Bill Pullman’s Cult Classic ’80s Sci-Fi Movie Finally Returns To HBO Max At The Perfect Time

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Just in time for a nostalgic rewatch, the beloved sci-fi comedy Spaceballs is heading to streaming. Released in 1987, this hilarious Mel Brooks film playfully spoofs Star Wars and other popular science fiction adventures – it came a decade after the original Star Wars and four years after Return of the Jedi. The film stars Mel Brooks himself, along with Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, John Candy, and George Wyner, and is known for its sharp and funny take on the genre.

Spaceballs centers around Lone Starr, a hired adventurer, who sets out to save Princess Vespa from the villainous Spaceballs and discover the secret of “the Schwartz.” Though it didn’t immediately become a huge hit, the movie gained a dedicated fan base over time, especially as the popularity of Star Wars continued to increase.

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon.

Good news for fans of Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs! Warner Bros. Discovery has announced the movie will be back on HBO Max starting January 1, 2026. In addition to Spaceballs, HBO Max will be adding several other titles next month, including the films The Smashing Machine and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, as well as the second season of The Pitt and the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Currently, you can stream Spaceballs on AMC+.

The comedy film Spaceballs was formerly available on HBO Max and saw a big increase in viewers this summer when a sequel, Spaceballs 2, was announced. The announcement video for Spaceballs 2 playfully pokes fun at the trend of making sequels decades later, fitting with the original film’s humor. As the release of the sequel approaches, many fans are revisiting or discovering this classic comedy.

The upcoming sequel to Spaceballs will bring back original cast members Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis (returning from a break in acting), Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, and Dickie Wyner. Joining them are new additions Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman (Bill Pullman’s son), and Anthony Carrigan. While Mel Brooks directed the original, Josh Greenbaum will take on directing duties for this film. The script is being written by Josh Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez.

As a huge fan, I’m so excited about Spaceballs 2! The trailer and first cast photo – it totally reminds me of the original Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast picture – suggest this movie is going to be even smarter when it parodies the films it loves. It’s pretty funny, actually, because the original Star Wars is coming back to cinemas in 2027 too!

While fans wait for potential sequels and re-releases, they can currently watch Spaceballs on HBO Max. The complete Star Wars series is available on Disney+. We expect to hear updates about Spaceballs 2 next year if it stays on track for its planned 2027 release, and it might include nods to classic science fiction films.

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2025-12-27 01:53