Worst2First: My Top Ten Spoof Films

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Spoof Films

During this time of quarantine there's been countless YouTube and TikTok of people acting goofy and silly to bring laughter to viewers, and films are no different.  Sometimes you need to watch something that makes fun of something else in a light-hearted way where you find yourself laughing but not feeling bad about it, and that's the great thing about spoof films - they're innocent fun that mocks serious films in an effective and honorable way.

Here are my personal favorite top ten spoof films, worst2first...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

 Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Spoofing the classic 1883 Howard Pyle-written character, "Men in Tights" tells a different story about the famed Robin Hood - who steals from the rich and gives to the poor - and his band of merry men as they set out to rescue Maid Marian from the evil Prince John.  They bumble their way through Sherwood Forest to the castle and the results are nothing short of hilarity, which you'd expect coming from Mel Brooks's excellent directing and Cary Elwes' subdued performance.

#9

 Hot Shots! Part Deux

For some reason I've always thought the second film to be the funnier of the two, and maybe its because I enjoyed all the "Rambo" references it makes.  The film spoofs not just the Stallone classic but other action films as Charlie Sheen's Topper Hurley single-handedly enters danger to free hostages held by Saddam Hussein, and the results are nothing short of hilarious.

#8

 Blazing Saddles

Mel Brooks pretty much owns the spoof subgenre, and its due to classic films like "Blazing Saddles," which spoofs western films.  An African American sheriff must stop a railroad expansion from going through his all-white town, and it's up to him and an alcoholic gunslinger to stop it.  Gene Wilder starts and Brooks appears in several cameos in this laugh-out-loud spoof film that earned three Academy Awards and holds up decades later.

#7

 The Naked Gun

Leslie Nielsen was a comedic genius, the godfather of spoof films, and his legacy will continue decades from now as one of Hollywood's most satirically comedic actors.  Spoofing police procedural shows (and based off a short-lived spoof television series), "The Naked Gun" finds Nielsen's bumbling cop who sets out to clear his partner's name while also preventing an assassination attempt on the Queen of England, and the only mystery you'll find is if you don't find yourself laughing minute-to-minute in this fantastic spoof film.

#6

Young Frankenstein

Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder return to the list in "Young Frankenstein," a film that spoofs none other than Mary Shelley's classic creature.  Wilder stars as Dr. Frankenstein's American grandson who inherits his castle and discovers the method to bring the dead to life.  His creation is much like his grandfather's, except he's much more inept and blundering, leading the younger Frankenstein to question what he actually did.  The film is filled with Brooks' original comedic style delivered perfectly by Wilder, a match made in spoof heaven.

#5

 Shaun of the Dead

 Edgar Wright is one of today's most prolific directors, and when he dipped his fingers in the spoof subgenre film, the result is a cult classic that's as hilarious and timely now as it was back in 2004, which now feels so long ago.  Spoofing zombie films, "Shaun of the Dead" finds the graceless Shaun as he must find a way to protect his friends and family from a zombie apocalypse - which to him means hiding out in his favorite pub until it all blows over.  Simon Pegg is now a big-name actor, but in one of his earliest roles he firmly established himself a comedic powerhouse in this nonstop uproarious film.

#4

 The Princess Bride

You wanted a spoof film about romance?  As you wish!  Rob Reiner directed this instant classic about a grandfather telling his reluctant grandson a love story, but this is anything but typical.  The main character must find his way to his lost love, but comes across many perils along the way - and you'll suffer from stomach busting laughter throughout.  Filled to the brim with memorable lines that are still repeated today and featuring a standout cast including Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Andre the Giant, Wallace Shawn, Fred Savage, Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Chris Sarandon and Peter Falk, this will be one bedtime story your kid won't mind listening to.

#3

 Airplane!

What many people might not know is that this film is actually taken from a 1957 airplane disaster film called "Zero Hour!" with several moments repeating nearly verbatim here for laughs instead of terror.  When a disgraced alcoholic former pilot with a fear of flying has to land a plane filled with innocent passengers, you'd expect nothing short of hilarity.  Throw in Leslie Nielsen with his classic deadpan humor and often-quoted lines to this day, and you've got an impeccable spoof film that'll keep soaring the skies of hilarity. 

#2

 Spaceballs

 Mel Brooks once again brings his intelligent spoof humor to "Spaceballs," which parodies the classic "Star Wars" films in mostly obvious matters.  A ragtag duo must rescue a wealthy princess before her planet is destroyed by the evil Dark Helmet, who wishes to harness its air for his own use.  Brooks not only directs but plays several characters including the Yoda-inspired Yogurt, who teaches our heroes the way of the "Schwartz."  The film was so highly regarded by George Lucas that he even sent a note of appreciation to Brooks for his tireless efforts.

#1

 Monty Python & the Holy Grail

 The comedy troupe known as Monty Python delivered their British humor and slapstick comedy to audiences around the world with their television series and films, but it's "The Holy Grail" that stands out as their crowning achievement.  Spoofing the King Arthur legend, the film finds the titular hero and his Knights of the Round Table in search of the Holy Grail, resulting in gut-busting, priceless moments that are still talked about today, over forty years later, and it'll still be talked about forty more years from now as a crowning achievement in spoof films.