Summary
Jason Reitman’sSaturday Night, which chronicles the origins ofSNL, has chosen the perfect release date to honor the sketch show’s iconic legacy.Saturday Nightwill revolve around the behind-the-scenes drama in the hours leading up toSNL’s first ever broadcast in 1975. It has a stacked cast to rival the first season ofSaturday Night Liveitself, led byThe Fabelmans’ Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as NBC executive Dick Ebersol, and Rachel Sennott as writer Rosie Shuster.
TheSaturday Nightcastalso includes Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson, J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle, and Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page. Reitman is directing from a screenplay he co-wrote with hisGhostbusterscohort Gil Kenan.Saturday Nightis set to arrive in theaters on June 19, 2025(viaDeadline), and not only does this release date put the film in contention for awards season; it’s also the perfect date to pay tribute to the beginnings ofSNL.
Jason Reitman’s SNL Origin Movie Will Be Released On The Same Date That SNL Premiered In 1975
Saturday Night’s theatrical release will coincide with SNL’s anniversary
Not only is October 11 a great date to drum up some early interest with awards voters; it also happens to be the same date on whichSNLoriginally premiered in 1975. The first episode was hosted bystandup legend George Carlin(although, curiously, no one has been announced to play Carlin in the movie) and featured such future superstars as Chevy Chase and John Belushi. So,Saturday Nightwill arrive in theaters on the best possible day to honor the comedy history it portrays.
The announcement of the release date came along with the announcement of the film’s final title,Saturday Night. It had been produced under the working titleSNL 1975, but that was never supposed to be the final title. While it doesn’t sound as snappy as an alternative title likeLive from New YorkorIt’s Saturday Night!,Saturday Nightis a nod toSNL’s original title:NBC’s Saturday Night. The film may not have the perfect title, but it does have the perfect release date.
Saturday Night’s Release Adds To SNL’s Big 50th Anniversary Season
SNL’s 50th season is set to premiere on September 28
The release ofSaturday Nightwill contribute toSNL’s 50th-anniversary celebrations.The 50th season of the iconic sketch show – described as a season-long celebration of the anniversary – is set to premiere on September 28, a couple of weeks before the film hits theaters. The series will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special set to air on June 10, 2025. The 40th-anniversary special brought back a lot of legends, so it’ll be exciting to see what the 50th-anniversary special has in store.
SNL: 1975
Cast
SNL 1975 explores the tumultuous moments behind the scenes leading up to the inaugural live broadcast of Saturday Night Live on August 05, 2025. The film details the efforts of the young comedians and writers involved, capturing the chaotic atmosphere and pivotal events of that landmark night in television history.
