The Best Black List Movies Ever Made

Each year, The Black List releases a list of highly-rated screenplays that haven’t been made into movies. It’s important to note they don’t consider these the “best” scripts, but rather the ones that have received the most positive feedback from film industry executives around the globe, based on a survey they conduct.

In 2025, the Black List will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Created by film executive Franklin Leonard, the Black List has become a highly anticipated yearly event in the movie industry. Over the years, hundreds of screenplays featured on the list have been developed into films-and, increasingly, television shows.

I’ve noticed that not every script from The Black List makes it to the screen exactly as it was written. Sometimes, a really ambitious or daring idea just didn’t get picked up, or if it did, it ended up being toned down to be more mainstream. But honestly, a lot of the Black List scripts that *did* become movies were fantastic! In fact, four of them have even gone on to win Best Picture at the Oscars, which is pretty incredible.

As a movie lover, I’ve been digging into films that started as scripts on the Black List – that famous collection of unproduced screenplays. Below, you’ll find my personal top 15. And honestly, there were so many great ones over the past 20+ years, I couldn’t stop at just 15, so I’ve included ten honorable mentions as well!

The Best Black List Movies

15. Air (2023)

The Air Jordan line has made Nike billions of dollars. The new movie *Air* tells the story of how it all started, focusing on Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro (played by Matt Damon) and his efforts to sign a young Michael Jordan to a shoe deal – a crucial move for Nike, which was still finding its footing at the time. Even if you’re not a sneakerhead, *Air* is an engaging and well-made film with plenty of heart. (Pun intended.)

14. The End of the Tour (2015)

It’s tough to make a compelling movie about writers because the act of writing itself isn’t visually exciting. *The End of the Tour* succeeds by focusing not on the writing process, but on the challenges of being a professional writer surrounded by exceptionally talented peers. The film centers on *Rolling Stone* reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and his experience accompanying author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) on his book tour after reading Wallace’s *Infinite Jest*. As Lipsky attempts to write a profile of Wallace, both men grapple with how the book’s success will change their lives. It’s an insightful look at the life of an artist, driven by strong performances from Eisenberg and Segel.

13. Argo (2012)

Written by Chris Terrio, and based on a true story detailed in Antonio J. Mendez’s memoir and a report by Joshuah Bearman, *Argo* is another impressive film directed by Ben Affleck (who clearly has a knack for choosing great projects). The movie tells the incredible true story of a daring rescue mission during the late 1970s. When U.S. diplomats were trapped in Iran, a team of spies devised a clever plan to get them out: they created a fake movie production as a cover for the operation. *Argo* won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Terrio. If real movies were as gripping as the fake one portrayed in *Argo*, Hollywood would be thriving.

12. Margaret (2011)

Kenneth Lonergan’s second film, *Margaret*, faced a long and difficult path to release. Though filmed in 2005, it wasn’t shown in theaters until 2011 after disagreements over the final edit. Even then, it received very little publicity. While initial reviews were mixed, many critics soon recognized *Margaret* as a moving portrayal of how a sudden death impacts a community. A dedicated online fanbase, using the hashtag #teammargaret, grew and gained attention, eventually giving Lonergan the support he needed to release his preferred version of the film on DVD and Blu-ray. This film followed Lonergan’s critically acclaimed *You Can Count on Me*.

11. Selma (2014)

Written by Paul Webb, this film details the planning and execution of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery marches, which were crucial in the fight for the Voting Rights Act led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (portrayed brilliantly by David Oyelowo). The film feels incredibly timely and relevant today, but even without that connection, it’s a powerful movie because it offers a nuanced look at Dr. King’s life, acknowledging both his strengths and his personal struggles. Director Ava DuVernay effectively highlights the importance of Dr. King’s work and principles while also showing his humanity. Few historical films are as urgent and passionate as this one.

10. Spotlight (2015)

As a film buff, I was really struck by *Spotlight*, a movie written by Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy. It follows the team at the *Boston Globe* who bravely investigated the horrific cover-up of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. It’s not a flashy film – and honestly, it *shouldn’t* be. I even noticed the reporters all seemed to favor khaki pants, which felt so fitting for the old-school journalism it celebrates. It’s a really powerful and moving tribute to a kind of reporting that feels sadly rare these days.

9. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

I was really captivated by *The Wolf of Wall Street*, and I think a lot of its power comes from how it shows the appeal of Jordan Belfort’s outrageous life – all the fast money, the parties, the incredible possessions. It wouldn’t be believable if it *didn’t* show that side of things, and honestly, it’s a testament to Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance that he makes you almost understand, if not forgive, Belfort’s behavior. Some of the criticism the film gets almost feels like a compliment to DiCaprio – he’s just so charming, funny, and frankly, mesmerizing as Belfort. Those dance moves alone are iconic! It’s a fascinating, if unsettling, portrayal.

8. May December (2023)

Written by Samy Burch, with a story by Burch and Alex Mechanik, *May December* is a complex and fascinating film. It’s hard to pin down – is it a dark psychological drama, a sharp critique of sensationalist media, or a look at the art of acting and the personas people create? Like the people at the center of the story, the film resists easy labels. Inspired by the real-life case of Mary Kay Letourneau, the film imagines what would happen years after a teacher had a relationship with a student. Julianne Moore and Charles Melton play the couple, still together, who are visited by a TV star (Natalie Portman). Portman is researching the role of the younger version of Moore’s character for a biopic about their controversial affair. The film is funny, heartbreaking, and consistently makes you think.

7. Whiplash (2014)

Damien Chazelle wrote and directed *Whiplash*, a film about the intense and often difficult relationship between a demanding music teacher (J.K. Simmons) and a talented young drummer (Miles Teller). The film depicts the drummer’s struggle against the teacher’s harsh methods. *Whiplash* is known for its incredibly powerful and dramatic climax, and it launched Chazelle’s career, leading to acclaimed films like *La La Land*, *First Man*, and *Babylon*.

6. Manchester By the Sea (2016)

Kenneth Lonergan has crafted something truly special with *Manchester By the Sea*. It’s a deeply moving, and frankly heartbreaking, film about Lee, played brilliantly by Casey Affleck, who’s forced to return home after the unexpected death of his brother. Not only does he have to deal with his grief, but he unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his teenage nephew. The film doesn’t shy away from incredibly painful memories – Lee’s past is truly difficult to witness at times – but it’s an incredibly honest and ultimately rewarding portrayal of how people cope with immense loss. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s a powerful one.

5. The Social Network (2010)

David Fincher’s film about Facebook, written by Aaron Sorkin and based on Ben Mezrich’s book, takes liberties with the true story of the social media platform’s beginnings. However, it brilliantly captures a specific kind of personality, perfectly embodied by Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg: a genius who is also driven by anger, feels a sense of entitlement, and deeply craves acceptance. Many questioned Fincher’s choice of subject matter in 2010, but it’s now clear the film is a spiritual follow-up to *Fight Club*, another story about a frustrated, isolated man whose rebellion has unforeseen results. A crucial element of the film’s success is Justin Timberlake’s casting as Sean Parker, the Napster founder and early Facebook executive, who acts as a kind of mentor-or dark reflection-to Zuckerberg. Timberlake and Eisenberg share a striking physical resemblance, almost like brothers with vastly different fortunes. Zuckerberg deeply admires Parker and believes he’s within reach of the same success, and the film emphasizes just how close he feels.

4. There Will Be Blood (2007)

Paul Thomas Anderson wrote *There Will Be Blood*, which was inspired by Upton Sinclair’s novel *Oil!*. While the Coen brothers’ *No Country for Old Men* won most of the major awards in 2007 and remains a highly praised film, Anderson’s *There Will Be Blood*, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the powerful and ruthless oilman Daniel Plainview, has increasingly become recognized as a superior film exploring themes of the American West and the damaging effects of greed.

3. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

One movie from 2007 that has always stayed with me is *The Diving Bell & The Butterfly*, directed by Julian Schnabel. It’s based on the memoir of Jean-Dominique Bauby, who suffered from locked-in syndrome. Bauby’s story – and the way Schnabel brought it to life – was incredibly moving and inspired me to propose to my girlfriend. Fifteen years and two children later, I’m glad I did! I recently rewatched the film and was reminded of just how powerful it is.

2. Challengers (2024)

Beyond strong performances from Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, *Challengers* boasts impressive camerawork and editing, exciting tennis sequences, and a sharp script by Justin Kuritzkes. It was a real surprise to discover Kuritzkes is married to Celine Song, the director of *Past Lives*, because they’ve both recently made films exploring complicated love triangles where a gifted woman questions her marital choice. It’s a remarkable coincidence!

1. Zodiac (2007)

Written by James Vanderbilt, based on Robert Graysmith’s book, *Zodiac* isn’t just another serial killer movie. Director David Fincher delivers a deep dive into San Francisco’s history over several decades, seen through the perspectives of three men obsessed with solving the Zodiac Killer case. We follow a police inspector (Mark Ruffalo), rumored to have inspired the film *Bullitt*, a crime reporter for the *Chronicle* (Robert Downey Jr.) who became a target of the Zodiac, and amateur detective Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), unable to abandon the investigation even after the killings cease. What *Zodiac* does exceptionally well is portray the overwhelming power of obsession. Fincher expertly draws viewers into a complex network of clues and false leads using innovative camera work and editing. By the film’s final, looping scene – which revisits the very beginning after a tense two and a half hours – you fully understand Robert Graysmith’s all-consuming fixation.

Here are some other films we enjoyed, listed alphabetically: *Arrival*, *Blockers*, *Booksmart*, *Burn After Reading*, *Easy A*, *Edge of Tomorrow*, *Michael Clayton*, *Slumdog Millionaire*, *Take This Waltz*, and *Whip It*.