If you’re a fan of the big screen experience, you might want to keep your eyes on Las Vegas this week. CinemaCon just dropped the list of stars they’ll be honoring at the Big Screen Achievement Awards on April 16.
Closing out a week of movie previews and industry hype at Caesars Palace, the awards ceremony is essentially a giant “thank you” from theaters to the actors and directors who keep us buying popcorn.
Here is the heavy-hitting lineup for 2026:
The Honorees
- James Cameron (Spirit of the Industry): The king of the box office is being celebrated not just for “Titanic” and the “Avatar” franchise, but for his next big swing: a 3D concert film, “Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour,” hitting theaters May 8.
- Queen Latifah (Cultural Impact in Film): From “Chicago” to “Girls Trip,” Latifah has done it all. She’ll be back on the big screen soon, returning to the Ice Age franchise as the voice of Ellie in “Ice Age: Boiling Point” (February 2027).
- LaKeith Stanfield (Star of the Year): Fresh off a string of hits like “Knives Out” and “Atlanta,” Stanfield is being honored just ahead of his next heist flick, “I Love Boosters,” which arrives May 22.
- Zoey Deutch (Vanguard Award): After a successful Broadway run, Deutch is heading back to theaters this summer in the comedy “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass” (where she tries to “even the scales” with Jon Hamm).
- Adam Scott (Award of Excellence in Acting): We know him from “Severance” and “Parks and Rec,” but he’s pivoting to horror this year. He stars in the supernatural thriller “Hokum,” out May 1.
- Noah Centineo (Star of Tomorrow): The “To All The Boys” heartthrob is on the rise. He’s starring in the live-action “Street Fighter” movie coming this October.
- Catherine Lagaʻaia (Rising Star of 2026): Talk about a breakout year. Catherine is taking on the titular role in Disney’s live-action “Moana” remake, premiering July 10.
Celebrating The Movie-Going Experience
The event, hosted by Entertainment Tonight’s Nischelle Turner, is all about celebrating why we still go to the movies in the first place. “Our industry is at its best when those in it come together to celebrate the power of seeing a movie on the big screen,” said Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. “This includes the incredibly talented people both in front of and behind the camera, whose work is at the heart of what makes the moviegoing experience so powerful and enduring. The films from this year’s honorees will undoubtedly capture the imaginations of audiences around the world, and we are proud to honor their achievements.”
Whether it’s Cameron’s technical wizardry or a live-action Disney adventure, the message is clear: the theater isn’t going anywhere.
CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, is the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition, taking place April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
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