Spaceballs (1987)

The easiest entry point for anyone raised on Star Wars, since the original trilogy is its main target, with swipes at Star Trek, Alien and Planet of the Apes. Rick Moranis's tiny, tantrum-prone Dark Helmet steals the film, John Candy is a half-dog sidekick, and Brooks plays both the sage Yogurt and the idiot President Skroob. Its gags about merchandising are funnier knowing Brooks's deal with George Lucas was that no Spaceballs action figures be made. Reviews were mixed in 1987 and it became a cult favorite later. A sequel, Spaceballs: The New One, is due April 23, 2027, directed by Josh Greenbaum, so this is the one to catch up on now.