20 incredibly funny parodies of popular films.

Classics by Mel Brooks and the Zucker Brothers, Scary Movie and many other great comedies.

Many consider parody films to be one of the “lowest” genres. There is some truth in this. Such films often have small budgets and rarely last more than an hour and a half. In addition, the plots of parodies usually retell already familiar stories, only in a comedic way.

Hence the lack of popularity among critics and the lack of prestigious awards. But they perform their main function - they simply amuse the viewer. Therefore, many successful parodies have gone down in history, sometimes even being remembered better than the original films.

A considerable part of the films from our selection were shot by the same authors: the legendary Mel Brooks and the no less famous trio of the Zucker brothers and Jim Abrahams. But there are also remarkable works from other directors.

1. Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

• Great Britain, 1975.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.3.

Members of the British comedy troupe Monty Python retell the famous legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in a humorous way. There is enough room here for vulgarity and completely absurd jokes for which this team of artists was famous.

The film not only became Terry Gilliam's directorial debut, but also became the subject of many quotes, and some of the characters literally became the standard of strange humor. For example, the Black Knight, who demanded to continue the fight even when two arms and one leg were cut off.

2. Young Frankenstein

Young Frankenstein

• USA, 1974.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 106 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

Mel Brooks came up with a parody of classic horror films of the thirties together with his longtime friend, actor Gene Wilder, who played the main role. The plot is about the grandson of Dr. Frankenstein. He inherits the castle where the notorious grandfather conducted his experiments, and also revives the monster.

Brooks tried to copy classic films not only plot-wise, but also visually: black and white pictures, transitions between scenes and even music recreate the retro atmosphere. Interestingly, the film was shot in the same scenery as Frankenstein in 1931.

3. This is Spinal Tap

This Is Spinal Tap

• USA, 1984.
• Comedy, musical.
• Duration: 82 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

The mockumentary tells the story of several months in the history of the fictional glam rock band Spinal Tap, which, after its finest hour, is rapidly losing popularity.

It's funny that the artists from this film later actually formed a group and even recorded several albums. Well, in the film itself it is not difficult to notice the irony of documentaries about such bands as Kiss or Judas Priest. Although, at the first showings, viewers were unhappy - many did not understand that the plot was dedicated to a fake group.

4. Zombie named Sean

Shaun of the Dead

• Great Britain, France, 2004.
• Comedy, horror.
• Duration: 99 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.9.

Sean's life is very boring - he works as a consultant in a store and cannot improve his life. But one day he has to forget about everyday problems: everyone around him turns into zombies, and now Sean and his friends need to somehow escape.

Talented director Edgar Wright took classic films about the living dead as a basis. Even in the original title it is easy to notice a reference to Dawn of the dead by the famous George Romero. And visually, Wright copies footage from horror films literally in every second scene.

But in the end, the director came up with not just a funny parody, but an original stylization that the audience really loved. Subsequently, Wright and the same team continued his experiments in the films “Hot Fuzz” and “Armaged Man” - parodies of police films and science fiction about aliens.

5. Airplane!

Airplane!

• USA, 1980.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

This famous comedy from the trio Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker parodies such classics as “Zero Hour!”, “Airport” and all kinds of disaster films. A former military pilot finds himself in a falling plane. Now only he can save all the passengers from death, but the problem is that the hero does not believe in himself due to past traumas.

This parody is considered one of the best in the history of the genre. The authors did everything perfectly: they took a clichéd tragic plot and exaggerated all its components to such an extent that it became funny. Two years later, the film received a sequel, which was called “Airplane-2: The Continuation.” Its action takes place in space . But it was not possible to repeat the success a second time.

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6. Blazing Saddles

Blazing Saddles

• USA, 1974.
• Comedy, Western.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

The film parodies classic westerns, most notably the film High Noon. Greedy villains want to run a railroad through a small town. But to do this they need to expel all the residents. To make everything look legal, they send a gang of thugs to the city and appoint a new sheriff who barely knows how to shoot, and is also dark-skinned .

Director Mel Brooks often appears in his films. But here he especially distinguished himself and played not only the stupid governor, but also the Indian leader, who for some reason speaks Yiddish.

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7. Naked Gun

The Naked Gun: from the Files of Police Squad!

• USA, 1988.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 85 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.6.

Another parody legend grew out of the comedy series “Police Squad!” The authors poke fun at a variety of detective and action films : from Dirty Harry to Columbo. The main character, played by Leslie Nielsen, has to expose a large-scale conspiracy and save the Queen of Great Britain herself.

The film has two sequels, which in terms of humor are almost as good as the first part. So you can watch them all in a row. And Nielsen's biggest fans can also appreciate the original "Police Squad!"

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8. Top secret!

Top Secret!

• USA, 1984.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

American singer Nick Rivers comes to Germany for a festival and finds himself at the center of spy games. The military from the GDR kidnapped a scientist and are trying to create a terrible weapon. But Nick, along with the charming girl Hillary and the rebels, opposes the villains.

The film parodies many films and even entire genres at once. So, the authors came under attack from musicals with Elvis Presley, and spy stories from the Cold War, and even “The Blue Lagoon.”

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9. Space eggs

Spaceballs

• USA, 1987.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.

Four years after the release of the final episode of George Lucas ' classic Star Wars trilogy , a parody of the franchise appeared on screens. The story is roughly the same: the evil emperor and Lord Grand Slam are trying to conquer the galaxy, and the princess turns to a wandering warrior for help.

Interestingly, Lucas, who really loved Mel Brooks’ previous films, not only allowed the director to film a parody of his creation, but also helped him with special effects and sound during the work.

And by the way: not everyone knows that this film has a sequel. In 2008, the animated series “Comic Eggs” was released, consisting of 13 episodes.

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10. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

• USA, 1997.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 94 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.0.

Against the background of universal love for James Bond, numerous parodies dedicated to super spies could not help but appear . And the most striking of them is a series of films about Austin Powers, a favorite of women and a tough agent from the sixties, who lay frozen for about 30 years.

After awakening, he will have to confront Doctor Evil, who demands a huge ransom from the governments of large countries, threatening to blow up all volcanoes.

Special mention here deserves the leading actor Mike Myers, who played not only Austin Powers, but also his enemy Dr. Evil, and several other characters in the sequels.

11. Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

• USA, 1993.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

Robin from Loxley returns from captivity to his native land, finds a new friend Ap-Chhi and soon discovers that Sheriff Gnilogemsky took his family castle for debts. Now the hero needs to gather funny guys in tights and fight Prince John. And at the same time fall in love with Maid Marian, who wears a chastity belt.

First of all, this film parodies the famous "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" with Kevin Costner . But at the same time, references to many iconic paintings are used, even “The Godfather” is remembered.

12. Hot heads!

Hot Shots!

• USA, 1991.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 85 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

This film is clearly inspired by the famous film "Top Gun" with Tom Cruise . The plot is dedicated to the pilot Topper Harley, who is trying to overcome complexes associated with his father in an Indian settlement. But he is found and returned to the base to participate in a military operation in Iraq.

It's funny that even the lead actor, Charlie Sheen, looked quite similar to Tom Cruise back then. Although in the second part they clearly did not think about the similarities of the characters - the sequel parodies the film “Rambo”.

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13. Hot American Summer

Wet Hot American Summer

• USA, 2001.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 97 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

After American Pie captivated audiences, a whole wave of vulgar comedies about teenagers poured onto the screens. And then director David Wain decided to do the impossible - make a parody of stupid comedies. The idea was not appreciated at first, but over time the film became a cult favorite.

The action takes place on the last day of vacation at summer camp, where the heroes fall in love, quarrel, drown, talk to tin cans, get drugs, participate in musicals and save the Earth from a threat from outer space .

And almost 15 years later, the director went even further - he made a prequel to the story with the same actors.

14. Manitou moccasins

Der Schuh des Manitou

• Germany, 2001.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

This parody of Westerns was filmed in Germany. But this should not be surprising, because many classic films of the genre came from this country: remember, for example, “Chingachgook - the Big Snake” with Gojko Mitic or “The Faithful Hand - Friend of the Indians,” a joint production of Germany and Yugoslavia.

This is the story of blood brothers Abahachi and Ranger, who decided to buy a bar, and then were unfairly accused of murdering the Cowardly Rabbit, the son of the leader Sly Slime. The heroes need to justify their name and at the same time find the treasure. But the Indians had already dug up the folding chair and declared war.

15. Fear of heights

High Anxiety

• USA, 1977.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 94 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.7.

This film is a parody and at the same time a declaration of Mel Brooks' love for the films of Alfred Hitchcock . Even the title itself hints at the classic film “Vertigo”, and in the plot you can see references to “Psycho”, “The Birds” and other works of the master.

Dr. Richard Thorndike (played by Brooks himself) is appointed director of a neuropsychiatric clinic for the most critically ill patients. But in the process of work, he himself becomes as nervous as his patients.

16. Don't be a threat to South Central while drinking juice on your block.

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

• USA, 1996.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 89 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.

In the nineties, dozens of films appeared on screens about life in poor neighborhoods inhabited by black people. And director Paris Barclay decided to parody this trend.

His feature-length debut doesn't even have a proper plot, just a set of miniatures about the lives of two cousins: Ashtray and Lock Dog. One of them is more restrained and well-mannered, but the second loves to create real chaos. Interestingly, the main characters were played by brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans, members of a huge acting family.

17. Three amigos!

¡Three Amigos!

• USA, 1986.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 105 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.5.

The bandit El Guapo and his charges are terrorizing a Mexican village. For protection, residents call on fearless heroes known as the “three amigos.” The only trouble is that they are actually silent film actors who have confused real danger with regular filming.

It's easy to see that this film is clearly poking fun at the classic western The Magnificent Seven. And that, in turn, is based on the film “ Seven Samurai ” by Akira Kurosawa.

18. Scary Movie

Scary Movie

• USA, 2000.
• Black comedy.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

A witty parody of Scream retells the story of a maniac , turning all the characters into idiots and the plot into outright madness. By the way, the main roles were again played by Shawn and Marlon Wayans, and their brother Keenen Ivory Wayans was the director.

The film spawned a whole wave of sequels and offshoots that parodied popular films. But still, the first part is considered the brightest and funniest.

19. Agent Johnny English

Johnny English

• Great Britain, France, 2003.
• Comedy.
• Duration: 87 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.2.

And another parody of James Bond. This time performed by the famous "Mr. Bean" - Rowan Atkinson . He plays Johnny English, a clerical worker formally assigned to the British secret service MI7. But after a series of accidents, he turns out to be the only surviving agent. And then he is drawn to save the world, although he has absolutely no idea what needs to be done.

The combination of Atkinson's typical antics with a spy comedy pleased the audience. There have already been two sequels to this story.

20. Loaded weapon - 1

Loaded Weapon 1

• USA, 1993.
• Comedy, action.
• Duration: 84 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.1.

Police officers with the telling names Colt and Luger enter the fight against a drug cartel led by General Mortars (not to be confused with General Motors). But then the confrontation turns into personal revenge.

You shouldn’t pay attention to the number 1 in the title - the second part was never even in the plans. And the plot is clearly a parody of Lethal Weapon and many other police action films. A special advantage of the film is the leading actors. Here you can admire Charlie Sheen's brother and The Breakfast Club star Emilio Estevez and a young Samuel L. Jackson.