What films did Rob Reiner direct? Where to watch hits such as When Harry Met Sally and This Is Spinal Tap on streaming
Following the death of Hollywood director Rob reiner, we take a look back at some of his biggest contributions to film.
Authorities confirmed that director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner were found dead at their home in Brentwood, California on Sunday afternoon (December 14) in an “apparent homicide”.
The couple were found unresponsive with fatal stab wounds. A family member is being questioned by detectives.
Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood’s most prolific directors, being at the helm of some of the industry’s most beloved flicks of the 1980s and 90s. Following the sad and shocking news of his and his wife’s death, we take a look at some of his biggest hits and where you can watch them on streaming right now.
What films did Rob Reiner direct?
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Reiner’s big screen directorial career began in 1984 with the release of This Is Spinal Tap. The music mockumentary followed the fictional band Spinal Tap, England’s “loudest” heavy metal band, as they embark on a tour of the US.
This Is Spinal Tap, which starred Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, became a cult-classic and is lauded as one of the greatest and most influential comedy films of all time, being credited with launching the mockumentary genre. It spawned legendary and quotable lines, including “these go up to eleven...”.
Reiner also appeared in the film himself, portraying fictional director Marty DiBergi.
This Is Spinal Tap is available to buy or rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, Sky Store, and Google Play Store.
Stand By Me (1986)
Reiner took the reins of iconic Stephen King story Stand By Me for the novel’s 1986 screen adaption starring River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Wil Wheaton and Jerry O’Connell.
The beloved flick follows four boys as they set out on a journey to find the dead body of a missing boy in the fictional town of Castle Rock. Stand By Me was a huge box office and critical hit and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay. Reiner also nabbed a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director, while the film itself picked up a nomination for Best Drama Motion Picture.
Stand By Me is available to buy or rent on YouTube, Google Play Store, Apple TV, Sky Store and Prime Video.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Reiner followed up Stand By Me with fantasy classic The Princess Bride the following year. The film, which is considered to be one of the best flicks of the 1980s, stars Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Andre The Giant and Robin Wright.
The comedy adventure film follows the story of a swashbuckling farmhand named Wesley who is tasked with rescuing Princess Buttercup from Prince Humperdinck with the help of a rag-tag companions. The fantasy story is presented as being read to a sick child by his grandfather.
The Princess Bride is available to watch as part of the Lionsgate+ add-on on your Prime Video subscription. You can also rent or buy the film on YouTube, Google Play Store, Apple TV, and Sky Store.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Reiner made the transition to romantic comedy in what is considered to be one of the greatest rom-com flicks of all-time when he directed Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally.
The legendary film follows the title characters of Harry (Crystal) and Sally (Ryan) from the moment they meet on a college road trip and through a series of chance encounters over the course of a decade, posing the question of whether men and women can ever really be just friends. The film was heavily inspired by the relationship and subsequent divorce of Reiner and his first wife Penny Marshall. The ending was even changed after Reiner met his second wife Michele on the set of the film.
When Harry Met Sally is available to watch as part of the MGN+ add-on on your Prime Video subscription. You can also buy or rent the film on Apple TV, Sky Store, and Google Play Store.
Misery (1990)
Reiner took the reins of another Stephen King story in 1990, when he directed Kathy Bates and James Caan in the psychological horror film Misery.
Based on King’s novel of the same name, the story followed fames novelist Paul Sheldon (Caan) who is held captive by obsessive fans Annie Wilkes (Bates). Misery was a huge hit with critics and at the box office, with Bates even winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Wilkes.
Misery is available to buy or rent on Apple TV, Sky Store, Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play Store.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Reiner’s reign in Hollywood continued with the legal war drama A Few Good Men, starting Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore.
A Few Good Men follows two US Marines who are court-martialed, charged with the murder of a fellow Marine. The film was another huge success for Reiner with the film earning multiple Academy Award nominations including Best Picture. It also spawned one of the most iconic lines in Hollywood history, with Jack Nicholson famous exclaiming “you can’t handle the truth!” in one memorable scene.
A Few Good Men is available to watch with your Prime Video subscription, You can also buy or rent the title on YouTube, Google Play Store, Apple TV, and Sky Store.
The Bucket List (2007)
While Reiner continued to direct films throughout the 90s and early 2000s, his next biggest hit came with 2007’s comedy-drama film The Bucket List.
Starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, The Bucket list follows two terminally ill men who escape from their cancer ward and head on a road trip to complete a wishlist of must-dos before they die. The film popularised the term ‘bucket list’, which is regular used to describe experiences people want to experience before they die.
The Bucket List is available to watch with your Prime Video subscription. You can also buy or rent the title on YouTube, Google Play Store, Apple TV, and Sky Store.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025)
Reiner continued to direct films throughout the 2000s, 2010s and into the 2020s. His final release came only earlier this year as he returned to the world of Spinal Tap for a sequel film more than 40 years after the original’s release.
Reiner also returned as fictional director Marty DiBergi as he followed the legendary band’s reunion show in New Orleans. The sequel film also featured cameos from acts such as Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Elton John who jokingly lamented on Spinal Tap’s influence and legendary status.
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is available to buy or rent on Google Play Store, Apple TV, Sky Store, and Prime Video.