The Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay honors the finest screenplays derived from pre-existing material, including novels, plays, TV series, and even other films, with all sequels also considered adaptations. Established at the very inception of the Academy Awards, this category has recognized numerous talents, such as Joseph L. Mankiewicz, who was the first to win twice in consecutive years (1949 and 1950), and multi-award winner Alexander Payne.

The award has celebrated groundbreaking achievements, including Sarah Y. Mason, the first woman to win for an adaptation (sharing the honor with her husband Victor Heerman for Little Women), and Michael Wilson, who was officially recognized for his second Oscar years after being blacklisted. Notable winners also include siblings like Joel and Ethan Coen, and distinguished African-American writers such as Geoffrey S. Fletcher (for Precious, the first African-American to win in any writing category) and Cord Jefferson (for American Fiction). The category also holds age records, with James Ivory being the oldest winner at 89 for Call Me by Your Name, and Charlie Wachtel the youngest at 32 for BlacKkKlansman.