‘Sinners’ Sweeps the 2026 NAACP Image Awards: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan Take Home 13 Wins
The 2026 NAACP Image Awards was officially the night of Sinners. Ryan Coogler’s masterpiece absolutely dominated the ceremony, proving exactly why it has been the undeniable frontrunner of this awards season. Leading the pack with a massive 18 nominations, the film walked away with 13 total awards.
Leading man Michael B. Jordan had an especially huge night. Aside from the film’s sweep, Jordan snagged the award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, as well as the night’s most coveted prize: Entertainer of the Year.
Accepting his award, Jordan spoke about his love for being Black, paid a touching tribute to his late Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman, and reflected on his own long journey in Hollywood.
From sneaking into award shows to now being awarded by that same show multiple times. The man. The legend. Michael B Jordan. #NAACPImageAwards pic.twitter.com/0KGHRNqmLK
— BET (@BET) March 1, 2026
“Y’all really don’t understand how much this means to me, being here,” Jordan shared with the crowd. “I used to come here when I was a kid, when I was about 15 years old, sneaking in through the back as best I could.”
When it was time to accept the top prize for Outstanding Motion Picture, director Ryan Coogler took the stage to praise the audience for “wrapping [their] arms around the movie.” He also made sure to shout out Warner Bros. Pictures co-chairs Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, encouraging them to stand in the audience as he thanked them for believing in the film.
Coogler then closed out his speech with a message about representation, history, and identity.
“Since our people been here over four centuries, there’s always been a lot of lies told about us,” Coogler said. “And a lie, no matter how powerful the person saying it is, is still a lie and the truth, no matter how little power the person saying it has, is still the truth, and the truth is y’all are loved, y’all are beautiful and y’all are powerful and mighty. And bless y’all. Thank y’all so much.”
From the stunning visuals to the incredible ensemble cast, Sinners picked up wins across major acting, directing, and technical categories. Here is the complete list of the 13 awards the film took home:
Outstanding Motion Picture: Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Michael B. Jordan
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Delroy Lindo
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Wunmi Mosaku
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: Ryan Coogler
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Ryan Coogler
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Miles Caton
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao
Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC
Outstanding Costume Design (TV or Film): Ruth E. Carter
Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film): Andy Gill
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album: Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film: Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score)
(Note: Michael B. Jordan also won Entertainer of the Year during the ceremony.)
Check out the full list of winners below.
Entertainer of the Year: Michael B. Jordan
Outstanding Motion Picture: Sinners (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Michael B. Jordan – Sinners
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Delroy Lindo – Sinners
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: Love, Brooklyn (Greenwich Entertainment)
Outstanding International Motion Picture: Souleymane’s Story (Kino Lorber)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Miles Caton – Sinners
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao – Sinners
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture: Zootopia 2 (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2
Outstanding Short Form (Live-Action): Ella (Netflix)
Outstanding Short Form (Animated): Wednesdays with Gramps (DreamWorks Animation)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture): Cassandra Mann – Unexpected Christmas
Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Motion Picture: Naya Desir-Johnson – Sarah’s Oil
Outstanding Cinematography in a Motion Picture: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC – Sinners
Outstanding Documentary: Being Eddie (Netflix)
Outstanding Short Form Documentary: The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health (Ya Momz House)
Outstanding Costume Design (TV or Film): Sinners – Ruth E. Carter
Outstanding Make-up (TV or Film): Bel-Air – Alyssa Hudson
Outstanding Hair Styling (TV or Film): Reasonable Doubt – Deaundra Metzger
Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special: Deanna Nowell, ACE – Ironheart
Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film): Sinners – Andy Gill
Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Drama Series: Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Sterling K. Brown – Paradise
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Angela Bassett – 9-1-1
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Caleb McLaughlin – Stranger Things
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Aisha Hinds – 9-1-1
Outstanding Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): Straw (Netflix)
Outstanding Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): Tyler Lepley – Ruth & Boaz
Outstanding Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): Taraji P. Henson – Straw
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special): The Don Lemon Show (YouTube)
Outstanding Talk Series: The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Services/Game Show: Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)
Outstanding Variety (Series or Special): Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons (YouTube/Moment PPV)
Outstanding Children’s Program: Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series): Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Don Lemon – The Don Lemon Show
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Steve Harvey – Celebrity Family Feud
Outstanding Guest Performance: Malcolm-Jamal Warner – Murder in a Small Town
Outstanding Animated Series: Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary: The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show starring Kendrick Lamar (FOX)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative: Chinaka Hodge – Ironheart
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, Movie): Glynn Turman – Straw
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): Teyana Taylor – Straw
Outstanding Documentary (Television): Number One on the Call Sheet (Apple TV)
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Aisha Muharrar – Hacks – “Clickable Face”
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Cynthia Adarkwa – The Pitt -“12:00 P.M.”
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special: Aireka Muse – Friends & Lovers
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary – “The Science Fair”
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Mario Van Peebles – Power Book III: Raising Kanan – “Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself”
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special: Olatunde Osunsanmi – Star Trek: Section 31
Outstanding Album: Am I The Drama? – Cardi B
Outstanding Song – Soul/R&B: “It Depends” – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller
Outstanding Song – Hip-Hop/Rap: “ErrTime” – Cardi B
Outstanding Male Artist: Kendrick Lamar – “luther”
Outstanding Female Artist: Cardi B – Am I the Drama?
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional): 803Fresh feat. Fantasia – “Boots on the Ground Remix”
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary): Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher – “It Depends (Remix)”
Outstanding New Artist: Monaleo – “Who Did the Body?”
Outstanding Jazz Album: We Insist! 2025 – Terri Lyne Carrington & Christie Dashiell
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album: Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Outstanding International Song: “Is It” – Tyla
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album: “luther” – Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album: Sinners (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song: “Do it Again” – Kirk Franklin
Outstanding Original Score for Television/Film: Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score)
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction: Death of the Author – Nnedi Okorafor
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction: A More Perfect Party: The Night Shirley Chisholm & Diahann Carroll Reshaped Politics – Juanita Tolliver
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author: Charles B. Fancher – Red Clay * Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography: The Look – Michelle Obama
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional: Who Better Than You? – Will Packer
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry: The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems – Patricia Smith
Outstanding Literary Work – Children: Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark – Allen R. Wells; Illustrated by DeAndra Hodge
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens: Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Book of Anansi – Angie Thomas
Outstanding Literary Work – Graphic Novel: Parable of the Talents: A Graphic Novel Adaptation – Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damien Duffy, illustrated by John Jennings and David Brame
Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism: “On Borrowed Time” – Anissa Durham
Outstanding Podcast – News and Information: The Don Lemon Show * Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Outstanding Podcast – Society and Culture: The Don Lemon Show
Outstanding Podcast – Arts, Sports and Entertainment: IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
Outstanding Podcast – Scripted/Limited Series/Short Form: Interesting Things with JC * Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Art/Comedy: Tee Sanders – @teesanderscomedy
Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Political/Culture: Lynae Vanee – @lynaevance
Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Fashion/Beauty: Wisdom Kaye – @wisdm
Outstanding Digital Content Creator – Gaming/Tech: Berlin Edmonds – @Berleezy
Outstanding Digital Content Creator — Fitness/Wellness/Food: Keith Lee – @Keith_Lee125
