This Is Spinal Tap

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1:26

This Is Spinal Tap

R

Released Sep 8, 1984

1h 22m

Comedy

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

92%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.

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Critics Consensus

Smartly directed, brilliantly acted, and packed with endlessly quotable moments, This Is Spinal Tap is an all-time comedy classic.

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

Rob Reiner’s mockumentary deserves plaudits for the British accents alone.

Aug 29, 2023

Full Review

Yardena Arar

Associated Press

Reiner, with McKean, Guest and Harry Shearer, have done a great job in creating and portraying characters that are dimwitted, cliched and yet oddly endearing.

Oct 23, 2018

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Variety Staff

Variety

For music biz insiders, This Is Spinal Tap is a vastly amusing satire of heavy metal bands.

Mar 26, 2009

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It is a rich cultural critique of a musical genre, assembled in a convincing format. More importantly, it’s one of the funniest comedies ever made.

Rated: 4/4

Aug 13, 2025

Full Review

Leigh Paatsch

Daily Telegraph (Australia)

The layering of the jokes is dense, the behaviour captured on camera even denser, and the satire of heavy metal’s heaviest excesses is on-the-money from beginning to end.

Rated: 5/5

Aug 12, 2025

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Christopher Llewellyn Reed

Hammer to Nail

The movie was groundbreaking and career-launching (and/or career-enhancing), both.

Jul 9, 2025

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Kevin P

A hilarious mockumentary of metal rock bands from the 80s, 70s, and 60s. The filmmaking, editing, and performances make this feel like a legit documentary. The band members are dumb as bricks, but they all take their roles seriously and legit believe 100% of what they’re saying is revolutionary and inspiring. It's a little slower than I anticipated. But there's still so many great jokes and they're super quotable: "Pump it up to 11", "S**t Island", "Smell the glove", "Our drummer died in a mysterious gardening accident", etc. There's also plenty of great visual gags, including the black mirror album cover and the stage crew desperately trying to open up the final bandmate from his stage cocoon as a background gag. Easily one of the funniest mockumentaries out there with some genuinely catchy rock music too.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/07/25

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Steve L.

This rating goes to 6

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/30/25

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David W

One of the greatest comedies ever made. If you haven't seen this then why are you even on a movie site?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

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Jason H

A classic in every sense of the word.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/26/25

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Pura V

Amazing and very ahead of its time

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/24/25

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Audience Member

I would give this one 11 if I could

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/12/25

Full Review

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Rob Reiner

Director

Rob Reiner

Marty DiBergi

Michael McKean

David St. Hubbins (Lead Guitar, Vocals)

Christopher Guest

Nigel Tufnel (Lead Guitar, vocals)

Harry Shearer

Derek Smalls (Bass, vocals)

R.J. Parnell

Mick Shrimpton (Drummer)

This is Spinal Tap 41st Anniversary: Exclusive Movie Clip - This Goes to 11

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This Is Spinal Tap: Trailer 1

1:26

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Synopsis

"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Karen Murphy
Screenwriter: Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Rob Reiner, Harry Shearer
Distributor: MGM
Production Co: Spinal Tap Prod.
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 8, 1984, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jul 5, 2025
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 3, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $188.8K
Runtime: 1h 22m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Dolby Stereo, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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