Sinners and Bel-Air Shine as 57th NAACP Image Awards Reveal Star-Studded Nominations
Today the NAACP Image Awards unveiled the nominations for its 57th annual ceremony, spotlighting an exciting lineup across film, television, music, digital media, and more that celebrates excellence in entertainment by and about people of color.
Leading the pack in motion picture categories is Ryan Coogler’s supernatural thriller Sinners, which dominated with a remarkable 18 nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture and multiple performance and technical nods. In television, beloved series **“Bel-Air” topped the small-screen field with seven nominations, followed closely by hits like Abbott Elementary, Reasonable Doubt, and Ruth & Boaz.
Entertainer of the Year and Notable Nominees
A highlight of today’s announcement is the Entertainer of the Year category, featuring an eclectic and powerful group:
Cynthia Erivo
Doechii
Kendrick Lamar
Michael B. Jordan
Teyana Taylor
Jordan not only appears here but also has multiple nominations tied to Sinners, and Taylor earned significant cross-category recognition in music, film, and television alike.
Television and Film Highlights
Beyond the big winners in film and TV series counts:
Bel-Air was recognized across categories, including Outstanding Drama Series and multiple acting nods.
Abbott Elementary, Harlem, and The Upshaws all scored nominations in comedy categories.
In film, Highest 2 Lowest followed Sinners with nine nominations, showing strength in dramatic and ensemble fields.
The full slate of nominees also spans music performance, editing, literature (including the newly introduced Outstanding Literary Work — Journalism category), podcasting, digital content creation, and technical crafts like costume design and makeup, reflecting the awards’ broad embrace of contemporary creative work.
Looking Ahead
The 57th NAACP Image Awards ceremony is set for February 28, 2026, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The celebration of Black excellence in storytelling and artistry will be broadcast on BET with a simulcast on CBS, honoring achievements from the past year and continuing the Image Awards’ mission of amplifying diverse voices in entertainment.
