Sample Screenplays

Reading screenplays is a good way to become more familiar with the format.  Good writers are also good readers.  There are many places where you can get copies of produced screenplays online for free.

Below is a short list of official studio released screenplays, posted for award consideration, that you can read and download.

 

COLUMBIA PICTURES

The Social Network by Aaron Sorkin, based on the book “The Accidental Billionaires” by Ben Mezrich - download script (pdf)

 

DREAMWORKS

The Help by Tate Taylor, based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett - download script (pdf)

War Horse by Lee Hall and Richard Curtis, based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo - download script (pdf)

 

FOCUS FEATURES

Burn After Reading by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen - download script (pdf)

The Debt by Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman and Peter Straughan - download script (pdf)

Hanna by Seth Lochhead and David Farr - download script (pdf)

Jane Eyre by Moira Buffini, based on the novel by Charlotte Bronte - download script (pdf)

Milk by Dustin Lance Black - download script (pdf)

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by Bridget O’Connor and Peter Straughan, based on the novel by John le Carre - download script (pdf)

 

LIONSGATE

Warrior by Gavin O’Connor, Anthony Tambakis and Cliff Dorfman - download script (pdf)

 

SONY CLASSICS

Another Year by Mike Leigh - download script (pdf)

Inside Job by Charles Ferguson, Chad Beck and Adam Bolt - download script (pdf)

 

SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT

The Hurt Locker by Mark Boal - download script (pdf)

 

UNIVERSAL PICTURES

American Gangster by Steven Zaillian - download script (pdf)

The Bourne Ultimatum by Tony Gilroy, Scott Z. Burns and George Nolfi - download script (pdf)

Breach by Adam Mazer, William Rotko and Billy Ray - download script (pdf)

Bridesmaids by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig - download script (pdf)

Changeling by J. Michael Straczynski - download script (pdf)

Despicable Me by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio, based on a story by Sergio Pablo - download script (pdf)

Elizabeth: The Golden Age by William Nicholson and Michael Hirst - download script (pdf)

Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan - download script (pdf)

Funny People by Judd Apatow - download script (pdf)

It’s Complicated by Nancy Meyers - download script (pdf)

Knocked Up by Judd Apatow - download script (pdf)

Public Enemies by Ronan Bennett, Michael Mann and Ann Biderman - download script (pdf)

The Kingdom by Matthew Michael Carnahan - download script (pdf)

 

In addition, there are a number of websites that host screenplays that you can download.  A few of the better ones are listed below.

John August’s Library - Screenplays that John August has written, including Go and Big Fish.  It also has some of his teleplays, outlines, treatments and even a couple of his pitch documents.  A great resource.

SimplyScripts – Great screenplay archive with literally hundreds of film and television scripts, plays, radio scripts, treatments and more.

TV Scripts – Just what it says, lots and lots of TV scripts available for you to read and download at your convenience.

 

NOTE:  These scripts are intended for educational purposes only.  We do not own any rights to these screenplays and they are linked to publicly available websites for personal use only.  Should any of the links change or be broken, or if you would like to request us to remove a link, please contact the webmaster at webmaster {at} scriptsandscribes [dot] com.