Parodies can be a great way to poke fun at some tropes in fiction while also delivering amazing moments. Here are 20 films that fulfill that to a T.
The N@ked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
An underrated sequel with Frank Drebin bumbling his way across a plot regarding the energy industry, but it is executed with the delightful sense of humor that has defined this franchise.
Blazing Saddles
Made in 1974, this film has become a classic because of the way it pokes fun at several tropes of the Western genre, which was already in decline at the time.
Superhero Movie
Long before the MCU existed, there were already films parodying superhero movies. Aptly titled “Superhero Movie”, it has a lot of slapstick humor and also offers a parody of the classic origin story of the hero in the 2000s.
Scary Movie 2
Not a lot of franchises can deliver a strong sequel, but “Scary Movie 2” is a great exception. It maintains and elevates the charm of the first movie while also continuing its parody of the horror genre.
This is Spinal Tap
“This is Spinal Tap” has become iconic among rock and metal bands for perfectly parodying some of the tropes and anecdotes they have gone through over the years. Moreover, this film’s comedic timing is phenomenal.
Tropic Thunder
Directed by Ben Stiller, this parody of war films takes many crazy turns, but the hilarious moments and great acting make it a memorable watch.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian
While this 1979 film might initially strike some as a mockery of religion, it actually targets those with extreme views and those who want to divide people, making it a very interesting parody from that perspective.
Austin Powers in Goldmember
The whole “Austin Powers” trilogy is phenomenal, but the third film is a great way to end it and delivers some of the best comedic moments in the whole franchise.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Parodying the music biopic genre is something that many might not see coming, but 2007’s “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” did a great job with that. It manages to take such a specific genre and deliver some truly hilarious moments, which is all you can ask for from a parody.
Kick-@ss
Originally a comic book, this 2010 adaptation serves as a very good parody of the superhero genre. It shows the absurd nature of what being a superhero would be like in real life while also having some serious and heartfelt moments.
Hot Shots! Part Deux
This 1993 movie takes very hilarious swings at 80s action films, particularly the Rambo franchise, thus becoming a classic of the 90s.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
The titular duo of this franchise returned in 2001 as they set out to keep a movie based on them from being made. It maintains the formula of the franchise while also adding a road trip element that is quite enjoyable.
Spaceballs
Director Mel Brooks is known for several of his parody films, and 1987’s “Spaceballs” is one of his most iconic films. It is also known for how it parodies a lot of Star Wars, becoming a classic in its own right.
Galaxy Quest
A fairly obvious Star Trek parody, 1999’s “Galaxy Quest” is a bit different from other films in its genre. While some people might take parodies as a dig at other franchises or genres, this movie serves as a love letter of sorts to Star Trek while also being very funny.
Young Frankenstein
Mel Brooks managed to replicate the feel and aesthetic of the classic horror films he was parodying while making amazing comedy. To think that this was in 1974 is incredible.
Team America: World Police
A parody of spy films, this movie has a very unique feel because of the use of puppets, making it stand out from its competition.
The N@ked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
The one that started it all. This 1988 film is chaos made into a movie and it’s exactly why it is so much fun. A classic 80s film in its own right.
Airplane!
One of the most iconic parody films ever made. It was made in 1980 and pokes fun at several disaster films that became popular in the 70s while also having some underrated character moments.
Black Dynamite
This 2009 film is an obvious parody of many classic Blaxploitation movies that were made in the 70s. However, it can stand on its own even if you don’t know that detail since it packs a lot of jokes and action, making for a wild ride for the audience.
Mars Attacks!
It’s incredible that this 1996 parody managed to have a cast featuring Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, Danny DeVito, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Jack Black, and Natalie Portman. Moreover, it parodies the 1950s sci-fi films while also having a bit of slapstick humor and irony that works quite well.
