Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein Leads 2026 USC Scripter Awards Film Nominees

The USC Libraries announced the finalists for the 38th annual Scripter Awards. The ceremony honors the year’s best film and television adaptations, along with their source material. Winners will be revealed at a black-tie gala on February 22, 2026, on the USC campus.

The awards uniquely celebrate both the screenwriters and the original authors of the adapted works. A jury chaired by Academy vice president Howard Rodman selected the nominees from dozens of submissions. This year’s list includes major literary works transformed for the screen.

Surprise Nominee Joins Awards Season Heavyweights

The film adaptation category features five notable works. Guillermo del Toro’s Netflix film Frankenstein is nominated, adapted from Mary Shelley’s classic novel. Chloe Zhao’s Focus Features drama Hamnet, based on Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, also earned a spot.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Warner Bros. film One Battle After Another, from Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland, is a finalist. Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar’s Netflix film Train Dreams, from Denis Johnson’s novella, is nominated. The surprise entry is Ira Sachs’ Peter Hujar’s Day, adapted from Linda Rosenkrantz’s book, which had a quieter awards season profile.

Television Category Features Returning Champions and New Contenders

In the television category, several acclaimed series received recognition. Slow Horses on Apple TV+ earned another nomination, this time for Will Smith’s episode “Scars” from Mick Herron’s London Rules. The show has won this award twice before. Netflix’s Death by Lightning and Dept. Q are also finalists.

AMC’s Dark Winds and PBS’s Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light round out the TV nominees. Writer Peter Straughan, nominated for Wolf Hall, could make history. He might become the first to win Scripter Awards for both film and television adaptations.

The 2026 USC Scripter Awards highlight the enduring power of literature in visual storytelling. The ceremony will ultimately crown which adaptations most faithfully and creatively honored their source material.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What are the USC Scripter Awards?

The Scripter Awards honor the year’s best film and television adaptations. They uniquely award both the screenwriter and the author of the original source material. The event is a major fundraiser for the USC Libraries.

Who is hosting the 2026 ceremony?

The 38th annual ceremony will be held on February 22, 2026. It takes place at the Town & Gown ballroom on the University of Southern California campus. The event is a formal black-tie gala.

Which nominee is a surprise this year?

Ira Sachs’ film *Peter Hujar’s Day* is considered the surprise nominee. It had a lower profile this awards season compared to other finalists. The film was nominated for five Independent Spirit Awards but few other major honors.

Has any nominee won before?

Yes, several finalists are previous winners or nominees. Chloe Zhao won for *Nomadland*. *Slow Horses* has won the TV award twice. Guillermo del Toro and Paul Thomas Anderson have been nominated in the past.

Who is receiving a special honor?

Author Michael Connelly will receive the USC Libraries Literary Achievement Award. He is being recognized for his mystery storytelling in novels and screen adaptations. His work includes the *Bosch* and *The Lincoln Lawyer* series.