As a huge fan of Saturday Night Live, I must admit that while some sketches are absolute gems, the transition to feature films often falls flat. You see, every sketch comedy is a roll of the dice – some land, others miss – and SNL is no exception. The movies born from popular SNL sketches have been more “miss” than “hit.”
The fundamental issue lies in the stark contrast between the length of an average SNL sketch (about 5 minutes) and a full-length comedy film (around 90 minutes). No matter how beloved a sketch may be, no matter how many times it’s managed to keep us laughing, a string of five-minute sketches does not make a compelling 90-minute movie.
A successful movie demands more than just a series of jokes. It requires a well-defined three-act structure, character development, and a genuine conflict or challenge for the characters to overcome. These elements are often missing in the SNL movies, leaving audiences craving a more substantial narrative experience.
Sketches in general don’t adhere strictly to the three-act structure and typically lack depth when it comes to character development. It’s surprising, though, that some films adapted from Saturday Night Live sketches have been successful despite these limitations. In truth, only a few of them turn out well, with three being particularly impressive.
11) It’s Pat
In a row of two movies produced by SNL, it was “It’s Pat” that went largely unnoticed, and it’s not hard to understand why. During its release, Julia Sweeney’s prominent SNL character, Pat Riley, was quite one-dimensional. The essence of the character lay in its androgynous nature.
To put it another way, it’s clear that Pat and the movie aren’t suited for today. Moreover, Pat was designed to be whiny and annoying throughout, which unfortunately doesn’t work well in a movie setting, even considering its relatively short length of 78 minutes.
10) Blues Brothers 2000
Although John Goodman has a similar charisma to an SNL cast member, he wasn’t able to fill John Belushi’s shoes. It doesn’t mean that Goodman didn’t try his best, quite the opposite, as he was exceptionally suitable for the role of Jake Blues, should anyone have been able to replace Belushi in that part.
In my perspective, when they decided to make “Blues Brothers 2000,” they chose an unconventional route by writing off Jake and having John Goodman play a fresh character, Mack “Mighty Mack” McTeer. However, the absence of Belushi leaves a significant void, for he was more than just a band member; he lived and breathed the Blues Brothers to an extent that even Dan Aykroyd couldn’t match. Over time, music became an essential part of his performative identity, not merely a sideline to sketch comedy or film stardom. Without him, the authentic spirit seems to have faded away. Additionally, the subpar script and excessive musical guest appearances don’t exactly help in recapturing the original magic.
9) Coneheads
In the third film inspired by an SNL sketch, it significantly surpassed the winning streak of both The Blues Brothers and Wayne’s World. Throughout this list, you’ll encounter the term “one-dimensional” often because it’s quite relevant to even SNL’s most beloved recurring characters.
Back in the day, the peculiar characters from “Coneheads” used to be quite the sensation. However, their fame was largely built upon the amusement derived from their distinctive pointed heads and high-pitched voices. It’s understandable why a movie about these extraterrestrials struggling to adapt to Earth’s customs might have seemed like a good idea, as there is indeed humor in such a scenario. Yet, after a while, these aliens become rather grating to the ears.
Stream Coneheads for free on Hoopla.
8) Stuart Saves His Family
From the start, Al Franken played a crucial role in Saturday Night Live. Known for his wit and intelligence, he proved to be a valuable contributor as a writer. However, when it came to performing, his effectiveness was less notable.
For example, consider his most frequent character, the self-help guru Stuart Smalley. Similar to Pat Riley, there are aspects about the effeminate Smalley that might not make him suitable for roles in today’s more sensitive and inclusive society. Similarly to the shows “It’s Pat” and “Stuart Saves His Family”, the latter was a production that didn’t receive widespread distribution and has since been largely overlooked. Despite this, as a film, it outshines “It’s Pat”. However, when the standard is so low, exceeding it isn’t particularly impressive.
Stream Stuart Saves His Family for free on Hoopla.
7) Superstar
When two Saturday Night Live (SNL) performers share a strong connection, it can create an enchanting atmosphere. For instance, consider Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig, or the duo of Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph; Chris Farley and David Spade; and Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon. Their compatibility shines brilliantly.
The transition to the big screen often brings out their sparkle, but not when the film is an adaptation from a Saturday Night Live sketch. For example, Fey and Poehler shone in Baby Mama, Hader and Wiig in The Skeleton Twins, Wiig and Rudolph in Bridesmaids, and Farley and Spade in Tommy Boy. However, Ferrell and Shannon failed to do so in Superstar. This wasn’t due to any shortcomings on their part, but primarily because the title character (Mary Katherine Gallagher) lacked the complexity that is typically found in recurring Saturday Night Live characters.
Read Next
6) The Ladies Man
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to say that while films like “Superstar” and “A Night at the Roxbury” barely scraped by with some earnings, the flop that was “The Ladies Man” put a chilling halt on the production of Saturday Night Live movies for a good ten years. It wasn’t until the release of “MacGruber” that we saw another attempt, but alas, it shared the same fate as its predecessors.
For “The Ladies Man,” the criticism seems justified. Tim Meadows does a fantastic job in his supporting roles, but his character as a talk show host dishing out subpar romantic advice didn’t quite cut it to hold the entire movie together. To put it positively, “The Ladies Man” has its funny moments, though not as many as “A Night at the Roxbury,” but certainly more than “Superstar.
Stream The Ladies Man for free on Hoopla.
5) A Night at the Roxbury
At long last, we’ve found a film adaptation of an SNL sketch that’s truly enjoyable to watch – just once, but it’s definitely worth the time.
The film “A Night at the Roxbury” shines due to the captivating dynamic between Chris Kattan and Will Ferrell. It’s not just a fun night out, but also a significant cultural artifact in several aspects. Firstly, it boasts an excellent collection of popular ’90s tunes that will have you grooving along. Secondly, while Ferrell is billed second, this movie truly belongs to Kattan. Ferrell plays a supportive role, which was surprising considering the year 1998. The film might not be a cinematic masterpiece, but it’s remarkable how “Roxbury” manages to develop a one-dimensional duo into full-fledged characters, particularly Kattan’s Doug. Molly Shannon delivers standout performances in a role that contrasts her usual typecasting, and Dan Hedaya is spot-on as the frustrated father of the duo.
Stream A Night at the Roxbury on Paramount+.
4) Wayne’s World 2
Initially, the first two films under Saturday Night Live (SNL), namely The Blues Brothers and Wayne’s World, sparked sequels. Unfortunately for The Blues Brothers, its follow-up failed to impress. On the other hand, while Wayne’s World 2 showed signs of decline in quality, it still managed to deliver some laughs and entertainment.
Repeating jokes from the original movie makes “Wayne’s World 2” seem redundant at times, but when it shifts focus to the duo organizing a concert, it becomes somewhat enjoyable. Additionally, “Wayne’s World 2” provided Chris Farley with his initial significant film role, and his performance was almost captivating.
Stream Wayne’s World 2 on Paramount+.
3) MacGruber
There’s a compelling case that the latest movie adapted from an SNL sketch, 2010’s MacGruber, stands out as the best among them. For those who resonate with its humor, especially Will Forte’s performance, it’s a treasure trove. However, it only ranks third due to the intense dislike it evokes in some viewers. Without a doubt, it’s the most divisive SNL film.
Despite its critics, they can’t help but appreciate how it transformed brief SNL sketches into a full-length story. It’s also significant for being one of the last theatrical films to star the late Val Kilmer and for showcasing the most imaginative use of celery in film history.
Stream MacGruber on Netflix.
2) The Blues Brothers
This movie, “The Blues Brothers,” starring two original Saturday Night Live cast members (key figures during SNL’s formative years), is a must-see for those appreciating the early charm of SNL. While its comedic value may differ based on opinion, the impact it made is undeniable.
The movie was released a year following the departures of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd from SNL. The immense fame they held at that time is evident in the film’s global earnings of $115.2 million, which equates to approximately $448.5 million when adjusted for inflation. This is an enormous sum for a comedy movie. Additionally, it’s entertaining to witness music icons such as James Brown and Ray Charles perform. Unlike in Blues Brothers 2000, the cameos of musicians are seamlessly incorporated because the original The Blues Brothers primarily focuses on portraying two men as they journey through life, playing music for anyone who will listen rather than strictly adhering to a cohesive narrative.
Stream The Blues Brothers on Netflix.
1) Wayne’s World
Dana Carvey was adored by numerous Saturday Night Live (SNL) fans during his 12-year tenure. He added life to every performance he took part in. Furthermore, due to his popular recurring characters such as the Church Lady, he frequently stole the show.
As a die-hard fan of Saturday Night Live, I must admit that there’s no denying Carvey’s brilliance. Particularly as Garth Algar in the “Wayne’s World” sketches, he truly shone. Even in the “Wayne’s World” movie, his presence was indispensable to its charm and unending rewatchability. The energy and hilarity it exudes would make you think that behind the scenes, everything was hunky-dory between Carvey and Mike Myers. But alas, they had their differences. Yet, add in Tia Carrere’s scene-stealing performance, Rob Lowe’s spot-on douchey villain portrayal, a few sidesplitting scenes with Lara Flynn Boyle as the eerie Stacy, and a killer soundtrack to top it off, and “Wayne’s World” stands tall as the finest SNL movie ever made.
Stream Wayne’s World on fuboTV.
Read More
2025-06-12 16:11