This Is Spinal Tap

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1:26

This Is Spinal Tap

R

In Theaters Sat Jul 5

1h 22m

Comedy

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

96%

Tomatometer

68 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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In Theaters Sat Jul 5

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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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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)

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

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

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

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Alan Jones

Radio Times

This brilliantly crafted and completely on-target satire of the rock 'n' roll industry is filmed in mock documentary style.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 6, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

This now stands as one of the premier cult movies of all time, an honor no one saw coming back in ’84.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 18, 2024

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

The hilariousness here is unending.

Rated: 8/10

Mar 24, 2021

Full Review

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john h

An all-time rockumentary comedy that is shot and written in a deliberate, unique way of expressing the core of rock n' roll.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/06/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 22 minutes!!!!!!!!!!! Happy 41st anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Starring Rob Reiner, who also directs the classic mockumentary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/10/25

Full Review

Miles O

Absolutely hilarious!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/25

Full Review

Chris V

If you've ever been in a band, this movie resonates with you.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

John G

I totally concur with the Critics Consensus!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/11/24

Full Review

Stan C

I know everyone loved this movie, but I didn't get even one laugh from it.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

11/30/23

Full Review

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This Is Spinal Tap: Trailer 1

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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: Surround, Stereo, Dolby Stereo

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