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
Television coverage
Network	BET; CBS (simulcast)

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

Winners and nominees

All nominees are listed below,^[6]^[7] and the winners will be listed in bold

Special Awards

Entertainer of the Year
Cynthia Erivo Doechii Kendrick Lamar Michael B. Jordan Teyana Taylor

Motion Picture

Outstanding Motion Picture	Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Highest 2 Lowest One of Them Days Sarah's Oil Sinners Wicked: For Good	Elijah Bynum – Magazine Dreams Guillermo del Toro – Frankenstein Lawrence Lamont – One of Them Days R. T. Thorne – 40 Acres Ryan Coogler – Sinners
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
André Holland – Love, Brooklyn Denzel Washington – Highest 2 Lowest Michael B. Jordan – Sinners 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
ASAP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest Damson Idris – F1 Delroy Lindo – Sinners Jeffrey Wright – Highest 2 Lowest Miles Caton – Sinners	Janelle James – One of Them Days Jayme Lawson – Sinners Regina Hall – One Battle After Another Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
Outstanding International Motion Picture	Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
40 Acres My Father's Shadow Souleymane's Story The Fisherman The Secret Agent	40 Acres Love, Brooklyn Magazine Dreams Opus Unexpected Christmas
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture	Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
ASAP Rocky – Highest 2 Lowest Chase Infiniti – One Battle After Another Miles Caton – Sinners 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
Elio KPop Demon Hunters Sneaks The Bad Guys 2 Zootopia 2	Anthony Mackie – Sneaks Craig Robinson – The Bad Guys 2 Danielle Brooks – The Bad Guys 2 Lil Rel Howery – Dog Man Quinta Brunson – Zootopia 2
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action)	Outstanding Short Form (Animated)
ADO Before You Let Go Best Eyes Ella Food for the Soul	ASALI: Power of the Pollinators Black Man, Black Man Captain Zero: Into the Abyss Part II Jazzy Bells Wednesdays with Gramps
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	Chloé Zhao – Hamnet Nora Garrett – After the Hunt Ryan Coogler – Sinners 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
Amari Price – The Knife Estella K. Kahiha – The Woman in the Yard Jahleel Kamara – Shadow Force Naya Desir-Johnson – Sarah's Oil 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 (Motion Picture)	Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Being Eddie Fatherless No More Left Behind The Perfect Neighbor Who in the Hell is Regina Jones?	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 Reginald Hudlin, Shola Lynch – Number One on the Call Sheet Yemi Oyediran – King of Them All: The Story of King Records
Outstanding Documentary (Television)	Outstanding Short Form Documentary
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 Number One on the Call Sheet	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
Bel-Air Beyond the Gates Forever Paradise Reasonable Doubt
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series	Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Forest Whitaker – Godfather of Harlem Jabari Banks – Bel-Air Michael Cooper Jr. – Forever Morris Chestnut – Watson Sterling K. Brown – Paradise	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
Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air Ato Essandoh – The Diplomat Caleb McLaughlin – Stranger Things 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
Angela Barnes – Ironheart Anton Cropper – Reasonable Doubt Jet Wilkinson – The Copenhagen Test Mario Van Peebles – Power Book III: Raising Kanan Salli Richardson-Whitfield – The Gilded Age	Ajani Jackson – Law & Order Bryce Ahart, Stephanie McFarlane – FBI C.A. Johnson – The Beast in Me Cynthia Adarkwa – The Pitt 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	Ayo Edebiri – The Bear Maya Rudolph – Loot Michelle Buteau – Survival of the Thickest Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary Uzo Aduba – The Residence
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Colman Domingo – The Four Seasons Giancarlo Esposito – The Residence Josh Johnson – The Daily Show Wendell Pierce – Elsbeth William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary	Edwina Findley – The Residence Ego Nwodim – Saturday Night Live Janelle James – Abbott Elementary Jerrie Johnson – Harlem Wanda Sykes – The Upshaws
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series	Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Amy Aniobi – Survival of the Thickest Colman Domingo – The Four Seasons Paul Hunter – Government Cheese Theodore Witcher – Demascus Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary	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
G20 Ironheart Ruth & Boaz Straw Washington Black
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Special	Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Special
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 Tyler Lepley – Ruth & Boaz	Brandy Norwood – Christmas Everyday! Dominique Thorne – Ironheart Serayah – Ruth & Boaz Taraji P. Henson – Straw 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	Angela Bassett – Zero Day Lyric Ross – Ironheart Marsai Martin – G20 Sherri Shepherd – Straw Teyana Taylor – Straw
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special	Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie, Documentary or Special
Alanna Brown – Ruth & Boaz Nicole G. Leier – Trapped in the Spotlight Olatunde Osunsanmi – Star Trek: Section 31 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
Anika Noni Rose – The Mighty Nein Ayo Edebiri – Big Mouth Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder Graceyn Hollingsworth – Gracie's Corner Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder	Brandee Evans – Reasonable Doubt Dave Chappelle – Saturday Night Live Janet Hubert – Bel-Air Malcolm-Jamal Warner – Murder in a Small Town Morris Chestnut – Reasonable Doubt
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)
Amanda Christine – It: Welcome to Derry Blake Cameron James – It: Welcome to Derry Jeremiah Felder – The Residence Leah Sava Jeffries – Percy Jackson and the Olympians 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)
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 The Don Lemon Show	Abby Phillip – CNN NewsNight Don Lemon – The Don Lemon Show 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)
Tiny Desk Concerts Celebrates Black Music Month 2025 BET Awards 2025 HBCU Honors Wicked: One Wonderful Night Ali Siddiq: My Two Sons	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 Steve Harvey – Celebrity Family Feud

Other Categories

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special - Reality/Nonfiction/Documentary	Outstanding Animated Series
College GameDay Glam Through The Ages Noochie’s Live From The Front Porch The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show with Kendrick Lamar 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
Bel-Air – Queensylvia Akuchie Highest 2 Lowest – Francine Jamison-Tanchuck Love, Brooklyn – Missy Mickens Sinners – Ruth E. Carter Wicked: For Good – Paul Tazewell	All's Fair – Kate Biscoe Bel-Air – Alyssa Hudson Chief of War – Christian Tinsley Highest 2 Lowest – Ngozi Olandu Young Sinners – Ken Diaz
Outstanding Hairstyling
All's Fair – Valerie Jackson Bel-Air – Terry Hunt Beyond the Gates – Wankala L. Hinkson Reasonable Doubt – Deaundra Metzger Sinners – Shunika Terry

Stunt

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

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	Elmiene Lee Vasi Madison McFerrin Monaleo Ravyn Lenae
Outstanding Male Artist	Outstanding Female Artist
Bryson Tiller Chris Brown Giveon Kendrick Lamar Leon Thomas	Alex Isley Cardi B 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	"Safe" – Cardi B feat. Kehlani "It Depends (Remix)" – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher "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
"Folded" – Kehlani "Burning Blue" – Mariah the Scientist "It Depends" – Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller "Yes It Is" – Leon Thomas "Bed of Roses” – Teyana Taylor	"Anxiety" — Doechii "Chains & Whips" – Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, Pusha T, Malice "ErrTime" – Cardi B "Ride (Remix)" – Chance the Rapper feat. Do or Die & Twista "Typa" – GloRilla
Outstanding International Song	Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
"In Our Sight" – Skip Marley "Is It" – Tyla "Love" – Burna Boy "With You" – Davido feat. Omah Lay "You4Me" – Tiwa Savage	"Anxiety" – Doechii "Boots on the Ground" – 803Fresh Escape Room – Teyana Taylor "Folded" – Kehlani "luther" – Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA
Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film	Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Boots Eyes of Wakanda Original Soundtrack Marvel's Ironheart: Vol. 1 (Original Soundtrack) One of Them Days (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score)	Godfather of Harlem: Season 4 (Original Series Soundtrack) Highest 2 Lowest (Original Soundtrack) Sinners (Original Motion Picture Score) The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder: Season 3 (Music from the Series) Wicked: For Good (The Soundtrack)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album	Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
Jekalyn X the Legends – Jekalyn Carr Live at Maverick City – Maverick City Music Only on the Road (Live) – Tye Tribbett Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard The Live Reunion: Washington D.C. – Jj hairston and Youthful Praise	"Church" – Tasha Cobbs Leonard with John Legend "Constant (Live)" – Maverick City Music, Jordin Sparks, Chandler Moore, Anthony Gargiulo "Do it Again" – Kirk Franklin "Don't Faint" – Jekalyn Carr "Jesus I Do" – Mariah Carey with The Clark Sisters
Outstanding Jazz Album
For Dinah – Ledisi We Insist! 2025 – Terri Lyne Carrington and Christie Dashiell 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.

[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.

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