This Is Spinal Tap

Play trailer

1:26

This Is Spinal Tap

R

1984

1h 22m

Comedy

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

177 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.

Critics Consensus

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

Read Critics Reviews

Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Sep 15

An instant cult classic, Rob Reiner’s 1984 mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap laid the groundwork for the modern improv comedy with its laser-precise skewering of the heyday of ’80s heavy metal and the vagaries of making it as a touring act.

Go to Full Review

Richard Jinman

Sydney Morning Herald

Sep 10

The funniest film about rock ever made.

Go to Full Review

Joe Williams

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Sep 9

Reiner's directorial debut remains his best and most inventive film, a note-perfect parody of show-biz self-importance and pre-MTV production values.

Go to Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

2d

3.5/4

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

Go to Full Review

Phil Kloer

Florida Times-Union

Jan 21

3.5/4

A hilarious spoof of heavy-metal music that has "cult classic" written all over it.

Go to Full Review

Sarah Boslaugh

TheArtsStl

Jan 17

8/10

"Treading water in a sea of retarded sexuality and bad poetry," as one reviewer within the film puts it, pretty much sums up the band. The real joke is that they don’t get it.

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Darrell R

@Rolling645 Apr 3

Arguably this is my favorite movie all time. It's mostly for viewers who are aware of the workings of rock 'n roll bands but is likely still entertaining for most. Highly recommended. "Tap into America!"

See more

thiago S

@Thiagostone Mar 22

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

See more

Chris B

@RT83290641 Mar 20

Sublime in every way - from the worthiness of the lyrics and characters to the reality of the delusions that all of us whose era this comedy classic portrays will find familiarity

See more

Parker G.

@pgrason1 Mar 18

The comedy is so nuanced and hilarious and the acting feels so realistic and natural. Some of the funniest scenes I’ve ever seen in any movie. It’s funny for a regular person and even funnier for a musician or music lover.

See more

Jim S

@Sharkmiester Mar 17

Completely and utterly boring. Watched it halfway through, and not once did it elicit even a mild chuckle. The most overrated film I have ever seen! It could not have been less interesting.

See more

Steve A.

@MaryAndSteve Mar 2

One of the greatest comedies of all time. Spectacularly crafted comedy. Amazing teamwork by our generation’s best creatives. Watch, rewatch, and watch again…endless quotable and full of great music.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

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

0:52

View more videos

Cheech & Chong Still Smokin'

10%

64%

Cheech & Chong Still Smokin'

Watchlist

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

79%

65%

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story

%

79%

Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and the Shitrockers Story

The Commitments

90%

90%

The Commitments

Watchlist

Seriously Red

55%

46%

Seriously Red

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Seriously Red

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

35 Years Later, This Is Spinal Tap Still Rocks Harder Than Ever

Rowan Atkinson’s Five Favorite Films

Dan Stevens’ Five Favorite Films

This Is Spinal Tap: Trailer 1

1:26

View more videos

View more photos

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)

Most Popular at Home Now