| 100% | BALDWIN | 7 | James ___, queer writer whose novel "If Beale Street Could Talk" was adapted into film in 2018 |
| 40% | BEALE | 5 | “If ___ Street Could Talk” (2018 film based on a James Baldwin novel) |
| 37% | STREET | 6 | "If Beale ___ Could Talk" (James Baldwin novel adapted as a film by Barry Jenkins) |
| 37% | KIKI | 4 | ___ Layne, "If Beale Street Could Talk" actress who plays Margaret in the 2022 film "Don't Worry Darling" |
| 35% | BALDWIN | 7 | James —, author of novels The Fire Next Time and If Beale Street Could Talk |
| 35% | BEALE | 5 | "If ___ Street Could Talk" (Barry Jenkins film based on a James Baldwin novel) |
| 34% | AMYTAN | 6 | Writer whose first novel was adapted as a film by Wayne Wang |
| 34% | CHUCKPALAHNIUK | 14 | Writer whose novel "Fight Club" was adapted as a 1999 film of the same name (2 wds.) |
| 34% | TEYONAHPARRIS | 13 | "If Beale Street Could Talk" actress who plays Monica Rambeau in 41-Across (2 wds.) |
| 33% | SHIRLEYJACKSON | 14 | Writer whose novel "The Haunting of Hill House" was adapted as the 1999 film "The Haunting" (2 wds.) |
| 33% | REGINAKING | 10 | "If Beale Street Could Talk" actress who plays Roman in "Caught Stealing": 2 wds. |
| 32% | STEPHANJAMES | 12 | "If Beale Street Could Talk" star who plays Walter in Netflix's "Homecoming": 2 wds. |
| 32% | REGINA | 6 | If Beale Street Could Talk actor King ... or Support the Girls actor Hall |
| 32% | JAMESBALDWIN | 12 | Author of the Harlem-set novel "If Beale Street Could Talk": 2 wds. |
| 32% | ALASDAIRGRAY | 12 | "Lanark" writer whose novel "Poor Things" was adapted as a film starring Emma Stone, 17-Across, and 35-Across (2 wds.) |
| 32% | TALK | 4 | "If Beale Street Could ___" (2018 Regina King film) |
| 32% | TALK | 4 | "If Beale Street Could ___" (2018 Barry Jenkins film) |
| 31% | BEALE | 5 | "If ___ Street Could Talk," 2018 film for which Regina King won an Oscar |
| 31% | AMORTOWLES | 10 | "The Lincoln Highway" writer whose novel "A Gentleman in Moscow" was adapted as a Paramount+ series starring 14-Across and 45-Across (2 wds.) |
| 31% | BEALE | 5 | "If ___ Street Could Talk" (2018 film) |
| 31% | BEALE | 5 | “If — Street Could Talk” (2018 film) |
| 31% | LAYNE | 5 | KiKi who starred in “If Beale Street Could Talk” |
| 30% | ADDRESSBOOK | 11 | "If Beale Street Could Talk," e.g.? |
| 30% | DOMINGO | 7 | "If Beale Street Could Talk" actor Colman |
| 30% | BEALE | 5 | "If ___ Street Could Talk" (James Baldwin novel) |
| 30% | GRAHAM | 6 | With 35-Across, writer whose novel "The End of the Affair" was adapted as a 1999 film of the same name |
| 30% | KING | 4 | "If Beale Street Could Talk" Oscar winner Regina |
| 29% | REGINAKING | 10 | 2019 Best Supporting Actress winner for "If Beale Street Could Talk" |
| 28% | TALK | 4 | "If Beale Street Could ___" (Barry Jenkins film starring Regina King) |
| 28% | NATIVESON | 9 | Best-selling 1940 novel that was adapted into a film, with its author playing the protagonist, in 1951 |