The 23 greatest films from ‘SNL’ alums

Dan Aykroyd helped co-write a movie about a group of grown men looking for ghosts. Then he went on to star in it alongside another SNL alum, Bill Murray. Together with Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson, the squad known forever as the Ghostbusters was born. One of the staples of the ‘80s, it helped define an era of cinema while becoming one of the most beloved franchises in movie history.

Tim Robinson was a writer and a cast member on Saturday Night Live before he scored the insanely hilarious I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson. That style of comedy is what Robinson came to be known for, and it can be found in his A24 film Friendship, an awkward look at the nightmare that is finding friends as an adult.

Shrek was originally supposed to have another SNL alum in the titular role. Chris Farley was pegged for the ogre, but he unfortunately passed away in 1997. This left a huge hole in casting, but it was soon filled with another SNL icon, Mike Myers. Myers wasn’t the only one, though, as his sidekick, Donkey, would go on to be voiced by Eddie Murphy.

At this point in his career, Will Ferrell has made so many comedy classics that it’s hard for some to remember he was ever on the small screen. With movies like  Old School, Anchorman, and Step Brothers in his back pocket, it’s hard to pick his best, but it’s hard to deny the power of the holiday mainstay that is Elf.

Almost 11 SNL sketches have been turned into feature films, and John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd's The Blues Brothers was the first. With cameos from the likes of James Brown and Ray Charles, they went all out for this 1980 classic.

When Amy Poehler left SNL, she landed in Pawnee, Indiana, the fictional city in NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Poehler also spent some time in movies like Baby Mama and lent her voice to Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel . However, it was her voice work for Inside Out that became one of her most notable career moments. As Joy, Poehler illuminated movie fans of all ages! It doesn’t hurt that Bill Hader was right alongside her as Fear in the first Inside Out.

No matter what Will Forte does, he brings that lovable charm to everything he does. That includes the Oscar-nominated Nebraska , in which he starred with Bruce Dern and June Squibb.

Tina Fey might  not have starred in Mean Girls, but she had an integral role. She also brought along some of her SNL co-stars for the ride, like her best gal pal Amy Poehler and the always hilarious Tim Meadows. Together, along with the rest of the cast, they created one of the most quoted teen movies of not only the 21st century but ever. It even went on to spawn a musical and a musical movie 20 years after its original release in 2024.

Chevy Chase was part of the original 1975 cast that introduced the world to Saturday Night Live. Helping solidify both the show and the infamous Weekend Update sketch before leaving after only one season. Chase chased newfound stardom to the movies, and found major success with the National Lampoon movies, with Christmas Vacation being the one movie that has become a holiday tradition since 1989.

Chris Farley had an undeniable, forceful charm that made him a fan favorite from the jump. His energy was as unmatched as his comedic skills, so it wasn’t a surprise when he started making movies while still on Saturday Night Live. One of the roles he’ll forever be associated with, and for good reason, is Tommy Boy. Along with David Spade and Dan Aykroyd, Tommy Boy remains one of the funniest films from the ‘90s.

Ben Stiller only appeared in a handful of SNL episodes in 1989 before heading onto other things like acting and starring in Gen X’s favorite, Reality Bites. However, it’s Zoolander that sits atop so many Stiller fans’ favorite lists because of just how ridiculously funny he made the world of male modeling appear.

At this point, Adam Sandler could have a list all to himself, but it’s Happy Gilmore that makes the cut today because who doesn’t love watching the late Bob Barker sucker-punch Sandler in the middle of a golf course?

Many know Sarah Silverman as a stand-up comedian, one of the best, to be exact. Many don’t know that early in her career, she was a writer and cast member on SNL back in 1993. Her time on SNL only lasted a singular season, but she did great things, like voicing one of the leads in Wreck-It Ralph, which went on to be Oscar-nominated.

Thinking back to the ‘80s, there weren’t many actors cooler than Eddie Murphy, and he was doing some of his best work in the iconic film, Coming to America. Released in 1988, it still remains on many “best of” lists all these years later.

Jason Sudeikis spent almost a decade on Saturday Night Live and earned his status as one of the show’s best. His other work has also kept his name in comedy conversations, with We’re the Millers and Ted Lasso making  him a household name, but there was something extra special about Sudeikis alongside Charlie Day and Jason Bateman in Horrible Bosses that made fans want more and more.

The year before Kristen Wiig wrapped up seven seasons on SNL, she co-wrote and starred in Bridesmaids, the movie anyone who has ever ridden the struggle bus can relate to. She wasn’t the only SNL alum, though. Maya Rudolph played her best friend. Together, they made a true gem.

Kyle Mooney brought his special brand of comedy to SNL for nine seasons and was surely missed after leaving in 2022. However, fans were invigorated when his A24 film, which paid homage to one of millennials’ most crucial memories, came to the big screen via Y2K. Mooney had a bit part in this dark comedy he wrote and directed that showcased a very imaginative and twisted NYE for a group of teens in ‘99.

Grown Ups was the feel-good comedy of 2010 that had a plethora of SNL , including Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, David Spade, Maya Rudolph, and even Rob Schneider. It would’ve been crazy if that movie wasn’t a huge hit with audiences. It was so good that it garnered a sequel three years later.

Drew Barrymore brought the “rom” while Jimmy Fallon brought the “com” in 2005’s adorable Fever Pitch. Truly some of Fallon’s best work mixed the beauty of storytelling with real-life sports results.

Hot Rod was originally written with Will Ferrell in mind, but when that didn’t pan out, it became Andy Samberg’s debut film, only two years after joining SNL. Samberg and Bill Hader were enough to satisfy fans, and although Hot Rod didn’t make the most money, it lives on as a cult classic.

Superstar was the ninth, and one of the last movies that came from a SNL sketch. This was, of course, the one that featured the overzealous Mary Katherine Gallagher, played by Molly Shannon. On the big screen, she owned every second alongside her crush, played by Will Ferrell.

After The Blues Brothers, it would take 12 years before SNL tried to take a sketch to the big screen again, but the wait was worth it when Mike Myers and Dana Carvey's Wayne’s World wound up banking over $180 million at the box office on a $20 million budget! Excellent!

Chevy Chase and Martin Short were both cast members at one point in their careers, while Steve Martin hosted countless times. So when they came together for ¡Three Amigos!, comedy nerds were ecstatic.