Ryan Coogler’s gripping supernatural thriller, “Sinners,” has emerged as a frontrunner in the movie categories for the NAACP Image Awards, as revealed in the nominations announced on Monday. The film, featuring Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins, has garnered an impressive 18 nominations, highlighting its powerful impact and widespread acclaim.

Trailing behind “Sinners” is Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” which earned nine nominations, solidifying its presence in the competitive landscape. On the television front, the rebooted series “Bel-Air” stands out, leading the pack with seven nominations, underscoring its popularity and critical success.

Michael B. Jordan isn’t just making waves with his film roles; he’s also in the running for the esteemed NAACP Entertainer of the Year award. He faces stiff competition from the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Doechii, Kendrick Lamar, and Teyana Taylor. The previous year’s accolade went to the talented Keke Palmer.

Teyana Taylor shines brightly in this year’s nominations, securing six individual nods across various categories, including film, music, and television for her role in “One Battle After Another.” Meanwhile, in the music sphere, Kendrick Lamar leads with six nominations, demonstrating his influence and artistry.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, emphasized the significance of the awards in recognizing and celebrating Black excellence. “The NAACP Image Awards is our declaration to our community that ‘We See You,’ affirming Black creativity, excellence, and humanity across every space where our stories are told,” he stated, highlighting the awards’ role in championing diverse voices and narratives.

“From film, television, and music to literature and beyond, the voices of all of our nominees tell stories that honor our past, celebrate our identity, and remind us that storytelling has the power to move culture forward.”

For this year’s awards, the NAACP introduced two new categories: outstanding literary work — journalism and outstanding editing in a motion picture or television series, movie, or special. The journalism category honors excellence in nationally distributed journalism impacting the Black community, while the editing category recognizes post-production editing that enhances various aspects of a project’s storytelling.

The 57th NAACP Image Awards will be handed out Feb. 28 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium and televised on BET.

The public can vote in select categories at Voting in those categories closes on Feb. 7.