MacGruber (film)

MacGruber is a 2010 American action comedy film based on the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name, which itself was a parody of action-adventure television series MacGyver. Developed by Jorma Taccone, Will Forte, and John Solomon, it stars Forte in the title role; Kristen Wiig as Vicki St. Elmo, MacGruber's work partner and love interest; Ryan Phillippe as Dixon Piper, a young lieutenant who becomes part of MacGruber's team; Maya Rudolph as Casey, MacGruber's deceased wife; and Val Kilmer as Dieter von Cunth, the villain.

The film expands the sketch's premise into a deadpan send-up of 1980s and 1990s action cinema, drawing inspiration from films such as Lethal Weapon. The creative team set out to construct a sincere action narrative around its absurd, narcissistic protagonist, while retaining the sketch's heightened vulgarity and unpredictable comedic tone. It was produced under a tight schedule while its writers were still working weekly on SNL. Shot in Albuquerque, New Mexico on a modest budget, MacGruber was given significant creative freedom, and employs stylized cinematography to closely mimic the action blockbusters it parodied. The film was released in the United States on May 21, 2010.

Famously considered one of SNL's biggest theatrical misfires, MacGruber opened to weak box-office returns, grossing $9.3 million worldwide against a $10 million budget. It also received mixed critical reviews, with some praising its committed performances and anti-comedy sensibility while others criticized its shock humor and uneven tone. Over time, however, the film has developed a substantial cult following, with critics and filmmakers alike reassessing its bold comedic style; its enduring popularity ultimately led to a limited television series continuation released on Peacock in 2021.