Finn Wolfhard kicked off the first Saturday Night Live of 2026 with a bang, proving that the kids from Hawkins are definitely not kids anymore. In a hosting debut that instantly went viral, the 23-year-old actor surprised the Studio 8H audience by bringing out former co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin during his monologue. The trio, fresh off the massive Stranger Things series finale that aired just weeks ago on New Year's Eve, used the platform to joke about their awkward public puberty and toast to their future careers as adult actors.
Finn Wolfhard SNL Host Monologue Stuns Audience
Wolfhard, looking sharp and notably grown-up with a bit of facial hair, wasted no time addressing the elephant in the room: growing up on camera. "It feels so amazing that 400 million people got to watch me go through puberty," Wolfhard quipped to the audience, launching into a self-deprecating bit about his voice cracking during pivotal scenes. The Finn Wolfhard SNL host gig marks a major milestone, making him the first of the younger Stranger Things cast members to headline the sketch show.
The energy in the room shifted when Wolfhard declared, "Stranger Things is over, and I'm not a kid anymore." Right on cue, Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin walked onto the stage to thunderous applause. "And neither are we!" they shouted in unison. The Stranger Things reunion 2026 moment was both nostalgic and hilarious, as the three friends shared a drink—which Wolfhard immediately spat out, joking it was "too spicy."
The Viral "Adult Films" Joke
The highlight of the Finn Wolfhard monologue video circulating on social media today is undoubtedly the trio's toast. Raising their glasses, Wolfhard announced, "To us, child stars—who are now ready to do adult films!" The double entendre drew gasps and laughter before McLaughlin deadpanned, "Phrasing, man!" It was a perfect comedic beat that signaled their transition from the Upside Down to mainstream Hollywood adulthood.
Stranger Things Parody Sketches Steal the Show
It wouldn't be a proper Stranger Things reunion 2026 without a sketch poking fun at the franchise that made them stars. Later in the night, the show aired a pre-taped segment mocking the endless spin-off possibilities now that the main series has concluded. The sketch featured teasers for absurd shows like Strangerest Minds, featuring Andrew Dismukes as a gritty inner-city teacher version of Steve Harrington, and The Wheeler Report, a news drama starring Nancy Wheeler.
Wolfhard starred in the standout segment, Mike in Manhattan, a Sex and the City-style dramedy following Mike Wheeler's quest to become a writer in the big city. Both the Gaten Matarazzo SNL cameo and Caleb McLaughlin Saturday Night Live appearance extended into this sketch, with the actors reprising exaggerated versions of Dustin and Lucas offering terrible dating advice. It was a meta-commentary on the industry's obsession with franchises, performed with knowing winks from the actors living through it.
SNL Season 51 Highlights: A Strong Start to 2026
Beyond the reunion, the episode delivered several other SNL Season 51 highlights. Wolfhard fully committed to the absurdity of the night, shining in a recurring "Snackhomiez" sketch. Playing a Gen Z influencer named Micah, he joined cast member Chloe Fineman and surprise guest Sabrina Carpenter to discuss "sigma status" and "max mogging" in a podcast format that left older viewers baffled but had the internet in stitches. Musical guest A$AP Rocky also joined in, plugging Rap Snacks with deadpan comedic timing.
Critics are already praising Wolfhard's versatility. By stepping out of the shadow of Mike Wheeler so quickly after the finale, he demonstrated a comedic range similar to former child stars who successfully pivoted to adult comedy. His chemistry with the cast, particularly in live sketches, suggests this won't be his last time at 30 Rock.
Stranger Things Cast Today: Moving On
The episode served as a public graduation for the actors. With the Stranger Things cast today all in their early-to-mid 20s, the "kids" label no longer fits. McLaughlin is 24, and both Wolfhard and Matarazzo are 23. Their easy banter on stage highlighted a genuine friendship forged over a decade of filming, but also a readiness to tackle individual projects. While the Stranger Things finale dominated pop culture conversations just weeks ago, last night proved they are more than just their Hawkins counterparts.
As SNL continues its 51st season with upcoming hosts Teyana Taylor and Alexander Skarsgård, Wolfhard's episode has set a high bar for the year. For fans missing the sci-fi hit, seeing the boys back together one last time was the perfect closure—even if it ended with a joke about adult films.
