| 100% | KILGORETROUT | 12 | Fictional science fiction author in works by Kurt Vonnegut including Jailbird and Timequake |
| 29% | VONNEGUT | 8 | Science fiction author kurt |
| 28% | READYPLAYERONE | 14 | Science fiction novel by Ernest Cline that released in 2011 and became a NYT Bestseller again in 2018: 3 wds. |
| 26% | JAY | 3 | Ricky —, author, actor and sleight-of-hand expert whose roles include Kurt Longjohn in 1997 film drama Boogie Nights |
| 26% | JOHNCARPENTER | 13 | Actor Kurt Russell's director in some of his most notable works including 16a, "The Thing" and "Elvis": 2 wds. |
| 25% | KILGORETROUT | 12 | Fictional novelist who appears in several novels by 41-Across, including "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Breakfast of Champions" (2 wds.) |
| 25% | LENSMAN | 7 | Science fiction book series by Edward Elmer Smith including prequel Triplanetary |
| 25% | ARTHUR | 6 | & 15A Bedfordshire-born author whose works include In High Places and The Moneychangers |
| 25% | LENSMAN | 7 | Science fiction book series by Edward Elmer Smith including the prequel Triplanetary |
| 24% | HUGO | 4 | Science fiction award won by N.K. Jemisin three years in a row |
| 24% | UFO | 3 | 1970s ITV science fiction series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson |
| 24% | THREEPENNY | 10 | & 14A The —, 1928 musical work by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill |
| 24% | CLOUDATLAS | 10 | Acclaimed 2004 science fiction work by David Mitchell made into a 2012 film |
| 24% | REACTION | 8 | "Chain ___," science fiction movie starring Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman released in 1996 |
| 24% | THOMASLYNLEY | 12 | Fictional Scotland Yard inspector featured in 20 novels by Elizabeth George, including 16-Across and 49-Across (2 wds.) |
| 23% | EARP | 4 | Marshal played in film by Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner |
| 23% | PROTON | 6 | Professor ___, fictional science show host who inspired Leonard and Sheldon in "The Big Bang Theory" |
| 23% | EGAN | 4 | Science fiction author Greg |
| 23% | LEM | 3 | Science fiction author Stanislaw |
| 23% | POHL | 4 | Science fiction author Frederik |
| 23% | ISAAC | 5 | Science fiction author Asimov |
| 23% | NEAL | 4 | Science fiction author Stephenson |
| 23% | LRON | 4 | Science fiction author Hubbard |
| 23% | RAY | 3 | Science fiction author Bradbury |
| 23% | LEAN | 4 | "___ In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" (bestseller by Sheryl Sandberg) |
| 23% | ORC | 3 | One of a race of creatures in works by J R R Tolkien used as soldiers by Sauron and Saruman |
| 23% | ETS | 3 | Tralfamadorians in the work of Kurt Vonnegut, e.g. |