The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has officially revealed the nominees for the 2025 WGA Awards. This year’s nominations spotlight a mix of critically acclaimed films, surprising entries, and a reshuffling caused by the Guild’s strict eligibility rules, which excluded some prominent contenders. The awards ceremony is set to take place on February 15, 2025, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, promising a celebration of storytelling excellence across film, television, and digital platforms.
Original Screenplay Nominees
The original screenplay category is packed with talent, headlined by Sean Baker’s critically praised film Anora. Baker’s intimate storytelling and nuanced character work have made the film a frontrunner, with many industry insiders predicting it could clinch both the WGA and Oscar awards in this category. Joining Anora is Jesse Eisenberg’s A Real Pain, a semi-autobiographical drama that has struck a chord with critics this awards season.
Another notable nominee is Challengers, written by Justin Kuritzkes. This romantic sports drama, starring Zendaya, faced a high-profile BAFTA Awards shutout but has regained momentum with its inclusion here. Alex Garland’s Civil War, a daring post-apocalyptic thriller, adds genre variety to the list. Finally, Megan Park’s My Old Ass, a sharp yet heartfelt comedy, rounds out the nominees. Park’s nomination here and her Directors Guild of America (DGA) nod for best first-time director underline her rising prominence in Hollywood.
- “Anora” – Written by Sean Baker; NEON
- “A Real Pain” – Written by Jesse Eisenberg; Searchlight Pictures
- “Challengers” – Written by Justin Kuritzkes; Amazon MGM Studios
- “Civil War” – Written by Alex Garland; A24
- “My Old Ass” – Written by Megan Park; Amazon MGM Studios
Adapted Screenplay Nominees
The adapted screenplay category features an impressive roster of films that reinterpret existing works with fresh perspectives. Leading the charge is A Complete Unknown, James Mangold and Jay Cocks’ biopic about Bob Dylan, based on Elijah Wald’s book Dylan Goes Electric!. Joining it is Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts’ epic Dune: Part Two, which continues to dominate the awards circuit following its success with the first installment.
Richard Linklater and Glen Powell’s Hit Man, adapted from a Texas Monthly article, blends wit and intrigue, standing out as a strong contender. Nickel Boys, written by RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, adapts Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and brings its harrowing themes to the screen. Finally, the blockbuster musical Wicked, adapted by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, continues to captivate audiences with its sweeping narrative and enduring cultural resonance.
- “A Complete Unknown” – Screenplay by James Mangold and Jay Cocks, Based on the Book Dylan Goes Electric! by Elijah Wald; Searchlight Pictures
- “Dune: Part Two” – Screenplay by Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, Based on the Novel Dune by Frank Herbert; Warner Bros. Pictures
- “Hit Man” – Screenplay by Richard Linklater & Glen Powell, Based on the Texas Monthly Article by Skip Hollandsworth; Netflix
- “Nickel Boys” – Screenplay by RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes, Based on the Book The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead; Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios
- “Wicked” – Screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, Based on the Musical Stage Play and Novel by Gregory Maguire; Universal Pictures
Significant Ineligibilities
This year’s nominees reflect the impact of the WGA’s rigorous eligibility rules, which excluded several high-profile films. Ineligible titles included All We Imagine as Light (Janus Films/Sideshow), The Brutalist (A24), and Hard Truths (Bleecker Street) in the original screenplay category. Adapted screenplays like Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and Sony Pictures Classics’ The Outrun were similarly ruled out.
Other notable omissions include Robert Eggers’ gothic horror Nosferatu, Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams’ adaptation of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, and Marielle Heller’s dark comedy Nightbitch. These absences paved the way for newer contenders to shine.
Television Categories
Drama Series Nominees
The WGA’s drama series category highlights an eclectic mix of fan favorites and critically acclaimed shows. Leading the pack is FX’s epic adaptation of James Clavell’s Shōgun, praised for its cinematic storytelling. Also nominated are Netflix’s political thriller The Diplomat and Prime Video’s trio of hits: the darkly satirical The Boys, the post-apocalyptic Fallout, and the reimagined spy series Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
- “The Boys” – Prime Video
- “The Diplomat” – Netflix
- “Fallout” – Prime Video
- “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” – Prime Video
- “Shōgun” – FX/Hulu
Comedy Series Nominees
In the comedy category, returning favorites like Abbott Elementary, The Bear, and Curb Your Enthusiasm share the spotlight with HBO’s Hacks and FX’s quirky vampire sitcom What We Do in the Shadows. These series continue to garner widespread acclaim for their inventive storytelling and unique humor.
- “Abbott Elementary” – ABC
- “The Bear” – FX/Hulu
- “Curb Your Enthusiasm” – HBO | Max
- “Hacks” – HBO | Max
- “What We Do in the Shadows” – FX/Hulu
Limited Series Nominees
The limited series nominees showcase some of the most ambitious storytelling on television. Highlights include HBO’s The Penguin, a gritty Batman spinoff, and Netflix’s Ripley, which delves into the world of crime and deception. Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent and FX’s political thriller Say Nothing are also in contention, alongside HBO’s True Detective: Night Country.
- “The Penguin” – HBO | Max
- “Presumed Innocent” – Apple TV+
- “Ripley” – Netflix
- “Say Nothing” – FX/Hulu
- “True Detective: Night Country” – HBO | Max
A Celebration of Writers
This year’s WGA Awards nominees highlight the diversity, creativity, and resilience of writers in an industry constantly evolving. From the deeply personal stories in original screenplays to the breathtaking adaptations and groundbreaking television series, the nominees represent the best of 2024’s storytelling. With the ceremony just weeks away, anticipation is high to see which creators will take home the coveted awards. Stay tuned for updates and the winners on February 15, 2025.
