Best in Show

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Best in Show

PG-13

Released Sep 29, 2000

1h 30m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

93%

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117 Reviews

88%

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50,000+ Ratings

The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest events of their lives -- the Mayflower Dog Show. The canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as the great country that has bred them.

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Critics Consensus

A fine example of writer-director-star Christopher Guest's gift for improv comedy, Best in Show boasts an appealingly quirky premise and a brilliantly talented cast.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

Guest seems to know just how far he can stretch reality without losing the crucial texture of verisimilitude. This is a comedy even cat lovers might adore.

Mar 7, 2018

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Hilarious and offbeat, but humor is pretty grownup.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 14, 2010

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Mark Bourne

Film.com

...it's always a pleasure to watch this ensemble of gifted talents do what they do best -- be spontaneous and funny and surprising. What we get is a master-class demonstration of the distinction between comic actors and comedians who try to act.

Feb 8, 2008

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Rachel Wagner

Hallmarkies Podcast

one of the best comedies ever made.

Mar 23, 2025

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Chance Solem-Pfeifer

Willamette Week

A great Guest movie depends on his massive casts entertaining across the board, and Best in Show hits a sweet spot where a half-dozen members of his recurring troupe... project all their insecurities and obsessions onto their nonplussed animals.

Jan 22, 2025

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...often feels much, much longer than its 90 minutes...

Rated: 1.5/4

Jun 17, 2021

Full Review

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Julie R.

Absolutely perfect! A comedy classic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/25/25

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Audience Member

Some genuinely funny moments, including Guest as Harlan Pepper, the promiscuous Catherine O’Hara, and Jennifer Coolidge in a closet love affair. Parts felt somewhat awkward; I’ve never found Eugene Levy “laugh out loud” funny. Worth a watch, and maybe funnier with repeat viewings.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/25

Full Review

Christian K

Jane Lynch's delivery of her family story and its culmination was absolute hilarious and the highlight of the movie for me. Fred Willard was seemingly put on this earth to play an idiot announcing a silly competition, every line was incredible.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Eugene Levey and Jennifer Coolidge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $18,600,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

Full Review

Tom F

My favorite Christopher Guest mockumentary.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/23/25

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Scott G

Easily one of my all time favorite movies. So many funny, quotable lines. The entire cast is outstanding and Fred Willard is a damn genius.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/25

Full Review

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Christopher Guest

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Hamilton Swan

Parker Posey

Meg Swan

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Gerry Fleck

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Synopsis

The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest events of their lives -- the Mayflower Dog Show. The canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as the great country that has bred them.

Director: Christopher Guest
Producer: Karen Murphy
Screenwriter: Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 29, 2000, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 3, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $18.6M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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