The Last Laugh: The Rise of Spoof Movies

Parody movies, once thought to be a relic of the past, are enjoying a surprising resurgence on the big screen. After decades of dormancy following their golden era, spoof films are proving they can still draw audiences and laughter alike.

In the 1970s, Mel Brooks set the standard with hits like Blazing Saddles, a satirical take on the Western genre that earned three Academy Award nominations. The momentum continued through the 1980s and 1990s with the iconic team of Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers producing Airplane! and The Naked Gun, along with Rob Reiners rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap and Mike Myers Austin Powers series. The genre proved commercially successful with the Wayans brothers 2000 hit Scary Movie. However, an oversaturation of spoofs and a broader decline in theatrical comedies caused the trend to fade.

Now, parody films are reemerging, offering audiences a much-needed comedic escape. Paramount is rebooting The Naked Gun with Liam Neeson in place of Leslie Nielsen, while Bleecker Street is releasing Spinal Tap II. On December 4, Fackham Hall, a Downton Abbey sendup, will hit theaters, followed by a revived Scary Movie featuring the Wayans family. Looking further ahead, Spaceballs 2, the sequel to Brooks 1987 Star Wars parody, is slated for a 2027 release.

Miramax CEO Jon Glickman explains that the current market, dominated by big-budget franchises, has left audiences craving content that combines spectacle with cultural commentary. People have become accustomed to events being turned into spectacles to attend, he notes, but comedy thrives on discovery and fresh talent.

Despite their absence from theaters, spoofs have remained culturally relevant through viral clips, social media content, and television shows like Last Week Tonight. Jeff Annison, co-founder of Legion M, emphasizes that audiences still understand and appreciate parody. Shows like Family Guy, South Park, and Saturday Night Live prove that the humor resonates, he says.

For creators like Marlon Wayans, who is involved in the new Scary Movie, these films offer a platform for bold, irreverent comedy. Wayans highlights that the upcoming release will maintain its edgy humor without being overtly woke, reflecting a style that challenges boundaries while still appealing to contemporary audiences.

Glickman notes that historically, anarchic comedies have provided relief during difficult periods, from the Marx Brothers era to Brooks Vietnam War-era hits. Shared laughter has always been meaningful, especially during tense times, he says.

Previous studio spoof releases, like 2007s Walk Hard, remain influential, often cited in discussions of modern musical biopics. Judd Apatow, co-writer of Walk Hard, praises the genres joyful nature while acknowledging the difficulty in creating a successful spoof. When they work, they are pure joy, he says.

David Zucker, co-director of Airplane! and currently working on Star of Malta, expresses hope for a revival of movie comedy and spoof films. The challenge is making them well, he notes, but the potential for laughs is immense.

The renewed interest in parody films signals a promising revival, bringing laughter back to theaters while reminding audiences of the genres rich, irreverent history.

Author: Noah Whitman