2020) and Stranger Things (2016).
72. David Scarpa
Writer | Napoleon
David Scarpa is known for Napoleon (2023), The Last Castle (2001) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008).
73. Michael Schatz
Writer | Morning After
Michael Schatz is known for Morning After (2009), The Brothers Newton and The Prospect.
74. Paul Haggis
Writer | Crash
Paul Haggis established himself over twenty years with an extensive career in television, before his big break into features arrived when he became the first screenwriter to garner two Best Film Academy Awards back-to-back for his scripts: "Million Dollar Baby" (2004) directed by Clint Eastwood, ...
75. Peter Straughan
Writer | Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Peter Straughan is known for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011), Frank (2014) and The Snowman (2017). He was previously married to Bridget O'Connor.
76. Steven Moffat
Writer | Sherlock
Steven Moffat was born on November 18, 1961 in Paisley, Scotland, UK. He is a writer and producer, known for Sherlock (2010), Doctor Who (2005) and The Adventures of Tintin (2011). He has been married to Sue Vertue since 1999. They have two children. He was previously married to Maggie.
77. Alex Ross Perry
Director | Golden Exits
Alex Ross Perry is known for Golden Exits (2017), Her Smell (2018) and Impolex (2009).
78. Darrick Bachman
Writer | Primal
Darrick Bachman was born on October 29, 1969 in Glendale, California, USA. He is a writer, known for Primal (2019), Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) and Mickey Mouse (2013).
79. Joe Barton
Writer | Giri/Haji
Joe Barton is known for Giri/Haji (2019), The Ritual (2017) and The Lazarus Project (2022).
80. Steve Lightfoot
Producer | Hannibal
Steve Lightfoot is known for Hannibal (2013), The Punisher (2017) and Narcos (2015).
81. J. Michael Straczynski
Writer | Babylon 5
J. Michael Straczynski was born on July 17, 1954 in Paterson, New Jersey, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Babylon 5 (1993), Changeling (2008) and Jeremiah (2002). He was previously married to Kathryn M. Drennan.
82. Ed Brubaker
Actor | Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Ed Brubaker was born on November 17, 1966 in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Westworld (2016) and Too Old to Die Young (2019). He is married to Melanie Tomlin.
83. Matt Michnovetz
Writer | 24
Matt Michnovetz is a writer and producer known for his genre storytelling experience in all mediums. His notable credits in television include the series, "Star Wars: Rebels" and "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" for which he served as head writer. Previously he wrote for the Emmy-winning series, "24", ...
84. Clay Tarver
Producer | Silicon Valley
Clay Tarver is known for Silicon Valley (2014), Vacation Friends (2021) and Joy Ride (2001).
85. Nick Antosca
Writer | Channel Zero
Nick Antosca was born on January 23, 1983 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Channel Zero (2016), The Act (2019) and A Friend of the Family (2022).
86. Chris Brancato
Writer | Godfather of Harlem
Chris Brancato was born on July 1, 1962 in Teaneck, New Jersey, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Godfather of Harlem (2019), Species II (1998) and First Wave (1998).
87. Brian Larsen
Art_department | Sky High
Brian Larsen is known for Sky High (2005), The Iron Giant (1999) and Brave (2012).
88. Robert Kirkman
Writer | Invincible
Robert Kirkman was born on November 30, 1978 in Richmond, Kentucky, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Invincible (2021), Fear the Walking Dead (2015) and The Walking Dead (2010).
89. Ryan Ottley
Writer | Invincible
Ryan Ottley is known for Invincible (2021), Invincible and Mortal Kombat 1 (2023).
90. Ryan Ridley
Actor | Rick and Morty
Ryan Ridley is known for Rick and Morty (2013), Renfield (2023) and The Wastelander (2005).
91. John Fusco
Writer | Young Guns
John Fusco dropped out of high school at 16 to travel the American south as a blues musician and factory worker. In his early 20s, he went back to night school where he achieved a GED diploma and was later accepted into NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. At Tisch, his screenwriting mentors were Waldo ...
92. Craig Mazin
Writer | Chernobyl
Craig Mazin was born on April 8, 1971 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Chernobyl (2019), The Last of Us (2023) and Mythic Quest (2020).
93. Dante Harper
Editor | The Delicate Art of the Rifle
Dante Harper started as an independent filmmaker, directing the "The Delicate Art of the Rifle" before going on to work as a producer and editor on many other indie projects and documentaries such as "Cat Dancers" and "You're Gonna Miss Me" before "Dreamland", a film project based on the life of ...
94. Adam Penn
Producer | American Horror Story
Adam Penn is known for American Horror Story (2011), Mr. Robot (2015) and 9-1-1 (2018).
96. David Iserson
Producer | Mr. Robot
David Iserson is known for Mr. Robot (2015), Mad Men (2007) and The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018).
97. Andy Berman
Producer | Psych
Andy Berman was born on February 24, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Psych (2006), Finch (2021) and It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010).
98. Emerald Fennell
Writer | Saltburn
Emerald Lilly Fennell is an English actress, filmmaker, and writer. She has received many awards and nominations, including an Academy Award, two British Academy Film Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. Fennell first ...
99. Andy Bobrow
Producer | Community
Andy Bobrow was born in Michigan, USA. Andy is a producer and writer, known for Community (2009), The Last Man on Earth (2015) and Malcolm in the Middle (2000).
100. Andrew Guest
Writer | 30 Rock
Andrew Guest is known for 30 Rock (2006), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) and Marry Me (2014).
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