Mindfire Entertainment

While horror comedies are relatively common, true science-fiction and comedy blends are much rarer. Perhaps that’s because they’re so much more difficult to do right, requiring the audience to both buy the film’s context and have time to get the jokes. With the upcoming sci-fi film Paul (featuring the actors from horror comedy Shaun of the Dead) set to be released next year, we take a look back at what’s come before.5. Spaceballs: Young Frankenstein director Mel Brooks also took a shot at sci-fi, particularly Star Wars, and while it’s not up to the same level of quality, watching Rick Moranis as a weaselly Darth Vader pastiche is always delightful. The film also takes potshots of the postmodern variety, often referencing its own role as a movie for more laughs.4. Sleeper: Woody Allen’s single sci-fi movie is based loosely on the 1899 novel When the Sleeper Wakes. Made back when Woody Allen was basically playing himself, the film also features frequent collaborator Diane Keaton, and its story of a man from 1973 who is frozen until the 22^nd century offers plenty of room for laughs.3. Galaxy Quest: Just as Spaceballs skewered Star Wars, Galaxy Quest targets Star Trek (and its fan culture). Tim Allen stars as the leading man in a sci-fi series with legions of fans, now relegated to has-been, convention-hopping status. That is, until a race of aliens in need of a hero mistakes him for a real one.2. Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Douglas Adams’s classic radio show and book series was brought to the screen twice. The 1981 BBC series is more faithful to the books, but the 2005 film has an outstanding cast, including Martin Freeman, Zooey Deschanel, and Mos Def, which makes it worth a look as well.1. Back to the Future: The sci-fi here is of the more speculative kind, with a carefully-outlined time-travel plot that fits together perfectly. Michael Fox and Christopher Lloyd manage to create a unique relationship that’s seldom been replicatedexcept in the two excellent sequels, of course. All in all, this is the one that all other sci-fi comedies are compared against in some way.