Rob Reiner Created 5 Iconic Films in 6 Years: The Must-See Movies by Rob Reiner
Here are five timeless films directed by Rob Reiner, as we remember the legacy of Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.
The couple first met while working on the set of When Harry Met Sally, one of the films Reiner created during an extraordinary period in which he directed five iconic movies over just six years — a remarkable accomplishment that few have matched in cinematic history.
Here they are.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest in This Is Spinal Tap. Bleecker Street
This parody rock documentary, which helped to popularize the mockumentary style, represented an impressive directorial debut for Rob Reiner, who was previously known for his role as Michael Stivic, or Meathead, on All in the Family.
Featuring the comedic talents of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shear, Reiner expertly deconstructed a variety of rock clichés in his insightful, observational portrayal of the outrageously pretentious fictional band Spinal Tap.
Reiner also played the perfect straight man during his “interviews” with the band members. The famous “up to 11” scene stands out as one of the most quoted moments in film history.
Guest later embraced the mockumentary format with several of his own classic films, including Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and A Mighty Wind.
Stand By Me (1986)
Credit: Columbia Pictures
Rob Reiner's ability to transition from the comedic highs of This Is Spinal Tap to creating one of the greatest coming-of-age films, Stand By Me, truly highlights his talent. Both films share a commitment to bluntness, authenticity, and avoiding sugarcoating, making Reiner’s poignant moments feel well-deserved.
A young cast led by River Phoenix delivers a heartfelt story about the strength of friendship that resonates deeply, steering clear of cheap sentimentality. Adapting Stephen King’s voice for the screen can be challenging, but Reiner captured his blend of Americana and grotesqueness like no other.
Notably, Reiner also produced another solid film between This Is Spinal Tap and Stand By Me: 1985’s The Sure Thing is entertaining but does not reach the exceptional level of the five classic films on this list.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Credit: 20th Century Fox
The Princess Bride serves as both a parody of fairy tales and one of the finest fairy tales ever crafted, rich with twists, insights, and emotional depth.
It maintains an underlying skepticism, refusing to accept clichés, sanctimony, or hero worship, adding to its profound emotional impact through its moments of cynicism.
With a delicate touch, Reiner created scenes of grand romance and adventure, always seizing the chance for dry humor. The collaboration between Reiner and screenwriter William Goldman — which also included 1990’s Misery — showcased their unmatched craftsmanship and charm.
The true testament to The Princess Bride’s power is that whenever we start watching it, we cannot help but keep watching.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O
Reiner shifted genres with this examination of whether men and women can maintain a friendship. Bursting with memorable scenes — particularly the deli scene — and quotable lines from screenwriter Nora Ephron, it stands as a rom-com devoid of illusions.
It’s impressive how Reiner captured the distinct quirks of writers as varied as Ephron and King. Just as he was a superb straight man actor in This Is Spinal Tap, he also exhibited the humility and skill to step back as a director and let the script shine. Less confident directors often overcomplicate things, but he never did.
Interestingly, he first noticed Michele Singer on the set, recalling in a 1989 interview with The New York Times: “I look over and I see this girl, and ‘Whoo!’ I was immediately attracted.”
Misery (1990)
Columbia Pictures – Credit: C/O
Before Misery, Rob Reiner was celebrated for his romantic films — The Sure Thing, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally all exemplified his romantic style. However, with Misery, he demonstrated his ability to create gripping horror, telling a tale of obsession.
Collaborating with a dream team — William Goldman adapting a Stephen King novel — Reiner delivered a remarkably suspenseful film that skillfully engaged the audience’s emotions with Hitchcockian precision. He found dark humor alongside moments of intense horror, particularly during the infamous hobbling scene.
As an actor, he had a remarkable ability to bring out the best performances from his cast, showcasing what may be the finest work of James Caan and Kathy Bates’ careers. Bates rightfully won an Oscar for Best Actress, making Misery the only film adapted from a King book to win an Oscar.
To Be Clear
Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men. Columbia Pictures
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Anthemic, impressive, and filled with arena-sized energy, Stereophonics rank among the UK’s finest live performances, and their concert at the O2 Arena showcased a collection of crowd-favorite anthems, raw rock vigor, and exceptional stage presence.
Their remarkable, career-spanning performance was truly magnificent, providing a sonic journey through their extensive discography that covers three decades. The band presented a confident, well-rehearsed set that celebrated their history while maintaining a fresh and lively feel, skillfully blending beloved classics with newer tracks to thrilling effect.
From the intense atmosphere of ‘Mr Writer’ driven by its pulsating bassline to an unexpected acoustic version of ‘Indian Summer,’ the band was relentless, delivering electrifying performances to a full house. With strong support from singer-songwriter Finn Forster, who gave a stellar performance, the band launched their exciting set with ‘Vegas Two Times’ from the 2001 album ‘Just Enough Education to Perform.’
This show also provided a chance to hear songs from their latest album ‘Make ‘Em Laugh, Make ‘Em Cry, Make ‘Em Wait,’ including ‘Seems Like You Don’t Know Me,’ ‘Colours Of October,’ and a powerful rendition of ‘There’s Always Gonna Be Something’ with its vibrant riffs.
‘Local Boy in a Photograph’ resonated with emotion as always, and the sing-along favorite ‘Have a Nice Day’ was a guaranteed hit with the audience. All band members were in excellent form, particularly Jamie Morrison, whose exemplary drumming shone throughout, especially with impressive finishes on ‘Mr and Mrs Smith’ and ‘Mr Writer’ – he is a formidable drummer, blending skill, style, and personality seamlessly.
Kelly Jones broke up the set with witty, self-deprecating stories about the band's encounters with fame, reminiscing about their time on the road with The Rolling Stones, U2, and the late, legendary David Bowie. He also had reflective moments, recalling how he and Stuart Cable used to transport their equipment down the street on a squeaky trolley, recognizable to everyone playing bingo at the local workmen's club.
Kelly also shared that we are “all going through stuff” and encouraged everyone to “leave our troubles at the door and have a good time” – and we certainly did! While much of the set was energetic, the band also slowed down with a dreamy version of ‘Fly Like An Eagle,’ creating a shared dream-like atmosphere that captivated every fan.
A thunderous, high-energy performance of ‘Bartender and the Thief’ brought the main set to an exhilarating close, followed by a quick return for a dazzling encore featuring ‘C’est La Vie,’ ‘Traffic,’ and the outstanding ‘Dakota,’ with its irresistible riff providing a perfect conclusion to an electrifying set.
As one of the UK’s most enduring rock bands, Stereophonics continue to be a formidable force, and this show was a powerhouse performance from a band at the peak of their prowess, delivering pure rock ‘n’ roll energy from start to finish.
Words: Emma Harrison
Photo Credit: Robin Clewley
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Rob Reiner Created 5 Iconic Films in 6 Years: The Must-See Movies by Rob Reiner
Here are five key films by Rob Reiner. The director accomplished the remarkable feat of creating five iconic movies within a six-year period.