In an era dominated by reboots, remakes, and revivals, it was only a matter of time before Spaceballs — Mel Brooks’ legendary 1987 sci-fi parody — received its long-teased sequel. Now, nearly four decades after the original took hilarious aim at Star Wars and the sci-fi genre at large, Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money has finally entered the galaxy — and it doesn’t disappoint.
This imagined sequel picks up years after the defeat of Dark Helmet (played again with self-aware glee by Rick Moranis, coaxed out of semi-retirement). Planet Druidia has become a solar-powered utopia, thanks to the reforms of President Lone Starr (Bill Pullman returns in full charm). However, peace is once again shattered when Yogurt (Mel Brooks, in dual roles once more) warns of a new cosmic threat: MegaMaid 2.0 — a resurrected, even greedier version of the air-sucking monstrosity, now run by a corporate conglomerate named "MetaSkroob."
The plot hilariously mimics current sci-fi trends. Instead of a Death Star, the villains wield a planet-sized subscription model that siphons freedom from entire civilizations. Lone Starr, Barf (now played by a motion-captured John C. Reilly in homage to the late John Candy), and Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) are reunited to lead the rebellion. Along the way, they encounter a rogue AI named “N3TFLIX,” a Jedi-knockoff TikTok cult, and a Baby Yoghurt plush that everyone in the galaxy wants.
What makes Spaceballs 2 work isn’t just nostalgia — it's the film’s razor-sharp commentary on modern pop culture. Mel Brooks, now in his 90s, delivers his trademark mix of slapstick and satire, mocking everything from Disney's galactic monopoly to reboot fatigue and streaming wars. The film’s tagline — “May the Source Code Be With You” — encapsulates its blend of old-school parody and new-age absurdity.
The return of Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet is perhaps the film’s most delightful surprise. Helmet is now a disgruntled has-been trying to go viral on GalacticTok, jealous of Kylo Ren’s angst and Darth Vader’s meme status. His attempts at redemption, sabotage, and influencer marketing are laugh-out-loud highlights.
Of course, Spaceballs 2 is as messy as it is meta. Not every joke lands, and some critics may feel the film leans too heavily into fan service. But it’s all delivered with such affection that even the rough patches feel intentional — like winking nods to the uneven sequels of the franchises it parodies.
In the end, Spaceballs 2 doesn’t just recycle jokes — it reinvents them for a new age. It’s a rare sequel that knows exactly what it is: an irreverent, self-aware romp through the hyperspace of Hollywood hypocrisy.
So… will there be a Spaceballs 3: The Streaming Wars?
If there’s more money in it… absolutely.
