The 10 Must-See Bowen Yang Movies And TV Shows: From SNL Icon To 2025's Most Talked-About Film

The landscape of modern comedy has been irrevocably changed by Bowen Yang, and as of this current date, December 15, 2025, his career is hitting a new, unprecedented peak that extends far beyond the familiar brilliance of Saturday Night Live. The Emmy-nominated comedian has strategically transitioned his sharp, culturally resonant wit into a series of high-profile film and television roles, solidifying his status as a major Hollywood player. The next two years are set to be the most transformative of his career, featuring a massive blockbuster musical and a bold, intimate remake that has already generated significant buzz.

This deep dive explores the complete, updated filmography of the performer who broke barriers and became a cultural phenomenon, focusing heavily on the fresh, upcoming projects like the highly anticipated The Wedding Banquet (2025) and the star-studded Wicked film adaptation. From his iconic sketch comedy characters to his dramatic turns in queer cinema, here is the definitive list of Bowen Yang’s essential movies and TV shows that define his journey.

Bowen Yang: Complete Biography and Profile

Bowen Yang is an American actor, comedian, writer, and podcaster whose groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live made him the show's first openly gay male cast member and the first Chinese-American cast member. His unique perspective and fearless comedic style have earned him widespread critical acclaim and multiple awards nominations.

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• Full Name: Bowen Yang
• Born: November 6, 1990
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 35
• Birthplace: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Raised in Aurora, Colorado, U.S.)
• Nationality: American
• Education: New York University (NYU)
• Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Podcaster
• Known For: Saturday Night Live (SNL), Fire Island, Bros, Las Culturistas (Podcast)
• Awards: Primetime Emmy Award nominations (for SNL)
• Breakthrough Role: The Iceberg on SNL's Weekend Update

The Blockbusters and Boundary-Pushers: Bowen Yang's New Era of Film

Yang’s recent film choices demonstrate a clear intention to move beyond sketch comedy, tackling roles in both major studio blockbusters and independent, culturally significant projects. This section highlights the films that are currently defining his cinematic career, from his groundbreaking queer comedies to his massive musical debuts.

1. The Wedding Banquet (2025) - The Controversial Remake

Easily the most talked-about project of his 2025 slate is the remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic, The Wedding Banquet, directed by Andrew Ahn. Yang stars alongside Lily Gladstone and Kelly Marie Tran in this romantic comedy of errors. The film explores the complexities of cultural identity, queerness, and family expectations, centering on a green-card marriage proposal and the subsequent chaos when traditional parents arrive for a wedding.

The buzz around the movie is intense, particularly due to a sensitive keyword element revealed during the film's festival run: Yang's character's journey includes scenes that involve "baring it all," both emotionally and physically, which he has discussed as a challenging but essential part of the character's vulnerability.

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2. Wicked: Part One (2024) & Part Two (2025) - The Musical Milestone

Yang joins the star-studded cast of Jon M. Chu's two-part film adaptation of the Broadway phenomenon, Wicked. He plays the role of Pfannee, a fellow student at Shiz University and one of Glinda’s (Ariana Grande) admiring friends.

While a supporting role, Pfannee is a key figure in the social hierarchy of Shiz, and Yang’s presence in such a major, highly anticipated film confirms his crossover appeal to mainstream audiences globally. The film is set to release in two parts, cementing his presence on the big screen across 2024 and 2025.

3. Fire Island (2022) - The Modern Queer Classic

Co-starring and co-producing with Joel Kim Booster, Fire Island is considered a milestone in LGBTQ+ romantic comedy. The film, a modern, queer adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, showcases Yang's ability to handle both hilarious ensemble comedy and genuine emotional depth. His portrayal of Howie, a more reserved and sensitive member of the friend group, was lauded for its nuance.

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4. Bros (2022) - Hollywood's First

In another landmark LGBTQ+ film, Yang played a supporting role in Bros, the first gay romantic comedy from a major studio to feature an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast. His involvement in both Fire Island and Bros in the same year cemented him as a crucial voice in the new wave of queer cinema, using his platform to push for authentic representation.

5. The Cat in the Hat (2026) - Animated Future

Looking ahead, Yang is slated to lend his voice talents to the animated reboot of The Cat in the Hat, a major studio project from Warner Bros. This move into animation demonstrates the versatility of his comedic timing and his growing demand across all entertainment mediums.

The Foundation: Essential TV Shows and Sketch Comedy

While his film career is taking off, Yang's foundation remains in television, particularly the sketch and scripted comedies that first showcased his talent. These TV roles are essential viewing for understanding his comedic genius and topical authority.

6. Saturday Night Live (2019–Present) - The Main Stage

As a cast member since 2019, SNL is the centerpiece of Yang's career. His work on the show has earned him multiple Emmy nominations and produced iconic, viral characters like the Iceberg Who Sank the Titanic, Chen Biao, and Fran Lebowitz. His ability to blend sharp cultural commentary with absurd, physical comedy makes his tenure one of the most memorable in recent years.

7. Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens (2020–Present) - Long-Running Sitcom

Yang has a recurring role as Awkwafina’s cousin, Edmund, in this popular Comedy Central series. His character is a successful, often exasperated Stanford graduate who provides a hilarious contrast to Nora's slacker lifestyle. The show allows him to flesh out a consistent character over multiple seasons, showcasing his scripted comedy chops.

8. The Other Two (2019–2023) - Guest Star Excellence

In this critically acclaimed comedy series about two siblings navigating their younger brother's sudden pop stardom, Yang appeared as a guest star. His appearances were always scene-stealing, fitting perfectly into the show's hyper-aware, industry-skewering tone.

9. Girls5Eva (2021–Present) - The Pop Culture Satire

Yang has appeared in the Peacock (now Netflix) comedy Girls5Eva, which follows a one-hit-wonder girl group from the 90s attempting a comeback. The show’s rapid-fire, pop culture-heavy humor is a perfect match for Yang's style, demonstrating his versatility in an ensemble cast setting.

10. Ziwe (2021–2023) - The Interview Series

Appearing on Ziwe Fumudoh’s unique and often confrontational interview series, Yang showed his ability to improvise and handle pointed, topical questions with his signature blend of wit and self-awareness. His appearances here are a testament to his strength as a cultural commentator outside of a scripted environment.

The Future: Expanding Topical Authority

Bowen Yang's career trajectory is a masterclass in modern stardom: using a major platform like SNL to launch a film career that is both commercially viable (Wicked) and artistically/culturally significant (Fire Island, The Wedding Banquet). His ongoing work with collaborator Matt Rogers on the "Bowen Yang/Matt Rogers Project" at Searchlight Pictures further solidifies his role not just as an actor, but as a creative force and producer in Hollywood. [cite: 5, 13 (from step 1)]

With a slate of projects that includes animated features, blockbuster musicals, and intimate, groundbreaking queer cinema, Yang is establishing a deep topical authority across all genres of comedy and drama. The anticipation for his 2025 releases, particularly the intimate and highly personal performance in The Wedding Banquet, suggests that his most compelling and complex work is yet to come.