Opinion

Can parody movies survive in 2026?

Kenneth Jackson and Owen Gouthro

May 4, 2026

The Monty Python series is what many consider the best parody movie franchise ever. With its original film (Monty Python and the holy grail) receiving 3 nominations for best comedy movie and achieving a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

With the digital age in full swing, many fan favorite movies are being left behind. But in the wake of these famous films lie parodies: films that put a classic spin on what many people grew up on. So what caused these movies to see a decrease in production? And how might people today react to these films releasing?

As of April 2026 much of what makes parody movies has shifted to the internet, turning content that used to be found under parody movies into short form content easily accessible. Along with thousands of fan-made videos being uploaded every day, many film makers simply have no source material to use that hasn’t already been done.

Along with this, many have noticed the lack of originality in today’s film industry, as many studios are scared of a movie flopping while trying to break the Hollywood agenda. This has caused more sequels than original movies, making content feel repetitive and stale. “I think that the reason that they do it so much is because they make so much money and because they make so much money they can afford to finance smaller films which don’t make much money,” added Mr. Coby Coyle, Cultural Literacy and Media teacher at Green Hope.

Even when some companies decide to put their funds into a parody movie in hopes of it succeeding, they more often than not fail in this day and age compared to times of the past. An example of this is Scary Movie 5, making 14.2 million dollars in revenue in 2013 compared to the previous movie, Scary Movie 4, which made 40 million dollars in revenue in 2006. The fact of these movies not making a clear profit has deterred other studios from trying to make parody movies of their own.

Along with the lack of recent revenue, the audience also plays a role in parody movies being made, with Mr. Coyle stating, “I think that people don’t engage with media in the same way that parody movies ask you to. I think people just want to see a spectacle like a big Marvel movie. They’re not really looking to see something that’s a critique even if it’s funny, engaging and entertaining.”

2026 so far has seen one major parody move, being Spinal Tap 2, that grossed $3.3 million against a reported budget of $22.6 million, with critics calling the film “less of a fully satisfying movie” and calling it an “extended piece of long-delayed bonus material.” Yet, as this year’s summer movie season is set to begin this May, many wonder if the underperformance of these films will continue and if so will this year mark an end of parody movies as a whole?

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About the Contributors

Kenneth Jackson, Staff Writer

Kenneth Jackson, a freshman, brings his prior love for journalism forward to the Falcon staff, gathering experience firsthand through podcasting camps & his aunt’s journalist career. His schedule is expected to get heavier, seeking extracurricular experience to strengthen his student resume. Believing the field is irreplaceable by a mechanical hand, Kenneth sparks conversations over current events to see how individuals feel. “I believe the more we talk, the more connected the world will become since our isolation from the pandemic,” he says. As a new staff writer for the Falcon, he is confident that his prior experience makes him an excellent choice. Hoping to outperform his peers here and pursue the field in college as a major.

Owen Gouthro, Staff Writer

Aspiring Green Hope baseball player Owen Gouthro is one of the latest additions to the GH Falcon’s staff. In his free time, Owen enjoys calm hobbies such as golfing, video gaming and reading. Some of his favorite book series include Scythe and The Fifth Wave. Owen is a big fan of taking things slow, or in his words, “going with the flow.” Some of Owen’s “going with the flow” activities include his long power naps after school on days when he doesn’t have baseball practice. One other example of Owen’s lifestyle is his “wide outlet” of media consumption that bleeds into his music taste and interest in books, giving him a wide variety of tastes. However, Owen’s biggest passion in life is his hobby of golfing. His dad introduced him to golf at a young age and he fell in love with the sport and adopted the same passion for it as his dad. As for his school life, Owen likes to stick to his routine and maintain a relaxed schedule. As a writer, Owen hopes to channel his wide outlet, relaxed personality and his passions from his hobbies into his articles.