The first half of 2026 has already produced an impressive slate of films, and now the members of the Hollywood Creative Alliance have weighed in on their favorites.
The Hollywood Creative Alliance has announced the winners of the 2026 Astra Midseason Movie Awards, recognizing the standout films, performances, and creative achievements released during the first six months of the year. Topping this year’s winners was Project Hail Mary, which took home Best Picture while also earning Best Director for filmmakers Phil Lord & Chris Miller, making it the biggest winner of the Midseason Awards.
Several other films also enjoyed strong showings. The Invite picked up wins for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Penélope Cruz, while Obsession claimed Best Actress for Inde Navarrette and Best Horror Feature. The Michael Jackson biopic Michael earned acting victories for Jaafar Jackson, who won Best Actor, and Colman Domingo, who was recognized as Best Supporting Actor. Meanwhile, Leviticus was named Best Independent Feature, The Furious won Best Stunts, and Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was voted Most Anticipated Film of the second half of 2026.
Heading into voting, Project Hail Mary led all films with seven nominations, while 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Disclosure Day, The Invite, The Drama, Obsession, and Toy Story 5 all earned multiple nominations across the ballot.
Best Picture
Winner: Project Hail Mary
Runner-Up: The Invite
The remaining nominees included 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Backrooms, Disclosure Day, Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie, Obsession, Send Help, The Drama, and Toy Story 5.
Best Actress
Winner: Inde Navarrette (Obsession)
Runner-Up: Emily Blunt (Disclosure Day)
The category also featured Keke Palmer (I Love Boosters), Margot Robbie (Wuthering Heights), Rachel McAdams (Send Help), and Zendaya (The Drama).
Best Actor
Winner: Jaafar Jackson (Michael)
Runner-Up: Ryan Gosling (Project Hail Mary)
Joining them among the nominees were Chiwetel Ejiofor (Backrooms), Leo Woodall (Tuner), Ralph Fiennes (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple), and Robert Pattinson (The Drama).
Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Penélope Cruz (The Invite)
Runner-Up: Sandra Hüller (Project Hail Mary)
Also nominated were Alison Oliver (Wuthering Heights), Courtney Grace (Disclosure Day), Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada 2), and Renate Reinsve (Backrooms).
Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Colman Domingo (Michael)
Runner-Up: Edward Norton (The Invite)
The category was rounded out by Dustin Hoffman (Tuner), Dylan O’Brien (Send Help), Jack O’Connell (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple), and James Ortiz (Project Hail Mary).
Best Screenplay
Winner: The Invite (Written by Rashida Jones & Will McCormack)
Runner-Up: Obsession (Written by Curry Barker)
Also nominated were 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Project Hail Mary, The Drama, and Toy Story 5.
Best Director
Winner: Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Project Hail Mary)
Runner-Up: Curry Barker (Obsession)
The remaining nominees included Kane Parsons (Backrooms), Matt Johnson (Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie), Nia DaCosta (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple), and Olivia Wilde (The Invite).
Best Horror Feature
Winner: Obsession
Runner-Up: Backrooms
The nominees also included 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, Hokum, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, and Send Help.
Best Independent Feature
Winner: Leviticus
Runner-Up: Tuner
Rounding out the category were Blue Heron, Carolina Caroline, Mile End Kicks, and Our Hero, Balthazar.
Best Stunts
Winner: The Furious
Runner-Up: Mortal Kombat II
Also nominated were Disclosure Day, Masters of the Universe, Project Hail Mary, and They Will Kill You.
Most Anticipated Film (Second Half of 2026)
Winner: The Odyssey
Runner-Up: Avengers: Doomsday
The remaining nominees were Digger, Dune: Part Three, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and The Social Reckoning.
The Astra Midseason Movie Awards are designed to celebrate the year’s standout achievements through June while offering an early glimpse at the films and performances that could become major players throughout awards season. Based on this year’s results, films like Project Hail Mary, The Invite, Obsession, and Michael appear well-positioned to remain part of the conversation as the race toward the 2027 awards season begins.
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