This Is Spinal Tap

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1:26

This Is Spinal Tap

R,

1984,

1h 22m,

Comedy/

Music

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This Is Spinal Tap: Trailer 1

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

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98%

181 Reviews

Tomatometer

92%

100,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

181 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.

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Milford Reid

Minneapolis Star Tribune

Aug 5, 2026

5/5

Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer give superb performances. It's a must-see.

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E Jane Dickinson

Daily Telegraph (UK)

Jul 16, 2026

Performances are pushed to the edge of caricature but remain horribly believable.

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Sep 15, 2025

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.

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Terry Lawson

The Journal-Herald (Dayton, OH)

Oct 29, 2026

This Is Spinal Tap is such an accurate, detailed parody of a musical style that is already ridiculously absurd, that the line between fiction and fact is hopelessly obscure.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Aug 18, 2026

Rob Reiner’s This Is Spinal Tap endures because he takes a group of insufferable people and makes us feel for them.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 10, 2026

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.

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Poe W

Mar 8, 2019

Easily the most dull, boring, unfunny comedy to every be released. Go watch Norbit instead, you can thank me later.

Hermione W

Jan 22, 2019

Every scene and every line is obnoxiously stupid, over the top, and endlessly repeatable. The music, though obviously a parody of the British glam metal scene of the 80's, expertly making fun of the greats such as Def Leppard while still paying tribute to the influence of the band.

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Finn S

Nov 17, 2018

Not quite as funny as I had hoped but there were definitely some laugh out loud moments.

Draco W

Oct 26, 2018

This Is Spinal Tap is a 1984 American mockumentary directed and co-written by Rob Reiner. This was funny satire features some classic scenes and quotes, and has now achieved a classic cult status. I really enjoyed its style, which reminded me of many The Beatles documentaries that I have seen over the years. 1001

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Draco S

Sep 30, 2018

Classic comedy must see for everyone.

Rey S

Aug 20, 2018

This is a very well acted movie with an absolutely hilarious script. There's nothing wrong with this movie being sexy when it totally goes up to 11. One of the funniest movies ever made.

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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

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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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