What Is 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards

Overview

The 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards was a landmark event, representing a major shift in the show’s history by merging film and television into a single awards ceremony. Held on May 7, 2017, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the event was hosted by actor and wrestler Dwayne Johnson, known for his charismatic stage presence and box office dominance.

This ceremony was the 25th edition of the MTV Movie Awards but rebranded for the first time as the Movie & TV Awards, reflecting the growing cultural impact of streaming and broadcast television. The show featured live performances, surprise appearances, and fan-voted categories, emphasizing youth culture and pop appeal over traditional industry accolades.

• First-ever inclusion of TV categories: For the first time in its history, the 2017 show honored television performances, recognizing stars from series like 'Stranger Things' and 'This Is Us'.
• Hosted by Dwayne Johnson: Dwayne Johnson not only hosted but also won Best Hero for his role in 'San Andreas', showcasing his dual role as entertainer and nominee.
• Record-breaking social media engagement: The event generated over 2.1 million mentions on Twitter, making it one of the most talked-about award shows of the year.
• Emma Watson’s acceptance speech on feminism: Watson won Best Hero for 'Beauty and the Beast' and used her platform to advocate for gender equality, drawing widespread media coverage.
• Historic win for 'Stranger Things': The Netflix series won Best Show, marking a major victory for streaming content in a traditionally film-focused awards space.

How It Works

The 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards introduced a new format blending fan engagement, live entertainment, and genre-bending categories. Unlike traditional award shows, winners were determined primarily by online fan voting, emphasizing popularity and cultural relevance over critical acclaim.

• Best Hero: Awarded to Emma Watson for 'Beauty and the Beast'; this category highlights characters who inspire courage and moral strength in audiences.
• Best Villain: Won by Jack Gilinsky as part of the duo Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, showcasing the show’s expansion into unconventional villain portrayals.
• Best On-Screen Transformation: John Boyega won for his role in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens', reflecting dramatic physical or emotional evolution.
• Best Musical Moment: Awarded to 'This Is Me' from 'The Greatest Showman', a song that later became an anthem for self-acceptance and diversity.
• Best Fight: Featured a battle between Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in 'Central Intelligence', combining action and comedy in a fan-favorite moment.
• Best Kiss: Won by Logan Lerman and Florence Pugh in 'The Lost City of Z', reviving a long-standing MTV tradition with a dramatic on-screen moment.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key categories and winners between film and television at the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards:

This shift toward inclusivity demonstrated MTV’s effort to stay relevant in a fragmented media landscape where streaming platforms dominate youth viewership. By honoring both film and TV, the awards acknowledged changing viewing habits and the blurring lines between cinematic and episodic storytelling.

Why It Matters

The 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards marked a cultural turning point in how audiences engage with entertainment, blending genres, platforms, and fan participation in unprecedented ways. Its evolution reflects broader industry trends, including the rise of digital content and audience-driven recognition.

• Legitimized streaming content: By awarding 'Stranger Things' Best Show, MTV validated Netflix as a major force in entertainment, rivaling traditional studios.
• Increased diversity in winners: The inclusion of actors from diverse backgrounds, such as John Boyega and Millie Bobby Brown, highlighted representation in mainstream media.
• Boosted social activism: Winners like Emma Watson used their speeches to promote feminism, showing how pop culture events can amplify social causes.
• Expanded fan influence: With voting entirely fan-driven, the show emphasized audience power over industry gatekeepers, reshaping award show dynamics.
• Set a precedent for hybrid awards: The success of the combined format influenced future ceremonies, including the 2018 and 2019 editions.
• Highlighted genre diversity: From superhero films to horror series, the awards celebrated a broad spectrum of storytelling, appealing to a wider demographic.

Ultimately, the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Awards redefined what an entertainment award could be—dynamic, inclusive, and deeply connected to its audience.