View source for 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       = {{Plainlist|
* Mel Brooks
* [[Ezra Swerdlow]]
 }}
| writer         = {{Plainlist|
* 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         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
* [[Brooksfilms]]
 }}
| distributor    = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| released       = {{Film date|1987|06|24}}
| runtime        = 96 minutes<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         = $22.7 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/release/rl4000351745/weekend/ |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 other popular franchises such as ''[[Star Trek]]'', ''[[Alien (franchise)|Alien]]'', ''[[The Wizard of Oz]]'', ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'', and ''[[Transformers]]''. The film stars [[Bill Pullman]], [[John Candy]], [[Rick Moranis]] and [[Daphne Zuniga]], with the supporting cast including [[Dick Van Patten]], [[George Wyner]], [[Lorene Yarnell]], and the voice of [[Joan Rivers]]. In addition to Brooks playing a dual role, the film 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 the planet 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. It received mixed reviews upon release, but has since attained a cult following. A sequel is in production as of September 2025. Directed by [[Josh Greenbaum]] and co-written by [[Josh Gad]] and Brooks, the sequel will star [[Lewis Pullman]], [[Keke Palmer]], and Gad, with Brooks, Bill Pullman, Moranis, and Zuniga reprising their roles. The sequel, ''[[Spaceballs 2]]'', is scheduled to be released theatrically by MGM in 2027.

==Plot==
<!--Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. Please check the word count before making any additions. Word Count as of June 21, 2025, is 606.-->
In a galaxy very, very, very, very far away, the ruthless Spaceballs, led by President Skroob, have squandered their planet's atmosphere. Desperate for oxygen, Skroob hatches a plan to steal it from the neighboring planet Druidia by obtaining the code to its air shield, destroying Druidia in the process.

On Druidia, the spoiled Princess Vespa flees an arranged marriage to the narcoleptic Prince Valium, having already rejected all other suitors in her search for true love. Meanwhile, mercenary Lone Starr and his half-man, half-dog companion Barf are contacted by crime boss Pizza the Hutt, who demands repayment of a one-million space buck debt. King Roland of Druidia offers Starr the same amount to rescue Vespa and her droid servant, Dot Matrix.

Aboard their [[RV|Winnebago]] spaceship ''Eagle 5'', Starr and Barf rescue the pair just before they are captured by the Spaceball ship ''Spaceball One'', commanded by Colonel Sandurz and Skroob's enforcer, Dark Helmet, who wields the mystical power of the Schwartz. However, ''Eagle{{nbs}}5'' runs out of fuel, forcing Starr to crash-land on the desert moon of Vega.

The four wander through the scorching landscape, with Starr and Vespa exchanging barbed remarks and mutual attraction. They cannot act on their feelings, however, as Vespa is duty-bound to marry a prince. They collapse from the heat, but are rescued by the Dink-Dinks, a group of robed, diminutive aliens, and taken to the hidden temple of Yogurt, a wise sage who breaks the [[fourth wall]] to shamelessly advertise ''Spaceballs'' merchandise. Yogurt guides Starr in using the Schwartz, using a ring to channel its power. He also deciphers Starr's medallion—found with him as an abandoned baby—but withholds its meaning.

Unable to locate Vespa, Helmet and Sandurz watch a [[VHS]] copy of ''Spaceballs'' and skip forwards in the film to find her. On the moon, Helmet uses the Schwartz to impersonate King Roland, tricking Vespa into revealing herself. She and Dot are captured and taken to ''Spaceball One''; Starr and Barf give chase.

Helmet extorts the shield code from Roland by threatening to reverse Vespa's plastic surgery and restore her large nose. Starr and Barf infiltrate the Planet Spaceball prison, rescue the captives (leaving [[Double (occupation)|stunt doubles]] behind as a distraction), and escape in ''Eagle{{nbs}}5''. With the shield code in hand, ''Spaceball One'' transforms into "Mega-Maid", a giant robot maid, and begins vacuuming Druidia's atmosphere.

Using the Schwartz, Starr reverses the vacuum from "suck" to "blow", saving the planet. He pilots ''Eagle{{nbs}}5'' into Mega-Maid's head, finds the self-destruct button, and battles Helmet in a Schwartz duel using ring-projected [[lightsaber]]-like beams. Helmet steals Starr's ring and drops it down a grate, but he hears a telepathic message from Yogurt telling him: "The Schwartz is in you." Starr wields the Schwartz to reflect Helmet's energy blast with a mirror, sending him flying into the self-destruct button. As ''Eagle{{nbs}}5'' escapes, Mega-Maid explodes. Skroob, Helmet, and Sandurz are left behind when all the escape pods are taken. They crash-land in the remains of Mega-Maid on a nearby planet populated by intelligent apes, who are horrified to witness their arrival.

On Druidia, Starr and Barf learn that Pizza the Hutt locked himself in a limo and ate himself to death, clearing their debt. They return Vespa to her father but decline payment for rescuing her. Starr leaves, reluctantly accepting that Vespa must marry a prince.

In space, Starr and Barf discover a final message from Yogurt hidden in a fortune cookie: the medallion proves Starr is a prince. They return to Druidia just in time to stop Vespa's wedding to Valium. Starr reveals his royal lineage and he and Vespa are joyously married.
<!--Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films should be between 400 to 700 words. Please check the word count before making any additions. Word Count as of June 21, 2025m is 606.-->

==Cast==
* [[Bill Pullman]] as Lone Starr, a mercenary who travels the galaxy in his flying 1986 [[RV|Winnebago]] Chieftain 33, ''Eagle{{spaces}}5''. He is a hybrid parody of [[Luke Skywalker]] and [[Han Solo]].
* [[John Candy]] as Barf, a "Mawg" (half man, half dog) and Lone Starr's partner. He is a parody of [[Chewbacca]].
* [[Daphne Zuniga]] as Princess Vespa, the spoiled princess of Planet Druidia. She is a parody of [[Princess Leia]].
* [[Rick Moranis]] as Lord Dark Helmet, the short-statured, bratty, and childish assistant leader of Planet Spaceball and the Spaceballs' chief enforcer, who can wield the "down-side" of the Schwartz. He is a parody of [[Darth Vader]].
* [[Joan Rivers]] as the voice of Dot Matrix, Princess Vespa's droid of honor and guardian. She is a parody of [[C-3PO|C{{nbh}}3PO]].
** [[Lorene Yarnell]] provided Dot Matrix's on-screen physical performance.
* [[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''. He is a parody of [[Grand Moff Tarkin]] and 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''.

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> [[John Hurt]] makes a [[cameo appearance]] as a parody of his character [[List of Alien characters#Gilbert Kane|Gilbert Kane]] 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> In the same scene archival recordings of William "Bill" Roberts' performance of "[[Hello! Ma Baby]]" as heard in the animated short film ''[[One Froggy Evening]]'' were used as the [[Xenomorph]] bursts out of Kane's chest and suddenly breaks into song and dance.<ref name="singing alien">{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Mel |author-link=Mel Brooks |date=December 16, 2021 |title=Mel Brooks on the Making of Spaceballs |url=https://lithub.com/mel-brooks-on-the-making-of-spaceballs/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=Literary Hub |quote=But I couldn't stop there, so I had the [alien] creature go on to sing and dance}}</ref>

==Production==
[[File:Spaceballs helmet (cropped).JPG|thumb|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 okay."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maxim.com/entertainment/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's<!--LOO kus sizz--> 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.<ref>Pullman had not seen ''Star Wars'' prior to filming ''Spaceballs''.</ref><ref name="pullmanws">{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/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|text=I think [Mel] was hurt that they didn't take him up on it{{spaces}}... 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=https://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>}}
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==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Spaceballs: The Soundtrack
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = Various artists
| cover      = 
| alt        = 
| released   = {{start date|1987|07}}
| recorded   = 
| studio     = 
| genre      = {{hlist|[[Film score]]|[[pop rock]]|[[hard rock]]}}
| length     = 31:08
| label      = [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]]
| producer   = {{hlist|[[John Morris (composer)|John Morris]]|[[George Duke]]|[[Jeffrey Osborne]]|[[Bob Ezrin]]|[[John Benitez|Jellybean]]|[[Richard Perry]]|[[Donn Landee]]|[[Mick Jones (Foreigner guitarist)|Mick Jones]]|[[Van Halen]]|[[Michael Lloyd (music producer)|Michael Lloyd]]}}
}}
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]].

{{Track listing
| headline      = Track listing
| extra_column  = Artist(s)
| title1        = Spaceballs Main Title Theme
| writer1       = John Morris
| extra1        = [[John Morris (composer)|John Morris]]
| length1       = 2:30
| title2        = My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own
| writer2       = {{hlist|Gloria Sklerov|Lenny Macaluso}}
| extra2        = [[Jeffrey Osborne]] and [[Kim Carnes]]
| length2       = 3:56
| title3        = Heartstrings
| writer3       = {{hlist|[[John Crawford (musician)|John Crawford]]|Matt Reid|Rob Brill|[[Terri Nunn]]}}
| extra3        = [[Berlin (band)|Berlin]]
| length3       = 4:10
| title4        = Spaceballs Love Theme Instrumental
| writer4       = Morris
| extra4        = John Morris
| length4       = 2:22
| title5        = The Winnebago Crashes / The Spaceballs Build Mega-Maid
| writer5       = Morris
| extra5        = John Morris
| length5       = 2:25
| title6        = Spaceballs
| writer6       = {{hlist|Clyde Lieberman|Jeffrey Pescetto|[[Mel Brooks]]}}
| extra6        = [[The Spinners (American group)|The Spinners]]
| length6       = 3:43
| title7        = [[Hot Together]]
| writer7       = [[Sharon Robinson (musician)|Sharon Robinson]]
| extra7        = [[The Pointer Sisters]]
| length7       = 4:11
| title8        = Good Enough
| writer8       = {{hlist|[[Eddie Van Halen|Edward Van Halen]]|[[Alex Van Halen]]|[[Michael Anthony (musician)|Michael Anthony]]|[[Sammy Hagar]]}}
| extra8        = [[Van Halen]]
| length8       = 4:02
| title9        = Wanna Be Loved by You
| writer9       = Dick Bauerle
| extra9        = [[Ladyfire]]
| length9       = 3:34
| total_length  = 31:08
}}

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

"My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" 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>

In the film, the Dinks (based on [[List of Star Wars species (F–J)#Jawa|Jawas]]) perform the 1914 marching song "[[Colonel Bogey March]]", though they only sing the word "Dink" repeatedly in rhythm to the song 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=https://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://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl4000351745/weekend/| 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 prose|score=52|average=5.9|count=104|consensus=There's fine spoofery and amusing characters in ''Spaceballs'', though it's a far cry from Mel Brooks' peak era.|ref=|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spaceballs/ | title=Spaceballs Movie Reviews, Pictures | publisher=[[Fandango Media]] | 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> {{Metacritic film prose|46|14|access-date=5 September 2025}}<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/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= SPACEBALLS (1987) B- |work= [[CinemaScore]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date= 2018-12-20 }}</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{{spaces}}... 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 film|cult following]] in the following years.<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><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, Inc.|Tesla]] 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'' a 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 released on [[VHS]] and [[LaserDisc]] in February 1988. The VHS edition was issued twice, first in a [[4:3]] aspect ratio and the 1996 edition was presented in widescreen. The 1996 LaserDisc reissue includes a [[audio commentary|commentary track]] with Brooks, which was also included on the [[DVD]] and [[Blu-ray]] releases. The film was released on DVD on April 25, 2000. This version includes a "making of" documentary and booklet. A collectors edition DVD was released on May 3, 2005, with more extras including a video conversation about the making of the film with Brooks and Thomas Meehan. On August 7, 2012, a 25th anniversary edition Blu-ray was released containing many of the same bonus features as the 2005 DVD with the addition of a new featurette.<ref>{{cite web|last=Katz|first=Josh|title=Spaceballs: 25th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray|url=https://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> The film was released on [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] and a remastered Blu-ray 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 ''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==
{{main article|Spaceballs 2}}
In 2013, Moranis claimed in an interview that he and Brooks had discussed a potential ''Spaceballs'' [[sequel]], with Moranis pitching the title ''Spaceballs{{snd}}III: The Search for Spaceballs{{spaces}}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=https://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> Brooks said in February 2015 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=https://www.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, a sequel to ''Spaceballs'' was announced with Brooks serving as producer alongside Josh Gad, and that [[Josh Greenbaum]] would serve as director.<ref name="Deadline" />

In June 2025, [[Amazon MGM Studios]] announced that a ''Spaceballs'' sequel will be released theatrically by [[MGM]] in 2027.<ref name="Deadline-Brooks"/> [[Imagine Entertainment]] will produce the sequel, with [[Ron Howard]], [[Brian Grazer]] and Jeb Brody as co-producers. Alongside this announcement, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said that the film will star [[Lewis Pullman]] (Bill Pullman's real-life son) as Starburst, the son of Lone Starr and Vespa; and [[Keke Palmer]] as a character named Destiny, as well as Gad.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title='Spaceballs' Sequel Enlists Lewis Pullman, Joining Father Bill Pullman (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/spaceballs-sequel-lewis-pullman-1236263744/| date=June 12, 2025 | access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> Brooks will be reprising the role of Yogurt and President Skroob.<ref name="Deadline-Brooks">{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |title=Mel Brooks To Reprise As Yogurt In Amazon MGM's New 'Spaceballs' Movie |url=https://deadline.com/2025/06/spaceballs-2-mel-brooks-returning-yogurt-1236431830/|website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 12, 2025 |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> According to ''Deadline Hollywood'', both Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis (the latter in his first live-action film role since the 1990s) are returning, reprising Lone Starr and Dark Helmet, respectively, while ''The Wrap'' confirmed that Daphne Zuniga will reprise her role as Princess Vespa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |url=https://www.thewrap.com/spaceballs-daphne-zuniga-returns-sequel-mel-brooks/ |title='Spaceballs': Daphne Zuniga to Return as Princess Vespa in Sequel |website=The Wrap| date=June 12, 2025 | access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="Deadline-Pullman">{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |title=Bill Pullman & Rick Moranis Returning For New 'Spaceballs'; Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman Also Set – The Dish |url=https://deadline.com/2025/06/spaceballs-2-casts-rick-moranis-bill-pullman-keke-palmer-1236431204/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 12, 2025 |access-date=June 12, 2025}}</ref> According to the press release, the film has been described by those who have not yet read the script as "A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film".<ref name="Deadline-Brooks" /><ref name="Deadline-Pullman" />

==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}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{AFI film}}
* {{TCMDb title}}

{{Mel Brooks}}
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{{Portal bar|1980s|Comedy|Film|Science fiction}}

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