Every year, The Blacklist provides a treasure trove of brilliant and entertaining scripts that are making a splash in Hollywood but haven’t been produced yet.
The annual ranking of the most popular unproduced screenplays, curated by Franklin Leonard and voted on by 500 industry professionals, showcases an eclectic mix of bold storytelling, inventive premises and untapped cinematic potential .
The Blacklist 2024 does not disappoint, offering everything from creepy horror to historical intrigue.
Topping the list this year is Travis Brownof One night onlyA provocative comedy about two strangers in a dystopian world where premarital sex is allowed only one night a year.
Last year, he was mentioned 60 times by voters, topping the list bad boy, The story of a rescue dog who suspects his owner of murder.
Goodbye Mary Austers play date Coming in at number two is a chilling psychological thriller about a woman who inadvertently encounters her childhood bully while playing with her daughter.
Ranked third is, Nathan Dotanof Make an alliance The story of an artificial intelligence board member caught between corporate greed and looming global disaster addresses timely themes.
Some of the scripts on this year’s list stand out for their creativity and boldness:
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Young George W. Bush hunted by a masked killer at Camp David?
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Aaron Carloof tickle elmo Delve into the crazy story of how this iconic toy saved Sesame Street, rocked Wall Street, and captivated America.
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And then there are Alison Weaver Nicholas little black dressreimagining Audrey Hepburn as a CIA recruit chasing Nazis between takes Tiffany’s breakfast.
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Dan Woodwardof opposite side of rainbow Deep into the chaos of production The Wizard of Oz, It tells the story of an ambitious actress fighting to keep her role while witnessing the exploitation of Judy Garland.
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exist Matt Baileyof The new king, The rise and fall of Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Mike Jeffries has been laid bare, exposing the dark underbelly of the pursuit of perfection at all costs — a topic made even more visible by the recent legal scandal involving Jeffries.
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Another outstanding one, Lu Hao and Todd Bartels Tonywhich Provides an origin story for the deceased Anthony Bourdainchronicling his early years as a dishwasher in Provincetown and the experiences that inspired his culinary and cultural journeys.
This year’s cover of The Blacklist pays homage to the human art of storytelling and features a poignant quote from the late author. Alan Rickman:
“Humanity needs to hear stories. The more we are ruled by idiots and the less we control our own destinies, the more we need to tell each other stories about who we are, why we are, where we come from and what could have been.
The Blacklist continues to celebrate storytelling in its purest form—raw, ambitious, and full of potential. For fans and industry insiders alike, it’s a glimpse into unmade gems that could become tomorrow’s iconic films.
If you want to see the entire list, click here.
