7 Must-See Movies After Watching Saturday Night

In simpler terms, “Saturday Night” portrays the intricate journey behind the first broadcast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1975. Despite the show’s intended purpose to elicit laughter and happiness, there was a significant amount of stress and apprehension among the new producer, Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), along with the young comedians and writers as they prepared for its debut. Although the show initially faced several errors and close calls to disaster, it ultimately turned into one of the longest-running TV shows ever.

Regardless of its rocky beginning, Saturday Night Live has become one of the most legendary television series ever produced, and Saturday Night offers a captivating portrayal of why this is true (though it can sometimes be the most awkward spectacle in showbiz). Gathering an array of unconventional comedians under one roof is one challenge. Getting those comedians to harmoniously collaborate is an entirely different feat. Directed by Jason Reitman, Saturday Night takes us on a nerve-wracking journey behind the scenes of late-night TV and offers glimpses into the lives of some of our favorite comics in unexpected ways. Standout performances from Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd and Matt Wood as John Belushi make Saturday Night a must-see on Netflix. If you’re seeking movies with a similar flavor, then you’re in for a treat because turmoil and disarray are two industries that are consistently thriving.

Frost/Nixon

In contrast to being a comedy, this movie underscores the idea that accomplishing tasks is everything for certain individuals, as exemplified in Frost/Nixon. The story revolves around Richard Nixon (played by Frank Langella), who is struggling to restore his once-prominent image. Set in 1977, three years following the Watergate scandal that tarnished Nixon’s reputation and forced him from office, the movie portrays Nixon as seeking redemption through a high-stakes interview with British television personality David Frost (portrayed by Michael Sheen). Although each character enters the conversation with distinct objectives, it quickly becomes evident that they are both participating in the same power game.

In contrast to the dazzling spectacle of Saturday Night, Frost/Nixon delves into the relentless pressure experienced when striving for perfection. Just like Lorne Michaels, David Frost was a driven individual pursuing an ambitious dream. Despite facing numerous challenges, their determination allowed them to surmount any hurdle on their path to realizing their objectives. Unlike some films that rely on high-octane action sequences, Frost/Nixon is a riveting drama that captivates through its intimate portrayal of one of the most significant interviews in television history. The movie offers a stripped-down exploration of character rather than relying on grandiose special effects.

You can stream Frost/Nixon on Max.

Network

In one of the most impactful films ever made, “Network” remains as pertinent now as it did half a century ago. Even if you’re unfamiliar with this classic movie, its influence can be spotted in numerous other works. “Network” follows Howard Beale (Peter Finch), a seasoned news anchor who learns he’s being let go. Understandably upset, Howard delivers an impassioned, angry tirade on live television, which unexpectedly rejuvenates his popularity and boosts ratings for the network. This renewed success motivates ambitious TV producer Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) to create eccentric programming, hoping to recreate that success by capturing lightning in a bottle once more.

Under Sidney Lumet’s direction, Network appears to be a humorous portrayal of life within a television network, but it might as well be a prescient forecast. The individuals at USB Network will do whatever is necessary to achieve success, even if it means compromising their integrity and abandoning their true selves. Network is a biting satire that explores the psychological and physical effects of television on people. In the movie, Howard exclaims, “I’m furious, and I can’t take this anymore!

You can rent Network on Fandango at Home.

Money Monster

In the face of danger, the performance must persist, as a deranged gunman poses a threat to life. Directed by Jodie Foster, Money Monster serves as another demonstration of individuals who are prepared to go to any lengths to see their tasks through. The movie centers around Lee Gates (George Clooney), a Wall Street expert known for his flamboyant style as the host of the television show “Money Monster.” However, Lee learns that some monsters can be more terrifying than others when a distraught investor, Kyle Budwell (Jack O’Connell), invades the set and takes Lee captive, attaching an explosive device to him. Kyle claims he has lost everything following one of Lee’s advice picks. As the tension escalates, a group behind the scenes collaborate to resolve the hostage situation before Lee meets his end on live television.

In summary, the movie “Money Monster,” released in 2016, earned mostly negative reviews from critics (with a 59% score on Rotten Tomatoes). However, it managed to gross nearly $100 million at the global box office. Despite the mixed reception, “Money Monster” can be considered an underrated thriller that’s as gripping as a Saturday night drama. The film features strong performances from both Clooney and O’Connell. Although the plot may be predictable to some extent, it remains an enjoyable watch overall.

You can rent Money Monster on Amazon Prime.

Birdman

To what lengths would you push yourself to realize your lifelong ambition? For former superhero actor Riggan Thomson (portrayed by Michael Keaton), earning genuine respect as a thespian is the pinnacle of his existence. In pursuit of this dream, he’s penning, directing, and producing a challenging Broadway play, hoping it will revitalize his dwindling career. Yet, life seldom runs smoothly, and Riggan’s production faces numerous challenges.

As opening night draws near, an unfortunate accident on stage leaves one cast member injured, compelling Riggan to recruit Mike Shiner (Edward Norton), a volatile yet gifted actor known for stirring up chaos. Furthermore, Riggan grapples with an unrelenting inner voice that harbors ill will towards him. Apart from the strain of launching his own Broadway play, he must grapple with this malevolent whisper in his ear.

As a fervent admirer, I’d say that under the visionary guidance of Alejandro González Iñárritu, the film “Birdman” unfolds as a dynamic journey that resonates deeply with Riggan’s struggle to bring his play to life. What Riggan truly yearns for is not just critical acclaim, but also the love and understanding of his family, who fail to grasp the depths of his despair. In many ways, “Birdman” mirrors the trials faced by artists in their quest to create a show, like “Saturday Night Live”. However, the real challenge for Riggan doesn’t lie in the production of the show itself; it’s the tumultuous backstage drama that threatens to undo him. Little does he know, there’s still hope for superhero actors to claim an Oscar.

You can rent Birdman on Apple TV.

Nightcrawler

In the movie Saturday Night, we witnessed the struggle to just break into the broadcasting world. But what about maintaining a position at the top, let alone climbing there? The film Nightcrawler delves into the perilous adventures of Lou Bloom (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), an individual who manages to survive through scavenging and deceiving others. However, when he finds himself in the realm of freelance news videography, he plunges headfirst into a harrowing LA nightlife, seeking gruesome and sensational crimes that he believes will be newsworthy. As Lou forms a connection with seasoned news director Nina (Rene Russo), they gradually lose touch with their human compassion in the pursuit of ever-increasing ratings and success.

The movie “Nightcrawler” showcases the extraordinary talent of an actor, specifically Jake Gyllenhaal in his role as Lou Bloom. Although Gyllenhaal has consistently delivered impressive performances, his portrayal of Lou is remarkably profound. His metamorphosis into a ruthless and ambitious videographer is not only astonishing but also thought-provoking. Though Lou is an extreme representation of a cold-hearted individual wielding a camera, the movie serves as a stark reminder of the perils of unchecked obsession that transcends simple determination.

You can stream Nightcrawler on Starz.

Wayne’s World

I’ve always held the belief that among sketches from Saturday Night Live, “Wayne’s World” stands out as the crown jewel, even if that statement may not carry a great weight given other unrealized potential gems. For instance, the Debbie Downer movie remains just a dream.

“Wayne’s World” is an engaging and humorous comedy that’s tough to dislike. The story revolves around Wayne (played by Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey), a couple of laid-back rockers, who enjoy filming their low-budget TV show in Wayne’s parents’ basement. However, everything takes a turn when they strike a deal with slick television producer Benjamin Cane (Rob Lowe), selling the rights to their show. This highway to success brings about unexpected challenges as they discover that Cane’s vision for their show doesn’t align with their own.

Back in February 1989, the popular TV show “Saturday Night Live” debuted its first-ever “Wayne’s World” sketch. In just three short years, this simple sketch transformed into a significant success, raking in over $120 million at the box office. Since then, “SNL” has found it challenging to replicate such box office triumphs. However, “Wayne’s World” demonstrated that the show was capable of nurturing talented cast members and creating skits with an enduring impact. If not for Lorne Michaels and the dedicated team behind “SNL” in 1975, “Wayne’s World” might never have left its mark on pop culture.

You can rent Wayne’s World on Apple TV.

The Blues Brothers

Even though Wayne’s World takes the crown as the best Saturday Night Live (SNL) film, The Blues Brothers is undeniably a strong second contender. Not only was it the first movie born from an SNL skit, but it serves as an exceptional platform for John Belushi to demonstrate that there wasn’t anyone quite like him in terms of his unique comedic style.

The storyline of The Blues Brothers revolves around Jake (Belushi), who reconnects with his brother Elwood (Aykroyd) after serving time in prison. As soon as he steps out of the pen, Jake’s immediate mission is to prevent the orphanage where they grew up from being shut down by paying a $5,000 tax debt owed by the institution. To achieve this goal, the brothers decide to reassemble their old band, but their plans take an unexpected turn when they incur the wrath of some powerful adversaries during the process.

In Saturday Night, Belushi demonstrated an exceptional talent as a performer, yet seemed equally adept at getting into trouble. Regrettably, his life was cut short by an early death, leaving behind indelible impressions on The Blues Brothers and, more broadly, Saturday Night Live. Among the cast members, only Chris Farley has come close to matching Belushi’s unbridled energy and comedic power. Therefore, while his talent shines brightly in The Blues Brothers, it’s hard not to ponder the extraordinary achievements he might have accomplished had he enjoyed a longer career.

You can stream The Blues Brothers on Amazon Prime.

2025-01-31 22:40