Home Poal24

The 10 Highest-Grossing SNL Movie Cast Members And The New Film Set To Reveal SNL's Origin Story

• minute read
Contents
The Saturday Night Live (SNL) movie cast is not a single, static ensemble, but a dynamic, ever-evolving roster of comedic legends who have leveraged their time on the iconic sketch show into blockbuster Hollywood careers. As of December 2025, the conversation is dominated by two major developments: the highly anticipated release of the film *Saturday Night*, which chronicles the chaotic genesis of the show, and the continued, staggering box office success of the show's most famous alumni. This article dives into the biggest stars who made the leap from Studio 8H to the silver screen, and gives you the latest, up-to-date details on the newest SNL-related movie projects you need to know about.

The Newest SNL Movie Cast: Jason Reitman's 'Saturday Night' (2025)

The most talked-about SNL-related film project in recent memory is Jason Reitman's biographical drama, *Saturday Night* (originally titled *SNL 1975*). This film is not a sketch adaptation but a behind-the-scenes look at the 90-minute lead-up to the very first episode of *Saturday Night Live*, which premiered on October 11, 1975. The cast is a brilliant ensemble of contemporary actors playing the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players" and the show's creators.

The film is set for a 2025 release, coinciding with the show's 50th Anniversary, and features a meticulously cast ensemble.

Key Cast Members of 'Saturday Night'

  • Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels (Creator/Producer)
  • Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster (Writer)
  • Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase (Original Cast Member)
  • Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner (Original Cast Member)
  • Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd (Original Cast Member)
  • Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman (Original Cast Member)
  • Matt Wood as John Belushi (Original Cast Member)
  • Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris (Original Cast Member)
  • Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson (Cameo)
  • Finn Wolfhard as an NBC Page

This film provides a fresh perspective on the history of the SNL movie cast phenomenon, showcasing the original group who first proved that the show was a launching pad for major film careers.

The Titans: Highest-Grossing SNL Movie Stars of All Time

The true measure of the SNL movie cast's influence is the box office revenue generated by its alumni. While many stars like Kristen Wiig, Tina Fey, and Andy Samberg have found great success, a few titans stand above the rest, with their films cumulatively earning billions worldwide.

1. Eddie Murphy

Biography & SNL Tenure: Edward Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) was a cast member on *Saturday Night Live* from 1980 to 1984. He is widely credited with single-handedly saving the show during a period of low ratings after the original cast departed.

Major SNL-Era & Post-SNL Films: Murphy broke out as a movie star while still on the show, starring in *48 Hrs.* (1982) and *Trading Places* (1983). His subsequent film career includes massive hits like the *Beverly Hills Cop* franchise, *Coming to America* (1988), *The Nutty Professor* (1996), and the voice of Donkey in the *Shrek* franchise. His films have grossed over $3.5 billion.

2. Will Ferrell

Biography & SNL Tenure: John William Ferrell (born July 16, 1967) was a central cast member from 1995 to 2002. He was known for his high-energy impersonations and original characters like the Spartan Cheerleaders and Robert Goulet.

Major SNL-Era & Post-SNL Films: Ferrell successfully transitioned to the big screen with sketch-based films like *A Night at the Roxbury* (1998) and later became a leading man in modern comedy classics. His most successful films include *Elf* (2003), *Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy* (2004), *Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby* (2006), and *Step Brothers* (2008).

3. Adam Sandler

Biography & SNL Tenure: Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) was a cast member and writer from 1990 to 1995. He was known for his musical comedy characters like "Opera Man" and "Cajun Man."

Major SNL-Era & Post-SNL Films: Sandler’s film career is built on a series of highly profitable, self-produced comedies, many of which feature other SNL alumni. His early post-SNL hits like *Billy Madison* (1995), *Happy Gilmore* (1996), and *The Wedding Singer* (1998) established his box office dominance. He has since maintained a prolific output, making him one of the highest-grossing SNL stars.

4. Bill Murray

Biography & SNL Tenure: William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) replaced Chevy Chase and was a cast member from 1977 to 1980.

Major SNL-Era & Post-SNL Films: While he starred in the SNL-based *Meatballs* (1979), Murray’s film career exploded with non-SNL sketch films like *Caddyshack* (1980), *Stripes* (1981), and the mega-hit *Ghostbusters* (1984). He is also the most critically acclaimed SNL alum, with Oscar nominations for films like *Lost in Translation*.

5. Chris Farley

Biography & SNL Tenure: Christopher Crosby Farley (1964–1997) was a cast member from 1990 to 1995. His physical comedy and iconic characters like Matt Foley, the motivational speaker, made him an instant star.

Major SNL-Era & Post-SNL Films: Farley quickly transitioned to film, starring in the iconic duo film *Tommy Boy* (1995) and *Black Sheep* (1996), both co-starring fellow SNL alum David Spade. He also had a memorable role in *Wayne's World* (1992), another SNL sketch adaptation.

The Next Generation: Current SNL Cast Members in Film (2025 Updates)

The tradition of SNL cast members starring in movies continues with the current crop of players. The landscape has shifted, with fewer direct sketch adaptations and more alums starring in original, diverse film projects.

Chloe Fineman in 'Summer of 69'

Current SNL repertory player Chloe Fineman is leading the cast of the new comedy film *Summer of 69*, which is directed by former SNL writer Jillian Bell. The film, which also stars Sam Morelos and Matt Cornett, follows a high school senior who hires an exotic dancer (Fineman) to help him lose his virginity.

This project highlights the continuing pipeline of talent, where current cast members like Fineman are balancing their weekly sketch duties with major feature film roles, often collaborating with other SNL alumni and writers like Bell.

The Enduring Legacy of SNL Sketch Movies

While the focus is shifting, the SNL movie cast legacy is built on films that adapted popular sketches directly for the big screen. These films established the viability of the "SNL movie" as a genre:

  • *The Blues Brothers* (1980): Starring original cast members John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, this was the first and arguably most successful SNL sketch adaptation, celebrating its 45th anniversary in July 2025.
  • *Wayne's World* (1992): Starring Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, this film was a massive cultural phenomenon and box office hit, solidifying the next generation of SNL stars as movie leads.
  • *MacGruber* (2010): Starring Will Forte, this film is a beloved cult classic that proved that even lesser-known sketches could be adapted, showcasing Forte's unique comedic voice.

The success of the SNL movie cast members is rooted in the show's unique environment, which forces performers to create, write, and embody characters under intense pressure. This training ground produces talent uniquely suited for the demands of film comedy, ensuring that the next generation of stars, from Chloe Fineman to the cast of *Saturday Night*, will continue to dominate Hollywood for years to come.

snl movie cast
snl movie cast

Detail Author:

  • Name : Prof. Jean Emard DDS
  • Username : leuschke.joyce
  • Email : wabshire@gmail.com
  • Birthdate : 1970-11-10
  • Address : 69236 Doyle Land Lake Madisyn, LA 69619-3560
  • Phone : +19569557643
  • Company : Johnson-Stark
  • Job : Shuttle Car Operator
  • Bio : Doloribus ipsam et consequatur facere. Perspiciatis iusto voluptas est aperiam vitae fugit. Asperiores ab minima excepturi eaque corrupti. At enim est quod cum et dolorem ducimus.

Socials

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@bette.welch
  • username : bette.welch
  • bio : Ut minima qui in dignissimos nulla. Explicabo enim animi ipsam saepe.
  • followers : 5505
  • following : 2629

facebook:

linkedin:

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/bette_real
  • username : bette_real
  • bio : Mollitia praesentium qui omnis est. Veniam quo qui aut repellendus eligendi ipsum.
  • followers : 2351
  • following : 2985

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/welchb
  • username : welchb
  • bio : Animi neque quibusdam dignissimos officiis ea. Voluptas et labore qui occaecati. Totam rerum enim eligendi iste.
  • followers : 6683
  • following : 2292

Random Posts