First things first, the majority of scripts don't sell, and if they do, it's usually not for the kinds of prices you'll see on this list! That's just the honest truth. I'm not saying you'll never sell a spec script to a major studio or producer,or you won't sell it for a great price, because you may. I just want to emphasize that the following list of high-priced spec screenplays are outliers. They're not the norm in the film industry. Read on to learn more about some of the world's most expensive screenplays!
Now that we’ve seen the exceptional price of some of the most expensive scripts, let’s get into the average selling price.
Derived from following along with industry news, I’ve determined that selling a script for higher than six figures is impressive, mid-six figures is still pretty great, and the lower six figures is more common. If you’re interested in learning about the cost of scripts, I’d suggest following along with industry trades, as they’ll often have articles that tell the sale of a notable script and the production company or other buyer details.
The WGA’s Schedule of Minimums says the lowest a writer can be paid on a low-budget film is $72,662, and $136,413for a movie budgeted at $5 million or more. So, these are the absolute lowest numbers you can expect to be paid for selling a script.
No matter the price, it’s important to remember that that’s not what you’re walking away with! Agents and managers require ten percent. If you have a lawyer, they need to be paid five percent. And don’t forget the taxes! All in all, depending on how many people are on your payroll, you’re looking at netting between 40 to 60 percent of the script’s sale price.
The bigger hurdle may be getting someone to read through your original screenplays. Oftentimes, unless solicited, it's unlikely you'll find any of the major Hollywood players willing to sit down and read your entire script. If you're not at a place in your career where you have a screenwriting manager, agent, or entertainment attorney, you may consider entering your original script in screenwriting contests to get eyes on it. You can also upload (for a fee) a spec screenplay to online script libraries such as The Blacklist. Here, a script reader will rate your movie script, and if it ranks high enough and the right people take notice, you may just find yourself and your expensive screenplay on this very list in the future!
I hope this blog was able to shed some light on the most expensive screenplays of all time, while also giving you some information on the more usual terms and costs of script sales!
FAQs
The highest selling spec script of all time is Déjà Vu, written by Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio, which sold for an astonishing $5 million [1]. This is far and away the most expensive script ever sold, with Basic Instinct coming in at a distant second with $3 million [2].
What is the most money ever paid for a screenplay? ›
But even these massive fees don't compare to the highest-ever amount paid for a screenplay. Back in 2006, the screenwriting duo of Tony Rossio and Bill Marsili charged $5m for their script for the movie Deja Vu, which would eventually be picked up by Tony Scott. Telling the story of an A.T.F.
Who is the richest screenplay? ›
Meet the 10 Richest Screenwriters in Hollywood
- Chuck Lorre – $600 Million. ...
- Seth Macfarlane – $300 Million. ...
- David E. ...
- Joss Whedon – $100 Million. ...
- Aaron Sorkin – $90 Million. ...
- Adam McKay – $40 Million. ...
- David Koepp – $35 Million. ...
- Terry Rossio – $20 Million.
The median guaranteed total pay for a screenplay deal was $325,000, with a maximum of $5 million with Netflix. This is higher than the first draft median for traditional studios of $293,750 for a one-step deal or $262,500 for multiple guaranteed steps.
How much will Hollywood pay for a script? ›
Established writers selling specs may get up to $100,000 or more, but even mid-level writers typically max out between $20,000-$40,000 for their early original scripts.
Do screenwriters make millions? ›
On average, a screenwriter in the U.S can earn anywhere from $60,000 to $100,000 per year. However, for those at the top of their game, the earnings can reach into the millions.
What is the most expensive movie script ever sold? ›
The highest selling spec script of all time is Déjà Vu, written by Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio, which sold for an astonishing $5 million [1]. This is far and away the most expensive script ever sold, with Basic Instinct coming in at a distant second with $3 million [2].
What is the highest salary of a screenwriter? ›
Q. What are the salaries after studying Script Writing?
| Job Profile | Average INR CTC |
|---|
| Screenwriter/Scriptwriter | INR 4 LPA to 8 LPA |
| Story Editor | INR 4 LPA to 8 LPA |
| Content Developer | INR 4 LPA to 6 LPA |
| Creative Director (Content) | INR 8 LPA to 10 LPA |
3 more rowsFeb 26, 2024
World Record for Youngest Screenwriter
Manikya Sanghi born on 30th August, 2008, at the age of 13 years 300 days as on 27th June 2022,he has studied and completed several online, renowned,...
Do screenwriters get royalties? ›
Yes, screenwriters who receive sole or shared final writing credit are eligible for royalties based on the success of a film or TV production. Royalty rates vary based on factors like budget size and distribution medium.
“Optioning a script” or “obtaining option rights” is a legally-binding agreement where an author/copyright owner is paid a relatively small sum of money—$10k to $100k for an unknown or first-time writer, and anywhere from $50k to millions for option rights to a work by a major-league writer (say, Dennis Lehane , Shane ...
Can I sell my script to Netflix? ›
First and foremost, thank you for your interest in Netflix content! Unfortunately, we cannot and do not accept or review any materials (whether manuscripts, treatments, scripts, drawings, ideas, pics of rainbow-colored unicorns, etc.) that we do not specifically request.
Why do screenwriters get paid so little? ›
With the rising dominance of streaming—where half of series writers now work—short orders, the separation of writing and production, and the lack of a season calendar have depressed writer pay. As the chart below shows, at every job title, more writers work at MBA minimum now than a decade ago.
How hard is it to get a screenplay sold? ›
Selling a script takes a lot of hard work, loads of planning, and little luck, but the good news is that people sell scripts every day. Hollywood is hungry for fresh voices and new stories. And while it can be challenging to get traction for your screenplay, there is a market for your script.
What scripts are Hollywood looking for? ›
What kind of scripts is Hollywood looking for right now? The answer to that question is complicated and ever-changing, but there are three basic qualities producers are looking for which seem to be evergreen: heat, franchise, and diversity.
What is the highest award for screenwriting? ›
The winning screenwriters are given a gold-plated statuette known as an Oscar. Woody Allen has won the most Academy Awards for best original screenplay (three). Below is a list of the winning screenwriters and the films for which they won.
How much do screenplays get sold for? ›
In the 2017-2018 period, WGA spec script sales ranged from $72,600 to $136,000. The average? Around $110,000. There are different WGA minimums for everything, from a 15-minute episode of television, to selling a movie script, to a big budget feature film.
How much do screenwriters make in Hollywood? ›
How much does a Writer make in Hollywood? The average writer salary in Hollywood is $71,250 per year or $34.25 per hour. Entry level positions start at $57,500 per year while most experienced workers make up to $81,500 per year.
How much do Marvel screenwriters make? ›
The estimated total pay range for a Writers PA at Marvel Entertainment is $33–$58 per hour, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Writers PA base salary at Marvel Entertainment is $44 per hour.
