Academy Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Director | John Singleton | Nominated |
| 1991 | Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences | Best Original Screenplay | John Singleton | Nominated |
Library of Congress
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Library of Congress | U.S. National Film Registry | Won |
MTV Movie Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | MTV Movie Awards | Best New Filmmaker | John Singleton | Won |
National Board of Review
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | National Board of Review | Best Picture | Nominated |
New York Film Critics Circle
| Year | Award | Category | Cast & Crew | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | New York Film Critics Circle | Best New Director | John Singleton | Won |
