Rabat — Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror film “Sinners” won the Writers Guild Award for best original screenplay, while Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” earned the award for best adapted screenplay at the 2026 Writers Guild Awards, held Sunday night in New York City.

The ceremony took place at Manhattan’s Edison Ballroom and moved forward as the West Coast counterpart in Los Angeles was canceled after Writers Guild of America West staff went on strike. The WGA West said it would refund ticket and sponsorship sales and plan a later celebration for honorees and nominees. 

Film winners spotlight Coogler and Anderson

“Sinners,” written by Coogler, took the original screenplay prize, continuing its awards-season momentum. 

In adapted screenplay, Anderson won for “One Battle After Another,” credited as both screenplay and screen story, and noted as inspired by Thomas Pynchon’s novel “Vineland.”

The WGA also recognized nonfiction storytelling, with “2,000 Meters to Andriivka,” written by Mstyslav Chernov, winning documentary screenplay. 

Television prizes favor ‘The Pitt’ and ‘The Studio’

On the television side, “The Pitt” was a standout winner, taking both best drama series and best new series.

“The Studio” won best comedy series, adding to its growing profile as a major writing-driven contender in the current TV cycle.

Among other prominent TV winners, “Dying for Sex” won limited series, “Deep Cover” won TV and streaming motion picture, and “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” took the comedy-variety talk or sketch category. 

A split-coast awards season shaped by labor tensions

The Writers Guild Awards are typically staged on both coasts, but the 2026 edition highlighted ongoing labor pressures in the entertainment industry, with the New York ceremony proceeding while the Los Angeles show was shelved due to the WGA West staff strike. 

Even with the altered format, the night still served its usual role as a key barometer for writing prestige, elevating projects that have combined critical attention with strong industry backing as Hollywood heads deeper into awards season.