What Happened to Hollywood Strikes (WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes of 2023)?

The Hollywood Strikes of 2023 represented a significant turning point in the entertainment industry, marking the first time since 1960 that both writers and actors were on strike simultaneously. The Writers Guild of America (WGA), representing 11,500 screenwriters, initiated its strike on May 2, 2023, after negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to produce a new Minimum Basic Agreement (MBA). Key issues for the WGA included inadequate compensation for streaming content (residuals), the demand for mandatory staffing and duration of employment in writers' rooms, and robust protections against the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate or rewrite literary material.

SAG-AFTRA, representing approximately 160,000 actors, joined the WGA on the picket lines on July 14, 2023, after their own contract negotiations with the AMPTP also broke down. The actors' union shared many of the writers' concerns, particularly regarding streaming residuals and the existential threat posed by AI, specifically the use of digital replicas of performers without proper consent or compensation. The simultaneous strikes brought Hollywood production to a near standstill, causing significant economic impact across the industry.

A key turning point for the WGA strike came in late September 2023, when intensive negotiations involving top studio executives led to a tentative agreement. The WGA strike officially ended on September 27, 2023, after 148 days, with the membership ratifying the new contract on October 9, 2023. The new WGA MBA secured increases to minimum wages, pension and health fund rates, improved streaming residuals (including a viewership-based bonus), and groundbreaking AI provisions that prohibit AI from writing or rewriting literary material and require disclosure if AI-generated material is provided to a writer.

SAG-AFTRA's strike, lasting 118 days, concluded on November 9, 2023, with a tentative agreement, which was subsequently ratified by 78.33% of its members on December 5, 2023. The SAG-AFTRA contract also delivered substantial gains, including a historic pay increase, a new streaming participation bonus fund, and comprehensive AI protections. These AI provisions require informed consent and compensation for the creation and use of digital replicas of performers, living or deceased, and prevent studios from using AI to replace the required number of background actors.

As of August 2026, the long-term impacts of these strikes continue to shape the industry. Both unions have entered new negotiation cycles. The WGA ratified its 2026 MBA on April 24, 2026, effective May 2, 2026, which supersedes the 2023 MBA and runs through May 1, 2030. This new WGA agreement includes further gains in residuals, health contributions, and AI protections, though some critics argue the AI provisions still allow studios to use writers' work for training models without individual opt-out rights. SAG-AFTRA also ratified its 2026 TV/Theatrical Agreement on June 5, 2026, effective July 1, 2026, and expiring June 30, 2030. This agreement includes over $700 million in improvements, a plan to merge pension plans, increased wage minimums, and continued focus on AI guardrails and streaming compensation. The industry is still navigating the economic fallout and recalibrating production schedules, with ongoing discussions about the sustainability of creative professions in the face of evolving technology and business models.