The American Film Institute (AFI) has named Blazing Saddles as the funniest film of all time, granting it an honourary increase in rank to commemorate the 100th birthday of its director, Jewish comedy legend Mel Brooks.
The 1974 satirical comedy previously sat in sixth place on the institute’s 100 Years...100 Laughs list, behind the Marx Brothers’ 1933 classic Duck Soup.
However, in honour of Brooks’ milestone, it was bumped to the top of the list, overtaking the previous title holders, Billy Wilder’s Some Like It Hot.
Announcing the change, the AFI joked that Brooks had “long kvetched” that his film, which follows the hilarious antics of an African-American railway worker turned local sheriff on the Western Frontier who frustrates the plans of corrupt politicians, was “far funnier” than the gender-bending 1959 mobster comedy.
"He’s right,” said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale, adding: “We’re happy to right this wrong as Mel celebrates his centennial.
"It’s good to be the king, and may he live to be a 2,000-year-old man. Happy birthday, Mel.”
The move saw Some Like It Hot shift down to the number two spot, while Tootsie, Dr Strangelove and Annie Hall round out the top five.
It also means that Brooks retains his title as the only director to have three of his films in the top 15, with The Producers ranked eleventh and Young Frankenstein thirteenth.
An AFI spokesperson said: “In honour of Mel Brooks’ 100th birthday, the American Film Institute hereby proclaims Blazing Saddles (1974) the funniest film of all time on Sunday, June 28, 2026.
“This is an honourary reorganisation of the Institute’s signature 100 Years…100 Laughs list, advancing Blazing Saddles from its long-held place at #6 to the #1 spot – all in respect for the gifts given the world by Brooks, the AFI Life Achievement Award honoree.”
Meanwhile, the JC celebrated the King of Comedy bringing up his century with a special column from acclaimed author Howard Jacobson recalling the day the director told his funniest-ever joke.
And comedy stalwart Dan Patterson, known for creating Mock the Week and Who’s Line Is It Anyway?, discussed Brooks’ immense influence on the next generation of comedians in an exclusive JC interview.
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