2022 AARP Movies for Grownups awards: ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ‘Elvis,’ ‘The Old Man’ win top honors

AARP The Magazine has unveiled the winners of the 21st annual Movies for Grownups Awards, featuring honorees from Abbott Elementary, Elvis, Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fabelmans, The Whale, and more, with Top Gun: Maverick was awarded Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups, the evening’s top honor. The event, which was hosted by Alan Cumming, will be broadcast nationwide by Great Performances on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 9 p.m. ET on PBS.

New Academy Award nominee Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All At Once) received this year’s Career Achievement Award, which was presented to her by fellow first-time Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway). “At the end of the day, what I love most about grownups is that we are more alike than different – grown ups suit up and show up each day, regardless of the way our cards were dealt,” said Curtis. “It’s the beauty of grownups and I’m honored to be considered one because it’s a badge of honor that I wear proudly on my face, on my body, in my mind and in my soul and I’m grateful for AARP tonight for this beautiful recognition.” 

Brendan Fraser and Michelle Yeoh were named Best Actor and Best Actress, for The Whale and Everything Everywhere All At Once, respectively, and supporting wins went to Judd Hirsch (The Fabelmans) and Judith Ivey (Women Talking).

Another new Oscar nominee, Austin Butler, delivered a touching introduction for Best Director winner Baz Luhrmann for Elvis. “No matter what the subject is, his intent is to create art for audiences of all ages to enjoy together,” Butler said. “The stories are specific, and his messages are universal.”

The ceremony also featured host Alan Cumming’s musical parody of the beloved song, “My Favorite Things” altered to include his favorite “binge-worthy things,” Lisa Ann Walter who presented the award for Best TV Actress to Sheryl Lee Ralph for Abbott Elementary, who thanked “AARP for shining a light on aging,” and Hong Chau who presented the award for Best Actor to Brendan Fraser for his role in The Whale. The evening closed out with Glen Powell who presented the award for Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups to Jerry Bruckheimer for Top Gun: Maverick.

• Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups: Top Gun: Maverick

• Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)

• Best Actor: Brendan Fraser (The Whale)

• Best Supporting Actress: Judith Ivey (Women Talking)

• Best Supporting Actor: Judd Hirsch (The Fabelmans)

• Best Director: Baz Luhrmann (Elvis)

• Best Screenwriter: Kazuo Ishiguro (Living)

• Best Ensemble: She Said

• Best Intergenerational: Till

• Best Time Capsule: Elvis

• Best Grownup Love Story: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

• Best Documentary: Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down

• Best Foreign Film: The Quiet Girl (Ireland)

• Best Actress (TV): Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary)

• Best Actor (TV): Jeff Bridges (The Old Man)

• Best TV Series: The Old Man

• Best TV Movie/Limited Series: Black Bird

• Career Achievement: Jamie Lee Curtis