Major Winners Shine at 2026 Writers Guild of America Awards

The 2026 Writers Guild of America Awards celebrated notable achievements in screenwriting, with Sinners and One Battle After Another emerging as the evening’s standout winners. The ceremony took place on Sunday at the Edison Ballroom in Manhattan, recognizing exceptional writing across film, television, and digital media.

Ryan Coogler received the award for Original Screenplay for his film Sinners, produced by Warner Bros. Meanwhile, Paul Thomas Anderson claimed the Adapted Screenplay award for One Battle After Another, which he also directed. Both films have been in fierce competition throughout the awards season, and their success at the WGA positions them as strong contenders for the upcoming Oscars on March 15, 2026.

In the race for the Original Screenplay Academy Award, Sinners will compete against titles such as Marty Supreme, Blue Moon, Sentimental Value, and It Was Just an Accident.

The Pitt and HBO’s Dominance

HBO’s medical drama The Pitt also shone at the awards, winning in all three categories it was nominated for. The series, led by Noah Wyle, took home the accolades for Drama Series, Episodic Drama for its pilot titled “7:00 A.M.,” and New Series. The series was written by R. Scott Gemmill.

Apple TV+ celebrated success as well, with its show The Studio winning the Comedy Series award. HBO’s The Righteous Gemstones secured the Episodic Comedy award for the episode “Prelude.” Additionally, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won the Comedy/Variety Series award for Talk or Sketch.

Special Honors Highlight Industry Contributions

The awards also featured special recognitions for individuals who have made significant contributions to the industry. Stephen Colbert, whose The Late Show will end its run in May, received the Walter Bernstein Award for career achievement from WGA East. Terry George, renowned for his work on films like Hotel Rwanda and In the Name of the Father, was honored with the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for career achievement.

Established in 1949, the Writers Guild of America Awards have consistently recognized excellence in writing across film, television, and radio. Presented annually by the Writers Guild of America East and the Writers Guild of America West, these awards highlight outstanding achievements in both fiction and non-fiction categories within the entertainment industry.