51 Years Later, The Controversial Western That “Can’t Be Canceled” Is Back on Streaming

One of the best and most controversial westerns ever made is making a comeback on streaming in 2026. Given the time period when most westerns were made, there are some controversial subjects and poorly-aged content in a lot of classics from the genre. Many of John Wayne’s westerns have since become the subject of controversy, especially given the bigoted opinions the actor publicly shared in the 1970s. Even some of Clint Eastwood’s Spaghetti Westerns have been scrutinized for their portrayal of female characters and their lack of agency. But, when it comes to the western genre and controversy, it doesn’t get more intensely debated than Blazing Saddles. But, 51 years after it was first released, the film still hasn’t been “canceled,” and it’s back on streaming once again.

Blazing Saddles will stream on HBO Max on January 1, 2026. Along with Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles is arguably Mel Brooks’ greatest movie. Released in 1974, the film starred Cleavon Little as Bart, a black sheriff appointed to a wildly racist town. The film is inspired by all the Western greats, like The Magnificent Seven, The Searchers, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, The Gunfighter, and many, many more. Alongside Little, the film also starred Gene Wilder as the outlaw-turned-deputy-sheriff, Jim. The supporting cast also included Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman, Madeline Kahn, Burton Gilliam, Alex Karras, and, of course, Mel Brooks himself. The official synopsis reads:

“In this satirical take on Westerns, crafty railroad worker Bart (Cleavon Little) becomes the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a frontier town about to be destroyed in order to make way for a new railroad. Initially, the people of Rock Ridge harbor a racial bias toward their new leader. However, they warm to him after realizing that Bart and his perpetually drunk gunfighter friend (Gene Wilder) are the only defense against a wave of thugs sent to rid the town of its population.”

Blazing Saddles continues to be a fan favorite spoof-comedy. The film holds a strong Rotten Tomatoes score of 89%, with an even better audience rating of 91%. Blazing Saddles was also nominated for three Oscars in 1975, including Best Supporting Actress for Madeline Kahn, Best Editing, and Best Original Song.

Is ‘Blazing Saddles’ Actually Controversial?

Warner Bros.

Blazing Saddles was always going to be placed on the cancellation chopping block at some point. However, the executioner has never actually swung his axe at the movie’s nape. Blazing Saddles doesn’t shy away from exploring the racial themes that are at the center of its story. In fact, it uses them for most of its jokes. However, the difference between Blazing Saddles and other canceled comedies is how it uses them.

Blazing Saddles doesn’t make overtly racist jokes in bad taste. It makes jokes that satirize and dissect the racist views that audiences once held. The repeated use of the N-word towards the sheriff doesn’t come from a place of genuine racism and bigotry, but rather making fun of the people who used to use such language and hold those views. There continues to be this idea that “you couldn’t make Blazing Saddles today.” But, despite that, as fans often proclaim, “Blazing Saddles can’t be canceled.”