Is the TV Movie Dying? Examining the Fate of a Once-Prestigious Emmy Category
The Outstanding TV Movie category at the Emmys, once a showcase for prestige productions, is facing a crisis of identity and relevance. This article explores the category's history, its current struggles, and potential paths toward revitalization, particularly in the context of the evolving streaming landscape dominated by companies like Netflix.
A Look Back at the Golden Age of TV Movies
The TV movie format has a long and varied history, dating back to the earliest days of television. While broadcast networks initially used the format for lower-budget films, HBO revolutionized the category in the 1990s. With greater creative freedom and marketing muscle, HBO transformed the TV movie into a vehicle for prestige and critical acclaim, producing landmark films like *Don King: Only in America* and *Temple Grandin*.
"What we were trying to do then was make things that wouldn’t be made anywhere else," says Colin Callender, former president of HBO Films. "The other thing HBO did was promote the hell out of the movies. We marketed them. It was part of the DNA of the project from the get-go."
These films became cultural events, attracting top talent and earning numerous Emmy awards. HBO dominated the category for nearly two decades, setting a new standard for quality and production value.
The Rise of Streaming and the Blurring of Lines
The advent of streaming services, particularly Netflix, has fundamentally altered the landscape. Netflix's focus on direct-to-streaming films, combined with the Oscars' eligibility rules, has created a confusing distinction between TV movies and feature films. Many films that might once have been considered theatrical releases now debut directly on streaming platforms, blurring the lines between cinema and television.
The effect is evident in the 2025 Emmy nominations. The category highlights a variety of distribution strategies: Some are extensions of established franchises (like *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy*), others are lavish productions released directly to streaming (*The Gorge*), and one is a traditionally produced HBO movie (*Mountainhead*).
The 2025 Creative Arts Emmys: Rebel Ridge Takes the Prize
At the 2025 Creative Arts Emmys, Netflix's action thriller Rebel Ridge emerged as the winner in the Outstanding Television Movie category. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier and starring Aaron Pierre, the film garnered critical acclaim for its suspenseful plot and strong performances. Beating out a diverse field of nominees, *Rebel Ridge*'s win underscores the ongoing debate about what constitutes a TV movie in the modern streaming era.
- Nominees: *Rebel Ridge*, *Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy*, *The Gorge*, *Mountainhead*, *Nonnas*
- Winner: *Rebel Ridge*
- Where to Watch: *Rebel Ridge* is currently streaming on Netflix.
A Call for Redefinition and Reinvigoration
To restore meaning to the Outstanding TV Movie category, the industry, including the Television Academy and streaming services, needs to grapple with the blurring lines between film and television. Stricter eligibility rules for the Oscars could incentivize streamers to campaign some of their films as Emmy contenders, boosting the category's prestige. Furthermore, the Emmys could redefine its criteria for TV movies, emphasizing the format's unique qualities and purpose.
Ultimately, the goal should be to use the TV Movie category to spotlight quality work, give filmmakers greater exposure, and help audiences discover exceptional films that might otherwise go unnoticed in the overwhelming sea of content. A reinvigorated Emmys race for Outstanding TV Movie could be just the spotlight these films need.
