Lyrical Muse

The 57th NAACP Image Awards closed out Saturday night in LA with a clear frontrunner and a familiar television favorite taking their victory laps.

Ryan Coogler’s Oscar-nominated blockbuster Sinners stormed the final ceremony after leading this year’s nominations with 18, ultimately collecting 13 wins across the four-night celebration. On the television front, ABC’s classroom comedy Abbott Elementary continued its award-season reign, sweeping top honors in its categories and reinforcing its cultural stronghold.

Sinners dominated both craft and marquee categories. The film secured Outstanding Motion Picture, while Michael B. Jordan claimed Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture and later triumphed as Entertainer of the Year. Miles Caton earned Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, and the cast collectively won Outstanding Ensemble.

Earlier in the week, Coogler picked up Outstanding Directing and Outstanding Writing during the Creative Honors ceremonies, adding to a sweep that underscored the film’s scale and precision.

Taking the stage, Jordan reflected on the film’s impact and the community behind it. “This one means everything because it comes from us and it’s for us,” he said, thanking Coogler and the ensemble for building what he called “a story rooted in truth and ambition.”

Hosted by comic force Deon Cole at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, the ceremony aired live on CBS and streamed on BET, bringing the Image Awards’ four-day tribute to Black excellence to a celebratory crescendo.

Scroll down to keep reading the list of winners of NAACP Image Awards 2026.

Entertainer of the Year
Michael B. Jordan

Outstanding Motion Picture
Sinners

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 

Outstanding International Motion Picture
Souleymane’s Story

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Miles Caton

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Sinners

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Zootopia 2 

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2

Outstanding Short Form (Live-Action)
Ella

Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
Wednesdays with Gramps 

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 

Outstanding Short Form Documentary
The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health

Outstanding Costume Design (TV or Film)
Sinners

Outstanding Make-up (TV or Film)
Bel-Air

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 (Disney+)

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)
Sinners

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary 

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS)

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 (Hulu)

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

Find the full list of winners here!

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