Editing Spaceballs

{{short description|1987 film by Mel Brooks}}
{{About|the film|the TV series|Spaceballs: The Animated Series{{!}}''Spaceballs: The Animated Series''|other uses|Spaceball (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Spaceballs
| image          = Spaceballs.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster by [[John Alvin]]
| director       = [[Mel Brooks]]
| producer       = Mel Brooks<br>[[Ezra Swerdlow]]
| writer         = {{unbulleted list|Mel Brooks|[[Ronny Graham]]|[[Thomas Meehan (writer)|Thomas Meehan]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist| <!-- PER POSTER BILLING -->
* Mel Brooks
* [[John Candy]]
* [[Rick Moranis]]
* [[Bill Pullman]]
* [[Daphne Zuniga]]
* [[Dick Van Patten]]
* [[George Wyner]]
* [[Joan Rivers]]
}}
| music          = [[John Morris (composer)|John Morris]]
| cinematography = [[Nick McLean]]
| editing        = [[Conrad Buff IV]]
| studio         = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]<br />[[Brooksfilms]]
| distributor    = [[MGM/UA Distribution Co.]]
| released       = {{Film date|1987|06|24}}
| runtime        = 96 minutes<!--Submitted theatrical runtime: 96:04--><ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/spaceballs-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yodgynjq | title=''Spaceballs'' (12) | work=[[British Board of Film Classification]] | date=July 14, 1987 | access-date=September 18, 2016 | archive-date=February 23, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223090149/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/spaceballs | url-status=live }}</ref>
| country        = United States 
| language       = English
| budget         = $25.5 million<ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title=Spaceballs (1987) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Spaceballs#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=2021-05-04}}</ref>
| gross          = $40.3 million<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spaceballs.htm |title=Spaceballs (1987) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=1987-08-18 |access-date=2022-04-12 |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714235220/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spaceballs.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
'''''Spaceballs''''' is a 1987 American [[space opera]] [[parody film]] co-written, produced and directed by [[Mel Brooks]]. It primarily parodies the [[Star Wars original trilogy|original ''Star Wars'' trilogy]], but also of other popular franchises such as ''[[Star Trek]]'', ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'', ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]'', ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'', and ''[[Transformers]]''. The film stars [[Bill Pullman]], [[John Candy]], and [[Rick Moranis]], with the supporting cast including [[Daphne Zuniga]], [[Dick Van Patten]], [[George Wyner]], [[Shields and Yarnell|Lorene Yarnell]], and the voice of [[Joan Rivers]]. In addition to Brooks playing a dual role, the film also features Brooks regulars [[Dom DeLuise]] and [[Rudy De Luca]] in [[cameo appearance]]s.

In ''Spaceballs'', heroic mercenary Lone Starr (Pullman) and his alien sidekick Barf (Candy) rescue Princess Vespa (Zuniga) of Druidia and her droid, Dot Matrix (Yarnell, voiced by Rivers), from being captured by the Spaceballs, led by President Skroob (Brooks), who wants to use Vespa as ransom to obtain Druidia's air for their own planet. However, the heroes get stranded on a desert moon, where they encounter the wise Yogurt (also Brooks), who teaches Starr about the [[metaphysics|metaphysical power]] known as "the Schwartz". Meanwhile, Spaceball commanders Dark Helmet (Moranis) and Colonel Sandurz (Wyner) lead the search for them, but are hindered by their own incompetence.

The film was released by [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM) on June 24, 1987. A sequel is in the early stages of development as of June 2024.

==Plot==
Planet Spaceball, led by the incompetent President Skroob, has squandered all of its fresh air. Skroob plans to steal the atmosphere from the neighboring planet of Druidia by forcing its ruler King Roland to give him the code to the shield surrounding it. Meanwhile, Roland's daughter Princess Vespa flees Druidia in order to avoid an [[arranged marriage]] to the [[narcolepsy|narcoleptic]] Prince Valium. The ship ''Spaceball One'', commanded by Colonel Sandurz and carrying Skroob's enforcer Dark Helmet, is dispatched to kidnap Vespa and her droid servant Dot Matrix.

Mercenary Lone Starr and his "Mawg"<!-- do not edit to "mog", see discussion on talk page --> (half [[Human|man]], half [[dog]]) companion Barf, in their [[Winnebago Industries|Winnebago]] spaceship ''Eagle 5'', are contacted by crime boss Pizza the Hutt and his robotic minion Vinny to retrieve the money they owe them. Roland contacts Lone Starr and offers them a large reward if they bring Vespa and Dot back to Druidia. The pair retrieve Vespa and Dot and escape via light speed before they can be brought aboard ''Spaceball One''. Dark Helmet and a reluctant Sandurz use "Ludicrous Speed", but heavily overshoot the group when they try to follow. ''Eagle 5'' runs out of fuel and Lone Starr is forced to crash-land on a desert moon.

The four escapees travel on foot for a while, but ultimately pass out in the relentless heat. They are found by the Dink-Dinks, a group of diminutive aliens in sparkly robes, and taken to the hidden cave of the sage Yogurt. He advertises the film's fictitious tie-in merchandise, then begins to instruct Lone Starr in the ways of a mysterious power known as the Schwartz (which Helmet can also control). Lone Starr and Vespa develop romantic feelings for each other, despite Vespa's insistence that she can only marry a prince, and Lone Starr shows Yogurt a medallion bearing an indecipherable message that was found with him when he was abandoned as a baby.

The Spaceballs [[fourth wall|break the fourth wall]] by going through a [[VHS]] copy of the film to locate the ''Eagle 5''<nowiki/>'s whereabouts. Helmet disguises himself as Roland to lure Vespa and Dot out of the cave. As Lone Starr and Barf prepare to chase Helmet, Yogurt gives Lone Starr a ring that he can use to channel the Schwartz.

Helmet extorts the air shield code from Roland by threatening to have a plastic surgeon reverse Vespa's nose job, then imprisons her and Dot. Lone Starr and Barf infiltrate the prison and break them out, and all four escape in ''Eagle 5'' while leaving their stunt doubles to be captured. ''Spaceball One'' transforms itself into a giant maid (''Mega-Maid''), opens the shield, and uses a vacuum cleaner to suck the air from Druidia. Lone Starr taps into the Schwartz to reverse the flow and return the air (saving Roland and the Druidians), then pilots ''Eagle 5'' into the head of ''Mega-Maid''.

Lone Starr finds a self-destruct button, but Helmet interrupts and they engage in a [[duel]] using [[lightsaber]]-like weapons that extend from their Schwartz rings. Helmet steals Lone Starr's ring and drops it through a floor grate, but Lone Starr gets a telepathic message from Yogurt telling him that the power lies within him instead of the ring. As Helmet prepares to attack, Lone Starr levitates a mirror and reflects Helmet's blast, knocking him into the self-destruct button. Lone Starr returns to ''Eagle 5'' and pilots it to safety; Skroob, Helmet and Sandurz fail to reach any escape pods in time and discover the "cancellation button" is out of order as ''Mega-Maid'' explodes.

Lone Starr and Barf discover on the news that Pizza the Hutt had locked himself in a limousine and ate himself to death, absolving them of the debt. The duo return Vespa and Dot to Roland, but take only enough money to cover their expenses. The remnants of the ''Mega-Maid'' crash-land on a nearby planet [[Planet of the Apes|populated by intelligent apes]], who express dismay at the stranded Spaceballs.

After being scared by a singing [[xenomorph]] at a diner, Lone Starr and Barf find a final message from Yogurt hidden in a [[fortune cookie]], telling them that Lone Starr's medallion means he is a prince and can thus marry Vespa. The two return to Druidia just in time to stop her wedding to Valium, and Lone Starr announces his royal lineage and marries Vespa. The film ends with them riding off in ''Eagle 5'' and a message to the audience stating, "May the Schwartz Be With You".

==Cast==
* [[Bill Pullman]] as Lone Starr, a mercenary who travels the galaxy in his flying 1986 [[Winnebago Industries|Winnebago]] Chieftain 33, ''Eagle 5''. He is a parody of [[Luke Skywalker]] and [[Han Solo]].
* [[John Candy]] as Barf, Lone Starr's "mawg" <!-- do not edit to "mog", currently under discussion on talk page --> (half-man, half-dog) partner in crime. He is a parody of [[Chewbacca]].
* [[Daphne Zuniga]] as Princess Vespa, the spoiled princess of Planet Druidia. She is a parody of [[Princess Leia]].
* [[Joan Rivers]] as the voice of Dot Matrix, Princess Vespa's droid of honor and guardian. She is a parody of [[C-3PO]].
** [[Shields and Yarnell|Lorene Yarnell]] provided Dot Matrix's on-screen physical performance.
* [[Rick Moranis]] as Lord Dark Helmet, the Spaceballs' short-statured, bratty, and childish chief enforcer, who can wield the "down-side" of the Schwartz. He is a parody of [[Darth Vader]].
* [[Mel Brooks]] as:
** President Skroob, the incompetent leader of Planet Spaceball. His name "Skroob" is an anagram of "Brooks".
** Yogurt, the wise and powerful keeper of the "up-side" of the Schwartz. He is a parody of [[Yoda]].
* [[George Wyner]] as Colonel Sandurz, the commander of ''Spaceball One''. His name is a reference to [[Colonel Sanders]].
* [[Dick Van Patten]] as King Roland, the ruler of Planet Druidia and Princess Vespa's father.
* [[Michael Winslow]] as a radar technician on ''Spaceball One'' who can re-enact the radar's sounds.
* [[Ronny Graham]] as the [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]].
* [[Jim J. Bullock]] as Prince [[Valium]], a [[Narcolepsy|narcoleptic]] prince.
* [[Leslie Bevis]] as Commanderette Zircon, a minion of President Skroob on Planet Spaceball.
* [[Sandy Helberg]] as Dr. Irving Schlotkin, a plastic surgeon.
* [[Dom DeLuise]] as the voice of Pizza the Hutt, a crime boss described as being half-man and half-pizza. He is a parody of [[Jabba the Hutt]] and his name is a reference to [[Pizza Hut]].
** [[Richard Karron]] (original takes) and Rick Lazzarini (reshoots and final takes) portrayed Pizza's on-screen presence. Lazzarini spoke Pizza's lines for the character's on-camera scenes with DeLuise's voice dubbed in later.
* [[Rudy De Luca]] as Vinnie, Pizza's robotic subordinate. He is a parody of the 1980s TV personality [[Max Headroom]].
* [[Rhonda Shear]] as a woman in the diner.
* Jeff MacGregor as Snotty,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fictionalpersona.com/snotty-mel-brooks-spaceballs |title=Snotty |website=FictionalPersona |access-date=18 May 2022}}</ref> a minion of President Skroob on Planet Spaceball based on [[Scotty (Star Trek)|Scotty]] from ''Star Trek''.

[[John Hurt]] makes a [[cameo appearance]] credited as himself, parodying his character [[List of Alien characters#Gilbert Kane|Gilbert Kane]]'s death in the film ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' (1979).<ref>{{cite news|last=Matloff|first=Jason|title=John Hurt|url=https://www.avclub.com/john-hurt-1798228396|access-date=May 16, 2018|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=November 10, 2011|archive-date=May 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152912/https://film.avclub.com/john-hurt-1798228396|url-status=live}}</ref> Various actors and comedians appear in unnamed roles, with [[Sal Viscuso]], [[Mike Pniewski|Michael Pniewski]], [[Stephen Tobolowsky]], [[Robert Prescott (actor)|Robert Prescott]], [[Tom Dreesen]], [[Rick Ducommun]], [[Rob Paulsen]] (who was uncredited), [[Tommy Swerdlow]], and [[Tim Russ]] all appearing as soldiers of Dark Helmet. Additional unnamed appearances include [[Dey Young]] as a waitress, [[Jack Riley (actor)|Jack Riley]] as a newsman covering the news about Pizza the Hutt's death, [[Ken Olfson]] as the head usher, and [[Bryan O'Byrne]] as an organist. [[Brenda Strong]] appears as Gretchen, Dr. Schlotkin's nurse, alongside [[Johnny Silver]] as Arnold, Dr. Schlotkin's caddy. Denise and Dian Gallup appear as Charlene and Marlene, two twin girls in Spaceball City who President Skroob keeps mixing up the names for. [[Ed Gale]], [[Felix Silla]], [[Tony Cox (actor)|Tony Cox]], Antonio Hoyos, Arturo Gil, and John Kennedy Hayden appear as the Dinks (based on the [[Jawa (Star Wars)|Jawas]]) while their uncredited voices are provided by [[Corey Burton]], [[Phil Hartman]], [[Tress MacNeille]], [[John Paragon]], and [[Rob Paulsen]].<ref>{{cite AV media |people=[[Mel Brooks|Brooks, Mel]] (director) |year=1987 |title=Spaceballs |medium=Motion picture | publisher=[[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]}}</ref>

==Production==
[[File:Spaceballs helmet (cropped).JPG|thumb|right|A helmet from the film at a convention in [[Stockholm]]]]
When Brooks developed ''Spaceballs'', he wanted his parody to be as close to the original as possible. Even though the Yogurt character (Mel Brooks) mentions merchandising in the film, Brooks's deal with [[George Lucas]] on parodying ''[[Star Wars]]'' was that no ''Spaceballs'' action figures be made. According to Brooks, "[Lucas] said, 'Your [action figures] are going to look like mine.' I said OK."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maxim.com/comedians/interview-icon-mel-brooks|title=Interview: Icon Mel Brooks|date=2013-02-06|first=Patrick|last=Carone|access-date=2014-01-20|archive-date=February 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223135520/http://www.maxim.com/comedians/interview-icon-mel-brooks|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="avclub">{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/article/mel-brooks-on-how-to-play-hitler-and-how-he-almost-89843|title=Mel Brooks on how to play Hitler, and how he almost died making Spaceballs |date=2012-12-13|first=Steve |last=Heisler|website=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=2014-01-20}}</ref> However, this agreement inspired Brooks to write Yogurt's "Merchandising" scene and include multiple ''Spaceballs''-branded products at other points in the film, such as placemats and toilet paper. While no mass produced ''Spaceballs'' merchandise was ever created, [[Max Brooks]] revealed in 2023 that he is in possession of the Yogurt doll used in the merchandise scene.<ref>{{cite web |title=George Lucas Talk Show Podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib_9ysgXZQI?t=33m43s |website=YouTube | date=November 2023 |access-date=2 November 2023}}</ref>

Brooks also had Lucas' company handle some post-production, saying, "I was playing ball with the people who could have said no." Lucas later sent Brooks a note saying how much he loved the film, including its story structure,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trzcinski|first=Matthew|date=2020-06-17|title=How George Lucas Reacted to the 'Star Wars' Parody 'Spaceballs'|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/how-george-lucas-reacted-to-the-star-wars-parody-spaceballs.html/|access-date=2020-06-18|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet|language=en-US|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618131034/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/how-george-lucas-reacted-to-the-star-wars-parody-spaceballs.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> and that he "was afraid [he] would bust something from laughing".<ref name="avclub"/> According to Rick Moranis, "In the original script, the description of [Dark Helmet] was that the whole costume was one gigantic helmet. Then it got scaled back to just an exaggerated version of the Darth Vader helmet."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/rick-moranis-interview-expanded-dirty-830412/ | title=Rick Moranis Interview Expanded: Dirty Jokes, Full-Body 'Spaceballs' Helmet and Slow-Motion 'Horrors' | website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=October 8, 2015 }}</ref>

The bulk of the film's visual effects were executed by Apogee Inc., which was founded by former [[Industrial Light & Magic]] employee [[John Dykstra]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spaceballs (1987) - "Visual Effects by" credits |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094012/fullcredits?ref_=m_ttfcd_tt |website=IMDb |access-date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

Pullman got the part of Lone Starr when Brooks and his wife [[Anne Bancroft]] saw him in a play—he had never seen ''Star Wars'' prior to filming.<ref name="pullmanws">{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/spaceballs-at-30-bill-pullman-says-crew-worried-blue-screen-would-make-go-blind-1011687 |title=''Spaceballs'' at 30: Bill Pullman Says Crew Worried Blue Screen Would Make Them Go Blind |last=Parker |first=Ryan |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=June 23, 2017 |access-date=February 19, 2020 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221080943/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/spaceballs-at-30-bill-pullman-says-crew-worried-blue-screen-would-make-go-blind-1011687 |url-status=live }}</ref> Brooks had been unsuccessfully trying to sign on big-name actors such as [[Tom Cruise]] and [[Tom Hanks]] for the film. Pullman said,

<blockquote>I think [Mel] was hurt that they didn't take him up on it&nbsp;... but then it attract[ed] two of the big comics at that time: John Candy and Rick Moranis. Once that was secured, then he said, "Heck, I'll get somebody nobody knows!" And I got a chance to do it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/1/13/qa-with-actor-bill-pullman-spaceballs-an-independence-day-se.html|first=Ben|last=Pearson|title=Q&A with Actor Bill Pullman|website=geektyrant.com|date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=2014-01-20|archive-date=February 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202233344/http://geektyrant.com/news/2011/1/13/qa-with-actor-bill-pullman-spaceballs-an-independence-day-se.html|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

Zuniga initially found Brooks' film parodies "too crass and not too funny", but after working with Brooks, she said, "I have this image of Mel as totally wacko and out to lunch. And he is. But he's also really perceptive, real sensitive in ways that make actors respond."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/33753|title=Spaceballs|publisher=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|access-date=2014-01-20|archive-date=February 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203012719/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article.html?id=142229%7C33753|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Music==
An official soundtrack was released on [[Atlantic Records]] on [[LP record|LP]], [[compact disc|CD]], and [[Cassette tape|cassette]], featuring many of the songs heard in the film, as well as three score cues by frequent Brooks collaborator [[John Morris (composer)|John Morris]]. The track list is as follows:

# "Spaceballs Main Title Theme" – John Morris
# "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" – [[Jeffrey Osborne]] and [[Kim Carnes]]; the song was made into a hit in 1990 by Sally Moore (U.S. AC #42).<ref>{{cite book|first= Joel |last= Whitburn |author-link= Joel Whitburn |year= 1993 |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993 |publisher= Record Research |page=__}}</ref>
# "Heartstrings" – [[Berlin (band)|Berlin]]
# "Spaceballs Love Theme" (Instrumental) – John Morris
# "The Winnebago Crashes"/"The Spaceballs Build Mega-Maid" – John Morris
# "Spaceballs" – [[The Spinners (American group)|The Spinners]]
# "[[Hot Together]]" – [[The Pointer Sisters]]
# "Good Enough" – [[Van Halen]]
# "Wanna Be Loved by You" – [[Ladyfire]]

"Raise Your Hands" by [[Bon Jovi]] is also used prominently in the film.

In the film the Dinks (based on Jawas) perform the 1914 marching song "[[Colonel Bogey March]]", though they sing "Dink dink, dink dink dink dink dink dink... Dink dink" rather than [[Whistling|whistle]], parodying the scene from ''[[The Bridge on the River Kwai]]''.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Big Screen Comedies of Mel Brooks |date=2015 |publisher=McFarland |page=154}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Order of songs for Thunder Over Louisville |url=https://eu.courier-journal.com/story/entertainment/events/kentucky-derby/festival/2016/04/21/order-songs-thunder-over-louisville/83299828/ |access-date=16 April 2022 |work=Courier Journal}}</ref>

In 2006, La-La Land Records released ''Spaceballs – The 19th Anniversary Edition'' CD of the film's score, with bonus tracks of alternate takes and tracks not used in the film.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.lalalandrecords.com/SpaceBalls.html |title=Spaceballs |publisher=Lalalandrecords.com |access-date=2011-08-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907054357/http://www.lalalandrecords.com/SpaceBalls.html |archive-date=September 7, 2011 |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
===Box office===
The film had an estimated $25.5 million budget, and ultimately grossed $40,306,483 during its run in the United States, taking in $6,613,837 on its opening weekend, finishing behind ''[[Dragnet (1987 film)|Dragnet]]''.<ref>{{cite web| year=2006| title=Spaceballs| work=boxofficemojo.com| url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spaceballs.htm| access-date=2010-02-12| archive-date=July 14, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714235220/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=spaceballs.htm| url-status=live}}</ref>

===Critical reception===
The film received mixed reviews from critics.<ref name="TNYT" /><ref name="Collider" /> [[Rotten Tomatoes]] reports that 52% of 104 critics have given positive reviews and an average rating of 5.9/10. The site's consensus reads; "There's fine spoofery and amusing characters in ''Spaceballs'', though it's a far cry from Mel Brooks' peak era."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spaceballs/ | title=Spaceballs Movie Reviews, Pictures | publisher=[[IGN Entertainment]] | work=Rotten Tomatoes | access-date=April 12, 2024 | archive-date=April 27, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427043512/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spaceballs | url-status=live }}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted arithmetic mean|weighted average]] score of 46 out of 100, based on 14 reviews.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |title=Spaceballs (1987): Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/spaceballs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210230017/http://www.metacritic.com/video/titles/spaceballs |archive-date=February 10, 2010 |access-date=2009-05-16 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B−" on an A+ to F scale.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemascore.com|title=Find CinemaScore|format=Type "Spaceballs" in the search box|publisher=[[CinemaScore]]|access-date=April 7, 2021}}</ref>

At the time of the film's release, [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film 2.5 stars out of 4, and remarked "I enjoyed a lot of the movie, but I kept thinking I was at a revival&nbsp;... it should have been made several years ago, before our appetite for ''Star Wars'' satires had been completely exhausted."<ref>{{cite news |date=June 24, 1987 |last1=Ebert |first1=Roger |author1-link=Roger Ebert |title=Spaceballs |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/spaceballs-1987 |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |archive-date=October 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013012557/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19870624%2FREVIEWS%2F706240301%2F1023 |url-status=live |access-date=May 4, 2022 }}</ref> [[Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, saying that there were "just enough funny visual gags to recommend this wildly uneven film".<ref name="Siskel">{{cite news|last=Siskel|first=Gene|author-link=Gene Siskel|title=Flick of Week: Kubrick's 'Jacket' full of raw irony|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-06-26-8702170188-story.html|date=June 26, 1987|access-date=January 23, 2023}}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said that the film was a misguided parody and not very funny.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 December 1985|author1=<!-- Staff author(s); no by-line--> |title=Spaceballs |url=https://variety.com/1986/film/reviews/spaceballs-1200427111/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref>

The film won Worst Picture at the [[1987 Stinkers Bad Movie Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Past Winners Database |url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1987/1987st.htm |website=The Envelope at LA Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815213631/http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/year/1987/1987st.htm |archive-date=August 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=18 September 2021 }}</ref>

===Impact===
The film gained a [[cult following]] in the following years.{{efn|Multiple references:<ref name="Deadline" /><ref name="TNYT">{{Cite news |last=Pullman |first=Bill |date=2017-07-25 |title=Bill Pullman: The First Time a Fellow Actor Had My Back |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/25/movies/bill-pullman-the-first-time-a-fellow-actor-had-my-back-john-candy-spaceballs.html |access-date=2024-07-03 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |quote=Critics were mixed about the movie at the time, but it has become a cult classic.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Margaret |date=2024-06-20 |title=The Schwartz Is With Josh Gad; The Broadway Favorite is Working on a ''Spaceballs'' Sequel |url=https://playbill.com/article/the-schwartz-is-with-josh-gad-the-broadway-favorite-is-working-on-a-spaceballs-sequel |access-date=2024-07-03 |work=Playbill |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=2024-06-18 |title='Spaceballs' Sequel in Development at Amazon MGM With Josh Gad Starring, Mel Brooks Producing |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/spaceballs-2-josh-gad-mel-brooks-amazon-mgm-1236041375/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Collider">{{Cite web |last=Farley |first=Lloyd |date=2023-01-01 |title=In the Galaxy of Parody Movies, 'Spaceballs' Reigns Supreme |url=https://collider.com/spaceballs-best-parody-movie/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Collider |language=en |quote=While ''Spaceballs'' was met with mixed reviews upon release, the years since have seen a deeper appreciation of the film, above and beyond its cult classic status.}}</ref>}}

[[Tesla Motors]] has used the film's starship speeds (Light Speed, Ridiculous Speed, Ludicrous Speed, Plaid Speed) as inspiration for naming their acceleration modes. In homage to ''Spaceballs'', Tesla has ''Ludicrous Mode'' for acceleration beyond its Insane Mode, and ''Plaid Mode'', overtop Ludicrous.<ref name=Jalopnik-2017-11-17>{{cite news |url= https://jalopnik.com/watch-the-new-tesla-roadsters-plaid-mode-rocket-the-c-1820542817 |title= Watch The New Tesla Roadster's "Plaid" Mode Rocket The Car From Zero To 81 MPH In An Instant |first= David |last= Tracy |date= 17 November 2017 |website= Jalopnik |access-date= November 18, 2017 |archive-date= November 23, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171123021941/https://jalopnik.com/watch-the-new-tesla-roadsters-plaid-mode-rocket-the-c-1820542817 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name=PhysOrg-2015-07-17>{{cite news |url= https://phys.org/news/2015-07-ludicrous-mode-tesla-power-already-fast.html |title= 'Ludicrous Mode'? Tesla adds power to already-fast Model S |agency= Associated Press |date= 17 July 2015 |work= [[Phys.org]] |access-date= November 18, 2017 |archive-date= December 1, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042634/https://phys.org/news/2015-07-ludicrous-mode-tesla-power-already-fast.html |url-status= live }}</ref>

A clip from the film, alongside clips of other ''Star Wars'' parody works, was used in a "special look" internet video used to promote ''[[Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker]]'' in order to show the [[cultural impact of Star Wars]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plainse |first=Josh |date=2019-11-25 |title=Star Wars 9's New Trailer Is Nostalgic & Awesome (Despite No New Footage) |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-9-rise-skywalker-trailer-saga-end/ |access-date=2022-12-18 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Home media==
''Spaceballs'' was first made available on [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]] in February 1988; they were re-released in the late 1990s. The VHS edition was issued twice; the latter edition was presented in widescreen. Meanwhile, the laserdisc also gained a [[audio commentary|commentary track]] with Brooks; this was transferred over to the [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] releases. The film was first released on DVD on April 25, 2000. This version also contained "the making of..." documentary and a collectible "making-of" booklet. The film was then released in the "Collectors Edition" on May 3, 2005. This edition contained more extras including the documentary and the video conversation about the making of the film with Brooks and Thomas Meehan. On August 7, 2012, the "25th Anniversary Edition" was released on Blu-ray containing many of the same bonus features as the 2005 DVD release with the addition of a new featurette.<ref>{{cite web|last=Katz|first=Josh|title=Spaceballs: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=8879|publisher=Blu-ray.com|access-date=September 18, 2012|date=June 6, 2012|archive-date=September 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919073055/http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=8879|url-status=live}}</ref> An [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] edition of the film was released on April 12, 2021 by [[Kino Lorber]], with all of the special features from previous home video releases included.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kino: Spaceballs 4K Blu-ray Detailed |url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=27835 |access-date=December 12, 2020 |work=Blu-ray.com |date=December 9, 2020 |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210013556/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=27835 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==In other media==
* A novelization for the film was released on June 1, 1987, written by [[R. L. Stine#Books written under the name Jovial Bob Stine|R. L. Stine]] under the pen name Jovial Bob Stine, along with Mel Brooks, [[Thomas Meehan (writer)|Thomas Meehan]], and [[Ronny Graham]].
* ''Spaceballs'' was developed into an animated television show which debuted in September 2008 as ''[[Spaceballs: The Animated Series]]'' on [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4]] (US) and [[Super Channel (Canada)|Super Channel]] (Canada).<ref>{{cite web | last=Guider | first=Elizabeth | title='Spaceballs' rolls to TV | url=https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/spaceballs-rolls-to-tv-1117916598/ | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=January 19, 2005 | access-date=February 15, 2017 | archive-date=May 5, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505084002/https://variety.com/2005/scene/markets-festivals/spaceballs-rolls-to-tv-1117916598/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | last=Vozick-Levinson | first=Simon | title=Mel Brooks readies a ''Spaceballs'' cartoon for TV | url=https://ew.com/article/2006/09/26/mel-brooks-readies-spaceballs-cartoon-tv/ | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | date=September 26, 2006 | access-date=February 15, 2017 | archive-date=February 16, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216061146/http://ew.com/article/2006/09/26/mel-brooks-readies-spaceballs-cartoon-tv/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
* In the episode ''[[Robot Chicken: Star Wars]]'' of the American adult sketch comedy television series ''[[Robot Chicken]]'' the segment ''George Lucas At The Convention'' features a ''Star Wars'' fan wearing a Barf costume from ''Spaceballs''.
* Moranis vocally reprised his role as Dark Helmet in the episode "Spaceballs" of the American sitcom ''[[The Goldbergs (2013 TV series)|The Goldbergs]]''.<ref>"''[[The Goldbergs (season 5)|Spaceballs]]''". ''[[The Goldbergs (2013 TV series)|The Goldbergs]]. Season 5. Episode 21. May 9, 2018. [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].</ref>

==Props==
A {{frac|1|12}}-scale model of the [[Winnebago Industries|Winnebago]], ''Eagle 5'', was auctioned on December 11, 2018.<ref name=WinnAuc>{{cite web |last=Kautonen |first=Antti |title='Spaceballs' Winnebago Model to Be Auctioned |url=https://www.autoblog.com/2018/11/13/spaceballs-winnebago-auction/ |website=Autoblog |access-date=29 November 2018 |date=November 13, 2018 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114210058/https://www.autoblog.com/2018/11/13/spaceballs-winnebago-auction/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The model was created by film special effects designer [[Grant McCune]], who also created models for ''[[Star Wars]]'' and ''[[Star Trek]]''.<ref name=WinnAuc/> The model makes an appearance early in the film with the introduction of Barf and Lone Starr.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9QhUoOwHN8|publisher=[[YouTube]]|title=Bon Jovi and Barf (1080p)|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=April 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403203348/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9QhUoOwHN8|url-status=live}}</ref> The model, along with other special effects artifacts from then-current films such as ''[[Masters of the Universe]]'' and ''[[Jaws: The Revenge]]'', was displayed at Chicago's [[Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago)|Museum of Science and Industry]] in the summer of 1988.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-07-22-8801160797-story.html |title=Museum of Science and Industry Keeps up with the Times |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=July 22, 1988 |access-date=June 17, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618125318/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1988-07-22-8801160797-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Sequel==
Moranis claimed in a 2013 interview that he and Brooks had discussed a potential [[sequel]], with Moranis pitching the title ''Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II''. However, he and Brooks were unable to structure a deal that would allow the project to move forward.<ref>{{cite web | last=Abrams | first=Brian | title="You Don't Do Liner Notes With The Dead Sea Scrolls": Rick Moranis In Conversation | url=http://heebmagazine.com/exclusive-rick-moranis-on-spaceballs-2-ghostbusters-3-and-my-mothers-brisket/45895 | work=Heeb | date=June 23, 2013 | access-date=February 15, 2017 | archive-date=December 7, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161207213232/http://heebmagazine.com/exclusive-rick-moranis-on-spaceballs-2-ghostbusters-3-and-my-mothers-brisket/45895 | url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2015, Brooks said that he would like to make a sequel to be released after the [[Star Wars: The Force Awakens|next ''Star Wars'' film]] and hoped that Moranis would reprise his role. This proposed film, Brooks said, may be called ''Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money''.<ref>{{cite web | last=Heller | first=Corinne | title=Spaceballs 2 a Go? Mel Brooks Talks Sequel, Its Perfect, Obvious Title and Rick Moranis | url=http://ca.eonline.com/news/622887/spaceballs-2-a-go-mel-brooks-talks-sequel-its-perfect-obvious-title-and-rick-moranis | work=E! Online | date=February 6, 2015 | access-date=February 15, 2017}}</ref> However, in February 2020, Bill Pullman said during an interview with ''Daily Blast Live'', "It's up to Mel. Ask him if he has too much money and that's why he doesn't do it."<ref>{{Citation|title=Bill Pullman Chats "The Sinner"| date=February 6, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMquBNSbGxc|language=en|access-date=2020-02-11|archive-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224194612/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMquBNSbGxc&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2024, it was announced that a sequel is in the early stages of development at [[Amazon MGM Studios]] with [[Josh Gad]] attached to star and co-produce the film alongside Brooks. [[Josh Greenbaum]] is attached to direct the film with a script from [[Benji Samit]], [[Dan Hernandez]], and Gad.<ref name="Deadline">{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |title=Josh Gad, Mel Brooks & Josh Greenbaum Teaming For 'Spaceballs' Sequel At Amazon MGM |url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/spaceballs-sequel-josh-gad-mel-brooks-josh-greenbaum-1235977567/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=August 17, 2024 }}</ref> On March 15, 2025, Gad appeared on ''[[The Rich Eisen Show]]'' where he briefly discussed the film and what is has been like working with Mel Brooks as a partner on the film. Gad did not give any other details on the film or if any of the original cast would be returning for the sequel.<ref name="YouTube">{{Cite web |title=Josh Gad Just Dropped a Big-Time Nugget about a 'Space Balls' Sequel - The Rich Eisen Show |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVRj61gh5E4 |website=YouTube |date=March 15, 2025 |access-date=March 15, 2025 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q498442|c=Category:Spaceballs|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{TCMDb title}}

{{Mel Brooks}}
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