Watch it for the first time, for the last time, and for free.
It was indeed not Mel Brooks’ first time making fun of pop culture, nor would it be the last, when he co-wrote and directed the classic parody movie Spaceballs. Though Brooks’ Yoda-inspired character Yogurt promised a sequel called The Search for More Money, the Blazing Saddles director’s Star Wars send-up did not fly at ludicrous speed toward establishing a franchise, leaving fans waiting decades to see the spoof movie’s next chapter.
But the long wait for Spaceballs 2 is thankfully coming to an end, and even as the long-delayed follow-up prepares to hit screens, the original Spaceballs is set to stream for free, coming to Tubi on June 1, 2026.
Spaceballs 2 has set its own release date of April 23, 2027. Brooks is indeed set to return as Yogurt, along with original Spaceballs stars Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet, and Daphne Zuniga as Queen Vespa. Josh Gad is among the new cast members, having also co-written the script, and will be joined on screen by fellow new arrivals Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman.
Despite its reputation as a classic of 1980s comedy, Spaceballs was surprisingly ripped by many critics when it released, sending it to a shockingly low 52% Rotten Tomatoes score. Reviewers praised the movie’s hilarious gags and fun characters, but found its story lacking, and generally compared it unfavorably to Brooks’ ‘70s films.
Time has been very kind to Spaceballs, however, and it has now taken its rightful place alongside Airplane!, The Naked Gun, and all the other spoof movies that helped make the 1980s a golden age for film comedy. ScreenRant gave the film a shout-out in an April 2025 rundown of nine comfortingly silly sci-fi movies, saying, “Spaceballs does not take itself too seriously, and the gags range from silly to slapstick, but that is the charm of this fun film.”
Brooks’ movie is also one of the most quotable of ‘80s comedies, with lines like “May the Schwartz be with you,” a direct goof on Star Wars’ most famous catchphrase. Spaceballs 2, officially titled Spaceballs: The New One after Brooks quipped that the search for more money had ended in his basement, will tackle the tall task of carving out its own pop culture niche, drawing on decades of Star Wars movies, and other sci-fi IP, for comedic material.
