Entertainment
Raunchy Star Wars Parody Is Better Than Prequels Or Sequels, Now Streaming For Free
By Chris Snellgrove
| Published
Would you believe the greatest Star Wars parody ever made is a raunchy classic from an iconic director that the critics absolutely hated? It’s true, nerf herder: when Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs came out in 1987, reviewers dragged this film for filth, but it has gone on to become one of the most beloved sci-fi films (comedy or otherwise) ever made. Whether you’re ready for the upcoming sequel or just need a few good laughs, you need to grab the remote (move like you’re going ludicrous speed!) and stream it for free on Tubi.
The premise of Spaceballs is that the evil Spaceballs empire wants to kidnap a princess and ransom her for her home planet’s air supply. The only thing keeping her safe is a couple of screwball mercenaries cruising around the galaxy in a flying RV. Along the way, our heroes will meet unexpected allies and horrifying villains, all while discovering more about their destiny to fight the greatest (and definitely weirdest) evil the galaxy has ever known.
A Cast Of Major Stars
Unlike the first Star Wars movie that it is making fun of, Spaceballs has a cast full of big names, including fun supporting players like Police Academy alumnus Michael Winslow as a radio operator who is also a one-man sound effects machine. Joan Rivers, meanwhile, voices Dox Matrix, the sarcastically dry, femme-swapped version of C3PO. Meanwhile, director Mel Brooks memorably plays the president of Spaceballs, a man whose stupid schemes are only outmatched by the stupidity of his luggage code.
But the real star of the show is Bill Pullman (best known for Independence Day), who plays a reluctant hero mashup of both Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. His Chewbacca-like copilot and general partner in crime is played by John Candy (best known for Planes, Trains, & Automobiles), who steals every scene with a smile. But their characters will need all the luck (or should I say schwartz?) they can get to defeat Dark Helmet, the pint-sized Imperial leader played to comically over-the-top perfection by Rick Moranis (best known for Little Shop of Horrors).
The Critics Shot First
Spaceballs was a modest success upon release, earning $40.3 million against a budget of $22.7 million. Since then, the movie has developed a cult following, and fans have been clamoring for a proper sequel (and no, that weird cartoon show from 2008 doesn’t count). Those fans are in luck, and we’ll be getting Spaceballs 2 (hopefully with the subtitle “The Quest For More Money”) in 2027.
When Spaceballs came out, reviewers decided it was the worst thing since the Star Wars Holiday Special. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a criminally low rating of 52 percent, with critics acknowledging that the movie works well as a parody of George Lucas’ famous galaxy far, far away. However, they generally agreed that Mel Brooks had done funnier films before, which is admittedly amusing; the director is officially a victim of his own success!
The Perfect Star Wars Parody
While Spaceballs didn’t blow everyone away at the box office and left the critics downright cold, the film took on a new life once it hit home video. There, the movie gained a cult following of fans who enjoyed the talented cast, quotable dialogue, and surprisingly solid special effects. It was a sci-fi parody with killer production value and an acclaimed director, and that alone helped Spaceballs stand out from the rest of the VHS competition.
The movie came out when it seemed like Star Wars was dead, and Mel Brooks clearly had fun dancing on that successful franchise’s seeming grave. Of course, Star Wars never really went away, experiencing a ‘90s revival of books, comics, and games before the advent of the prequels and, later, the sequels. This has ironically helped Spaceballs remain both popular and relevant, and it’s arguably funnier now than ever before.
Going Over George Lucas’ Helmet
That’s because younger Star Wars fans led the way in openly laughing at the franchise, breathing new life into the prequels, one brainrot meme at a time. These days, it’s cool to make fun of a galaxy far, far away, and with lines like “they fly now?!?” and “Somehow, Palpatine returned,” the movies practically make fun of themselves. But Mel Brooks deserves full credit for mocking Star Wars long before it was cool, and sci-fi fans young and old are sure to like his gags making fun of sacred cows like Yoda, the Force, and (what else?) “merchandising!”
For sci-fi fans, Spaceballs is a movie that fires on all cylinders: it’s a pitch-perfect satire of Star Wars that you can also enjoy on its own merits as a mid-budget screwball comedy. It has a cast of big names giving some of the best performances of their lives, and as a fun bonus, it pokes fun at other big franchises as well. Trust me: you’ll never look at Alien again after you watch this one to the end!
Will you agree that Spaceballs is a Star Wars parody better than the prequels and sequels, or would you rather go without air than finish this underappreciated Mel Brooks masterpiece? You won’t know until you grab a fresh can of oxygen and stream the film for free on Tubi. The film can be downright inspirational, though, so don’t blame me if you go looking for a Schwartz ring at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box after the credits roll!
