Awards Season Heats Up, Culminating in March Oscar Gala
LOS ANGELES (AP) – The 2026 awards season is in full swing, with accolades already handed out at ceremonies recognizing achievements in music, film, and television. The calendar stretches through March, culminating in the highly anticipated Academy Awards on March 15.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards kicked off the proceedings on March 1, with Kristen Bell hosting for a third consecutive year. One Battle After Another emerged as a frontrunner, leading the film categories with seven nominations, while The Studio dominated the television side with five. Harrison Ford was honored with SAG’s Life Achievement Award.
Just days prior, on February 19, the Premio Lo Nuestro Awards celebrated the best in Latin Music, with Bad Bunny taking home the coveted Artist of the Year award. Juanes received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony, hosted by Thalia, Nadia Ferreira and Clarissa Molina.
The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) followed on February 22, also recognizing One Battle After Another as Best Film and awarding Paul Thomas Anderson with the Best Director prize. Alan Cumming hosted the London event.
Earlier in February, the Grammy Awards celebrated musical excellence, with Bad Bunny’s Debi Tirar Mas Fotos winning Album of the Year and Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” earning Record of the Year. Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist. The ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah for the sixth time, was briefly overshadowed by a threat of legal action from former President Trump following a joke made by the host.
January saw a flurry of awards shows, beginning with the Critics Choice Awards on January 4, where One Battle After Another was again recognized with the Best Picture award. Paul Thomas Anderson also took home the Best Director prize. The Golden Globes followed on January 11, with One Battle After Another winning Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. The Pitt and The Studio were recognized as the best television series in the drama and comedy categories, respectively. Chelsea Handler and Nikki Glaser hosted the Critics Choice and Golden Globes, respectively.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 15 celebrated independent filmmaking, awarding Best Feature to Train Dreams and Best Director to Clint Bentley.
Looking ahead, the Academy Awards will see Ryan Coogler’s Sinners vying for top honors with a record-setting 16 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Michael B. Jordan is nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of twin brothers, and Wunmi Mosaku is up for Best Supporting Actress. Conan O’Brien will return to host the Oscars for a second year.
The Tony Awards, honoring Broadway theater, are scheduled for June 7 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, with nominations to be announced May 5. The Emmy Awards will conclude the major awards season on September 14, airing on NBC.