It has become a rite of passage for fans of the comedy genre to be familiar with one, if not all the works created by the legendary Mel Brooks. Being one of the most well-known and respected figures in not only the realm of satire and parody, but in film as a whole, there aren't many who can say they haven't seen at least one of his many movies, decades in the making. Though Mel Brooks is 96 years old, he is still going strong, developing a History of the World: Part II for Hulu.

Updated October 13th, 2022: If you're a fan of the legendary filmmaker and comedian Mel Brooks, you'll be happy to know this article was updated to keep the content fresh and up-to-date.

Beginning his career in television, Brooks made his start on Sid Caesar's variety show, Your Show of Shows, starting in 1950, where he also met his lifelong friend and collaborator Carl Reiner. After making a name for himself in several comedy shows of the era, including creating the hit Get Smart, the comedian/actor transitioned to the big screen in 1967, and the world of comedy has never looked back. It's time to decide which one of the celebrated filmmaker's directorial catalog stands tall above the rest.

11 Dracula: Dead and Loving It

Leslie Nielsen in Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Columbia Pictures and Gaumont Buena Vista International

Marking his final time in the director's chair so far, Dracula: Dead and Loving It is generally the poorest received outing by Mel Brooks, despite seemingly having everything going for it. Starring the irreplaceably talented comedy actor Leslie Nielsen, the film was hoping to have the same impact as its horror/parody counterpart, Young Frankenstein.

However, what was actually delivered was a watered-down slog, often devoid of laughs and managing to line up one miscue after another. Critics panned the 1995 gothic comedy, citing its general lack of originality in its premise and overuse of cheap and predictable gags. Though lots of talented people were involved, this is one flick that should've stayed dead.

10 Life Stinks

Mel Brooks in Life Stinks
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and 20th Century Fox

Being another unfortunate commercial bomb for Brooks, Life Stinks deviates from the usual parody formula to tell a more traditional fish-out-of-water tale. An egotistical businessman (Brooks) bets that he could slum it out on the streets of Los Angeles for 30 days without a dollar to his name, only to receive a rude awakening when he realizes the harsh reality of homelessness, and discovers the errors of his ways.

The uninspired plot of this 1991 comedy is bogged down even further by intense tonal whiplash, with the movie attempting to take part in Brooks' regular brand of outlandish humor, only to be interrupted by dramatic character deaths and somber moments, all paced incredibly unnaturally and losing their impact altogether. While not lacking charm in select areas, and having excellent performances by Brooks and his supporting cast, Life Stinks is worth the watch for die-hard fans, but for others, it's one to skip.

9 The Twelve Chairs

Mel Brooks and Ron Moody in The Twelve Chairs
Universal Marion Corporation Pictures

Based off of a famous 1928 novel of the same name, The Twelve Chairs is one of at least 18 film adaptations of the famous Russian story. The dry comedy follows the exploits of a conman duo, played by Ron Moody and Frank Langella, who travel across Russia in order to steal a priceless jewel-encrusted chair. Given the unorthodox choice of source material for the director, the movie doesn't carry itself in the same boisterous and over-the-top comedic tone that other Brooks films became known for, and thus can feel a bit stale by comparison.

Though lovely cinematography of Russian landscapes do create a treat for the eyes, the poor pacing and redundant second half keep the film from being any higher on the list. An imperfect 1970 adventure flick that's very hit-and-miss, but has a distinct and memorable identity among the Brooks library.

8 High Anxiety

Mel Brooks in shower with Barry Levinson about to attack
20th Century Fox

With the target now set on famous director Alfred Hitchcock, High Anxiety sets out to parody the late master of suspense with a story about a neurotic psychologist working at the Institute for the Very, Very Nervous. Throughout the 1977 spoof, constant visual gags and references to famous Hitchcock classics are shown, with situations mirroring events of the iconic thrillers, of course with comedic twists.

Related: Here are 5 Movies Where the Production Was More Interesting Than the Films Themselves

While a good handful of the jokes do get a laugh, especially from Hitchcock fans, some can be a bit on-the-nose and predictable, though charming nonetheless. The movie did have a big fan though in the very subject it was meant to poke fun at, as Hitchcock himself greatly enjoyed the flick, referring to it as "splendid entertainment".

7 History of the World: Part I

Mel Brooks and a recreation of The Last Supper
20th Century Fox

Looking back on a good chunk of famous historical eras, History of the World: Part 1 includes the times of cavemen, Moses, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution. Brooks tries his hand at an anthology film, with multiple stories rather than one over-arching narrative. Constant laughs are complimented with fun costumes and set design, and the performers are at the top of their comedic game.

The late Dom DeLuise, a regular in Mel Brooks projects, particularly steals the show as Nero during the Rome section. Though the 1981 film sometimes feeling aimless with its overall lack of focus, it still manages to make full use out of its source materials, providing yet another success for Brooks and his team. The fabled part two in the works will be in a series format, which is perhaps better suited for this style of comedy.

6 Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Robin Hood shoots several arrows
20th Cenutry Fox and Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International

A late entry in Brooks' filmography, 1993's Robin Hood: Men in Tights definitely proved that the comedy director still had the flair to make his work stand out. The energized adventure wastes no time in getting right to the jokes, and with blink-and-you'll-miss-it set-ups and punchlines happening in rapid succession, it may take multiple viewings to catch each of them.

Cary Elwes (of The Princess Bride fame) portrays the devilish and cocky Robin Hood, against Richard Lewis' stuffy King Richard, and the duo play off of each other effortlessly, heightened even more so by a stellar set of supporting characters who all get their time to shine (including a phenomenal Wallace Shawn). Among the most goofy of Brooks' films, Men in Tights' high energy and slapstick comedy may come off as a bit infantile to some, but to many fans it has become a beloved staple of classic Mel Brooks parodies.

5 Spaceballs

Spaceballs cast walking down a corridor
MGM
UA

Despite Star Wars being what is perhaps the most parodied movie franchise on the planet, 1987's Spaceballs was one of the first and most thorough deconstructions of George Lucas' blockbuster powerhouse to date. The film subverts the iconic Star Wars characters with funny and memorable spoofs of its own, as well as poking fun at the concept of massive over-commercialization by continually presenting Spaceballs themed products, such as lunchboxes and towels.

Featuring the talented yet elusive Rick Moranis as the movie's big bad, all eyes are on the actor as he dawns his hilariously over-sized Darth Vader headpiece and totes around as the fumbling Darth Helmet. Since its release, the comedy has become one of Brooks most well-known and quoted films of his entire repertoire, and the filmmaker himself enjoys regaling his time producing it, saying he was inspired by science-fiction being a genre he "hadn't wrecked yet".

4 Silent Movie

The three leads of Silent Movie in a car
20th Century Fox

A send-up to classic silent films of the early 20th century, Silent Movie represents Mel Brooks' undying love for the iconic stories of old. Released in 1976, the movie is unlike Brooks' other parodies in that it has less of a satirical approach to its subject, and rather celebrates silent cinema's historical importance, as well as having its own fun with common tropes featured in the era.

The film itself is quite meta in its execution, following a director attempting to helm a silent movie project, only to be faced with combative studio executives who have their conditions that must be met; this is meant to capture the real-world journey Brooks himself endured in trying to get the picture off the ground. Ripe with classic slapstick and fast-moving physical humor, Silent Movie is a treat from beginning to end for not only fans of the golden era of cinema, but for anyone looking for a well-crafted and lovingly made comedy.

3 The Producers

Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel
Embassy Pictures 

Winning many accolades, the favor of critics, and becoming a smash overnight hit, The Producers was Mel Brooks first big-screen outing as a comedy filmmaker in 1967 and, fortunately for him, beginner's luck was on his side. What he created helped usher in a more modern approach to dark comedy that was rarely seen before. A washed-up playwright and his accountant, hoping to make a purposefully bad Broadway show so that they can run off with investors' money, end up inadvertently creating a massive success, despite the controversial subject matter.

Related: he Producers: Still One of the Best Comedy Movies Ever Made

The film went on to spawn a musical adaptation decades down the line, as well as a reboot in 2005 utilizing its popular Broadway cast. Still being early in Brook's career, the cracks in the narrative do show, and with a bit of a loose trajectory certain parts can tend to meander while others are rushed before having time to breathe. Despite its flaws, fans still return even more than 50 years later to enjoy the dawn of that classic Mel Brooks ridiculousness.

2 Young Frankenstein

Gene Wilder's Frankenstein holds his monster's chin
20th Century Fox

When speaking about Mel Brooks, one can not overlook what may be his most iconic work, 1974's beloved hit, Young Frankenstein. A send-off to the classic Universal horror movies (which actually seem to be finding new life in current reboots), the film follows the grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein, known as Frederick Frankenstein, who struggles to maintain his professional demeanor when he feels his mad doctor genetics taking hold. The film serves as a major vehicle not only for Brooks' career, but cementing another iconic role for lead star Gene Wilder's ever-growing list of lovable on-screen characters.

Performances are all on point (including Marty Feldman's perfect Igor casting), and fit nicely among the authentic monster movie sets, as well as being filmed in black-and-white to achieve the same visual style. Celebrating the horror genre all while delivering a steady pace of memorable jokes, there's no doubt that Young Frankenstein will be remembered for decades to come as one of the most solid and quintessential Mel Brooks experiences.

1 Blazing Saddles

Blazing Saddles
Warner Bros.

Irreverent, hysterical and groundbreaking are all accurate descriptors when speaking about Mel Brooks' finest work, the 1974 classic Blazing Saddles. A Black sheriff (played by Cleavon Little) gets put in charge of a racist, all-white small town in this comedy/western parody. What makes the film stand out, however, is the class and charm with which it covers the topic of racial prejudice, all while managing to be the funniest film in the Brooks collection. The cowboy spoof so effortlessly sets the bar for all future parody films to follow, redirecting Brooks' career into legendary status and demonstrating to the world just what the esteemed filmmaker is capable of when given the opportunity.

With a flawless cast, absurdly hysterical writing, and a genuine social message, nothing has topped Blazing Saddles as the purest portrayal of Mel Brooks at his finest. It's no wonder the lauded satircal masterpiece landed at the top of numerous critics' lists for best comedies of all time, including placing No. 6 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Laughs line-up and nabbing the highest honor in our very own ranking of the best comedy movies ever made. Blazing Saddles will forever remain a remarkable cinematic triumph by Brooks and is a cherished fan-favorite classic.