Lorne

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Lorne

R

Apr 2026

1h 41m

Documentary

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

70%

Tomatometer

44 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

50+ Verified Ratings

From Morgan Neville, Academy Award-winning filmmaker of 20 Feet from Stardom and Won't You Be My Neighbor?, comes Lorne, an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the man who built the inimitable empire of comedy, shaping television and culture for generations. The documentary features exclusive footage, archival treasures, and candid interviews with the show's most iconic cast members and writers including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock and many more.

Critics Consensus

While the famously tight-lipped Lorne Michaels escapes closer scrutiny yet again in Morgan Neville's affectionate documentary, this tour through the SNL maestro's career is packed with plenty of amusing and worthwhile anecdotes.

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Audience Says

Though its subject remains elusive, Lorne offers an entertaining tribute that illuminates the cultural powerhouse behind Saturday Night Live and is sure to delight fans.

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Eric Deggans

NPR

1d

It's fair to say that I may be expecting too much for a film which mostly comes off as a lighthearted tribute to a TV legend. But figures of Michaels' stature deserve more, particularly from one of the most talented documentarians in the business.

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Thelma Adams

AARP Movies for Grownups

Apr 24

4/5

If you delight in learning (as I did) that Myers based his classic Dr. Evil voice on Michaels’ Canadian phrasings, you’re in for a treat. As are all SNL fans.

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Peter Rainer

Christian Science Monitor

Apr 20

4/5

What seems odd -- but probably shouldn’t be -- is that Michaels, as evidenced by this film, comes across more like a senior accountant than a comedy mogul. But why should we expect otherwise?

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Jason Gorber

POV Magazine

2d

Even the moments captured during the taping of the show are seen through a unique lens, providing a kind of vérité gaze on the mayhem of doing live television that’s truly welcome.

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Sarah Vincent

Sarah G Vincent Views

4d

How can I miss you if you don’t go away? "Lorne" (2026) is the latest "Saturday Night Live" ("SNL") related project, a documentary that leans more towards a glorified clip show with flashes of insight and fresh humor.

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Apr 25

3/4

...a rather surface-level yet perpetually watchable endeavor that benefits from its recurring inclusion of behind-the-scenes footage and raft of entertaining interviews...

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CCoop

Apr 26

It was a conglomerate of voices to define a unique man that has reflected some American humor back to us. Great tribute to what he has given to the Cast and Audience over many years.

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patti p

Apr 25

gave me a well rounded inside look at the whole SNL scene....he is a well respected man.

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ruth ann b

Apr 23

What a fascinating story of the development of Saturday Night Live inspired by Lorne Michaels so much talent Came from that program I never realized how many people have made us laugh and have risen to the top over all these years

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Jay

Apr 23

Great insight in Lorne Michaels and the behind the scenes for SNL fans.

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Grace

Apr 22

Great movie. Well done. Loved all the SNL shows from 1st aired show until now.

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A L R

Apr 20

Quite an insightful documentary on who perhaps one of the most reclusive person in American television entertainment.

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Morgan Neville

Director

Chris Parnell

Narrator

Lorne Michaels

Self

Tina Fey

Self

Maya Rudolph

Self

John Mulaney

Self

Lorne: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

From Morgan Neville, Academy Award-winning filmmaker of 20 Feet from Stardom and Won't You Be My Neighbor?, comes Lorne, an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the man who built the inimitable empire of comedy, shaping television and culture for generations. The documentary features exclusive footage, archival treasures, and candid interviews with the show's most iconic cast members and writers including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock and many more.

Director: Morgan Neville
Producer: Morgan Neville, Lauren Belfer
Screenwriter: Morgan Neville, Alan Lowe, Jake Hostetter
Distributor: Focus Features
Production Co: Tremolo Productions
Rating: R (A Sexual Reference|Language)
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 17, 2026, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2026
Runtime: 1h 41m