10 Space Comedy Films to Watch

Description: John Carpenter's debut feature film, "Dark Star," is a low-budget sci-fi comedy about the crew of a spaceship tasked with destroying unstable planets. Their mundane existence is humorously disrupted by various mishaps.

Fact: The film was made on a shoestring budget, with many of the special effects created using household items.

Description: While not strictly a comedy, this film has comedic elements as it follows Alex Rogan, who gets recruited to fight in an interstellar war after mastering an arcade game. The mix of '80s nostalgia and space adventure adds a light-hearted touch.

Fact: The film was one of the first to use CGI extensively, particularly for the space battles.

Description: Mel Brooks' spoof of space operas, particularly "Star Wars," follows Lone Starr and his sidekick Barf as they rescue Princess Vespa from the evil Dark Helmet. The film is packed with puns, slapstick humor, and direct parodies of popular sci-fi tropes.

Fact: The film features a literal "Spaceball One" which is a giant spaceship shaped like the number one.

Description: Directed by Tim Burton, this film showcases an alien invasion by Martians with a penchant for destruction and an odd sense of humor. The absurdity of the Martians' actions and the human response to them make for a unique comedy experience.

Fact: The film's script was inspired by a set of trading cards from the 1960s, which depicted the Martians' invasion in a humorous light.

Description: A loving parody of sci-fi TV shows, this film follows the cast of a canceled space adventure series who are mistaken for real space heroes by an alien race. Their attempt to save the universe while playing their roles for real is both hilarious and heartwarming.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life experiences of the "Star Trek" cast, particularly their interactions with fans.

Description: Based on Douglas Adams' iconic series, this film follows Arthur Dent, who is saved from Earth's destruction by his alien friend Ford Prefect. Their journey through space is filled with bizarre encounters and humorous situations, making it a quintessential space comedy.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Douglas Adams himself, and the voice of the Guide is provided by Stephen Fry.

Description: This animated film follows a group of chimpanzees sent on a mission to space to rescue a lost probe. The film's humor comes from the chimps' antics and their interactions with alien life forms.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life space chimps, Ham and Enos, who were sent into space by NASA in the early 1960s.

Description: Set in South London, this film combines urban comedy with a sci-fi twist as a group of teenagers defend their block from an alien invasion. The humor arises from the characters' reactions and their street-smart approach to the extraterrestrial threat.

Fact: The film helped launch the career of John Boyega, who later starred in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Description: While more of a dark comedy, this film directed by Terry Gilliam features a reclusive computer programmer trying to prove the Zero Theorem, set against a backdrop of a dystopian future. The humor is found in the absurdity of his quest and the bizarre world around him.

Fact: The film explores themes of existentialism and the meaning of life, wrapped in Gilliam's signature surreal visual style.

Description: This Finnish-German comedy follows Nazis who escaped to the moon after World War II and now plan to return to Earth. The film blends political satire with space adventure, offering a unique comedic take on history and sci-fi.

Fact: The film was crowdfunded, making it one of the first successful examples of crowd-sourced financing for a feature film.