# List of awards and nominations received by Viola Davis

The following article is a List of awards and nominations received by Viola Davis.
Viola Davis is an American actress and producer. Known for her roles on stage and screen, she is one of the few performers to have won the four major American entertainment awards (EGOT), having won an Academy Award, a Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and two Tony Awards. She is only the third to achieve both EGOT and Triple Crown of Acting, after Helen Hayes and Rita Moreno. She has also received a British Academy Film Award, five Critics' Choice Awards, three Drama Desk Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and six Screen Actors Guild Awards.
She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her film role as suffering mother and wife in the period drama Fences (2016). She was Oscar-nominated for her portrayals as Mrs. Miller in the religious drama Doubt (2008), a maid in the deep south in the drama The Help (2011), and the title role in drama Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020). She was also BAFTA-nominated for her roles in the heist thriller Widows (2018) and in the historical action film The Woman King. Her role in Fences also earned her the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress.
For her work on television, she made history becoming the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Annalise Keating in the ABC legal drama series How to Get Away with Murder at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2015. The series ran from 2014 to 2020, where she won several awards including the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series consecutively in 2014 and 2015. Davis was Emmy-nominated for her guest role on the political thriller series Scandal in 2018.
On Broadway, Davis has won two Tony Awards, her performances in revivals of August Wilson plays. She won her first Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Play for playing Tonya in King Hedley II (2001), and her second for Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for playing Rose Maxson in Fences (2010). She was Tony-nominated for her role as Vera in the revival Seven Guitars (1996). She has also received several other awards for her work on stage including, three Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a Theatre World Award.
Davis is the recipient of several honors including having a Motion Picture Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017, the Cannes Film Festival's Women In Motion Award in 2022, the Gotham Awards Actress Tribute in 2020, and the Film at Lincoln Center's Chaplin Gala Award in 2023.

## Major industry awards
### Academy Awards

The Academy Awards are a set of awards given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences annually for excellence of cinematic achievements.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2009 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2021 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |

### BAFTA Awards

The British Academy Film Awards is an annual award show presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| British Academy Film Awards |||||
| 2012 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Help | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Fences | Won |
| 2019 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Widows | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | The Woman King | Nominated |

### Emmy Awards

The Primetime Emmy Award is an American award bestowed by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American primetime television programming.
| Year | Work | Category | Result |
| Primetime Emmy Awards |||||
| 2015 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (episode: "Freakin' Whack-a-Mole") | Won |
| 2016 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (episode: "There's My Baby") | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (episode: "Wes") | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Scandal (episode: "Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself") | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder (episode: "He Betrayed Us Both") | Nominated |

### Golden Globe Awards

The Golden Globe Awards is an accolade bestowed by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) recognizing excellence in film and television.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2009 | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | The Help | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Fences | Won |
| 2021 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2025 | Cecil B. DeMille Award | Cecil B. DeMille Award | Honored |

### Grammy Awards

The Grammys are annual awards presented by The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
| 2023 | Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording | Finding Me | Won | |

### Screen Actors Guild Awards

The Screen Actors Guild Awards are organized by the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. First awarded in 1995, the awards aim to recognize excellent achievements in film and television.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 2009 | Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2009 | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2012 | Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role | The Help | Won |
| 2012 | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | The Help | Won |
| 2015 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Won |
| 2016 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Won |
| 2017 | Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role | Fences | Won |
| 2017 | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | Fences | Nominated |
| 2021 | Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2021 | Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2023 | Outstanding Actress in a Leading Role | The Woman King | Nominated |

### Tony Awards

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. Davis has won two awards from three nominations, all for performances in plays by August Wilson.
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1996 | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Seven Guitars | Nominated |
| 2001 | Best Featured Actress in a Play | King Hedley II | Won |
| 2010 | Best Leading Actress in a Play | Fences | Won |

## Other theatre awards

| Organizations | Year | Category | Work | Result |
| Drama Desk Awards | 1996 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Seven Guitars | Nominated |
| Drama Desk Awards | 1999 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Everybody's Ruby | Nominated |
| Drama Desk Awards | 2001 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | King Hedley II | Won |
| Drama Desk Awards | 2004 | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Intimate Apparel | Won |
| Drama Desk Awards | 2010 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Fences | Won |
| Lucille Lortel Awards | 2005 | Outstanding Lead Actress | Intimate Apparel | Nominated |
| Obie Awards | 1999 | Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress | Everybody's Ruby | Won |
| Obie Awards | 2004 | Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress | Intimate Apparel | Won |
| New York Drama Critics' Circle Award | 2010 | Special Citation | Special Citation | Honored |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | 2001 | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | King Hedley II | Won |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | 2010 | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Fences | Won |
| Theatre World Award | 1995 | Theatre World Award | Seven Guitars | Won |

## Critics associations

| Year | Category | Work | Result |
| AAFCA TV Honors |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | How to Get Away with Murder | Won |
| African-American Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Won |
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2014 | Best Ensemble | Get on Up | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Icon Award | — | Won |
| 2022 | Best Picture | The Woman King | Won |
| Alliance of Women Film Journalists |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Won |
| 2008 | Unforgettable Moment Award | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble Cast | The Help | Nominated |
| 2011 | Female Icon Award | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Actress Defying Age and Ageism | Fences | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2018 | Actress Defying Age and Ageism | Widows | Won |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | Nominated |
| 2018 | Bravest Performance | Widows | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Picture | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Most Daring Performance | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Woman Film Industry Achievement | The Woman King | Won |
| Austin Film Critics Association |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Astra Film Awards |||||
| 2023 | Best Supporting Actress | Air | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Cast Ensemble | Air | Nominated |
| Black Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Best Ensemble | Fences | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2022 | Best Film | The Woman King | Won |
| 2022 | Pioneer Award | The Woman King | Won |
| 2022 | Best Ensemble | The Woman King | Won |
| Boston Online Film Critics Association |||||
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| Boston Society of Film Critics |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble Cast | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| Chicago Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Chicago Indie Critics |||||
| 2016 | Best Ensemble Cast | Fences | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble Cast | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| Columbus Film Critics Association |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Actress | Fences | Runner-up |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Ensemble | Widows | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Acting Ensemble | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2012 | Best Acting Ensemble | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | #SeeHer Award | — | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2016 | Best Acting Ensemble | Fences | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Acting Ensemble | Widows | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Acting Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Acting Ensemble | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Super Awards |||||
| 2023 | Best Action Movie | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Actress in an Action Movie | The Woman King | Won |
| Critics' Choice Television Awards |||||
| 2014/15 | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | 3rd Place |
| 2022 | Best Picture | The Woman King | 10th Place |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Denver Film Critics Society |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Detroit Film Critics Society |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Dublin Film Critics' Circle |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | 10th Place |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | 6th Place |
| Florida Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Georgia Film Critics Association |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2018 | Best Ensemble | Widows | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Greater Western New York Film Critics Association |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Hawaii Film Critics Society |||||
| 2016 | Best Actress | Fences | Won |
| Hollywood Critics Association |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble Cast | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Picture | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Ensemble Cast | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Film Awards |||||
| 2023 | Best Supporting Actress | Air | Won |
| Houston Film Critics Society |||||
| 2008 | Best Ensemble | Doubt | Won |
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Won |
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Indiana Film Journalists Association |||||
| 2011 | Best Supporting Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| IndieWire Critics Poll |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Performance | Doubt | 10th Place |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Performance | Fences | 4th Place |
| International Cinephile Society |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Nominated |
| Iowa Film Critics Association |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Kansas City Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society |||||
| 2016 | Best Ensemble | Fences | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| Latino Entertainment Journalists Association |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Acting Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| London Film Critics' Circle |||||
| 2016 | Supporting Actress of the Year | Fences | Nominated |
| 2020 | Actress of the Year | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Runner-up |
| Music City Film Critics Association |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| National Society of Film Critics |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Runner-up |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Runner-up |
| Nevada Film Critics Society |||||
| 2011 | Best Ensemble Cast | The Help | Won |
| New York Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Runner-up |
| New York Film Critics Online |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Runner-up |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| North Carolina Film Critics Association |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| North Dakota Film Society |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| North Texas Film Critics Association |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Runner-up |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | 4th Place |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Oklahoma Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Runner-up |
| Online Association of Female Film Critics |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Acting Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Online Film Critics Society |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Philadelphia Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| Phoenix Critics Circle |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Phoenix Film Critics Society |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Ensemble | Fences | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| San Diego Film Critics Society |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble | The Help | Nominated |
| 2013 | Best Ensemble | Prisoners | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Seattle Film Critics Society |||||
| 2016 | Best Ensemble Cast | Fences | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2018 | Best Ensemble Cast | Widows | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Southeastern Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Runner-up |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| St. Louis Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Won |
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Actress | Air | Nominated |
| Sunset Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| Toronto Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Utah Film Critics Association |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| Vancouver Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association |||||
| 2008 | Best Ensemble | Doubt | Won |
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Nominated |
| 2011 | Best Ensemble | The Help | Nominated |
| 2013 | Best Ensemble | Prisoners | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Ensemble | Fences | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2018 | Best Ensemble | Widows | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Actress | Air | Nominated |
| Women Film Critics Circle |||||
| 2011 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2011 | Women's Work: Best Ensemble | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Lifetime Achievement Award | — | Nominated |
| 2018 | Acting and Activism Award | — | Won |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | Nominated |
| 2018 | Courage in Acting | Widows | Runner-up |
| 2018 | The Invisible Woman Award | Widows | Nominated |
| 2018 | Women's Work: Best Ensemble | Widows | Won |
| 2022 | Best Movie about Women | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Equality of the Sexes | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Karen Morley Award | The Woman King | Runner-up |
| 2022 | Women's Work: Best Ensemble | The Woman King | Won |

## Miscellaneous awards

| Year | Category | Work | Result |
| AACTA Awards |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress – International | Fences | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Lead Actress – International | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| AARP Movies for Grownups Awards |||||
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2016 | Best Grownup Love Story | Fences | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Actress | Widows | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Ensemble | Widows | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Ensemble | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Ensemble | The Woman King | Nominated |
| American Film Institute Awards |||||
| 2022 | Top 10 Movies of the Year | The Woman King | Won |
| American Society of Cinematographers |||||
| 2023 | Board of the Governors Award | — | Won |
| Audie Awards |||||
| 2023 | Audiobook of the Year | Finding Me | Won |
| 2023 | Narration by the Author | Finding Me | Won |
| BET Awards |||||
| 2012 | Best Actress | Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close / The Help | Won |
| 2015 | Best Actress | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby / Get on Up / How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Actress | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Actress | Custody / Fences / Suicide Squad / How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2019 | Best Actress | How to Get Away with Murder / Widows | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Actress | How to Get Away with Murder / Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Movie | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards |||||
| 2003 | Best Supporting Actress | Solaris | Nominated |
| 2008 | Best Supporting Actress | Doubt | Won |
| 2011 | Best Supporting Actress | Eat Pray Love | Nominated |
| 2012 | Best Actress | The Help | Won |
| 2013 | Best Actress | Won't Back Down | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Supporting Actress | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Actress | Lila & Eve | Nominated |
| 2017 | Best Supporting Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2019 | Best Actress | Widows | Nominated |
| 2021 | Best Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2023 | Outstanding Motion Picture | The Woman King | Won |
| 2023 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2024 | Outstanding Supporting Performance | Air | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards for Television |||||
| 2017 | Outstanding Actress, Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2017 | Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series | Custody | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Actress, Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series | Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All In the Family / Good Times | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series | Troop Zero | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series | The First Lady | Nominated |
| CinemaCon Award |||||
| 2022 | Trailblazer of the Year | The Woman King | Won |
| Dorian Awards |||||
| 2014 | TV Performance of the Year - Actress | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2015 | TV Performance of the Year - Actress | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2016 | Film Performance of the Year — Actress | Fences | Won |
| 2016 | Wilde Artist of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2020 | Film Performance of the Year — Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Film Performance of the Year | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Hasty Pudding Theatricals |||||
| 2021 | Woman of the Year | — | Won |
| Hollywood Film Awards |||||
| 2012 | Ensemble Award | The Help | Won |
| Independent Spirit Awards |||||
| 2002 | Best Supporting Female | Antwone Fisher | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Female Lead | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| Irish Film & Television Academy Awards |||||
| 2017 | Best International Actress | Fences | Nominated |
| 2023 | Best International Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| MTV Movie & TV Awards |||||
| 2012 | Best Cast | The Help | Nominated |
| NAACP Image Award |||||
| 2010 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | United States of Tara | Nominated |
| 2012 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | The Help | Won |
| 2013 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Won't Back Down | Won |
| 2014 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Won |
| 2014 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby | Nominated |
| 2014 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Get on Up | Nominated |
| 2015 | Entertainer of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2015 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2015 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Lila and Eve | Nominated |
| 2016 | Entertainer of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Fences | Won |
| 2017 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Widows | Nominated |
| 2018 | Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | Widows | Nominated |
| 2019 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2020 | Entertainer of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2020 | Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Won |
| 2020 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2020 | Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2022 | Entertainer of the Year | — | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outstanding Motion Picture | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | The Woman King | Won |
| 2022 | Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Special | The First Lady | Nominated |
| 2022 | Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction | Finding Me | Won |
| NAACP Theatre Awards |||||
| 2019 | Trailblazer Award | Herself | Honoree |
| National Board of Review |||||
| 2008 | Best Breakthrough Female Performance | Doubt | Won |
| 2008 | Best Cast | Doubt | Won |
| 2012 | Best Cast | The Help | Won |
| 2013 | Best Cast | Prisoners | Won |
| 2022 | Top Ten Films | The Woman King | Won |
| Palm Springs International Film Festival |||||
| 2021 | Desert Palm Achievement Award - Actress | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Won |
| 2023 | Chairman's Award | The Woman King | Won |
| People's Choice Awards |||||
| 2014 | Favorite Actress in a New TV Series | How to Get Away with Murder | Won |
| 2015 | Favorite Dramatic TV Actress | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2016 | Favorite Dramatic TV Actress | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| 2022 | Action Movie of 2022 | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Female Movie Star of 2022 | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2022 | Action Movie Star of 2022 | The Woman King | Nominated |
| 2024 | The Female Movie Star of the Year | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Nominated |
| 2024 | The Action Movie Star of the Year | The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes | Nominated |
| Santa Barbara International Film Festival |||||
| 2009 | Virtuoso Award | Doubt | Won |
| 2012 | Outstanding Performance of the Year | The Help | Won |
| Satellite Awards |||||
| 2012 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | The Help | Won |
| 2012 | Best Cast – Motion Picture | The Help | Won |
| 2016 | Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture | Fences | Nominated |
| 2018 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Widows | Nominated |
| 2020 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | Nominated |
| 2022 | Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards |||||
| 2022 | Best Supporting Actress | The Suicide Squad | Nominated |
| 2024 | Best Actress | The Woman King | Nominated |
| Teen Choice Awards |||||
| 2012 | Choice Movie Actress: Drama | The Help | Nominated |
| Television Critics Association Awards |||||
| 2015 | Individual Achievement in Drama | How to Get Away with Murder | Nominated |
| Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards |||||
| 2012 | Crystal Award | — | Won |

## Honorary awards

| Organizations | Year | Award | Result |
| Cannes Film Festival | 2022 | Women In Motion Award | Honored |
| Film at Lincoln Center | 2023 | Chaplin Award Tribute Gala | Honored |
| Gotham Awards | 2020 | Actress Tribute | Honored |
| Hollywood Walk of Fame | 2017 | Motion Picture Star | Honored |