‘Sinners’ is the Biggest Winner at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards Ceremony

Deon Cole hosts the 57th NAACP Image Awards on February 28th. Photo: Paramount+.

Preview:

• ‘Sinners’ took home the big prizes at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards.
• ‘Paradise’ and Cynthia Erivo were also among the winners.
• The event took place Saturday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Following the difficult, insulting moments of this year’s BAFTA Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Deon Cole, which took place Saturday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, were a chance to balance things out.

And Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ proved to be the big winner, going home with 13 awards following a nomination count of 18. Star Michael B. Jordan himself won both a Best Actor award and was honored with Entertainer of the Year.

Oscar® nominee Viola Davis arrives on the red carpet of The 93rd Oscars® at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

This year's Chairman's Award went to Viola Davis, while Colman Domingo won the President's Award.

The ceremony also paid tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, with NAACP CEO Derrick Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson honoring the late civil rights activist, whose family was in attendance at the ceremony.

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Sinners’

Here’s a selected list of winners from the 2026 NAACP Image Awards:

Entertainer of the Year

Michael B. Jordan at the New York Premiere of 'Sinners'. Photo: Warner Bros.

• Cynthia Erivo
• Doechii
• Kendrick Lamar
• Michael B. Jordan (WINNER)
• Teyana Taylor

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson on ABC's 'Abbott Elementary.' Photo Courtesy of ABC's YouTube Channel.

• Ayo Edebiri – 'The Bear'
• Maya Rudolph – 'Loot'
• Michelle Buteau – 'Survival of the Thickest' 
• Quinta Brunson – 'Abbott Elementary' (WINNER)
• Uzo Aduba – 'The Residence'

Outstanding Drama Series

Angela Grovey as Krystal Weathers in ‘Reasonable Doubt’. Photo: Disney/Crystal Power.

• 'Bel-Air'
• 'Beyond The Gates' 
• 'Forever'
• 'Paradise'
• 'Reasonable Doubt' (WINNER)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown plays Agent Xavier Collins in 'Paradise' Season 2. Photo: Disney/Ser Baffo.

• Forest Whitaker – 'Godfather of Harlem' 
• Jabari Banks – 'Bel-Air'
• Michael Cooper Jr. – 'Forever'
• Morris Chestnut – 'Watson' 
• Sterling K. Brown – 'Paradise' (WINNER)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett in '9-1-1'. Photo: Fox Network.

• Angela Bassett – '9-1-1' (WINNER)
• Emayatzy Corinealdi – 'Reasonable Doubt'
• Lovie Simone – 'Forever'
• Patina Miller – 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan'
• Queen Latifah – 'The Equalizer'

Outstanding Motion Picture

Director Ryan Cooler and the cast of 'Sinners' at the New York Premiere. Photo: Warner Bros.

• 'Highest 2 Lowest' 
• 'One of Them Days' 
• 'Sarah’s Oil' 
• 'Sinners' (WINNER)
• 'Wicked: For Good' 

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Michael B. Jordan at London Photocall for 'Sinners'. Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Copyright: Warner Bros.

• André Holland – 'Love, Brooklyn' 
• Denzel Washington – 'Highest 2 Lowest'
• Michael B. Jordan – 'Sinners' (WINNER)
• Nnamdi Asomugha – 'The Knife' 
• Tyriq Withers – 'HIM'

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba in 'Wicked For Good', directed by Jon M. Chu.

• Cynthia Erivo – 'Wicked: For Good' (WINNER)
• Danielle Deadwyler – '40 Acres' 
• Keke Palmer – 'One Of Them Days'
• Kerry Washington – 'Shadow Force' 
• Tessa Thompson – 'Hedda' 

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Miles Caton at the New York Premiere of 'Sinners'. Photo: Warner Bros.

• A$AP Rocky – 'Highest 2 Lowest'
• Chase Infiniti – 'One Battle After Another'
• Miles Caton – 'Sinners' (WINNER)
• Tabitha Brown – 'Unexpected Christmas' 
• Tyriq Withers – 'HIM'

For the full list of winners, head to the NAACP site.

Deon Cole hosts the 57th NAACP Image Awards on February 28th. Photo: Paramount+.