Honestly, the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards felt different. Usually, these ceremonies are just another stop on a long, exhausting march toward the Oscars, but this one had some real weight to it. Maybe it was because it was the first big party after that brutal 118-day strike. Or maybe it was just the "Netflix effect"—seeing as it was the first time the show streamed live globally on the platform without a single commercial break.
Whatever it was, the vibe at the Shrine Auditorium was electric. You could tell the actors weren't just there to win shiny statues; they were there to celebrate actually being allowed to work again. It wasn't just about the glitz. It was about survival.
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The Night Oppenheimer and The Bear Ate Everyone’s Lunch
If you were betting on the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards, you probably didn't make much money unless you bet on the favorites. Oppenheimer basically steamrolled the film categories. It took home the big one—Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture—which is usually the best indicator of what's going to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Cillian Murphy looked genuinely touched when he won for Male Actor in a Leading Role, and Robert Downey Jr. continued his "redemption tour" victory lap with a Supporting Actor win.
Downey’s speech was classic RDJ. He joked about his own ego, saying he’d never get tired of the sound of his own voice, but you could see the respect he has for his peers.
Over on the TV side, The Bear was the undisputed heavyweight champion. It’s funny because half the internet still argues about whether that show is actually a "comedy," but the actors don't care. They just keep winning. Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri both swept the lead comedy categories. Watching them, you get the sense that the chemistry you see on screen isn't faked. It’s a tight-knit crew.
Then you had Succession. It was their final go-round, and they grabbed the Drama Ensemble trophy. It felt like a proper "goodbye" for the Roy family, even if Pedro Pascal did manage to snag the individual Male Actor in a Drama award for The Last of Us, effectively spoiling a Succession clean sweep.
Pedro Pascal: The Relatable King of the Night
Speaking of Pedro, we have to talk about his speech. It’s probably the most viral moment of the entire night.
He walks up there, looking completely stunned, and the first thing out of his mouth is, "This is wrong for a number of reasons. I’m a little drunk. I thought I could get drunk."
It was perfect.
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In a world of overly rehearsed, PR-vetted speeches, here’s one of the biggest stars on the planet admitting he didn't think he stood a chance against the Succession guys, so he decided to enjoy the open bar. That’s the kind of human moment the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards will be remembered for. He was messy, he was emotional, and he was incredibly grateful. He even forgot his own name for a second. We've all been there, right? Maybe not on a global stage, but still.
Lily Gladstone’s Historic Moment
The race for Female Actor in a Leading Role was a total toss-up. It was Lily Gladstone for Killers of the Flower Moon versus Emma Stone for Poor Things. When Lily’s name was called, the room didn't just clap—it erupted.
She became the first Native American to win that award.
Her speech was a masterclass in poise. She talked about how actors bring empathy into a world that desperately needs it. It wasn't just a "thank you to my agent" speech; it was a reminder of why storytelling matters. Seeing Emma Stone—her direct competitor—cheering her on so hard was a nice reminder that the "rivalries" we see in the tabloids are usually complete nonsense.
That Devil Wears Prada Reunion We All Needed
Nostalgia is a powerful drug, and the producers of the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards knew exactly what they were doing when they put Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt on stage together.
Meryl "forgot" her glasses and the envelope.
Anne and Emily stepped in to help.
The quotes started flying.
"By all means, move at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me," Emily Blunt sniped, channeling her inner assistant. It was a 2006 throwback that felt surprisingly fresh. It’s rare to see a bit like that actually land without feeling forced, but these three have such history that it just worked.
Barbra Streisand and the Power of the "Hot Labor Summer"
The Life Achievement Award went to Barbra Streisand. Honestly, she could have just walked on stage, waved, and left, and everyone would have been happy. But her speech was deep. She talked about the Jewish pioneers who built Hollywood to escape prejudice, and she reminded everyone that the "make-believe world" of movies is often a refuge for both the people making them and the people watching them.
You could see actors like Anne Hathaway and Emma Stone crying in the audience. It’s not every day you get to see a living legend reflect on 60 years in the union.
And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: the strike. Fran Drescher, the SAG-AFTRA president, gave a fiery speech about the "hot labor summer." She didn't hold back. She talked about the billion-dollar deal they fought for and how actors are no longer "peons," but partners. It was a heavy moment, but it felt necessary. The 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards weren't just a trophy hand-out; they were a victory lap for labor rights in a shifting industry.
Quick Breakdown of the Big Winners:
- Motion Picture Cast: Oppenheimer
- Male Lead (Film): Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer)
- Female Lead (Film): Lily Gladstone (Killers of the Flower Moon)
- Drama Ensemble (TV): Succession
- Comedy Ensemble (TV): The Bear
- Male Lead (Drama TV): Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us)
- Female Lead (Drama TV): Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown)
Why This Specific Ceremony Still Matters
You might think, "Okay, it's just another awards show," but the 2024 edition was a bellwether. It confirmed that the industry is leaning away from traditional broadcast and moving toward streaming—Netflix’s handling of the live stream was remarkably smooth. No bleeping out curse words, no weird commercial cuts in the middle of a speech. It felt more like a dinner party you were eavesdropping on.
Also, it solidified the Oscar frontrunners. If you win a SAG, you’re voted on by your peers—other actors. Since actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, a win here is the biggest "hint" you can get before the Oscars.
What to do next
If you're looking to catch up on the best performances from the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards, your best bet is to start with the "Big Three" winners. You can find Oppenheimer on various VOD platforms, while The Bear is a must-watch on Hulu (or Disney+ depending on your region). For the TV drama buffs, Succession on Max remains the gold standard for ensemble acting. Watching these back-to-back gives you a pretty clear picture of why the guild voted the way they did—it was a year defined by high-stakes drama and incredibly grounded, human performances.
The most important takeaway? Pay attention to the speeches by Lily Gladstone and Pedro Pascal. They represent the two sides of the modern actor: the deep, historical importance of the craft and the messy, joyous reality of being a human being in the spotlight.
Check out the full replay on Netflix if you want to see the unedited moments, especially the Devil Wears Prada reunion and Billie Eilish signing Melissa McCarthy's face. Yes, that actually happened.
Stay tuned for the next cycle, but for now, 2024 stands as the year the actors finally got their voices back.