The Last Star: Why The MTV Movie & TV Award For Best Breakthrough Performance Was Scrapped After Joseph Quinn’s Win

The MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, a pop culture barometer that launched the careers of stars from Tom Cruise to Daisy Ridley, has reached an unexpected and abrupt end. As of late 2025, the annual celebration of cinema and television's most exciting new talents has been officially scrapped for a second consecutive year, following a troubled 2023 ceremony and a complete cancellation in 2024.

The final recipient of this iconic "Golden Popcorn" trophy was Joseph Quinn, whose electrifying performance as Eddie Munson in Netflix's *Stranger Things* cemented his status as a global star in 2023. This definitive news marks a major shift for the entertainment industry, as an award long known for identifying and celebrating the next generation of Hollywood talent is now on indefinite hiatus.

The Breakthrough Hall of Fame: History, Evolution, and The Final Winner

First presented in 1992, the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance quickly became one of the most exciting categories because it was voted on by the public and often predicted future A-list stardom. Over its history, the award evolved to include television, changing its name to the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Breakthrough Performance to reflect the shift in media consumption.

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The category has a storied past, recognizing actors for their debut or a significant role that catapulted them into the spotlight. The list of past winners is a veritable who's who of Hollywood royalty, establishing the award's topical authority in predicting successful careers.

The Final Recipient: Joseph Quinn (2023)

• Winner: Joseph Quinn
• Role: Eddie Munson in *Stranger Things* (Season 4)
• Year: 2023
• Significance: Quinn's portrayal of the lovable, metal-loving Dungeon Master and leader of the Hellfire Club became a cultural phenomenon, particularly for the character's emotional arc and heroic final scene.

The Last Known Nominees (2023)

While Joseph Quinn took home the final Golden Popcorn, he beat out a field of equally compelling breakthrough performers, showcasing the depth of new talent in the industry. The 2023 ceremony saw major nominations for shows like *The Last of Us*, *Top Gun: Maverick*, and *Wednesday*, highlighting the competition in a year dominated by blockbuster streaming and cinematic hits.

• Joseph Quinn (*Stranger Things*) - WINNER
• Jenna Ortega (*Wednesday*)
• Bella Ramsey (*The Last of Us*)
• Paul Mescal (*Aftersun*)
• Aubrey Plaza (*The White Lotus*)

The Impact of the Breakthrough Award on Joseph Quinn's Career

The MTV Breakthrough Award is more than just a trophy; it is a signal of mainstream, global acceptance, often translating directly into high-profile roles. For Joseph Quinn, winning the award in 2023 solidified his transition from a respected British television actor to an international film and TV star.

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Following his win, and the massive fan reaction to his performance as Eddie Munson, Quinn’s career trajectory has soared. He was not only nominated for a Saturn Award but has since been cast in several major projects that secure his future in Hollywood.

His post-Breakthrough roles include:

• *Gladiator 2*: A major role in Ridley Scott's highly anticipated sequel, a significant leap into a major Hollywood franchise.
• *A Quiet Place: Day One*: Starring in the prequel to the successful horror franchise, demonstrating his appeal across different genres.
• *Lords of the Fallen* (Video Game): Providing voice work, further expanding his reach across media platforms.

This rapid ascent is a perfect example of the "MTV effect," where the public vote and subsequent media attention propel a rising star to the next level of global stardom, a legacy that will now be paused indefinitely.

7 Most Iconic Winners of the MTV Breakthrough Performance Award

The award's history is a crucial part of its legacy, acting as a historical record of the actors and actresses who defined a new generation of talent. The following list showcases the diverse and impactful careers launched by the Golden Popcorn.

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1. Daisy Ridley (2016): Winning for her role as Rey in *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*. This award cemented her as the face of the new *Star Wars* trilogy and a modern action hero.
2. Tom Hardy (2011): Recognized for his performance as Eames in *Inception*. The win was a key moment in his transition from a character actor to a leading man in major blockbusters.
3. Jack Black (2001): Winning for his comedic role as Barry in *High Fidelity*. This victory highlighted MTV's unique ability to honor comedic and off-beat performances that traditional awards often overlook.
4. Julia Stiles (2000): Honored for her iconic performance as Kat Stratford in *10 Things I Hate About You*. The win captured the spirit of late 90s/early 2000s teen cinema and established her as a major young star.
5. Hilary Swank (2000): Recognized for her Oscar-winning, transformative role in *Boys Don't Cry*. Her win demonstrated the award's willingness to celebrate profound, serious dramatic work alongside popcorn entertainment.
6. Alicia Silverstone (1994): Winning for *The Crush*. Her career took off shortly after with the cult classic *Clueless*, making her a defining star of the mid-90s.
7. Brad Pitt (1992): The inaugural winner for his role as J.D. in *Thelma & Louise*. Pitt's win for a supporting, yet career-defining, role immediately gave the new award category immense credibility and star power.

The End of an Era? Why The MTV Movie & TV Awards Were Scrapped for 2024 and 2025

The most current and significant news surrounding the award is its cancellation, which speaks volumes about the changing landscape of Hollywood and award shows. The MTV Movie & TV Awards were officially scrapped for 2024 and will not return in 2025, marking the second and third consecutive years without the ceremony.

This decision stems from a combination of factors, primarily linked to the tumultuous events of 2023. The ceremony that year was severely impacted by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.

• WGA Strike Impact: The 2023 show was forced to pivot away from a live, in-person event to a pre-taped, non-live format, severely undermining its typical high-energy, celebrity-driven appeal.
• Financial and Logistical Challenges: The shift away from a live format in 2023, coupled with rising production costs and general industry uncertainty, made the prospect of a full-scale return in 2024 and 2025 unfeasible for the network.
• Shifting Viewer Habits: As traditional cable viewership declines and the awards show format struggles to maintain relevance with younger audiences, MTV may be re-evaluating its large-scale, non-music-focused events.

The cancellation of the 2024 and 2025 ceremonies means that Joseph Quinn is, for now, the final winner of the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Breakthrough Performance. The future of the award remains uncertain, leaving a void in the industry's ability to publicly celebrate the next generation of breakout stars through a fan-voted, pop-culture lens. The legacy of the Golden Popcorn now rests with its past winners, a testament to the award's three-decade run of identifying Hollywood's future.