Monty Python's The Life Of Brian Turns 47 Today

Published Aug 17, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Zoë Miskelly is an editor and second in command for Screen Rant's Movies team, having covered the entertainment industry for almost 10 years now. Zoë's love of superheroes and all things Marvel & DC started out in childhood, and has blossomed into a career getting to talk about some of the biggest and best movies and shows of all time, having previously focused on comics while working at WhatCulture.

Sign in to your ScreenRant account

A classic comedy movie that's regarded as one of the best of all time turns 47 on this very day, making it all the more noteworthy that the film's legacy and reception has continued on all these years later. Comedy is one of the hardest genres for movies or shows to gain a lasting legacy in, since comedy is often tied closely to the time period it's crafted in.

This can be the case even with some of the most popular comedies of all time, as one of the most common jokes about The Simpsons in the modern day from fans is that Homer Simpsons' job and ability to fund a family of four looks increasingly impressive to viewers as time goes on, changing the nature of how this part of the family's story is perceived.

That said, some iconic comedy movies and shows are able to withstand the tests of time despite the naturally varying nature in what audiences will find most funny. Indeed, some releases have cemented a decades-long legacy that in many ways only appears to grow more cemented as the years continue - as appears to be the case for one movie that celebrates an anniversary today.

Almost 50 years after it first debuted back in 1979, Monty Python's The Life Of Brian is still as well-regarded as it was when it first debuted, if not arguably more so given the lasting legacy it has maintained over the years, and since the controversy about the movie's themes of religious satire have diminished significantly since its release.

Following on from prior comedy troupe Monty Python's prior films And Now For Something Completely Different and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Life of Brian focuses around the story of titular protagonist Brian Cohen, who is accidentally mistaken for the Biblical figure of Jesus over the course of his life, leading to a range of misunderstandings and surreal scenarios throughout the plot.

Monty Python's The Life Of Brian is well-regarded because of the comedic dialogue, scenes, and timing found within much of the movie, but also because of the way in which the movie only just managed to be made. The film's production process comes with the equally interesting story of Beatles band member George Harrison helping arrange financing for the film after its previous funding fell through, making the fact the film came to fruition and received so much critical praise all the more striking.

Why Monty Python's The Life Of Brian Is Still Considered One Of The Best Comedy Movies Of All Time

Over the years, Monty Python's The Life Of Brian has come up time and time again in the conversation about what the best comedy movie of all time is as a contender.

The 1979 film has a solid 96% critic score and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, was one of the top-grossing movies of 1979, and is 28th on the British Film Institute's list of the Top 100 British Films as chosen by those within the world of movies and television, establishing an internal sense of respect and admiration for the release within the industry as well.

Much of this is down to the way in which The Life Of Brian balances its comedy, as the non-stop jokes and absurdist nature of the film have repeatedly been the subject of the most praise by those who have seen and enjoyed the movie. Similarly, the fact many lines from the movie have become pop culture catchphrases is also sure to have helped the film's case, even for those who were simply grateful to finally see where these lines came from in the first place by witnessing the comedy movie and learning their point of origin.