Spaceballs

Name: Spaceballs
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy
Released: June 24, 1987
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 46
Cast: John Candy, Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis

1987

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 145 Ratings

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8.3

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 145 Ratings

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SPACEBALLS

Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: June 24, 1987

Starring: John Candy, Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis

Summary: When the evil Dark Helmet attempts to steal all the air from planet Druidia, a determined Druish Princess, a clueless rogue and a half-man/half-dog creature who's his own best friend set out to stop him! But with the forces of darkness closing in on them at ludicrous speed, they'll need the help of a wise imp named Yogurt and the mysticalWhen the evil Dark Helmet attempts to steal all the air from planet Druidia, a determined Druish Princess, a clueless rogue and a half-man/half-dog creature who's his own best friend set out to stop him! But with the forces of darkness closing in on them at ludicrous speed, they'll need the help of a wise imp named Yogurt and the mystical power of "The Schwartz" to bring peace - and merchandising rights - to the entire galaxy! (MGM)… Expand

Director: Mel Brooks

Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi, Comedy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 96 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Boston Globe - Jay Carr

Spaceballs has the happy air of a comic enterprise that knows it's going right. It just keeps spritzing the gags at us, Borscht Belt-style, confidently and rightly sensing that if we don't laugh at this one, we'll laugh at the next. And so we do. After a long dry spell, Brooks is back on the money with Spaceballs. [24 Jun 1987, p.33]

Los Angeles Times - Michael Wilmington

If Spaceballs disappoints you, it isn't because it's unfunny or not entertaining. Brooks at medium pressure is still more amusing than most movie makers. [25 Jun 1987, p.1]

Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert

The movie's dialogue is constructed out of funny names, puns and old jokes. Sometimes it's painfully juvenile. But there are some great visual gags in the movie, and the best is Pizza the Hutt, a creature who roars and cajoles while cheese melts off its forehead and big hunks of pepperoni slide down its jowls. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine - Staff (Not Credited)

It's mostly forced humor all the way, a movie that rarely measures up to adequate kitsch. Aimed at younger audiences, Spaceballs misses its mark. Read full review

Empire - Staff (Not Credited)

Subtlety had never been Brooks’ thing, but even blunt blows need to be well aimed, and while Spaceballs doesn’t exactly miss its targets, it certainly bounces off them embarrassingly. Read full review

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) - Rick Groen

Candy and Moranis are real talents, but they're completely wasted, like everyone else here, sacrificed to the grade-school inanities of that self-indulgent script. [26 Jun 1987, p.D6]

Washington Post - Hal Hinson

Spaceballs is actually a kind of comic black hole. All in all, the movie is about as funny as having coffee spilled in your lap. Except that there's no burn -- just that slightly embarrassing, uncomfortable, all-wet feeling. Read full review

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User Reviews

ElliottB.

Jun 21, 2007

I love this movie. I must have watched it at least 25 times. First it was a comedy, then I came to appreciate Mel Brooks' creation as a work of art. For those of you who like an incredibly clever (with some slapstick) comedy, I will send out my recommendation for this movie.

4 of 4 users found this helpful

AlexC.

Sep 8, 2007

This is one of the funniest movies of all time. A true classic. I do not know what critics think, but they are truly wrong about this one. Funny all the way through, and even a little action. A little romance, but mostly comedy. Not one joke is too over the top, and not one joke isn't This is one of the funniest movies of all time. A true classic. I do not know what critics think, but they are truly wrong about this one. Funny all the way through, and even a little action. A little romance, but mostly comedy. Not one joke is too over the top, and not one joke isn't funny. Simply my favorite comedy yet.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

TheAnti360Fox

May 5, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This movie is one of the few comedy films that will keep you laughing from beginning to end, and when it's over, you'll feel like time went by at "ludicrous speed".… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Zegilgamesh

Dec 28, 2012

While it's certainly not the most sophisticated or subtle satire, all flaws are forgiven for the simple fact that this is about as funny as a comedy can get.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Shedegg

Dec 4, 2014

Space balls is a Mel brooks movie, so it will definitely be wacky. It is a very clever, wacky and funny parody movie. It takes parts from different movies such as alien or Indiana Jones, then adds a wacky twist onto it. Abioustly though it is souly based around Star Wars. The comedy is quiteSpace balls is a Mel brooks movie, so it will definitely be wacky. It is a very clever, wacky and funny parody movie. It takes parts from different movies such as alien or Indiana Jones, then adds a wacky twist onto it. Abioustly though it is souly based around Star Wars. The comedy is quite ridiculous, so if you don't like wacky comedy's this definitely not for you. Also if you don't like parody's then this yet again, isn't for you. Overall it is a worthwhile watch.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

YellowKirby

Nov 26, 2015

Mel Brooks' hilariously quirky Spaceballs is everything you expect (and want) in a Star Wars spoof: it's funny, it's random, it's weird, and it's fun!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

BillyH.

Mar 25, 2008

If, before my time is come, i don't see "Super Mario Brothers," then "Spaceballs" is my Worst Movie Ever. I will make my explination brief: Mel Brooks made a Star Wars spoof 10 years following its release (and 8 or 9 after the time was appropriate). he spun a yarn about unintimidating If, before my time is come, i don't see "Super Mario Brothers," then "Spaceballs" is my Worst Movie Ever. I will make my explination brief: Mel Brooks made a Star Wars spoof 10 years following its release (and 8 or 9 after the time was appropriate). he spun a yarn about unintimidating people-looking aliens, commandeered by Rick Moranis and Mel himself, that wanted to steal another planet's air, the princess of which was getting married. She runs away with her dumpy-looking feminist robot and escapes with a loner in a Winnebago and his uninspired Mawg; parts man and canine. stuff about Yogurt, Semitic master of the Schwartz and cynical marketing, is said; we see a repulsive pizza-resembling monster; Mel shows his lack of faith in the material with riffs of other sci-fi (and, in the one gag saving this from a goose egg rating, Michigan J. Frog), the production value is rock-bottom; the whole thing is unfunny and ends with a twist I didn't care enough about to see coming; for the time being, Star Wars was dead, and Mel Brooks was holding the smoking lightsaber.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful

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