Kyle Mooney’s ‘Y2K’ Digital Release Date Reportedly Revealed

A24’s collaboration with Kyle Mooney, Y2K, has reportedly found its digital release date, thanks to a new report.

According to release date tracker and outlet WhenToStream, Y2K will be coming to digital on December 24th, Christmas Eve. The movie only released in cinemas on December 6th, only 2 and a half weeks before the rumoured digital date.

Y2K is a nostalgic, comedic romp set against the backdrop of the millennial panic that swept the world in the late 1990s. Directed by Kyle Mooney (Saturday Night Live), the film captures the chaotic energy of New Year’s Eve, 1999, when fears of a technological apocalypse collided with the vibrant, over-the-top culture of the time.

The plot centers on a group of suburban teens who find themselves caught up in a wild house party on the last night of the millennium. Amidst the celebratory chaos, fears of Y2K — the potential for computers to fail as the date rolled over to the year 2000 — loom over the characters, leading to absurd situations and heartfelt moments. The movie combines slapstick humor, outrageous party antics, and a dose of cultural satire as it explores friendship, youthful rebellion, and the anxieties of a generation on the cusp of a new era.

Y2K features a mix of rising stars and comedic heavyweights. Jaeden Martell (It, Knives Out) leads the ensemble cast as the socially awkward Eli navigating the party scene, while Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) plays his charismatic, free-spirited crush Laura. The film also boasts hilarious performances from Julian Dennison (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) , Eduardo Franco (Stranger Things), and Mason Gooding (Scream VI)), with supporting roles filled by Mooney’s signature blend of quirky comedic actors.

Why Did ‘Y2K’ Not Succeed?

Despite its creative premise and talented cast, Y2K struggled to resonate with audiences. One challenge may have been its reliance on nostalgia for an era that some viewers, especially younger ones, don’t fully remember or relate to: a very similar issue to the one that Saturday Night had a few months ago, though this event was more recent. While the film’s late-90s references are spot-on and entertaining for those who lived through the time, they might have felt alienating or overly niche for others.

The humor, too, leaned heavily into absurdity and satire, which can be polarising. Kyle Mooney’s style is known for its offbeat, awkward comedy, and while that appeals to a specific audience, it doesn’t always translate to broad appeal. Additionally, the film’s marketing may have failed to clarify its tone and target audience, leaving viewers unsure of what to expect — a raunchy teen party movie, a Y2K-themed period piece, a gory cliche teen horror or a heartfelt coming-of-age comedy. As a result, it may have been overlooked when audiences were deciding what to catch at the cinema this month, or simply ignored due to how out there and ‘not everyone’s style’ it is.

The unwarranted backlash that often follows Rachel Zegler also likely hurt the movie. Despite being an immensely talented actor with an impressive range, Zegler has been subjected to intense and disproportionate hate online, much of it rooted in toxicity and misplaced criticism rather than any legitimate concerns about her performances or work. This ongoing negativity surrounding her public persona may have discouraged some audiences from giving Y2K a fair chance, even though the reviews for the film and word from people who have seen it take issue with aspects outside of Zegler’s involvement.

Y2K stills offers a unique take on bizarre moment in cultural history, blending wild comedy with a gory horror robot-takeover premise, which is very relevant to today. It may yet find its audience on streaming platforms, where quirky cult classics often thrive.

Y2K was written by Kyle Mooney and Evan Winter, and directed by Kyle Mooney, starring Jaeden Martell, Julian Dennison, Rachel Zegler, Fred Durst, Mason Gooding and The Kid LAROI. 

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