Finn Wolfhard SNL Stranger Things parody: Hawkins Kids Meet Sex and the City in NYC

The kids from Hawkins aren't kids anymore—and they're definitely not in Indiana. Finn Wolfhard made his hosting debut on Saturday Night Live on January 17, 2026, bringing along his Stranger Things costars for a hilarious series of parodies that poked fun at the show's legacy and its divisive series finale.

Finn Wolfhard SNL Stranger Things parody: The Spinoffs We Never Asked For

The sketch show took on the internet's obsession with a rumored 9th episode in a pre-recorded segment. Wolfhard reunited with Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin as their characters arrived in Iceland to find the 'real' Eleven. To the audience's delight, the supernatural hero was played by Kenan Thompson, complete with a hospital gown, a nosebleed, and an Eggo.

But the real viral moment came with a spoof titled 'Mike in Manhattan.' Mashup culture reached a new peak as Mike Wheeler transformed into a Carrie Bradshaw-style writer in 90s New York. "And just like that, I was in a new Upside Down," Wolfhard narrated, while brunching with Dustin and Lucas. The trio joked about their grim post-Hawkins lives, including a dark punchline about Mike's nosebleeds being caused by 90s nightlife rather than psychic powers.

Leaving Hawkins Behind

In his opening monologue, Wolfhard joked about spending 10 years on the same show and going through puberty in the public eye. "I was 17 for 10 years!" he exclaimed, referencing the slow production cycles of modern streaming TV. The Netflix star's appearance signaled a pivot to more mature, comedic roles as the original cast moves into the next phase of their careers.