Top 10 Screenplay Structure Templates Used by Oscar-Winning Writers

Great screenplays don’t happen by accident. Behind every powerful scene and unforgettable character arc lies a clear structural blueprint. From The King's Speech to Parasite, Oscar-winning writers rely on tried-and-tested screenplay structure templates to guide their stories from start to finish.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down the top 10 screenplay structure models that have shaped some of the best films in cinematic history. Whether you're a new screenwriter or a seasoned storyteller, these templates can elevate your script and bring clarity, cohesion, and emotional impact to your writing.

THREE-ACT STRUCTURE (CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD)

The backbone of countless screenplays, the three-act structure breaks the story into:

✅ Act I – Setup

✅ Act II – Confrontation

✅ Act III – Resolution

Used in films like Forrest Gump and The Social Network, this timeless template offers simplicity and balance while supporting deep character development.

SAVE THE CAT BEAT SHEET

Developed by Blake Snyder, this structure is especially useful for writers of commercial and genre films. It includes 15 distinct story beats, such as:

✅ Catalyst

✅ Fun and Games

✅ All Is Lost

✅ Final Image

Popular films like Deadpool and The Lego Movie follow this highly structured, audience-tested format.

HERO’S JOURNEY (MONOMYTH)

Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, this template suits epic and transformational narratives. It includes stages like:

✅ Call to Adventure

✅ Supreme Ordeal

✅ Return with the Elixir

Oscar-winning films such as The Lord of the Rings and The Lion King beautifully demonstrate this journey from ordinary to extraordinary.

DAN HARMON’S STORY CIRCLE

A modern, streamlined evolution of the Hero’s Journey, Dan Harmon’s 8-step Story Circle is widely used in television and animation. Its structure includes:

✅ A character in a zone of comfort

✅ They want something

✅ They enter an unfamiliar situation

✅ They adapt and pay a price

Rick and Morty and Community frequently follow this structure for concise, impactful storytelling.

FOUR-ACT STRUCTURE

Also called the “midpoint” structure, this format divides Act II in half, creating four clear parts:

✅ Act I – Setup

✅ Act II-A – Rising Action

✅ Act II-B – Complication

✅ Act III – Climax and Resolution

Used in The Godfather and No Country for Old Men, this format enhances tension and pacing in complex dramas.

SEQUENCE APPROACH

Popularized by screenwriting guru Frank Daniel, this method breaks a film into eight 12-15 minute sequences, each with its own mini-arc:

✅ Sequence 1 – Status Quo and Inciting Incident

✅ Sequence 4 – Midpoint Twist

✅ Sequence 8 – Final Battle and Resolution

Films like Chinatown and The Silence of the Lambs benefit from this rhythm-based structure.

KIERNAN STRUCTURE

This character-first structure puts emotional transformation at the center of the plot. It emphasizes:

✅ Emotional baseline at the beginning

✅ Escalating inner and outer conflicts

✅ Emotional growth climax

✅ Internal resolution

Often used in Oscar-winning character dramas like Manchester by the Sea and Room.

MICHAEL HAUGE’S SIX STAGE PLOT STRUCTURE

This framework emphasizes both external goals and internal needs, broken into:

✅ Setup

✅ New Situation

✅ Progress

✅ Complications and Higher Stakes

✅ Final Push

✅ Aftermath

Widely used in inspirational and romantic films such as Erin Brockovich and A Star Is Born.

TV-FOCUSED ACT STRUCTURES (4, 5, OR 6 ACTS)

TV writing, especially for network shows, relies on commercial break-friendly act structures:

✅ Strong act-outs (end-of-act twists)

✅ Mini-climaxes per act

✅ Clear stakes escalation

Even cinematic-style series like Breaking Bad and The Crown stick to act breaks for emotional beats.

MINISERIES OR LIMITED SERIES MODELS

With streaming series blurring the line between TV and film, long-form storytelling uses:

✅ Episodic arcs nested within a larger narrative

✅ Multi-character ensemble structures

✅ Slow-burn character development

Series like Chernobyl and Mare of Easttown use film-like screenwriting extended across episodes.

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHICH STRUCTURE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

✅ Start with your story type and genre

✅ Identify the emotional journey of your main character

✅ Use structure to support—not restrict—your creativity

✅ Combine or modify templates as needed

The best Oscar-winning screenwriters use these templates not to limit themselves, but to build with intention. Structure isn't a cage—it's a map to help your story reach its full potential.

Want to learn more? Check out our follow-up: “How to Write a Script That Sells: From Outline to Final Draft.”