2026 Writers Guild Awards: Complete Winners List
On Sunday, the Writers Guild Awards honored outstanding achievements in screenwriting during a ceremony in New York City. The event, hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr., celebrated a wide array of film and television categories.
Major Winners at the 2026 Writers Guild Awards
Ryan Coogler’s horror film “Sinners” took home the award for Best Original Screenplay. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” won Best Adapted Screenplay, marking a significant night for both filmmakers.
Television Awards
- Best Drama Series: “The Pitt”
- Best New Series: “The Pitt”
- Best Comedy Series: “The Studio”
This year’s ceremony had a notable change as the Writers Guild of America West (WGA West) canceled its annual Los Angeles show due to ongoing staff strikes. The Writers Guild Staff Union, which commenced the strike on February 17, is advocating for increased wages and better protections in employee discipline scenarios.
Notable Acceptance Speech
During the event, Stephen Colbert received the Walter Bernstein Award. This accolade is given to guild members who confront social injustice with creativity and bravery. Colbert, losing his “Late Show” on CBS due to financial constraints and a network merger, shared cut jokes during his acceptance speech, some poking fun at political figures.
Colbert emphasized the talent of his writing team, urging the industry to consider them for future opportunities following the show’s conclusion on May 21.
Full List of Screenwriting Winners
Original Screenplay
- “Sinners” by Ryan Coogler – Warner Bros. Pictures (WINNER)
- “Black Bag” by David Koepp – Focus Features
- “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” by Mary Bronstein – A24
- “Marty Supreme” by Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie – A24
- “Weapons” by Zach Cregger – Warner Bros. Pictures
Adapted Screenplay
- “One Battle After Another” by Paul Thomas Anderson – Warner Bros. Pictures (WINNER)
- “Hamnet” by Chloe Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell – Focus Features
- “Frankenstein” by Guillermo del Toro – Netflix
- “Bugonia” by Will Tracy – Focus Features
- “Train Dreams” by Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar – Netflix
Congratulations
The Writers Guild Awards highlighted not only exceptional screenwriting talent but also the ongoing challenges faced by writers in the industry. As the landscape continues to evolve, the recognized works reflect both creativity and a willingness to address contemporary societal issues.
