June 28, 2026
AFI Proclaims BLAZING SADDLES the Funniest Film of All Time
The Classic Comedy Takes its Rightful Place on “AFI’s 100 Laughs” List as Mel Brooks turns 100 In honor of Mel Brooks’ 100th birthday, the American Film Institute (AFI) hereby proclaims BLAZING SADDLES (1974) the funniest film of all time on Sunday, June 28, 2026. This is an honorary reorganization of the Institute’s signature AFI’s 100 YEARS…100 LAUGHS list, advancing BLAZING SADDLES (1974) from its long-held place at #6 to the #1 spot – all in respect...
June 17, 2026
SPACEBALLS (1987) – AFI Movie Club
“May the Schwartz be with you!” A madcap romp at ludicrous speed through the farthest reaches of space – including to a desert planet not unlike the single-ecosystem worlds found in some other vaunted science fiction franchises – SPACEBALLS (1987) stars and is directed, co-written and produced by the incomparable Mel Brooks, recipient of both...
June 1, 2026
Mel Brooks and THE ELEPHANT MAN – AFI Catalog Spotlight
June 1, 2026 Mel Brooks and THE ELEPHANT MAN – AFI Catalog Spotlight In celebration of Mel Brooks’ 100th birthday on June 28, the AFI Catalog and AFI Archive spotlight a lesser-known but essential chapter in his career – his uncredited role as a producer and champion of independent filmmakers. Though best known as a...
March 26, 2026
HISTORY OF THE WORLD, PART I (1981) – AFI Movie Club
A madcap romp through human history as only he could tell it, HISTORY OF THE WORLD: PART I (1981) stars and is directed, written and produced by the incomparable Mel Brooks – recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film. Visit the AFI Catalog to learn more about...
December 22, 2025
BLAZING SADDLES (1974) – AFI Movie Club
A chaotic interruption of a filmed movie musical, in progress, is just one wild moment among the myriad, rapid fire hysterics in BLAZING SADDLES (1974), ranked by the American Film Institute at #6 among the greatest filmed comedies of all time. Co-writer, director and star (in a dual role), AFI Life Achievement Award honoree – and AFI Honorary Degree recipient – Mel Brooks has said of the film’s...
September 6, 2024
THE PRODUCERS (1967) – AFI Movie Club
After a career that already included such comedy classics as YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS, THE 2000 YEAR OLD MAN and GET SMART, AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Mel Brooks made his feature directorial debut in 1967 with THE PRODUCERS – which was subsequently named by the American Film Institute among the greatest filmed comedies of...
August 4, 2024
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974) – AFI Movie Club
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (1974) is ranked by AFI as one of the funniest films in the art form’s history. Directed by AFI Life Achievement Award recipient Mel Brooks, this iconic comedy features an unforgettable sequence in which Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle perform the duet “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which AFI ranked as #89 on the...
August 30, 2022
BLAZING SADDLES (1974) – AFI Movie Club
Ranked by the American Film Institute among the greatest filmed comedies of all time, BLAZING SADDLES (1974) was co-written and directed by AFI Life Achievement Award honoree Mel Brooks, who also appears in a dual role. Of the film’s placement on AFI’s list – at #6 – Brooks has said, ““I am so angry at...
June 28, 2021
AFI Movie Club: Celebrating Mel Brooks’ 95th Birthday and THE PRODUCERS
“It’s good to be the king.” Happy birthday to Mel Brooks! A recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013, comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks had the previous year received an honorary degree at AFI commencement – presented to him by director and AFI alum David Lynch, whose film ELEPHANT MAN he produced. Three of Brooks’ comedy classics appear on the AFI’s...
August 7, 2020
AFI Movie Club: YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN is ranked by AFI as one of the funniest in cinematic history. Directed by AFI Life Achievement recipient Mel Brooks, this iconic comedy features an unforgettable sequence in which Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle perform the duet “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” which AFI ranked as #89 on the list of greatest movie songs…
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