| Academy Award Nominations and Winners: |
| ★ | Best Picture |
| ★ | Best Director: James L. Brooks |
| ★ | Best Actress: Shirley MacLaine |
| Best Actress: Debra Winger |
| Best Supporting Actor: John Lithgow |
| ★ | Best Supporting Actor: Jack Nicholson |
| ★ | Best Adapted Screenplay: James L. Brooks |
| Best Art Direction: Polly Platt & Harold Michelson; Tom Pedigo & Anthony Mondell |
| Best Film Editing: Richard Marks |
| Best Original Score: Michael Gore |
| Best Sound: Donald O. Mitchell, Rick Kline, Kevin O'Connell, and Jim Alexander |
|
| Golden Globe Nominations and Winners: |
| ★ | Best Picture (Drama) |
| Best Director: James L. Brooks |
| ★ | Best Actress (Drama): Shirley MacLaine |
| Best Actress (Drama): Debra Winger |
| ★ | Best Supporting Actor: Jack Nicholson |
| ★ | Best Screenplay: James L. Brooks |
|
| Other Awards: |
| Directors Guild of America: Best Director |
| Writers Guild of America: Best Adapted Screenplay (Comedy) |
| New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture; Best Actress (MacLaine); Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson) |
| Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Picture; Best Director; Best Actress (MacLaine); Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson); Best Screenplay |
| National Society of Film Critics: Best Actress (Winger); Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson) |
| Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Picture (American); Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson) |
| National Board of Review: Best Picture (English-Language; tie); Best Director; Best Actress (MacLaine); Best Supporting Actor (Nicholson) |