Ranking All 11 Mel Brooks Films From Good to Classic

      Here is a ranking of every Mel Brooks movie, ordered from least amusing to side-splitting — featuring titles such as Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs, Young Frankenstein, and all the rest.

      But First: Our Affection for Mel Brooks

      Warner Bros.

      Prior to crafting classics like Blazing Saddles, Mel Brooks was a crucial comedy writer during the early days of television, notably contributing to Sid Caesar’s shows. He collaborated with his lifelong friend Carl Reiner to produce brilliant projects, such as The 2,000 Year Old Man, and co-created the spy spoof sitcom Get Smart.

      Recently celebrating his 98th birthday, Mel Brooks is cherished mostly for his films — nearly all of which parody cherished movie genres, from silent films to monster flicks to Westerns. It’s important to note that we are only considering the films he directed, excluding those where he had cameo appearances.

      Here are all 11 Mel Brooks films, ranked from entertaining to genuinely funny.

      11 — Life Stinks (1991)

      MGM

      Notably, Life Stinks is not a parody. Even though Mel Brooks directed and starred in it, the film does not feature any of his trademark fourth-wall breaks or spoof humor. It was unsuccessful at the box office, despite Brooks’ attempt at social commentary — an endeavor he executed more effectively in Blazing Saddles.

      In this movie, Brooks portrays a greedy businessman who wagers one of his associates that he can survive on the streets without money for 30 days. If he succeeds, he gets to demolish a neighborhood in Los Angeles.

      It bears some resemblance to Trading Places, but lacks the energetic charm of Eddie Murphy. To Brooks' credit, crafting a humorous take on homelessness is a challenging task for anyone.

      10 — Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

      20th Century Fox

      While Life Stinks has few defenders, Robin Hood: Men in Tights certainly has its fans. However, it remains one of those unpredictable Brooks comedies where he engages in silliness even by his own standards.

      The film features some strong jokes, including sharp jabs at Kevin Costner’s portrayal of Robin Hood. Yet, for every successful gag, a few others miss the mark.

      Men in Tights is also significant as it marks the film debut of Dave Chappelle, who plays Ahchoo, one of Robin's Merry Men. We also enjoy seeing Cary Elwes in any role.

      9 — Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)

      Columbia

      Dracula: Dead and Loving It is Brooks’ latest film, bringing together two iconic figures of parody — Leslie Nielsen, known for his roles in Airplane! and the Naked Gun series, plays Dracula. The combination of Brooks and Nielsen is enough reason to give this film a watch.

      Do the two chew the scenery? Yes, they certainly do. While we may not be fully enamored with it, there are moments of merit in the film.

      Additionally, it’s worth noting that we are only ranking the movies directed by Brooks, excluding the 1983 film To Be Or Not to Be, which he produced and starred in alongside his beloved wife, Anne Bancroft.

      8 — The Twelve Chairs (1970)

      UMC Pictures

      Brooks himself is quite fond of The Twelve Chairs. After directing his debut film, he opted to take on a Russian satire adaptation. The Twelve Chairs is an often-adapted Russian novel from 1928, but it’s not particularly well-known in the Americas. Perhaps this explains why The Twelve Chairs quickly faded from view.

      The film features an impressive cast, including Dom DeLuise and Frank Langella, with Brooks making a brief appearance. He also lightened the book’s darker narrative to leave the audience with a more uplifting experience.

      While we can’t compare it to the source material, we commend Brooks for attempting to parody a text that was likely unfamiliar to many viewers.

      7 — Silent Movie (1976)

      20th Century Fox

      Remember when The Artist won Best Picture? That film is a comedy reflecting on the silent film era and the transition to “talkies,” and it mimicked the style of those early films.

      Silent Movie was the precursor, wherein Brooks went even further in replicating the essence of 1920s cinema. Naturally, he included his characteristic quirky humor, which somewhat diminishes the film's authenticity.

      Silent Movie follows a 1970s director who aspires to create a silent film. He parodies the film industry around him, often in a not-so-subtle manner. Brooks portrays "Mel Funn," Marty Feldman is "Marty Eggs," and his wife Anne Bancroft makes a cameo as herself, with Burt Reynolds appearing humorously as Burt Reynolds.

      Additionally, Marcel Marceau has a speaking role, which is a classic Mel Brooks gag.

      6 — History of the World, Part I (1981)

      20th Century Fox

      Sketch comedy is typically