Michael B. Jordan is adding another well-earned accolade to his growing list of honors.
The actor, director, producer—and now two-time box office force in Sinners—will receive the 39th American Cinematheque Award on November 20 at a gala ceremony at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Presented annually to a groundbreaking artist who’s made a significant contribution to the art of motion pictures, the American Cinematheque Award has previously gone to powerhouses like Denzel Washington, Julia Roberts, Spike Lee, Charlize Theron, and most recently, Jessica Chastain. The award was first handed out in 1986, to then-25-year-old Eddie Murphy.
Jordan, 38, will be honored not just for his impact in front of the camera, but also for his expanding influence behind the scenes. His career began with standout TV roles in The Wire, Friday Night Lights, and Parenthood, before his star-making turn in Fruitvale Station—his first of five collaborations with filmmaker Ryan Coogler.
He cemented his status as a global star with Black Panther and the Creed franchise, making his directorial debut with Creed III—which broke records for the biggest domestic opening ever for a sports film. He followed that with Sinners, where he played dual roles in the Coogler-directed vampire thriller, now a certified box office smash with $319 million globally.
But Jordan’s reach goes far beyond the screen.
His production company, Outlier Society, has projects in the works with Amazon MGM, Tri-Star, and Paramount, and he’s currently prepping The Thomas Crown Affair, which he’ll direct, star in, and produce. On the philanthropic front, Jordan launched the Outlier Fellowship and founded the HBCU Legacy Classic, all while investing in sports ventures and creating new entry points for underrepresented talent in entertainment.
Rick Nicita, American Cinematheque’s board chair, praised Jordan as “a major power in today’s movie business,” citing his purposeful vision, artistic excellence, and wide-ranging impact across the industry.
The November 20 event will also serve as a fundraiser supporting American Cinematheque’s year-round programming at venues including the Aero Theatre, Los Feliz 3, and the recently restored Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.
With this honor, Jordan joins a rare class of Hollywood talent—recognized not just for star power, but for intentional legacy building.