What was the first film released by MTV Films?

Joe’s Apartment was the first film released by MTV Films.

The 1996 comedy was directed and written by John Payson and starred Jerry O’Connell as Joe, a young man living in a New York apartment occupied by talking cockroaches. MTV Films developed the project from Payson’s earlier short film and music-video work.

The movie reflected MTV’s distinctive visual style, combining live action with extensive animation and creature effects. Its humor and musical presentation were closely tied to the channel’s youth-oriented brand, making it a natural first feature for MTV’s film division.

Joe’s Apartment is sometimes confused with later, more acclaimed MTV Films productions such as Election or Napoleon Dynamite. Those movies helped build the company’s reputation, but Joe’s Apartment came first. MTV Films later became associated with a wide range of theatrical releases aimed at younger audiences.