Eighteen nominations. That’s not a win—it’s a conquest.
- The Big Picture: Who’s Winning Before Anyone Votes
- Entertainer of the Year: Someone’s Getting Robbed
- Outstanding Motion Picture
- Film Acting Categories
- Television: Bel-Air’s Farewell Tour
- The Technical Sweep: Where Sinners Really Dominates
- Ceremony Details
- What the Nomination Counts Actually Mean
- FAQ: NAACP Image Awards 2026 Nominations Analysis
- Why did Sinners receive nearly double the nominations of any other film?
- What does Bel-Air’s seven nominations mean for a show with mixed critical reception?
- Is the Entertainer of the Year category actually competitive?
- What does Kendrick Lamar’s six nominations signal about music-film crossover recognition?
- Full List: All 93 Categories
Ryan Coogler‘s Sinners didn’t just show up to the 57th NAACP Image Awards. It walked in like it owned the building. Warner Bros.’ horror-drama scored nearly double the nominations of its nearest competitor. Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest? Nine nods. Respectable. But not even close.
The Coogler-Jordan machine keeps printing. After Creed, after Black Panther, the industry clearly still considers this pairing the gold standard for Black-led prestige cinema. Whether that’s earned or institutional inertia—well, that’s the question nobody’s asking out loud.
The Big Picture: Who’s Winning Before Anyone Votes
| Category | Leader | Nominations |
|---|---|---|
| Film | Sinners | 18 |
| Film Runner-up | Highest 2 Lowest | 9 |
| Television | Bel-Air | 7 |
| TV Runners-up | Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, Ruth & Boaz | 6 each |
| Individual | Teyana Taylor, Kendrick Lamar | 6 each |
The television side tells its own story. Bel-Air, which wrapped its four-season Peacock run last month, leads with seven—a victory lap for a show that never escaped the “why does this exist” discourse but earned its audience anyway.
Entertainer of the Year: Someone’s Getting Robbed
- Cynthia Erivo — 4 nominations
- Doechii
- Kendrick Lamar — 6 nominations
- Michael B. Jordan
- Teyana Taylor — 6 nominations
Five names. One award. The math doesn’t work. Lamar and Taylor lead individual nominations with six each, but Jordan has Sinners momentum. Erivo has Wicked. This category alone will generate more discourse than half the ceremony.
Outstanding Motion Picture
| Film | Studio |
|---|---|
| Sinners | Warner Bros. Pictures |
| Highest 2 Lowest | A24 |
| One of Them Days | Sony Pictures |
| Sarah’s Oil | Amazon MGM Studios |
| Wicked: For Good | Universal Pictures |
Coogler vs. Spike Lee. Warner Bros. vs. A24. The prestige horror film vs. the prestige crime drama. Sinners has the nomination count advantage, but never underestimate Spike’s ability to generate narrative momentum when he wants something.
Film Acting Categories
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
| Nominee | Film |
|---|---|
| Michael B. Jordan | Sinners |
| Denzel Washington | Highest 2 Lowest |
| André Holland | Love, Brooklyn |
| Nnamdi Asomugha | The Knife |
| Tyriq Withers | HIM |
Jordan vs. Denzel. That’s not a competition—that’s a passing of torches or a reminder of who still holds it.
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
| Nominee | Film |
|---|---|
| Cynthia Erivo | Wicked: For Good |
| Danielle Deadwyler | 40 Acres |
| Keke Palmer | One of Them Days |
| Kerry Washington | Shadow Force |
| Tessa Thompson | Hedda |
Erivo’s Wicked campaign has been relentless. Deadwyler continues her quiet dominance. Palmer reminds everyone she’s more than comedy.
Outstanding Supporting Actor
- A$AP Rocky — Highest 2 Lowest
- Damson Idris — F1
- Delroy Lindo — Sinners
- Jeffrey Wright — Highest 2 Lowest
- Miles Caton — Sinners
Two Sinners actors. Two Highest 2 Lowest actors. The category is a proxy war.
Outstanding Supporting Actress
- Janelle James — One of Them Days
- Jayme Lawson — Sinners
- Regina Hall — One Battle After Another
- Teyana Taylor — One Battle After Another
- Wunmi Mosaku — Sinners
Again—two from Sinners. Coogler’s ensemble depth is showing.
Television: Bel-Air’s Farewell Tour
Outstanding Drama Series
| Series | Network |
|---|---|
| Bel-Air | Peacock |
| Beyond The Gates | CBS |
| Forever | Netflix |
| Paradise | Hulu |
| Reasonable Doubt | Hulu |
Outstanding Comedy Series
| Series | Network |
|---|---|
| Abbott Elementary | ABC |
| Harlem | Prime Video |
| Survival of the Thickest | Netflix |
| The Residence | Netflix |
| The Upshaws | Netflix |
Quinta Brunson’s show remains the broadcast network standard. Everything else is streaming.
Outstanding Limited Series/TV Movie
- G20 (Prime Video)
- Ironheart (Disney+)
- Ruth & Boaz (Netflix)
- Straw (Netflix)
- Washington Black (Hulu)
The Technical Sweep: Where Sinners Really Dominates
Sinners isn’t just winning acting categories. Look at the technical nominations:
- Cinematography — Autumn Durald Arkapaw, ASC
- Costume Design — Ruth E. Carter
- Hair Styling — Shunika Terry
- Make-up — Ken Diaz
- Editing — Michael P. Shawver
- Stunt Ensemble — Andy Gill
- Original Score — Sinners soundtrack
- Writing — Ryan Coogler
- Directing — Ryan Coogler
That’s a complete technical package. When a film sweeps craft categories alongside performance nods, the committee is sending a message: this is the film of the year. Not a contender. The film.
Ruth E. Carter getting another costume nod for a Coogler project surprises exactly no one. Their collaboration has become the visual signature of Black prestige cinema in the 2020s.
Ceremony Details
| Event | Date/Time |
|---|---|
| Live CBS Broadcast | Saturday, February 28, 8 PM ET |
| West Coast Delay | 8 PM PT |
| Non-Televised Categories | February 23-26 |
| Total Categories | 93 |
Two new categories this year: Outstanding Literary Work – Journalism and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series.
What the Nomination Counts Actually Mean
I’ve seen enough awards cycles to recognize coronation math. Eighteen nominations for one film happens when committees agree before they vote. When there’s no internal debate. When the outcome feels inevitable.
Is Sinners actually that much better than Highest 2 Lowest? Or did Coogler’s institutional momentum—Creed, Black Panther, Wakanda Forever—create gravity that pulled nominations toward his project?
The answer is probably both. That’s how these things work.
FAQ: NAACP Image Awards 2026 Nominations Analysis
Why did Sinners receive nearly double the nominations of any other film?
Institutional momentum plus genuine craft excellence. Coogler has become the director committees trust. Add Ruth E. Carter’s costumes, a stacked ensemble, and a genre-bending approach that feels “important,” and you get a film that checks every box before anyone debates quality. The 18-to-9 gap over Spike Lee tells you the committees weren’t conflicted.
What does Bel-Air’s seven nominations mean for a show with mixed critical reception?
Awards bodies love honoring shows on their way out. It’s safe, generates no controversy, and acknowledges audience loyalty even when critics were lukewarm. Seven nominations is a thank-you card, not a coronation. The show won’t dominate wins the way it’s dominating nods.
Is the Entertainer of the Year category actually competitive?
Brutally. Lamar and Taylor have nomination counts. Jordan has film momentum. Erivo has Wicked cultural saturation. Doechii is the wild card with genuine breakthrough energy. If I had to bet: Jordan wins on the back of Sinners, but any of the five could make a credible case.
What does Kendrick Lamar’s six nominations signal about music-film crossover recognition?
That the NAACP sees him as more than a musician. The Super Bowl halftime, the soundtrack work, the multimedia presence—he’s being evaluated as a cultural force. Whether that translates to wins depends on how committees weight traditional performance categories against broader cultural impact.
Full List: All 93 Categories
Below: Complete nominees across film, television, music, literature, podcasts, digital content, and craft categories.
Film Categories
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: 40 Acres, Love Brooklyn, Magazine Dreams, Opus, Unexpected Christmas
Outstanding International Motion Picture: 40 Acres, My Father’s Shadow, Souleymane’s Story, The Fisherman, The Secret Agent
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture: Elio, KPop Demon Hunters, Sneaks, The Bad Guys 2, Zootopia 2
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance: A$AP Rocky, Chase Infiniti, Miles Caton, Tabitha Brown, Tyriq Withers
Outstanding Ensemble Cast: Sinners, One of Them Days, Wicked: For Good, Highest 2 Lowest, A House of Dynamite
Outstanding Documentary (Film): Being Eddie, Fatherless No More, Left Behind, The Perfect Neighbor, Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action): ADO, Before You Let Go, Best Eyes, Ella, Food for the Soul
Outstanding Short Form (Animated): ASALI: Power of The Pollinators, Black Man Black Man, Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II, Jazzy Bells, Wednesdays with Gramps
Television Acting
Actor in a Drama: Forest Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem), Jabari Banks (Bel-Air), Michael Cooper Jr. (Forever), Morris Chestnut (Watson), Sterling K. Brown (Paradise)
Actress in a Drama: Angela Bassett (9-1-1), Emayatzy Corinealdi (Reasonable Doubt), Lovie Simone (Forever), Patina Miller (Power Book III), Queen Latifah (The Equalizer)
Actor in a Comedy: Cedric The Entertainer (The Neighborhood), David Alan Grier (St. Denis Medical), David Oyelowo (Government Cheese), Mike Epps (The Upshaws), Vince Staples (The Vince Staples Show)
Actress in a Comedy: Ayo Edebiri (The Bear), Maya Rudolph (Loot), Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest), Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary), Uzo Aduba (The Residence)
Actor in Limited Series: Brian Tyree Henry (Dope Thief), Giancarlo Esposito (Please Don’t Feed The Children), Idris Elba (Heads of State), Taye Diggs (His, Hers & Ours), Tyler Lepley (Ruth & Boaz)
Actress in Limited Series: Brandy Norwood (Christmas Everyday), Dominique Thorne (Ironheart), Serayah (Ruth & Boaz), Taraji P. Henson (Straw), Viola Davis (G20)
Television Supporting & Guest
Supporting Actor Drama: Adrian Holmes, Ato Essandoh, Caleb McLaughlin, Jacob Latimore, Wood Harris
Supporting Actress Drama: Aisha Hinds, Audra McDonald, Karen Pittman (2x), Nicole Beharie
Supporting Actor Comedy: Colman Domingo, Giancarlo Esposito, Josh Johnson, Wendell Pierce, William Stanford Davis
Supporting Actress Comedy: Edwina Finley, Ego Nwodim, Janelle James, Jerrie Johnson, Wanda Sykes
Guest Performance: Brandee Evans, Dave Chappelle, Janet Hubert, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Morris Chestnut
Music Categories
Outstanding Album: Am I The Drama? (Cardi B), Beloved (GIVĒON), Let God Sort Em Out (Clipse), Mutt Deluxe: Heel (Leon Thomas), SOS Deluxe: LANA (SZA)
Outstanding Male Artist: Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, GIVĒON, Kendrick Lamar, Leon Thomas
Outstanding Female Artist: Alex Isley, Cardi B, Doechii, SZA, Teyana Taylor
Outstanding New Artist: Elmiene, Lee Vasi, Madison McFerrin, Monaleo, Ravyn Lenae
Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song: Anxiety (Doechii), Chains & Whips (Clipse/Kendrick), ErrTime (Cardi B), Ride Remix (Chance the Rapper), Typa (GloRilla)
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song: Folded (Kehlani), Burning Blue (Mariah the Scientist), It Depends (Chris Brown), Yes It Is (Leon Thomas), Bed of Roses (Teyana Taylor)
Outstanding Gospel Album: Jekalyn X The Legends, Live at Maverick City, Only On The Road, Tasha, The Live Reunion: Washington D.C.
Outstanding Jazz Album: For Dinah (Ledisi), We Insist! 2025, Beneath the Skin, Live-Action, Griot Songs
Outstanding Soundtrack Album: Godfather of Harlem S4, Highest 2 Lowest, Sinners, The Proud Family S3, Wicked: For Good
Literary Categories
Fiction: Can’t Get Enough (Kennedy Ryan), Chronicles of Ori (Harmonia Rosales), Death of the Author (Nnedi Okorafor), Happy Land (Dolen Perkins-Valdez), Harlem Rhapsody (Victoria Christopher Murray)
Non-Fiction: A More Perfect Party (Juanita Tolliver), Born in Flames (Bench Ansfield), From These Roots (Tamara Lanier), Hidden Hospitality (Calvin Stovall Jr.), I Am Nobody’s Slave (Lee Hawkins)
Biography/Autobiography: 107 Days (Kamala Harris), The Look (Michelle Obama), Toni at Random (Dana A. Williams), Truly (Lionel Richie), Uncommon Favor (Dawn Staley)
Debut Author: American Soul (Anela Malik), Red Clay (Charles B. Fancher), High Functioning (Dr. Judith Joseph), A Sky Full of Love (Lorna Lewis), History Lessons (Zoe B. Wallbrook)
Poetry: Death of the First Idea (Rickey Laurentiis), Florida Water (Aja Monet), The Grace of Black Mothers (Martheaus Perkins), The Intentions of Thunder (Patricia Smith), We Look Better Alive (Ali Black)
Children: Black Boy Rise, Black Diamond Kings, My Quiet Place, The History of We, Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark
Youth/Teens: (S)Kin (Ibi Zoboi), Nic Blake and the Remarkables (Angie Thomas), The Scammer (Tiffany D. Jackson), The Story of My Anger (Jasminne Mendez), Through Our Teeth (Pamela N. Harris)
Graphic Novel: Creaky Acres, Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls, One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel, Parable of the Talents (adapted), They Choose Violence
Podcast Categories
News/Information: Accidentally Informed, Native Land Pod, The Assignment with Audie Cornish, The Don Lemon Show, The Joy Reid Show
Lifestyle/Self-Help: Ageless Fearless & Unscripted, Hot & Bothered with Melyssa Ford, IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson, Just Heal with Dr. Jay, Money And Wealth With John Hope Bryant
Society/Culture: Baby This is Keke Palmer, Higher Learning, IMO with Michelle Obama, The Don Lemon Show, What Now? with Trevor Noah
Arts/Sports/Entertainment: IMO with Michelle Obama, Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe, ReLiving Single, Shawn Stockman’s On That Note, SPOLITICS with Jemele Hill
Digital Content Creator Categories
Art/Comedy: @IShowSpeed, @jordan_the_stallion8, @joshuadneal, @Louuuyoung, @teesanderscomedy
Political/Culture: @bookersquared, @garrisonh, @theconsciouslee, @doss.discourse, @lynaevanee
Fashion/Beauty: @allyiahsface, @dearra, @enigivensunday, @jackieaina, @wisdm
Gaming/Tech: @Berleezy, @CoryxKenshin, @Hiphopgamer, @blackgirlgamers, @khleothomas
Fitness/Wellness/Food: @justaddhotsauce, @msjeanettejenkins, @Keith_Lee125, @KimmysKreations.1, @Massy.arias
Craft & Technical Categories
Costume Design: Bel-Air, Highest 2 Lowest, Love Brooklyn, Sinners (Ruth E. Carter), Wicked: For Good
Make-up: All’s Fair, Bel-Air, Chief of War, Highest 2 Lowest, Sinners
Hair Styling: All’s Fair, Bel-Air, Beyond the Gates, Reasonable Doubt, Sinners
Editing: Ironheart, Ruth & Boaz, Sinners, The Beast in Me, Poker Face
Stunt Ensemble: Butterfly, F1, G20, Shadow Force, Sinners
Writing & Directing
Writing (Motion Picture): Chloé Zhao (Hamnet), Nora Garrett (After the Hunt), Ryan Coogler (Sinners), Syreeta Singleton (One of Them Days), Walter Mosley/Nadia Latif (The Man in My Basement)
Directing (Motion Picture): Elijah Bynum (Magazine Dreams), Guillermo del Toro (Frankenstein), Lawrence Lamont (One of Them Days), R.T. Thorne (40 Acres), Ryan Coogler (Sinners)
Directing Documentary: Questlove (Sly Lives!), Andre Gaines (Boo-Yah), Contessa Gayles (Songs from the Hole), Reginald Hudlin/Shola Lynch (Number One on the Call Sheet), Yemi Oyediran (King of Them All)
Additional Television Categories
Talk Series: House Guest, Sherri, Tamron Hall Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The View
Reality/Game Show: Celebrity Family Feud, Dancing with the Stars, Full Court Press, Love & Marriage: Huntsville, Ready to Love
Variety: Tiny Desk Celebrates Black Music Month, HBCU Honors, BET Awards 2025, Wicked: One Wonderful Night, Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons
Children’s Program: Eyes of Wakanda, Gracie’s Corner, Iyanu, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Reading Rainbow
Animated Series: Disney Jr.’s Ariel, Gracie’s Corner, Iyanu, Lil Kev, Weather Hunters
News/Information: CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Finding Your Roots, Hurricane Katrina: 20 Years After, Michelle Obama: The Style The Power The Look, The Don Lemon Show
