Full Breakdown
Blazing Saddles Crowned Funniest Film in AFI’s “100 Laughs” List
6/29/2026, 4:19:02 AM
Reordering the AFI Comedy Ranking
On June 28, 2026, the American Film Institute announced a reordering of its “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Laughs” list, moving Mel Brooks’s 1974 satire *Blazing Saddles* from its #6 position to #1 as the funniest film of all time. The change aligns with Brooks’s 100th birthday and is presented as a tribute to his legacy.
Background and Evolution of the Laughs List
AFI introduced the “100 Years…100 Laughs” list in 2000 to rank influential American comedies. The list has been updated, but *Blazing Saddles* stayed at #6 until the 2026 revision. AFI also maintains a separate “100 Years…100 Movies” list of top American films; no Brooks title appears on that list.
Brooks’s Filmography on the List
Brooks is the only director with three films in the top 15 of the comedy list: *Blazing Saddles* (#1), *The Producers* (#11) and *Young Frankenstein* (#13). He has said his favorite is the 1970 adaptation *The Twelve Chairs*, which is absent from the list. *The Producers* earned an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1968; *Blazing Saddles* received no screenplay nomination.
Rankings Summary
*Blazing Saddles* now holds #1, up from #6. *The Producers* is #11 and *Young Frankenstein* is #13. On the 2007 “100 Years…100 Movies” list, *Some Like It Hot* sits at #22; no Brooks film appears on that list.
Official Statements
AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale called the reordering a correction of a historical oversight, noting Brooks has long argued *Blazing Saddles* surpasses other classics such as *Some Like It Hot*. AFI says its mission is to celebrate excellence in moving-image art and to reflect the collective opinion of scholars, artists and experts. Brooks has observed that the film’s humor would be difficult to reproduce today because of cultural changes and co-writers like Richard Pryor.
Criticism and Opposition
Some commentators note that portions of *Blazing Saddles* may appear dated or offensive to modern audiences, and Brooks has suggested *The Producers* could be a stronger candidate for the top comedy slot.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He’s right!,” — Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO
- “We’re happy to right this wrong as Mel celebrates his centennial.” — Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO
- “It’s good to be the king, and may he live to be a 2,000 year old man.” — Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO
- “celebrate excellence in the art of the moving image and reflect the collective opinion of a wide range of scholars, artists and experts who champion the power of the art form.” — AFI (list-curation statement)
What’s Next
AFI’s centennial celebration of Brooks includes the Life Achievement Award and a new 4K restoration of *Blazing Saddles*. The institute says future revisions of the “100 Laughs” list will continue to reflect evolving scholarly and public perspectives.
