The BEST episodes of MTV Video Music Awards
Every episode of MTV Video Music Awards ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of MTV Video Music Awards!
Since 1984, MTV came up with a new awards show for the year's top and new pop music videos. Now known as the VMA's, it was traditionally held on the first Thursday of September on the East or West coast. But since 9/11, it has been moved to the previous week. Every year there is a host and performances by the nominees and newer artists.
#1 - MTV 33rd Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 33 - Aired 8/28/2016
The 2016 MTV Video Music Awards were held on August 28, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. Adele's "Hello" was the most nominated video with seven categories. Beyoncé led the nominations with a total of eleven, followed by Adele, who had eight. Rihanna received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award after performing several medley numbers during the ceremony. Britney Spears marked her first performance at the awards show since the heavily-criticized 2007 show nine years prior.
Watch Now:Amazon#2 - MTV 32nd Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 32 - Aired 8/30/2015
The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards was held on August 30, 2015. The 32nd installment of the event was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, and hosted by Miley Cyrus. Taylor Swift led the nominations with a total of 10, followed by Ed Sheeran, who had six. Another nominee, Kendrick Lamar, received four nominations for his video "Alright." However, the videos for Swift's "Bad Blood" and Flying Lotus' "Never Catch Me" (both of which he features on) earned seven and two nominations respectively, bringing his total number of mentions to 13. Swift's "Wildest Dreams" music video premiered during the pre-show. Cyrus also announced and released her studio album Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, right after her performance at the end of the show.During his acceptance speech, Kanye West announced he would be running for the 2020 US Presidential Election. Taylor Swift won four awards, including Video of the Year and Best Female Video. The VMA trophies were redesigned by Jeremy Scott.
Watch Now:Amazon#5 - MTV 24th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 24 - Aired 9/9/2007
Honoring the best music videos from the previous year between June 2006 to June 2007, took place on September 9, in Las Vegas at The Palms. The awards received attention for an infamous opening performance by Britney Spears. The live announcer was September Day Carter and she was the first non union voice actor ever to live announce a major awards ceremony.
Watch Now:Amazon
#6 - MTV 26th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 26 - Aired 9/13/2009
MTV Video Music Awards 2009 The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards were in rare, history-making form in NYC! Host Russell Brand added a little raunch, Kanye West pitched a fit and Beyoncé kept things classy. See how it all went down.
#7 - MTV 27th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 27 - Aired 9/12/2010
MTV brought the VMAs back to the west coast for a live, star-studded show in Los Angeles, packing a powerful punch of side-splittingly funny entertainment, awe-inducing performances, and twitter trend-worthy moments. Host Chelsea Handler was uncensored and all-out hilarious as she riffed on everyone from Justin Bieber to Jersey Shore. But the night truly belonged to another lady—Lady Gaga. Gaga dominated, winning in eight categories and wowing in wardrobe changes, which included a gown made of meat. Yes, meat. Handing out Moonmen and marvelling at outrageous celebrity fashion moments is a part of the VMAs, but the night is really about the music. Eminem opened the show with surprise special guest Rihanna for "Love The Way You Lie." Usher KILLED it with a mash-up of "DJ Got Us Falling In Love" and "OMG" that had everyone, Jersey Shore included, wanting to beat the beat. Justin Bieber earned his place as Best New Artist during his outdoor set (with drum solo!), and fellow performers Florence + the Machine, Drake, Mary J. Blige and Swizz Beatz, B.o.B, Bruno Mars and Hayley Williams, deadmau5, Jason Derulo, Robyn, Travie McCoy and Linkin Park (phew!) all nailed it on stage. The most talked about performances of the night went to Taylor Swift and Kanye West who each settled their infamous 2009 VMA Beef through song. The VMAs have etched their place in pop culture as the go-to source for an unforgettable night that EVERYONE will be talking about. That is, until next year's show.
Watch Now:Amazon
#8 - MTV 28th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 28 - Aired 8/28/2011
Katniss Everdeen is stepping out of the Hunger Games arena and into the Moonman-filled madness of the MTV Video Music Awards. At the VMAs on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, MTV will debut the very first look at footage from “The Hunger Games,” the Jennifer Lawrence-starring adaptation of the best-selling dystopian novel. Up until now, we’ve seen photos of Lawrence as the arrow-wielding Katniss, plus glimpses of Josh Hutcherson as Peeta and Liam Hemsworth as Gale. But we haven’t yet seen “Hunger Games” in action. All that will change during the 28th annual VMAs, when Lawrence herself introduces the exclusive look, which will then be available exclusively on MTV.com … The first glimpse at the film, which hits theaters March 12, 2012, is just one juicy part of the pop-culture parade that is the VMAs. Get ready for performances from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Adele, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown, plus appearances by Jonah Hill, Rick Ross, Seth Rogen, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian and Odd Future. The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, August 28, from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles at 9 p.m. ET/PT, following the Selena Gomez-hosted pre-show at 8. See the list of nominees, revisit last year’s highlights and vote for Best New Artist by visiting VMA.MTV.com.
Watch Now:Amazon
#9 - MTV 29th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 29 - Aired 9/6/2012
As if the lineup wasn't knock-your-socks-off good already, superstar Rihanna and ground-breaking singer/songwriter Frank Ocean will all be joining the outstanding list of VMA performers. With an impressive 8 nominations between the two of them, these A-listers each have a shot at leaving Los Angeles with a Moonman in hand. They'll be joining chart-topper Taylor Swift, VMA vets Green Day and P!nk, songstress Alicia Keys and the Brit boys of One Direction as 2012 VMA performers. This year's performers aren't the only stars that will shine on the VMA stage. With a growing list of powerful presenters from all genres of fame, the Staples Center will house one of the most multi-talented stages ever. The rap game's VIP 2 Chainz, wild child Ke$ha, the handsome blokes of The Wanted, and the stars of "Celeste And Jesse Forever" Rashida Jones and Andy Samberg will join Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, and the Fab Five U.S. Gymnastics gals as presenters. What an eclectic and awesome crowd we'll have on hand to celebrate the best music vids of 2012. Following a hilarious appearance at the 2011 show, comedian Kevin Hart will take the lead as our host of the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards. Known for his LOL-worthy original standup, as well as his reoccurring role in the Scary Movie franchise, Hart will bring the giggles to the golden coast when he takes the Staples Center stage.
Watch Now:Amazon
#12 - MTV 21st Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 8/29/2004
The 2004 MTV Video Music Awards aired live on August 29, 2004, honoring the best music videos from June 10, 2003 to June 30, 2004. The show took place at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida, and, unlike in previous years, had no host
#13 - MTV 25th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 25 - Aired 9/7/2008
Russell Brand hosts the 25th annual event from Hollywood. Christina Aguilera,Travis Barker, Lupe Fiasco, the Jonas Brothers, Kanye West, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne, Paramore, Katy Perry, Pink, Rihanna, T.I., the Ting Tings and T-Pain are slated to perform.
#17 - MTV 37th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 37 - Aired 8/30/2020
The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards returns to honor the biggest names in music with live performances by Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, BTS, Doja Cat, Maluma and more, Hosted by Keke Palmer in New York City.
Watch Now:Amazon
#18 - MTV 38th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 38 - Aired 9/12/2021
The 2021 MTV Video Music Awards returns to honor the biggest names in music with live performances by Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora and more, Hosted by Doja Cat in Barclays Center, Brooklyn.
Watch Now:Amazon
#20 - MTV 39th Annual Video Music Awards
Season 1 - Episode 39 - Aired 8/28/2022
Emceed by Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, and Jack Harlow, the MTV Video Music Awards 2022 celebrates the biggest stars in music, with performances from Panic! At The Disco, Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, Anitta, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Måneskin, Lizzo and more.
Watch Now:Amazon