| 100% | FILTHYANIMALS | 13 | 2021 book of short stories by 42-Across (2 wds.) |
| 52% | INPLAINSIGHT | 12 | 2019 collection of short stories by 31-Across featuring Kate Burkholder (3 wds.) |
| 51% | ONLYTHELUCKY | 12 | 2018 collection of short stories by 31-Across featuring fictional police chief Kate Burkholder (3 wds.) |
| 48% | PRINCESSLEIA | 12 | Rebel Alliance fighter captured by 42-Across in 1983's "Return of the Jedi": 2 wds. |
| 48% | JOHNNYMNEMONIC | 14 | 1995 film starring Keanu Reeves, based on a short story by 44-Across: 2 wds. |
| 46% | THEBEATLES | 10 | Group cofounded by 42-Across: 2 wds. |
| 46% | UNCLETOMS | 9 | With 27-Across, Richard Wright short story collection of 1938: 2 wds. |
| 45% | BABETTESFEAST | 13 | Oscar-winning film directed by Gabriel Axel based on a short story by 42-Across (2 wds.) |
| 45% | BLITZKRIEGBOP | 13 | 1976 debut single by 42-Across: 2 wds. |
| 45% | MEMORYWALL | 10 | Collection of short stories that 28-Across attempted to arrange "neurologically" (2 wds.) |
| 44% | HUNGERARTIST | 12 | "A ___" 1922 short story by Franz Kafka about a person whose fame decreases over time: 2 wds. |
| 42% | SKELETONCREW | 12 | 1985 volume of short stories by Stephen King |
| 42% | ICECREAM | 8 | 2000 volume of short stories by Helen Dunmore |
| 42% | SCREWJACK | 9 | 1991 volume of short stories by Hunter S Thompson |
| 42% | TAKE | 4 | "Winner ___ Nothing," collection of short stories by Ernest Hemingway |
| 42% | RUMPOLE | 7 | & 22A 2001 volume of short stories by John Mortimer |
| 42% | FIRSTLOVE | 9 | & 11D 1975 volume of short stories by Ian McEwan |
| 42% | MYENEMYS | 8 | & 17A 1962 volume of short stories by Kingsley Amis |
| 41% | DISASTERAREA | 12 | The —, 1967 volume of short stories by J G Ballard |
| 41% | FLYINGGOAT | 10 | The —, 1939 volume of short stories by H E Bates |
| 41% | AFANATIC | 8 | & 4D 1984 volume of short stories by Edna O'Brien |
| 41% | PRICE | 5 | & 17A The —, 2009 volume of short stories by Peter Robinson |
| 41% | PARISTEXAS | 10 | 1984 road movie co-written by 42-Across (2 wds.) |
| 41% | TROPICALROCK | 12 | "Gulf & Western" music style popularized by 42-Across (2 wds.) |
| 41% | CHINAGIRL | 9 | 1983 hit song by 42-Across (2 wds.) |
| 41% | LETSDANCE | 9 | 1983 hit song by 42-Across (2 wds.) |
| 41% | MODERNLOVE | 10 | 1983 hit song by 42-Across (2 wds.) |