Robin Hood: Men in Tights

Robin Hood returns from years fighting in the Crusades to discover England under King John, who rules from a throne of arrogance with the Sheriff of Rottingham at his side. Rather than a grave epic, this version treats the legend as a gleefully silly spoof of medieval fantasy, piling gags on top of familiar beats. Robin quickly reassembles a crew of mismatched allies and sets out to outsmart the tyrants, lightening the mood with quick quips, pop culture jabs, and ridiculous detours. The tone stays buoyant and brisk as heroics mingle with punchlines, misdirection, and goofy sight gags, all while keeping the adventure feel intact. It's a playful riff rather than a straight retelling.

Released in 1993 and directed by Mel Brooks, the film is a cheeky spoof of the Robin Hood legend rather than a direct adaptation of one source. Brooks uses parody and rapid-fire gags to lampoon medieval cinema while keeping the action lively and the jokes accessible to all ages.

This spoof helped cement Mel Brooks's signature approach to lampooning familiar genres and has kept the Robin Hood myth in pop culture as a brisk, family friendly send up. Its silly visual gags and fast one liners remain recognizable tonight, signaling Brooks's comedic voice and influence.

Critics were mixed but many praised the film's brisk energy and jokes that skew traditional heroics while still delivering a swashbuckling feel. The movie treats heroism and power with goofball skepticism, trading earnest drama for rapid punch lines and affectionate mockery of genre conventions, tone intact throughout for audiences today.

The film did not receive major nominations or wins, a rarity for a Mel Brooks comedy that year. It did, however, stand as a late entry in Brooks's catalog of theatrical spoofs, continuing his tradition of genre lampooning even when critics were mixed. Fans of Brooks's style may cite it.