Here is a list of 20 highly recommended screenplays for aspiring screenwriters to read:

1. “The Godfather” by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola
2. “Pulp Fiction” by Quentin Tarantino
3. “The Shawshank Redemption” by Frank Darabont
4. “The Silence of the Lambs” by Ted Tally
5. “Goodfellas” by Nicholas Pileggi and Martin Scorsese
6. “The Matrix” by Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski
7. “Schindler’s List” by Steven Zaillian
8. “Se7en” by Andrew Kevin Walker
9. “12 Angry Men” by Reginald Rose
10. “The Social Network” by Aaron Sorkin
11. “The Godfather: Part II” by Francis Ford Coppola
12. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” by Charlie Kaufman
13. “City Lights” by Charlie Chaplin
14. “Casablanca” by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, and Howard Koch
15. “The Wizard of Oz” by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf
16. “Sunset Boulevard” by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett
17. “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick
18. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” by Lawrence Kasdan
19. “Groundhog Day” by Danny Rubin and Harold Ramis
20. “Jaws” by Peter Benchley and Carl Gottlieb.

Why Screenwriters Should read them

1. “The Godfather” – This classic crime drama explores themes of family, loyalty, and power through its multi-generational tale of the Corleone family. Screenwriters should read it for its masterful character development and dialogue, as well as its intricate plot structure.

2. “Pulp Fiction” – This innovative film is known for its non-linear narrative and clever dialogue. Screenwriters should read it for its unique storytelling techniques and its ability to seamlessly intertwine multiple storylines.

3. “The Shawshank Redemption” – This uplifting story of friendship and hope behind bars explores the resilience of the human spirit. Screenwriters should read it for its well-crafted characters, its inspiring message, and its pacing.

4. “The Silence of the Lambs” – This gripping psychological thriller features a memorable lead character in Clarice Sterling, and explores themes of obsession and power. Screenwriters should read it for its suspenseful plotting, its richly drawn characters, and its psychological depth.

5. “Goodfellas” – This crime classic is a vivid portrayal of life in the mob, and features some of the most memorable characters in film history. Screenwriters should read it for its masterful storytelling, its believable characters, and its exploration of the criminal underworld.

6. “The Matrix” – This sci-fi action classic explores the idea of reality and the power of choice. Screenwriters should read it for its unique concept, its thrilling action sequences, and its thought-provoking themes.

7. “Schindler’s List” – This powerful historical drama tells the true story of a man who saves the lives of over 1,000 Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. Screenwriters should read it for its timeless message, its emotional depth, and its ability to bring history to life.

8. “Se7en” – This dark and suspenseful mystery is a classic example of the serial killer genre, and features memorable twists and turns. Screenwriters should read it for its disturbing atmosphere, its gripping suspense, and its inventive plotting.

9. “12 Angry Men” – This timeless classic explores the power of one person to sway a group and the flaws in the justice system. Screenwriters should read it for its masterful dialogue, its thought-provoking themes, and its portrayal of the human psyche.

10. “The Social Network” – This fast-paced drama explores the creation of Facebook and the cutthroat world of tech startups. Screenwriters should read it for its character development, its dialogue, and its sharp commentary on the world of technology.

11. “The Godfather: Part II” – This acclaimed sequel to “The Godfather” explores the rise of Michael Corleone as well as the story of his father, Vito. Screenwriters should read it for its continued exploration of family, loyalty, and power, its unique parallel structure, and its memorable characters.

12. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” – This inventive romantic drama explores the nature of love and memory. Screenwriters should read it for its mind-bending structure, its imaginative concept, and its emotional depth.

13. “City Lights” – This silent classic is widely regarded as Charlie Chaplin’s greatest film and is known for its blend of comedy and pathos. Screenwriters should read it for its ability to tell a compelling story through visual storytelling alone, its memorable characters, and its touching themes.

14. “Casablanca” – This classic wartime romance is known for its iconic dialogue and its memorable characters. Screenwriters should read it for its masterful storytelling, its memorable one-liners, and its exploration of themes of love, sacrifice, and morality.

15. “The Wizard of Oz” – This classic musical fantasy adventure is a timeless tale of self-discovery and the importance of home. Screenwriters should read it for its imaginative world-building, its memorable characters, and its themes of courage, friendship, and wisdom.

16. “Sunset Boulevard” – This dark Hollywood satire explores the world of the aging silent film star and the screenwriter who becomes her pawn. Screenwriters should read it for its biting commentary on the film industry, its memorable characters, and its use of Hollywood as a backdrop for a psychological drama.

17. “A Clockwork Orange” – This provocative and controversial film explores the nature of violence, free will, and the state’s power over the individual. Screenwriters should read it for its thought-provoking themes, its memorable characters, and its unique blend of humor and horror.

18. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” – This action-packed adventure classic is the first in the Indiana Jones franchise, and introduces one of the most iconic characters in film history. Screenwriters should read it for its thrilling action sequences, its memorable hero, and its imaginative world-building.

19. “Groundhog Day” – This classic comedy explores the concept of living the same day over and over, and features a career-defining performance from Bill Murray. Screenwriters should read it for its imaginative concept, its witty dialogue, and its exploration of the human condition.

20. “Jaws” – This classic suspense thriller explores the terror of a massive great white shark terrorizing a seaside community. Screenwriters should read it for its masterful suspense, its memorable characters, and its exploration of the fear of the unknown.

This list is not exhaustive and there are many more amazing screenplays out there, but these 20 serve as a good starting point for screenwriters looking to learn and improve their craft.