57th NAACP Image Awards

57th NAACP Image Awards
57th NAACP Image Awards
Date	February 28, 2026
Site	Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California
Hosted by	Deon Cole
Official website	NAACPImageAwards.net
Highlights
Best Picture	Sinners
Best Drama Series	Reasonable Doubt
Best Musical or Comedy Series	Abbott Elementary
Most nominations	Sinners 18 nominations;
Television coverage
Network	BET; CBS

The 57th NAACP Image Awards, presented by the NAACP, honored outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music, and literature during the 2025 calendar year.^[1] The ceremony aired on February 28, 2026, on BET and simulcast on CBS, hosted by Deon Cole.^[2] Untelevised Image Awards categories would livestream February 26 on the Image Awards website.^[3]

Submissions were received online from September 16 to November 7, 2025, and public online voting on the shortlisted nominations for performance categories ran from January 12 to February 7, 2026, on the Image Awards website.^[4]^[5]

Sinners became the second and highest most nominated film in the ceremony's history with a record breaking 18 nominations and securing 13 wins, including Outstanding Motion Picture. The title was previously held two years prior by The Color Purple (2023), who had a historic record of 13 nominations and 11 wins.

Winners and nominees

All nominees are listed below,^[6]^[7] and the winners are listed in bold.^[8]^[9]^[10]

Special Awards

President's Award
Colman Domingo
Chairman's Award
Viola Davis
Hall of Fame Award
Salt-n-Pepa DJ Spinderella
Entertainer of the Year
Michael B. Jordan Cynthia Erivo Doechii Kendrick Lamar Teyana Taylor
NAACP-Archewell Digital Civil Rights Award
Mary Anne Franks

Motion Picture

Outstanding Motion Picture	Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Sinners Highest 2 Lowest One of Them Days Sarah's Oil Wicked: For Good	Ryan Coogler – Sinners Elijah Bynum – Magazine Dreams Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein Lawrence Lamont – One of Them Days R. T. Thorne – 40 Acres
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Michael B. Jordan – Sinners André Holland – Love, Brooklyn Denzel Washington – Highest 2 Lowest Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife Tyriq Withers – Him	Cynthia Erivo – Wicked: For Good Danielle Deadwyler – 40 Acres Keke Palmer – One of Them Days Kerry Washington – Shadow Force Tessa Thompson – Hedda
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Delroy Lindo – Sinners ASAP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest Damson Idris – F1 Jeffrey Wright – Highest 2 Lowest Miles Caton – Sinners	Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners Janelle James – One of Them Days Jayme Lawson – Sinners Regina Hall – One Battle After Another Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another
Outstanding International Motion Picture	Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
Souleymane's Story 40 Acres My Father's Shadow The Fisherman The Secret Agent	Love, Brooklyn 40 Acres Magazine Dreams Opus Unexpected Christmas
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Miles Caton – Sinners ASAP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another Tabitha Brown – Unexpected Christmas Tyriq Withers – Him	Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Buddy Guy, Delroy Lindo, Peter Dreimanis, Lola Kirke, Li Jun Li, Saul Williams, Yao – Sinners Keke Palmer, SZA, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams – One of Them Days Jonathan Bailey, Marissa Bode, Dominic Coleman, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Ariana Grande, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Michelle Yeoh – Wicked: For Good Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, ASAP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Tracy Letts, Anthony Ramos, Moses Ingram, Jonah Hauer-King, Greta Lee, Jason Clarke – A House of Dynamite
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture	Outstanding Character Voice Performance – Motion Picture
Zootopia 2 Elio KPop Demon Hunters Sneaks The Bad Guys 2	Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2 Anthony Mackie – Sneaks Craig Robinson – The Bad Guys 2 Danielle Brooks – The Bad Guys 2 Lil Rel Howery – Dog Man
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)	Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
Ella ADO Before You Let Go Best Eyes Food for the Soul	Wednesdays with Gramps ASALI: Power of the Pollinators Black Man, Black Man Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II Jazzy Bells
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)	Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Cassandra Mann – Unexpected Christmas Contessa Gayles – Songs from the Hole Nnamdi Asomugha – The Knife R. T. Thorne – 40 Acres Rachael Abigail Holder – Love, Brooklyn	Ryan Coogler – Sinners Chloé Zhao – Hamnet Nora Garrett – After the Hunt Syreeta Singleton – One of Them Days Walter Mosley and Nadia Latif – The Man in My Basement
Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film
Naya Desir-Johnson – Sarah's Oil Amari Price – The Knife Estella K. Kahiha – The Woman in the Yard Jahleel Kamara – Shadow Force Peyton Jackson – The Woman in the Yard	Autumn Durald Arkapaw – Sinners Kira Kelly – Him Martim Vian – Love, Brooklyn Sean Bobbitt – Hedda Shabier Kirchner – Materialists

Documentary

Outstanding Documentary	Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Motion Picture or Television)
Being Eddie Fatherless No More Left Behind The Perfect Neighbor Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?	Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch – Number One on the Call Sheet Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson – Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Andre Gaines – Boo-Yah – A Portrait of Stuart Scott Contessa Gayles – Songs from the Hole Yemi Oyediran – King of Them All: The Story of King Records
Outstanding Documentary (Television)	Outstanding Short Form Documentary
Number One on the Call Sheet A Star Without A Star: The Untold Juanita Moore Story Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977-2015 Great Migrations: A People on the Move High Horse: The Black Cowboy	Black Longevity CIRILO, A Legacy Untold Freeman Vines Masaka Kids, a Rhythm Within The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health

Television

Drama

Outstanding Drama Series
Reasonable Doubt Bel-Air Beyond the Gates Forever Paradise
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Sterling K. Brown – Paradise Forest Whitaker – Godfather of Harlem Jabari Banks – Bel-Air Michael Cooper Jr. – Forever Morris Chestnut – Watson	Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 Emayatzy Corinealdi – Reasonable Doubt Lovie Simone – Forever Patina Miller – Power Book III: Raising Kanan Queen Latifah – The Equalizer
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Caleb McLaughlin – Stranger Things Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air Ato Essandoh – The Diplomat Jacob Latimore – The Chi Wood Harris – Forever	Aisha Hinds – 9-1-1 Audra McDonald – The Gilded Age Karen Pittman – Forever Karen Pittman – The Morning Show Nicole Beharie – The Morning Show
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series	Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Mario Van Peebles – Power Book III: Raising Kanan Angela Barnes – Ironheart Anton Cropper – Reasonable Doubt Jet Wilkinson – The Copenhagen Test Salli Richardson-Whitfield – The Gilded Age	Cynthia Adarkwa – The Pitt Ajani Jackson – Law & Order Bryce Ahart, Stephanie McFarlane – FBI C.A. Johnson – The Beast in Me Walter Mosley – The Lowdown

Comedy

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary Harlem Survival of the Thickest The Residence The Upshaws
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
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	Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary Ayo Edebiri – The Bear Maya Rudolph – Loot Michelle Buteau – Survival of the Thickest Uzo Aduba – The Residence
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary Colman Domingo – The Four Seasons Giancarlo Esposito – The Residence Josh Johnson – The Daily Show Wendell Pierce – Elsbeth	Janelle James – Abbott Elementary Edwina Findley – The Residence Ego Nwodim – Saturday Night Live Jerrie Johnson – Harlem Wanda Sykes – The Upshaws
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary Amy Aniobi – Survival of the Thickest Colman Domingo – The Four Seasons Paul Hunter – Government Cheese Theodore Witcher – Demascus	Aisha Muharrar – Hacks Frida Perez – The Studio Lizzy Darrell – Abbott Elementary Monique D. Hall – Sesame Street Naomi Ekperigin – St. Denis Medical

Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Special
Straw G20 Ironheart Ruth & Boaz Washington Black
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Special	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Special
Tyler Lepley – Ruth & Boaz Brian Tyree Henry – Dope Thief Giancarlo Esposito – Please Don't Feed the Children Idris Elba – Heads of State Taye Diggs – Terry McMillan Presents: His, Hers & Ours	Taraji P. Henson – Straw Brandy Norwood – Christmas Everyday! Dominique Thorne – Ironheart Serayah – Ruth & Boaz Viola Davis – G20
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Special	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Special
Glynn Turman – Straw Jay Ellis – All Her Fault Rockmond Dunbar – Straw Sterling K. Brown – Washington Black Ving Rhames – Dope Thief	Teyana Taylor – Straw Angela Bassett – Zero Day Lyric Ross – Ironheart Marsai Martin – G20 Sherri Shepherd – Straw
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special	Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special
Olatunde Osunsanmi – Star Trek: Section 31 Alanna Brown – Ruth & Boaz Nicole G. Leier – Trapped in the Spotlight Tailiah Breon – Not My Family: The Monique Smith Story Troy A. Scott – I'll Never Let You Go	Aireka Muse – Friends & Lovers Jas Summers – Stay Jerrod Carmichael – Jerrod Carmichael: Don't Be Gay Michael Elliott and Cory Tynan – Ruth & Boaz Roye Okupe and Brandon M. Easton – Iyanu: The Age of Wonders

Overall Acting

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)	Outstanding Guest Performance
Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Anika Noni Rose – The Mighty Nein Ayo Edebiri – Big Mouth Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Graceyn Hollingsworth – Gracie's Corner	Malcolm-Jamal Warner – Murder in a Small Town Brandee Evans – Reasonable Doubt Dave Chappelle – Saturday Night Live Janet Hubert – Bel-Air Morris Chestnut – Reasonable Doubt
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)
Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians Amanda Christine – It: Welcome to Derry Blake Cameron James – It: Welcome to Derry Jeremiah Felder – The Residence Percy Daggs IV – Paradise

Reality and Variety

Outstanding Talk Series	Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition Series or Game Show
The Jennifer Hudson Show House Guest Sherri Tamron Hall The View	Celebrity Family Feud Dancing with the Stars Full Court Press Love & Marriage: Huntsville Ready for Love
Outstanding News / Information – (Series or Special)	Outstanding Host in a Talk or News / Information (Series or Special)
The Don Lemon Show CNN NewsNight Finding Your Roots Hurricane Katrina: 20 Years After the Storm Michelle Obama: The Style, The Power, The Look: A Conversation with Robin Roberts	Don Lemon – The Don Lemon Show Abby Phillip – CNN NewsNight Henry Louis Gates Jr. – Finding Your Roots Scott Evans – House Guest Sherri Shepherd – Sherri
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)	Outstanding Host in a Reality, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special)
Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons Tiny Desk Concerts Celebrates Black Music Month 2025 BET Awards 2025 HBCU Honors Wicked: One Wonderful Night	Steve Harvey – Celebrity Family Feud Kevin Hart – BET Awards 2025 Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough – Dancing with the Stars Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, Daniel Lubetzky, Kevin O'Leary – Shark Tank Bozoma St. John and Jimmy Fallon – On Brand with Jimmy Fallon

Other Categories

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary	Outstanding Animated Series
The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show with Kendrick Lamar College GameDay Glam Through The Ages Noochie's Live From The Front Porch The Daily Show: After The Cut	Gracie's Corner Ariel Iyanu Iwájú Weather Hunters
Outstanding Children's Program	Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Gracie's Corner Iyanu Eyes of Wakanda Percy Jackson and the Olympians Reading Rainbow	Chinaka Hodge – Ironheart Daniel Lawrence Taylor – Boarders Haolu Wang – Black Mirror Jas Summers – Stay Tearrance Averelle Chisolm – Demascus

Costume Design, Make-up and Hairstyling

Outstanding Costume Design	Outstanding Make-up
Sinners – Ruth E. Carter Bel-Air – Queensylvia Akuchie Highest 2 Lowest – Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Love, Brooklyn – Missy Mickens Wicked: For Good – Paul Tazewell	Bel-Air – Alyssa Hudson All's Fair – Kate Biscoe Chief of War – Christian Tinsley Highest 2 Lowest – Ngozi Olandu Young Sinners – Ken Diaz
Outstanding Hairstyling
Reasonable Doubt – Deaundra Metzger All's Fair – Valerie Jackson Bel-Air – Terry Hunt Beyond the Gates – Wankala L. Hinkson Sinners – Shunika Terry

Stunt

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)
Sinners – Andy Gill Butterfly – Yeonheon Jung F1 – Gary Powell G20 – Grant Powell Shadow Force – Dartenea Bryant

Recording

Outstanding Album	Outstanding New Artist
Am I the Drama? – Cardi B Beloved – Giveon Let God Sort Em Out – Clipse, Pusha T, Malice Mutt Deluxe: Heel – Leon Thomas SOS Deluxe: Lana – SZA	Monaleo Elmiene Lee Vasi Madison McFerrin Ravyn Lenae
Outstanding Male Artist	Outstanding Female Artist
Kendrick Lamar Bryson Tiller Chris Brown Giveon Leon Thomas	Cardi B Alex Isley Doechii SZA Teyana Taylor
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)	Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
"Boots on the Ground (Remix)" – 803Fresh feat. Fantasia "Chains & Whips" – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice "For Good" – Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande "Jesus I Do" – Mariah Carey with The Clark Sisters "Let Freedom Ring" – Travis Greene with Andra Day	"It Depends (Remix)" – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher "Safe" – Cardi B feat. Kehlani "Worst Behavior" – Kwn feat. Kehlani "The Mood" – FLO "Mutt (Remix)" – Leon Thomas feat. Chris Brown
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song	Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
"It Depends" – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller "Folded" – Kehlani "Burning Blue" – Mariah the Scientist "Yes It Is" – Leon Thomas "Bed of Roses” – Teyana Taylor	"ErrTime" – Cardi B "Anxiety" — Doechii "Chains & Whips" – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice "Ride (Remix)" – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista "Typa" – GloRilla
Outstanding International Song	Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
"Is It" – Tyla "In Our Sight" – Skip Marley "Love" – Burna Boy "With You" – Davido feat. Omah Lay "You4Me" – Tiwa Savage	"luther" – Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA "Anxiety" – Doechii "Boots on the Ground" – 803Fresh Escape Room – Teyana Taylor "Folded" – Kehlani
Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film	Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Sinners Boots Eyes of Wakanda Ironheart: Vol. 1 One of Them Days	Sinners Godfather of Harlem: Season 4 Highest 2 Lowest The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Season 3 Wicked: For Good
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album	Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard Jekalyn X the Legends – Jekalyn Carr Live at Maverick City – Maverick City Music Only on the Road (Live) – Tye Tribbett The Live Reunion: Washington D.C. – Jj hairston and Youthful Praise	"Do It Again" – Kirk Franklin "Church" – Tasha Cobbs Leonard with John Legend "Constant (Live)" – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore, Anthony Gargiulo "Don't Faint" – Jekalyn Carr "Jesus I Do" – Mariah Carey with The Clark Sisters
Outstanding Jazz Album
We Insist! 2025 – Terri Lyne Carrington and Christie Dashiell For Dinah – Ledisi Beneath the Skin – Nnenna Freelon Live-Action – Nate Smith – Nate Smith Griot Songs – Omar Thomas Large Ensemble

References

^ "'Sinners' leads movie nominations for NAACP Image Awards". Associated Press. January 12, 2026. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
^ Saint-Vil, Sweenie (November 20, 2025). "Deon Cole to return as host for 57th NAACP Image Awards". ABC News. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
^ Jones, Okla (January 12, 2026). "NAACP Image Awards Unveil 2026 Nominees, Led by Teyana Taylor, Kendrick Lamar, and Cynthia Erivo". Essence. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
^ Victorian, Brande (January 12, 2026). "'Sinners', 'Highest 2 Lowest' Lead NAACP Image Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
^ Pedersen, Erik (January 12, 2026). "NAACP Image Awards Nominations: 'Sinners' Dominates Film Categories as 'Bel-Air' Tops TV – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
^ Grein, Paul (January 12, 2026). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
^ "'Sinners' leads movie nominations for NAACP Image Awards". The Independent. January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
^ Hipes, Patrick (February 28, 2026). "NAACP Image Awards: Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, 'Sinners' Music, Don Lemon Among Night 2 Double Winners". Deadline. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
^ "57th NAACP Image Awards – Reasonable Doubt". NAACP Image Awards. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
^ Lewis, Hilary (February 28, 2026). "2026 NAACP Image Awards: 'Sinners' Dominates With 13 Wins, Including Best Motion Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2026.

[1] "'Sinners' leads movie nominations for NAACP Image Awards". Associated Press. January 12, 2026. Archived from the original on February 8, 2026. Retrieved February 8, 2026.

[2] Saint-Vil, Sweenie (November 20, 2025). "Deon Cole to return as host for 57th NAACP Image Awards". ABC News. Retrieved January 12, 2026.

[3] Jones, Okla (January 12, 2026). "NAACP Image Awards Unveil 2026 Nominees, Led by Teyana Taylor, Kendrick Lamar, and Cynthia Erivo". Essence. Retrieved January 12, 2026.

[4] Victorian, Brande (January 12, 2026). "'Sinners', 'Highest 2 Lowest' Lead NAACP Image Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2026.

[5] Pedersen, Erik (January 12, 2026). "NAACP Image Awards Nominations: 'Sinners' Dominates Film Categories as 'Bel-Air' Tops TV – Full List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 12, 2026.

[6] Grein, Paul (January 12, 2026). "Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Teyana Taylor & More Lead 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2026.

[7] "'Sinners' leads movie nominations for NAACP Image Awards". The Independent. January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.

[8] Hipes, Patrick (February 28, 2026). "NAACP Image Awards: Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, 'Sinners' Music, Don Lemon Among Night 2 Double Winners". Deadline. Retrieved February 28, 2026.

[9] "57th NAACP Image Awards – Reasonable Doubt". NAACP Image Awards. Retrieved February 28, 2026.

[10] Lewis, Hilary (February 28, 2026). "2026 NAACP Image Awards: 'Sinners' Dominates With 13 Wins, Including Best Motion Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 1, 2026.

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