What Percent of Movies Are Original Screenplays?

Among wide studio releases, original screenplays are a minority. Studio slates lean heavily on sequels, remakes and adaptations of books, comics and games. Independent and festival films are much more often original. For a new writer, an original spec script is still the standard way to show what you can do.

• Studio slates favor franchises and adaptations.
• Independent films are more often original.
• An original spec is still the best writing sample.

Why do studios make so many adaptations?

Existing stories come with an audience that already knows them, which lowers the marketing risk on expensive films. That is why many high-budget releases are sequels or adaptations.

Where do original screenplays get made?

Originals are common in independent film, lower-budget genre films such as horror and thrillers, and on streaming platforms. Many writers break in with an original that shows their voice, then get hired to adapt existing material.

What should you write?

Write an original you can own. You cannot sell an adaptation of a book or franchise you do not hold the rights to, but an original script can be sold, optioned or used as a sample.

Questions

Can I write a screenplay based on a book?

You can for practice, but you cannot sell or produce it without the rights. For a spec script, write an original.

Do original screenplays win awards?

Yes. The Academy Awards and Guild awards have separate categories for original and adapted screenplays.

Related course: The Perfect Pitch & Package