2004 Oscars — Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King won Writing (Adapted Screenplay) at the 2004 Oscars. All 5 nominees are listed below, winner first. The other nominees were American Splendor, City of God, Mystic River and Seabiscuit. Each film links to its complete award history. The links below go to the 2003 and 2005 Writing (Adapted Screenplay) races.

Last updated August 12, 2026

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King(2003)
Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, & Peter Jackson
Winner
American Splendor(2003)
Written by Robert Pulcini & Shari Springer Berman
City of God(2002)
Screenplay by Braulio Mantovani
Mystic River(2003)
Screenplay by Brian Helgeland
Seabiscuit(2003)
Written for the Screen by Gary Ross