AARP Hearing Center
Key takeaways
- Celebrate mature filmmaking with Movies for Grownups, honoring artists over 50 shaping Hollywood’s future.
- Experience the evolution of cinema as intergenerational storytelling and genuine emotion take center stage.
- Discover authentic stories and performances that reflect the power and wisdom of life experience.
Summary
Movies for Grownups celebrates the best in mature filmmaking, recognizing the artistry and impact of films created by and starring adults over 50. The 2026 Movies for Grownups Awards honored industry icons like George Clooney, Adam Sandler and Laura Dern, showcasing how films that don’t rush their stories and respect the life experiences of their audiences are making a lasting impression. By focusing on intergenerational storytelling and authentic performances, these films highlight the power of experience, giving viewers not just entertainment, but stories that resonate deeply.
As the demand for movies made for grownups continues to grow, AARP’s commitment to this genre underscores the importance of recognizing voices and talents that have shaped Hollywood for decades. Whether you tune in on PBS Great Performances or stream online, these awards offer a front-row seat to the evolution of cinema where maturity, wisdom and genuine emotion take center stage.
Full transcript
[00:00:01] Alan Cumming: Welcome to Movies for Grownups. Kathy Bates: It’s so exciting to see so many people
[00:00:06] that I admire, and I feel like a crazed fan. Guillermo del Toro: Jacob and I are gonna star in the remake of Twins.
[00:00:17] Chloé Zhao: Sharon, you are so iconic. George Clooney: When I grow up, I want to be Noah Wyle. Noah Wyle: Oh, wow.
[00:00:23] You got me choked up there, buddy. Stellan Skarsgård: If you want to know what intergenerational means, you can look at us here.
[00:00:32] Scott Cooper: I want to thank AARP for this honor, and for recognizing films that don’t rush us.
[00:00:38] Films that assume that the audience has lived a little. Ryan Coogler: One of the best decisions that I made with casting Sinners was to get my
[00:00:45] neighbor, Delroy Lindo, to play Delta Slim. Delroy’s performance reminds us why we go to the movies. Jacob Elordi: With Frankenstein,
[00:00:52] Guillermo returns to a story he’s carried with him for decades. Guillermo del Toro: I tried to give it my all. I tried to give it the hurt
[00:00:58] and the beauty that it needed. So this makes this award all the more meaningful. Henry Winkler: Under that layer of comedy is this wonderful and sincere dramatic actor.
[00:01:09] I am honored on this earth to know you. Adam Sandler, ladies and gentlemen. Adam Sandler: 59 years old.
[00:01:16] I thought I could have waited until I was 60, but I rushed it. I rushed it into, I call this manhood.
[00:01:23] And I’m proud to be here tonight with all these greats. Proud of this Jay Kelly movie.
[00:01:29] Adam Sandler speaking in film: We did this together. George Clooney: I couldn’t believe the luck that I had to work with Adam, my partner.
[00:01:37] Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan: During my career as a physician, I witnessed firsthand the kinds of moments and decisions The Pitt brings to life
[00:01:45] with such honesty and power. Noah Wyle: I learned a lot of what I practice on the set
[00:01:51] of The Pitt from this man right here. Sharon Stone: Chloé Zhao and her stars, Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, have helped me cry tears of joy.
[00:02:02] Chloé Zhao: We feel so incredibly humbled to be in this room. Jessie Buckley: Thank you for this honor, and also for the deeply important work that you do.
[00:02:12] Delroy Lindo: I’m praying that Movies for Grownups, the whole genre of
[00:02:18] serious filmmaking, grows from here. Kathy Bates: I love my work.
[00:02:24] After 50 years, I’m getting pretty good at it. Chase Infiniti: Wow. AARP really got it right with this win. Laura Dern: Thank you
[00:02:32] AARP and Movies for Grownups. Noah Wyle: What a tremendous, tremendous honor. Delroy Lindo: Thank you so much.
