It’s been a long time. Decades, honestly. When Mel Brooks released History of the World, Part I in 1981, the title itself was a giant middle finger to the very idea of a sequel. It was a gag. The "Part I" was the punchline, a play on Sir Walter Raleigh’s unfinished literary project of the same name. But then, things got weird. People started actually asking for History of the World Part 3 before Part 2 even existed in a tangible form. It became this mythical piece of pop culture lore, tucked away between the Jews in Space teaser and the hope that Brooks would live forever.
He's still kicking, by the way. At 99 years old, Mel Brooks remains a titan of comedy.
But let's be real for a second. If you're looking for a film titled History of the World Part 3, you've probably realized that the timeline of this franchise is as chaotic as the French Revolution segment in the original movie. We finally got a Part II in 2023, not as a film, but as a multi-night variety series on Hulu. That leaves us in a strange spot. Is a third installment even on the table, or are we just chasing ghosts in the writers' room?
Why the Part 3 Rumors Won't Die
The internet loves a trilogy. It feels complete. We have Star Wars, The Godfather (well, mostly), and Back to the Future. When History of the World, Part II dropped on Hulu with Nick Kroll, Wanda Sykes, and Ike Barinholtz leading the charge alongside Brooks, it reignited the engine.
Fans started scouring the credits for a teaser. They wanted that same "Coming Attractions" vibe that the 1981 film used to "promise" Hitler on Ice.
The reality of the situation is a bit more grounded in the economics of modern streaming. Hulu (and by extension Disney) looks at completion rates. Did people actually sit through all eight episodes of the 2023 revival? The reviews were a mixed bag. Some critics, like those at Variety, praised the sketch-heavy format as a fitting tribute to the Vaudeville roots of Brooks’ humor. Others felt it was a bit thin, lacking the cohesive bite of the original 35mm masterpiece.
If History of the World Part 3 happens, it's likely staying in the TV format. Sketch comedy is expensive to produce well, but it's cheaper than a $100 million period-piece feature film.
The Mel Brooks Factor
You can't have this franchise without Mel. Even in his late 90s, he served as a writer and executive producer for the second part. His voice is the glue. Without his specific brand of Jewish-American Borscht Belt humor mixed with high-brow historical satire, it’s just another episode of Saturday Night Live.
- Mel's involvement is the primary hurdle.
- The availability of the "new guard" (Kroll, Mulaney, Sykes) matters.
- The budget for period-accurate costumes—which is surprisingly high for a comedy—needs to be cleared.
What Segments Are Left to Mock?
History is long. Like, really long.
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The original movie gave us the Stone Age, the Old Testament, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution. The 2023 series tackled the Civil War, the Russian Revolution, and the Shirley Chisholm story.
So, what's left for a potential History of the World Part 3?
Basically, everything from the mid-20th century to the strange, digital fever dream we're living in now. Imagine a Brooks-style take on the 1960s Space Race that isn't just a Spaceballs retread. Or a deep dive into the 1990s dot-com bubble. There's a certain irony in seeing a 99-year-old man oversee a parody of TikTok trends or the AI revolution.
Honestly, the most glaring omission in the franchise so far is the Industrial Revolution. There is so much room for slapstick involving giant steam engines and Victorian-era soot-covered children. It's dark, but that's where Brooks thrives. He finds the melody in the misery.
The Problem With "Part 3" Logic
Wait.
Did you notice the jump?
The 1981 movie was Part I. The 2023 show was Part II. If we follow the joke, a "Part 3" might not even be the goal. Mel Brooks has spent his entire career subverting expectations. It wouldn't be surprising if they skipped Part 3 entirely and went straight to History of the World, Part 4: The Search for More Money.
That's a joke from Spaceballs, sure, but it's the DNA of his brand. He knows we're counting. He knows we expect a linear progression.
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The Logistics of a Sequel in 2026
If production were to greenlight a new season or a new film today, we'd be looking at a 2027 release date at the earliest. Streaming services are currently in a "contraction" phase. They aren't throwing money at every revival like they were in 2021.
According to industry data from Parrot Analytics, demand for legacy comedy remains high, but the "Part II" series didn't exactly break the internet the way The Bear or Shogun did. It was a niche hit for people who grew up on VHS tapes of Blazing Saddles.
To get History of the World Part 3 off the ground, the producers would need to pivot.
- Focus on shorter, punchier sketches.
- Bring in even more "Alt-Comedy" royalty (think Tim Robinson or Patti Harrison).
- Keep the musical numbers. The Spanish Inquisition song is still the gold standard.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Franchise
There's this weird misconception that History of the World was supposed to be a serious anthology. It wasn't. It was a way for Mel Brooks to play dress-up and tell fart jokes in expensive sets.
People often ask why it took 40 years to get a sequel. It wasn't because of legal battles or "cancel culture." It was simply because Mel didn't feel like it. He was busy winning Tonys for The Producers and being a living legend.
The move to Hulu was a strategic choice by his son, Max Brooks (who wrote World War Z), and the creative team to ensure the legacy continued while Mel could still contribute. If you're waiting for a theatrical release for Part 3, you're going to be waiting a long time. The era of the big-budget R-rated comedy movie is largely dead.
It lives on the small screen now.
Does it actually matter?
Some purists argue that Part II shouldn't have happened. They say the joke was better when there was no sequel. I kinda disagree. Comedy is about the "yes, and." If you have the chance to see Mel Brooks narrate a sketch about a bumbling Jesus or a frustrated Abraham Lincoln in 4K resolution, you take it.
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The existence of History of the World Part 3 would be a victory lap. It’s not about "fixing" history or even being the funniest thing on TV. It’s about the fact that we can still laugh at the absurdity of the human race, from the invention of the wheel to the invention of the iPhone.
Navigating the Future of the Series
So, what should you actually do if you're a fan?
First, stop looking for a movie trailer. It’s not coming to a theater near you. Instead, keep an eye on Hulu’s official press releases or Mel Brooks’ social media (which is surprisingly active).
Second, revisit the 2023 series if you skipped it. It’s the closest thing to a "Part 3" proof-of-concept we have. You've got to support the medium if you want the message to continue.
Third, understand that "Part 3" might just be a collection of sketches released sporadically rather than a cohesive season. The "variety show" format allows for a lot of flexibility.
Practical Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on any actual news regarding the continuation of this series, here is the move:
- Follow the Producers: Search for updates from Searchlight Television and 20th Television. They are the ones holding the purse strings.
- Check Trade Publications: Don't trust "leaks" on Reddit. Look at The Hollywood Reporter or Deadline. If a contract is signed, it shows up there first.
- Manage Expectations: Mel Brooks is a treasure, but he is nearly a century old. Any future content will likely see him in a "Godfather" role, blessing the work of younger comedians rather than writing every line himself.
- Explore the Extended Universe: If you're craving that specific humor, dive into the Brooks back catalog. Have you actually seen The Twelve Chairs? Or High Anxiety? Most people haven't, and they carry the same DNA you're looking for in a sequel.
History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme. And in the case of Mel Brooks, it usually rhymes with something slightly inappropriate and incredibly catchy. Whether we get a formal History of the World Part 3 or just more chaotic sketches dropped onto a streaming platform, the legacy of mocking our ancestors is in good hands. Just don't expect it to make much sense. It never has, and that's exactly why we like it.