Small Details From 'Spaceballs' That Demand A Rewatch

Voting Rules
Vote up the most impressive details you missed the first time around.

Mel Brooks' ability to create a parody movie that isn't only amazing but is also rewatchable is a skill few have duplicated over the years. He can make just about any situation funny, and that up to and including a parody of the chestburster scene from Alien with John Hurt reprising his role! That's no easy task, but Brooks nailed it with Spaceballs, which is a movie jam-packed with an insane amount of detail. Finding every little nuanced detail can be difficult for some viewers, no matter how many times they've seen the movie.

Fortunately, others have already done the work for you! Often, when an intrepid Mel Brooks enthusiast finds something new and interesting, they head to the MovieDetails subreddit to share their findings. The most interesting of those findings have been curated down below. Take a look at them, and before you head out to watch Spaceballs for the hundredth time, be sure to give your favorite small details an upvote!


  • 1
    1,064 VOTES

    When Dark Helmet Says To Take A Five Minute Break, That's What They Do. Literally.

    From Redditor u/bjkman:

    At the 30 min mark of Mel Brooks' Spaceballs (1987), After Spaceball 1 leaves ludicrous speed, Dark Helmet tells the crew to take a 5 min break, Dark Helmet and crew aren't seen again until the 35-minute mark. 5 minutes later.

    1,064 votes
  • 2
    918 VOTES

    Lone Star Dresses Like Indiana Jones Because Of George Lucas

    From Redditor u/esskay1711:

    Before making Spaceballs, Mel Brooks asked for George Lucas's permission to parody Star Wars. Lucas was fine with it and said the only condition was Lone Star didn't dress like Han Solo. As a result, Lone Star was dressed reminiscent of Indiana Jones instead.

    918 votes
  • 3
    688 VOTES

    The Millennium Falcon Makes An Appearance In 'Spaceballs'

    From Redditor u/punchboy:

    The Millennium Falcon can be seen parked outside of the diner in Spaceballs. George Lucas loved the script and even had Industrial Light & Magic help with the production of the film. However, Lucas insisted that absolutely no Spaceballs merchandise could ever be produced.

    688 votes
  • 4
    740 VOTES

    Dark Helmet Sips From Styrafoam Because Of The Movie's Crew

    From Redditor u/Numerous-Lemon:

    In Spaceballs (1987), Dark Helmet is drinking from a Styrofoam cup because crew members would leave them around the set. So, Mel Brooks decided to just make them a part of the universe.

    740 votes
  • 5
    643 VOTES

    The Stunt Doubles Are (Mostly) Real Stunt Doubles

    From Redditor u/mrpopsicleman:

    In Spaceballs (1987), the titular villains accidentally capture the heroes' stunt doubles. Lone Starr's stunt double, played by Dane Farwell, was indeed Bill Pullman's actual stunt double. Later in the film, you can clearly see him standing in when Lone Starr is dodging Dark Helmet's attacks.

    643 votes
  • 6
    802 VOTES

    Sometimes The Best Tricks Are The Oldest Tricks In Special Effects

    From Redditor u/crbatte:

    Spaceballs (1987) a mirror was used at the bottom of the land speeder to make it appear as if it’s floating.

    802 votes