The 2026 Actor Awards are almost here, and this year, Kristen Bell is back as host for the third time. From “The Good Place” to “Nobody Wants This,” there are few funny actors more charming than Bell, so I’m personally excited she’s back to host. The 32nd annual ceremony will stream live on Sunday, March 1, and it’s once again honoring the best performances in film and TV. You can watch all of the award presentations with a subscription to Netflix.

How to watch the 2026 Actor Awards

• When: Sunday, March 1 at 8 p.m. ET
• TV: Netflix
• Stream: Watch with a subscription to Netflix.
• From anywhere: Watch with a subscription to a VPN.

Everything you need to know about the 2026 Actor Awards

When do the 2026 Actor Awards air on Netflix?

The 2026 Actor Awards stream live on Sunday, March 1 at 8 p.m. ET. That’s 5 p.m. PT if you’re on the West Coast. This is a fully live event, so if you want to catch the winners as they’re announced and see Kristen Bell riffing in real time, you’ll want to tune in right at showtime.

Why do we recommend Netflix for watching the 2026 Actor Awards?

Pretty simple. It’s only on Netflix. This is the third year in a row the ceremony is streaming live on Netflix as part of its exclusive partnership with SAG-AFTRA, so you won’t find it airing on traditional TV. Right now, Netflix offers three plans: $8 per month with ads, $18 per month ad-free, and $25 per month for Premium if you want four streams and 4K. If you’re just here for awards night, the ad-supported or standard plan will absolutely do the trick.

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Netflix

Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”

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The platform constantly updates its catalog, introducing fresh content alongside timeless classics and international hits. Netflix’s commitment to storytelling has also earned critical acclaim, with award-winning exclusives such as “Roma,” “Marriage Story,” “The Power of the Dog,” “Mank,” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” In 2023, their animated film “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” won an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, further solidifying Netflix’s reputation for high-quality content.

Recently, Netflix has expanded beyond standard movies and TV titles with the addition of video podcasts, and is also exploring a digital store that would offer third-party streamers within the app.

Netflix offers three plans – stream on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard with Ads” ($8.99) plan, on 2 devices in HD with the “Standard” ($19.99) plan, and 4 devices in up to 4K on the “Premium” ($26.99) plan.

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$8.99+ / month

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Can you watch the 2026 Actor Awards for free?

Nope. Netflix doesn’t offer free trials anymore, so you’ll need an active subscription to watch live. The good news is this is a one-night event. You can sign up, stream the show, maybe poke around the rest of Netflix’s library while you’re there, and cancel later if you don’t plan on sticking around.

Watch the trailer for the 2026 Actor Awards

What are the 2026 Actor Awards about?

The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA are all about actors celebrating actors. It’s the only major televised awards show that exclusively honors performances in film and television, and the winners are voted on by SAG-AFTRA’s 160,000-plus members. This year’s nominees include names like Michael B. Jordan, Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet, Jean Smart, and Jenna Ortega, alongside ensembles from shows like “Severance,” “The White Lotus,” and “The Bear.”

Harrison Ford will also receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, recognizing his decades-long impact on the profession. It’s usually a little looser, a little more emotional, and way more about the craft than spectacle, which honestly makes it one of the most fun nights of awards season.

Excited for the 2026 Actor Awards? Let us know what you think in the comments below.