TOP 12 Parody Movies

Since the very beginnings of cinema, comedy has been one of the most popular film genres. You could even say that entertaining the audience is the main feature of cinema. This makes it one of the most difficult art forms. There are many types of humor, and people differ so much that what makes one person laugh out loud may even repel another. Creating a list of the best comedies is therefore somewhat pointless, as the subject is too broad. It seems more reasonable to divide comedy cinema into subgenres. One of them, which was particularly successful in the 1980s and 1990s, is film parody. Generally speaking, these are productions that copy other famous films in a distorted way. Making a good parody is not easy, as it is easy to fall into the trap of unfunny jokes or primitivism, but fortunately, there are several films that are still considered classics today.

Best parody movies

12. “Jane Austen’s Mafia!” (1998)

There have been many movies about the mafia throughout history. Many of them, led by The Godfather, are considered some of the greatest works in history. It is therefore no surprise that they have also been parodied frequently by various creators. The film that did this most comprehensively is the 1998 comedy “Jane Austen’s Mafia!”. Like its numerous predecessors, it presents the saga of a mafia family and its struggle for power and influence. The main roles are played by Lloyd Bridges, known from other parodies, and the charming Christine Applegate. Stylistically, the production draws on the best traditions of American parody. It is full of minor and major gags that will make you laugh until you cry. It should be noted, however, that some of them are intended for adult audiences. Overall, however, Mafia! is a comedy that does not fall below a certain level of decency.

11. “Top Secret” (1984)

Perhaps one of the lesser-known movies on the list, 1984’s “Top Secret” is mainly remembered for being Val Kilmer’s debut. However, that’s not the only reason this comedy is worth watching. It is, above all, a great film that fits perfectly into the genre of film parody. This should come as no surprise, as the film was made by true experts in the field, the Zucker brothers. The film takes us to East Germany, where a popular American singer becomes embroiled in a spy scandal. This is exactly the type of film that Top Secret parodies. Like most of the Zucker brothers’ works, the film is full of funny gags that spill out of the screen at every turn. The plot is made even more diverse by the inclusion of the French resistance, whose members have very interesting names. At times, the jokes border on bad taste, but they never cross that thin line.

10. “Scary Movie” (2003)

The most contemporary entry on the list of parodies is the film from the “Scary Movie” series. It is the longest comedy saga, which draws on numerous horror films made over the years. Horror films are ideal for satire, but it must be admitted that not all installments of the franchise are worth recommending. The best part is probably the third installment, which parodies such productions as Signs and The Ring. This allows for a quite engaging plot, full of funny jokes. The film’s strong point is its cast, which includes Charlie Sheen, Leslie Nielsen, and Anna Faris, all known from other parodies. Like most movies of this type, Scary Movie 3 is not afraid to joke about taboo subjects, and the creators often go overboard. However, this ultimately works in the film’s favor, and many of the gags remain in the memory for a long time.

9. “Spaceballs” (1987)

Mel Brooks is probably the greatest expert on film parodies. Over the years, he has created many memorable productions that have stuck in viewers’ minds just as much as the originals they parody. One of the director’s most famous achievements is undoubtedly “Spaceballs”. The film was intended as a comedic response to the commercial success of the Star Wars series. In 1987, their parody was released, and it is still genuinely funny today. It is based on simple devices, such as casting the short Rick Moranis as a menacing villain. As is often the case in comedies, the contrast worked well. Once again, simplicity proved to be the best formula, and Spaceballs can easily be considered one of Brooks’ most successful projects.

8. “The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash” (1978)

The English are famous for their unique sense of humor. They can laugh at almost anything while maintaining a distance from sacred things. The most famous musical band of all time, The Beatles, can certainly be described as such. The position of the Fab Four from Liverpool did not prevent Eric Idle from creating a pastiche of the group in the form of the 1978 film “The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash.” The comedian, known from the Monty Python group, adapted the humor known from the television format to create a pseudo-documentary about the famous band The Rutles, which was supposed to imitate The Beatles. The result is hilarious, and even the songs written for the film sound pretty good. Above all, however, the production condemns all the mechanisms associated with stardom and show business.

7. “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” (1993)

Another Mel Brooks film on the list. This should come as no surprise, as he is a true expert in parody. This time, he took on the hugely popular early 90s film “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”. Brooks’ version is titled “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”. The film tells basically the same story as the original, but with a lot of tongue in cheek. It is impossible to list all the jokes used in the production. There are simply too many of them. Fortunately, most of them are very funny, which guarantees an enjoyable viewing experience. Suffice it to mention Robin’s blind servant catching arrows in mid-flight, his friend Apsik, or the sheriff who rearranges words in every sentence.

6. “Blazing Saddles” (1974)

The western was an extremely popular genre, especially in the old days. No wonder, then, that it had to be parodied. The task was taken on by none other than Mel Brooks. The result is one of his most successful works, the 1974 movie “Blazing Saddles”. The main roles in the film were played by Cleavon Little and Gene Wilder, for whom this was not the last collaboration with the director. The film tells the story of a small town where a black man is appointed sheriff. This, of course, causes a lot of misunderstandings and comical situations. The film, especially in its final phase after breaking the fourth wall, turns into real chaos, mixing genres and characters. Ultimately, we get a very funny combination that touches on serious topics such as cultural and racial differences and prejudice.

5. “Hot Shots!” (1991)

“Hot Shots!” is undoubtedly one of the most popular and successful parodies and comedies in general. It was created on the wave of popularity of such works as “Top Gun” and the second and third parts of “Rambo.” To this day, it brings a smile to the faces of viewers, as evidenced by subsequent television screenings. Charlie Sheen was the star of the production and its sequel. The film has remained in the memory of viewers with many cult jokes. The creators successfully poke fun at Hollywood motifs, so often used in “serious” productions. However, they do so in a tactful and classy way. Above all, the gags are genuinely funny and not forced. It should also be noted that the “Hot Shots!” series turned out so well because the original material it parodied was an inexhaustible treasure trove of possibilities.

4. “Young Frankenstein” (1974)

The next item on the list is another Mel Brooks creation. It couldn’t be otherwise, as he is a true specialist when it comes to parodies. The film itself is one of his best achievements and had to find a place in the ranking. It is also worth mentioning that Gene Wilder, who played the lead role, made a significant contribution to the script. Shot in black and white, the film is obviously intended to parody all the classic horror films from the period when they were just gaining popularity. We have a young descendant of Dr. Frankenstein, who, like his ancestor, is obsessed with the idea of creating a human being “from scratch.” He is assisted in his plans by his devoted companion, Igor, who is successfully portrayed by the highly distinctive actor Marty Feldman. The production is full of memorable, funny moments, and some of the gags were so ingenious that they were used several times in the film.

3. “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984)

Created in 1984, “This Is Spinal Tap” does not parody a specific film, but is rather a satirical look at the entire genre of music documentaries. The film tells the story of a famous fictional band specializing in so-called heavy metal music. The film is a record of the US tour of the British heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The production takes the viewer behind the scenes of life on the road and shows all the glitz and grit of being a rock star. As time goes by, the latter becomes more and more apparent, leading to the temporary break-up of the band.

“This Is Spinal Tap” was well received by critics and, although it was not a box office success at first, over the years, mainly through distribution on VHS cassettes, it also gained recognition from viewers and cult status. This is evidenced by numerous references and phrases from the film that have entered everyday language. The production also contributed to the development of the mockumentary genre, becoming a reference point for later films of this type, and jokes such as the miniature Stonehenge, the exploding drummer, and the 11-watt amplifier have become permanent fixtures in the comedy canon.

2. “The Naked Gun” (1988)

“The Naked Gun” is now a classic not only of the comedy genre, but of cinema in general. And although the entire series was successful, I would like to focus here on the first one, which was probably closest to the original TV series, “The Naked Gun: The TV Movie: The Naked Gun”. The undisputed star of the production was, of course, Leslie Nielsen. Without him, there would be no “The Naked Gun” and perhaps no film parodies as we know and love them. Nielsen’s most powerful weapon, nomen omen, was his stoic calm and invariably serious expression, which contrasted with what was happening around him. Absurdity in its purest form also plays an equally important role in the film. The Naked Gun is one of those films that requires the viewer’s constant attention. Otherwise, we risk missing another gag. There is always something happening on screen, even in the background, and this is what determines its quality as a provider of first-rate entertainment.

1. “Airplane!” (1980)

There are few works that deserve a place at the top more than the 1980 film “Airplane”, directed by the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams. You could even say that this film started the popularity of various types of parodies. The production was a huge success and is still loved by crowds of fans. Individual jokes from the film circulate on the Internet, consistently entertaining new generations of viewers. The advantage of Airplane! is the multitude of ideas used in it. The creators drew from a whole host of disaster movies that were so popular at the time. There was therefore more than enough material to work with. Importantly, the creators took no prisoners when it came to creating jokes. They were not afraid to joke about topics that were widely considered taboo. The risk paid off, as the gags are still relevant today. Besides, it is thanks to this film that we know not to address Leslie Nielsen as Shirley.