Spaceballs
First screened in 1987 / Most recently screened in August 2025

---

Director: Mel Brooks. Cast: Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, John Candy, Daphne Zuniga, Joan Rivers, Dick Van Patten, George Wyner, JM J. Bullock, Ronny Graham, Leslie Bevis, Sandy Helberg, Sal Viscuso, Michael Winslow, Stephen Tobolowsky, John Hurt. Screenplay: Mel Brooks, Thomas Meehan, and Ronny Graham (not based in the slightest on Star Wars, with assists from Transformers, Aliens, The Fly, et al.).

---

Photo © 1987 MGM / Brooksfilms

In Brief: I laughed when I was in fifth grade and I'm laughing now just shy of 50. Not every gag created equal, but plenty land.

VOR: ②  Film history wouldn't notice its absence. Relies pretty heavily on acquaintance with its targets. But Brooks's impishness is a durable resource.

Grade: B–

---

Permalink

Home

1987

ABC

E-Mail