Everyone loves a good funny movie, and the Writers Guild of America knows that having a definitive list is important. That’s why they awarded the rankings to a hundred screenplays after a panel discussion and clips presentation at the Archlight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood on Wednesday night. The event was hosted by Rob Reiner who joked that it was apropos for the “This is Spinal Tap” script to be named number 11 in the rankings what with the amplifier joke fans of the film will remember well.
The top screenplays on the list won’t surprise many fans of film though their order may. Included in the top ten are “Annie Hall,” “Some Like It Hot,” “Groundhog Day,” “Airplane!“, “Tootsie,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” and “National Lampoon’s Animal House.” Have you watched all of these movies? They were all made, and they are all classic in the eyes of most film enthusiasts for one reason or another. I’m pretty proud of myself as a film goer that I have actually seen more than my fair share of this entire list.
Some of you will be interested to learn that there are a number of fairly recent screenplays on the list though the majority were written more than a decade ago. “Bridesmaids,” “The Hangover,” and “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” were all listed in the Top 30, and “Best in Show,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” and “Election” all made the list.
Woody Allen‘s “Annie Hall” was named to the number one spot as I noted above, and his other scripts “Sleeper,â âBananas,â âTake the Money and Run,â âBroadway Danny Rose,â Love and Death,â and âManhattan” all were listed in the Top 100.
Now, in case you are in the market for an epic watch list for the coming winter (a whole new take on Netflix & Chill, y’all), here are all the winners from one to 100.
1. âAnnie Hallâ
Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman
1977, UA
2. âSome Like It Hotâ
Screenplay by Billy Wilder & I.A. L. Diamond, Based on the German film âFanfare of Loveâ by Robert Thoeren and M. Logan
1959, UA
3. âGroundhog Dayâ
Screenplay by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis, Story by Danny Rubin
1993, Columbia
4. âAirplane!â
Written by James Abrahams & David Zucker & Jerry Zucker
1980, Paramount
5. âTootsieâ
Screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal, Story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart
1982, Columbia
6. âYoung Frankensteinâ
Screenplay by Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks, Screen Story by Gene Wilder and Mel Brooks, Based on Characters in the Novel Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
1974, 20th Century Fox
7. âDr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bombâ
Screenplay by Stanley Kubrick and Peter George and Terry Southern
1964, Columbia
8. âBlazing Saddlesâ
Screenplay by Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Alan Uger, Story by Andrew Bergman
1974, Warner Bros.
9. âMonty Python and the Holy Grailâ
Written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
1975, Cinema 5
10. âNational Lampoonâs Animal Houseâ
Written by Harold Ramis & Douglas Kenney & Chris Miller
1978, Universal
11. âThis Is Spinal Tapâ
Written by Christopher Guest & Michael McKean & Rob Reiner & Harry Shearer
1984, Embassy
12. âThe Producersâ
Written by Mel Brooks
1967, AVCO Embassy
13. âThe Big Lebowskiâ
Written by Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
1998, Gramercy
14. âGhostbustersâ
Written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis
1984, Columbia
15. âWhen Harry Met Sallyâ¦â
Written by Nora Ephron
1989, Columbia
16. âBridesmaidsâ
Written by Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig
2011, Universal
17. âDuck Soupâ
Story by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby, Additional Dialogue by Arthur Sheekman and Nat Perrin
1933, Paramount
18. âThereâs Something About Maryâ
Screenplay by John J. Strauss & Ed Decter and Peter Farrelly & Bobby Farrelly, Story by Ed Decter & John J. Strauss
1998, 20th Century Fox
19. âThe Jerkâ
Screenplay by Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb, Michael Elias, Story by Steve Martin & Carl Gottlieb
1979, Universal
20. âA Fish Called Wandaâ
Screenplay by John Cleese, Story by John Cleese & Charles Crichton
1988, MGM
21. âHis Girl Fridayâ
Screenplay by Charles Lederer, Based on the Play âThe Front Pageâ by Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur
1940, Columbia
22. âThe Princess Brideâ
Screenplay by William Goldman, Based on Goldmanâs Novel of the Same Name
1987, 20th Century Fox
23. âRaising Arizonaâ
Written by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen
1987, 20th Century Fox
24. âBringing Up Babyâ
Screenplay by Hagar Wilde and Dudley Nichols, Story by Hagar Wilde
1938, RKO
25. âCaddyshackâ
Written by Brian Doyle-Murray & Harold Ramis & Douglas Kenney
1980, Orion
26. âMonty Pythonâs Life Of Brianâ
Written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
1979, Orion
27. âThe Graduateâ
Screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, Based on the Novel by Charles Webb
1967, Embassy
28. âThe Apartmentâ
Written by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond
1960, UA
29. âBorat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstanâ
Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Peter Baynham & Dan Mazer, Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Peter Baynham & Anthony Hines & Todd Phillips, Based on a Character Created by Sacha Baron Cohen
2006, 20th Century Fox
30. âThe Hangoverâ
Written by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore
2009, Warner Bros.
31. âThe 40-Year-Old Virginâ
Written by Judd Apatow & Steve Carell
2005, Universal
32. âThe Lady Eveâ
Screenplay by Preston Sturges, Story by Monckton Hoffe
1941, Paramount
33. *Tie*
âFerris Buellerâs Day Offâ
Written by John Hughes
1986, Paramount
and
âTrading Placesâ
Written by Timothy Harris & Herschel Weingrod
1983, Paramount
35. âSullivanâs Travelsâ
Written by Preston Sturges
1941, Paramount
36. âPlanes, Trains and Automobilesâ
Written by John Hughes
1987, Paramount
37. âThe Philadelphia Storyâ
Screenplay by Donald Ogden Stewart, Based on the Play by Philip Barry
1940, MGM
38. âA Night at the Operaâ
Screen Play by George S. Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind, From a Story by James Kevin McGuinness
1935, MGM
39. âRushmoreâ
Written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson
1998, Touchstone/BV
40. âWaiting for Guffmanâ
Written by Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy
1996, Sony Pics Classics
41. âThe Odd Coupleâ
Screenplay by Neil Simon, From the Play by Neil Simon as Produced on the Stage by Saint-Subber
1968, Paramount
42. âThe Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!â
Written by Jerry Zucker & Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Pat Proft, Based on the Television Series Police Squad! Created by Jim Abrahams & David Zucker & Jerry Zucker
1988, Paramount
43. âOffice Spaceâ
Written for the Screen by Mike Judge, Based on the âMiltonâ Animated Shorts by Mike Judge
1999, 20th Century Fox
44. âBigâ
Written by Anne Spielberg & Gary Ross
1988, 20th Century Fox
45. âNational Lampoonâs Vacationâ
Screenplay by John Hughes
1983, Warner Bros.
46. âMidnight Runâ
Written by George Gallo
1988, Universal
47. âIt Happened One Nightâ
Screenplay by Robert Riskin, Based on the Short Story by Samuel Hopkins Adams
1934, Columbia
48. âM*A*S*Hâ
Screenplay by Ring Lardner, Jr., From the Novel by Richard Hooker
1970, 20th Century Fox
49. âHarold and Maudeâ
Written by Colin Higgins
1971, Paramount
50. âShaun of the Deadâ
Written by Simon Pegg & Edgar Wright
2004, Focus (Universal)
51. âBroadcast Newsâ
Written by James L. Brooks
1987, 20th Century Fox
52. âArthurâ
Written by Steven Gordon
1981, Orion
53. âFour Weddings and a Funeralâ
Written by Richard Curtis
1994, Gramercy
54. *Tie*
âAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundyâ
Written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay
2004, Dreamworks
and
âDumb and Dumberâ
Written by Peter Farrelly & Bennett Yellin & Bob Farrelly
1994, New Line
56. âAustin Powers: International Man of Mysteryâ
Written by Mike Myers
1997, New Line
57. âThe Generalâ
Written by Buster Keaton and Clyde Bruckman, Adapted by Al Boasberg and Charles Smith
1926, United Artists
58. âWhatâs Up, Doc?â
Screenplay by Buck Henry and David Newman & Robert Benton, Story by Peter Bogdanovich
1972, Warner Bros.
59. âWedding Crashersâ
Written by Steve Faber & Bob Fisher
2005, New Line
60. âSleeperâ
Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman
1973, United Artists
61. âGalaxy Questâ
Screenplay by David Howard and Robert Gordon, Story by David Howard
1999, Dreamworks
62. âItâs a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Worldâ
Screenplay by William and Tania Rose, Story by William and Tania Rose
1963, United Artists
63. âBest in Showâ
Written by Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy
2000, Warner Bros.
64. âLittle Miss Sunshineâ
Written by Michael D. Arndt
2006, Fox Searchlight
65. âSouth Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncutâ
Written by Trey Parker & Matt Stone & Pam Brady
1999, Paramount
66. âBeing Thereâ
Screenplay by Jerzy Kosinski, Inspired by the Novel by Jerzy Kosinski
1979, United Artists
67. âBack to the Futureâ
Written by Robert Zemeckis & Bob Gale
1985, Universal
68. âSuperbadâ
Written by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg
2007, Columbia
69. âBananasâ
Written by Woody Allen, Mickey Rose
1971, United Artists
70. âMoonstruckâ
Written by John Patrick Shanley
1987, MGM
71. âCluelessâ
Written by Amy Heckerling
1995, Paramount
72. âThe Palm Beach Storyâ
Written by Preston Sturges
1942, Paramount
73. âThe Pink Pantherâ
Written by Maurice Richlin & Blake Edwards
1963, United Artists
74. âThe Blues Brothersâ
Written by Dan Aykroyd and John Landis
1980, Universal
75. âComing to Americaâ
Screenplay by David Sheffield & Barry W. Blaustein, Story by Eddie Murphy
1988, Paramount
76. âTake the Money and Runâ
Screenplay by Woody Allen and Mickey Rose, Story by Jackson Beck
1969, Cinerama
77. âElectionâ
Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor, Based on the Novel by Tom Perrotta
1999, Paramount
78. âLove and Deathâ
Written by Woody Allen
1975, United Artists
79. *Tie*
âDirty Rotten Scoundrelsâ
Written by Dale Launer and Stanley Shapiro & Paul Henning
1988, Orion
and
âLost in Americaâ
Written by Albert Brooks & Monica Johnson
1985, Warner Bros.
81. âManhattanâ
Written by Woody Allen & Marshall Brickman
1979, United Artists
82. âModern Timesâ
Written by Charles Chaplin
1936, United Artists
83. âMy Cousin Vinnyâ
Written by Dale Launer
1992, 20th Century Fox
84. âMean Girlsâ
Screenplay by Tina Fey, Based on the Book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman
2004, Paramount
85. âMeet the Parentsâ
Screenplay by Jim Herzfeld and John Hamburg, Story by Greg Glienna & Mary Ruth Clarke
2000, Universal
86. âFargoâ
Written by Joel Coen & Ethan Coen
1996, Gramercy
87. âMy Favorite Yearâ
Screenplay by Dennis Palumbo and Norman Steinberg, Story by Dennis Palumbo
1982, MGM
88. âStripesâ
Written by Len Blum & Dan Goldberg and Harold Ramis
1981, Columbia
89. âBeverly Hills Copâ
Screenplay by Daniel Petrie, Jr., Story by Danilo Bach and Daniel Petrie, Jr.
1984, Paramount
90. âCity Lightsâ
Written by Charles Chaplin
1931, United Artists
91. âSidewaysâ
Screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor, Based on the Novel by Rex Pickett
2004, Fox Searchlight
92. âBroadway Danny Roseâ
Written by Woody Allen
1984, Orion
93. âSwingersâ
Written by Jon Favreau
1996, Miramax
94. âThe Gold Rushâ
Written by Charles Chaplin
1925, United Artists
95. âThe Miracle Of Morganâs Creekâ
Written by Preston Sturges
1944, Paramount
96. âAll About Eveâ
Screenplay by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Based on the Short Story and Radio Program âThe Wisdom of Eveâ by Mary Orr
1950, 20th Century Fox
97. âArsenic and Old Laceâ
Screenplay by Julius Epstein & Philip G. Epstein, Based on the Play by Joseph Kesselring
1944, Warner Bros.
98. âThe Royal Tenenbaumsâ
Written by Wes Anderson & Owen Wilson
2001, Touchstone/BV
99. âMrs. Doubtfireâ
Screenplay by Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon, Based on Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine
1993, 20th Century Fox
100. âFlirting with Disasterâ
Written by David O. Russell
1996, Miramax
101. âShakespeare in Loveâ
Written by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard
1998, Miramax
HT Variety
Image Apatow Productions, Relativity Media