U.S. Entertainment Update: AFI Honors 2026 Winners as Bruno Mars Sets Stadium Tour and Netflix Expands ‘Stranger Things’ Universe

American Film Institute Honors 2026 Film and TV Standouts

Hollywood gathered in Beverly Hills for the American Film Institute Awards luncheon, where the institute honored its 2026 selections in film and television at an invitation-only event. Instead of competitive speeches, the ceremony focused on curated tributes and clips, highlighting the creative teams behind each project and emphasizing collaboration across the industry.[5]

The AFI film honorees included titles such as “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” “Bugonia,” “Frankenstein,” “Hamnet,” “Jay Kelly,” “Marty Supreme,” “One Battle After Another,” “Sinners,” “Train Dreams,” and “Wicked: For Good.”[5] On the television side, the institute recognized series including “Adolescence,” “Andor,” “Death by Lightning,” “The Diplomat,” “The Lowdown,” “The Pitt,” “Severance,” “The Studio,” and “Task.”[5]

The luncheon drew a notable cross-section of the industry. Leonardo DiCaprio appeared alongside Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actors Benicio Del Toro and Edward James Olmos, underscoring the mix of major studio and streaming power at the event.[5] George Clooney was seen on the red carpet sharing laughs with photographers next to “Death by Lightning” actor Nick Offerman, helping set a relaxed tone for the afternoon.[5]

Inside the ballroom, AFI continued its tradition of presenting a “March of Time” montage, linking the 2026 honorees to key cinematic and television milestones from past decades.[5] The program framed this year’s work as part of a longer artistic continuum, rather than an isolated awards race, with attendees describing the atmosphere as supportive and reflective rather than competitive.[5]

Bruno Mars Confirms New Stadium Tour Following Album News

In music news, Bruno Mars is moving forward with major plans for 2026, pairing a new solo album with a large-scale tour. Entertainment segments on local U.S. affiliates highlighted that Mars’ upcoming stadium run will cover roughly 40 shows over six months, positioning it as one of the more ambitious pop tours on the calendar.[2][3]

One broadcast described the upcoming run as a romantic-themed tour, tied to the title of his new album and kicking off in Las Vegas in April before moving through key markets across the country.[3] A Detroit stop at Ford Field in May was specifically promoted, with stations noting that tickets are set to go on sale in mid-January, signaling strong early interest from fans.[3]

The tour plans arrive shortly after coverage that Mars is releasing what is being referred to as his fourth solo album, adding to his catalog of high-performing pop and R&B records.[2][3] Broadcasters have framed the campaign as a full-scale return to the road following a period of limited touring activity, with segments emphasizing how the new music and live shows are expected to anchor a busy year for the singer.[2][3]

Netflix Expands ‘Stranger Things’ with Animated Spinoff

On the streaming front, Netflix is expanding the world of its hit series “Stranger Things” with a newly confirmed animated project. Entertainment coverage in U.S. local news highlighted that the streamer has ordered its first animated series set in Hawkins, signaling a fresh direction for the franchise as the original live-action cast ages out of their early teen roles.[3]

Reports note that the new series will feature a new voice cast chosen to sound like younger versions of core characters such as Eleven and Mike, aiming to recreate the feel of the early seasons.[3] Producers are reportedly targeting a “Saturday-morning cartoon” tone, blending the show’s familiar supernatural elements with a lighter animated style designed to appeal to a broad family audience.[3]

The animated project comes amid a longer gap between recent seasons of the main series, which has seen its young stars grow significantly older than their on-screen counterparts.[3] By using animation and sound-alike actors, Netflix appears to be exploring ways to keep the original-era Hawkins storyline alive while continuing to develop other spinoffs and related projects around one of its most valuable franchises.[3]

Regional Entertainment Highlights in the U.S.

Beyond national headlines, regional outlets also showcased local entertainment activity. In Los Angeles, LAist assembled a list of weekend arts and entertainment events, from film screenings at the Velaslavasay Panorama to comedy shows at the Elysian Theater featuring Chelsea Peretti, underscoring the continued strength of in-person cultural programming in Southern California.[1]

In Arizona, FOX 10 Phoenix’s “Seen on TV” segment promoted events at the Arizona State Fairgrounds and around the Phoenix metro area, reflecting how local broadcasters are pairing national entertainment coverage with community-focused happenings.[6] While these events are more lifestyle-oriented than national headline news, they illustrate the ongoing recovery and diversification of live entertainment options across U.S. cities.[1][6]