The Best Movies Starring Saturday Night Live’s “Not Ready for Primetime” Players

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I’ve always been fascinated by the very first seasons of Saturday Night Live. It felt like they were just figuring things out as they went, really going for big laughs and hoping everyone would be talking about the show on Monday. And more often than not, they succeeded! What’s even more amazing is how many of those original cast members – the “Not Ready for Primetime” players – went on to have huge movie careers. I’m excited to look at some of the best films starring those early SNL stars, like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Gilda Radner, George Coe, Michael O’Donoghue, and Bill Murray. It’s incredible to see how they all launched their careers from that show!

A movie was considered for inclusion based on just two things. First, it needed to feature at least one cast member from the early days of Saturday Night Live – the “Not Ready for Primetime” players – in a significant role. For example, even though Jack Nicholson starred in the great film The Last Detail, Gilda Radner only had a very brief, silent appearance, so it didn’t qualify. Second, the movie had to be a comedy. Luckily, most of the original SNL cast members primarily appeared in comedic films.

10) The Blues Brothers

What started as a simple sketch on Saturday Night Live unexpectedly launched Aykroyd and Belushi into a second career, particularly for Belushi, who envisioned them primarily as musicians rather than actors. Though Aykroyd hadn’t initially planned on a music career, he clearly enjoyed it just as much as Belushi did.

This holds true for the movie The Blues Brothers just as much as the original sketches. While it’s a bit lengthy and its humor isn’t for all tastes, it’s a classic example of a film that feels like it came straight from the ‘Not Ready for Primetime’ era. It was the very first movie adapted from a Saturday Night Live sketch, and it stayed that way for twelve years. Just be sure to skip its terrible sequel, which doesn’t include John Belushi.

Stream The Blues Brothers on Prime Video.

9) Fletch

Chevy Chase truly shined when he could be sarcastic and witty. While that attitude sometimes caused issues off-screen, it’s perfect for his role in Fletch.

This film gave him the chance to fully explore a complex side of his personality, making his character a uniquely smart and engaging detective – or, in this case, investigative reporter. The story of a hired murder is captivating, but what really makes it enjoyable is the actor’s quick wit and funny delivery of his lines.

8) Stripes

While Bill Murray had leading roles in Meatballs and showed comedic flair in the ensemble cast of Caddyshack, Stripes was the first film where he truly felt like the star. However, the movie’s success wasn’t just down to him – the supporting cast, featuring John Candy, Harold Ramis, and Judge Reinhold, were equally crucial to making it so memorable.

Bill Murray excelled at playing laid-back, unconventional characters, and his role as John Winger perfectly showcases this talent. The scenes between him and Warren Oates, playing the intensely angry Sergeant Hulka, are a highlight of 1980s filmmaking.

Stream Stripes on Netflix.

7) Trading Places

The movie Trading Places brought together stars from different generations of Saturday Night Live. Dan Aykroyd was part of the original ‘Not Ready for Primetime’ cast, while Eddie Murphy revitalized the show and became a huge star in the 1980s.

Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd are hilarious together in this movie, with a chemistry that’s just as good as his pairing with Nick Nolte in 48 Hrs., and maybe even better. Add to that confident directing from John Landis, Jamie Lee Curtis starting to show her range beyond horror films, and fantastic performances from villains Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche, and Trading Places really stands out as a special film.

Stream Trading Places on Starz.

6) Caddyshack

Whether you love it or not, Caddyshack is a fun, classic movie from the early 80s. It doesn’t have a tight plot, which might not appeal to everyone, but it’s perfect for having on while you’re doing other things, and it’s full of memorable lines and feels wonderfully unscripted.

Even though Chevy Chase and Bill Murray are both fantastic in this film, and it features a particularly strong performance from Rodney Dangerfield (second only to his work in Back to School), Caddyshack truly belongs to Ted Knight. He perfectly embodies the stuffy, pretentious side of the movie’s “slobs vs. snobs” dynamic, delivering outrageously funny and chaotic outbursts. And the scene with the chocolate bar in the pool remains a classic, even after over forty years.

Stream Caddyshack on AMC+.

5) Groundhog Day

It’s rare to find a concept as clever as the one in Groundhog Day executed well. Luckily, director Harold Ramis and Bill Murray – who had previously worked together on Stripes and another film we’ll discuss later – understood that the story shouldn’t focus too heavily on the fantastical elements. The film needed to draw us in with a flawed, self-centered character who desperately needed personal growth.

What’s a great way to make someone change their ways? How about trapping them in a time loop! Eventually, they’ll have to think about what truly makes life meaningful. And that’s really what the movie Groundhog Day is all about – a genuine and believable love story. It’s a charming and funny film, with moments of touching drama, making it a timeless and enjoyable choice for the whole family.

Stream Groundhog Day on Netflix.

4) National Lampoon’s Animal House

While some aspects haven’t held up over time, Animal House was a truly groundbreaking film. It essentially launched the entire college comedy genre, as no movie had really explored that territory before it.

The film Animal House helped launch the careers of many actors. John Belushi was the biggest star to emerge from it – while he’d already become well-known on Saturday Night Live, this film showed he could lead a major movie. Though part of a larger cast, he’s the actor most people remember from the film. Other notable performers who appeared in Animal House include Tim Matheson (known for Fletch), Tom Hulce (Amadeus), Bruce McGill (Reacher), Peter Riegert (The Mask), and Kevin Bacon, who played a particularly memorable villain.

Stream National Lampoon’s Animal House on Philo.

3) Ed Wood

While not a typical comedy, Ed Wood is a touching biographical film with moments of humor, and it’s a standout role for Bill Murray. It really showcases his talent for blending different genres, and was one of the first times he truly excelled at it.

This section will also highlight other fantastic films by Murray that successfully combine comedy with other genres. Examples include Wild Things, a comedy-thriller, and films like Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lost in Translation, Broken Flowers, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and On the Rocks, which all skillfully blend humor with dramatic elements.

2) National Lampoon’s Vacation & National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

For years, seeing the name National Lampoon attached to a movie meant it probably wasn’t very good. However, there were a few exceptions, particularly early on, when the films were actually written by people who worked on the magazine. Animal House was the first success, and after a couple of flops (Movie Madness and Class Reunion), National Lampoon’s Vacation proved to be another hit.

Chevy Chase really shines in these National Lampoon movies, and it’s clear this role was tailor-made for him. He’s fantastic as the dad who desperately wants a perfect family vacation, but is constantly driven to the edge by everything that goes wrong – things he just can’t fix! We first saw this in the original road trip movie, but I honestly think it’s even better in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. That film cleverly adds another layer to his frustration by showing how undervalued he feels at work – he’s basically reduced to being recognized for his membership in a fruit-of-the-month club. It’s a brilliant touch that really elevates his character’s comedic desperation.

Stream National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation on Hulu.

1) Ghostbusters

The original Ghostbusters wasn’t just a movie; it captured a moment when everyone involved was incredibly passionate about making it. It’s a truly original, lively film built around a clever idea that feels surprisingly real. The homemade look of the ghostbusting equipment is central to its charm – it feels like something built in a garage. Ultimately, Ghostbusters is about two guys who are genuinely excited by the mysteries around them, and like Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson’s characters, we, the audience, are simply enjoying the adventure with them.

It’s easy to picture Dan Aykroyd originally suggesting Ghostbusters as a short comedy sketch. Luckily, that didn’t happen! Instead, the movie became one of the most popular and profitable films of the 1980s, no matter what kind of movie it was. Plus, the original Ghostbusters remains the perfect example of Bill Murray’s signature sarcastic and witty delivery.

Stream Ghostbusters on fuboTV.

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2026-01-08 03:43