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By Amanda Greenwood
Associate News Editor
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Rob Reiner was renowned for directing some of the biggest films in American history. During the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, he delivered a plethora of critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies, including the fantasy adventure The Princess Bride and the coming-of-age classic Stand By Me.
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What To Know
Following the tragic death of Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on December 14, 2025, Newsweek is celebrating Reiner’s iconic career by picking out some of his best, most popular movies.
This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
This Is Spinal Tap was Reiner’s debut film. It’s a mockumentary chronicling the fictional British rock band—Spinal Tap—on a U.S. tour. It features performances by Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer—alongside Reiner himself as the hapless documentarian Marty Di Bergi. Its deadpan humor is widely credited with helping define the modern mockumentary genre. IMDb scores it 7.9/10 from 157,000 votes.
The Sure Thing (1985)
Reiner followed This Is Spinal Tap with The Sure Thing, a romantic road comedy starring John Cusack and Daphne Zuniga. The plot follows two college students on a cross-country trip, creating a blend of romance and coming-of-age humor. The film was well-received for its clever script and relatable performances. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film "was a critical and financial success and was praised for applying the traditional rom-com format to a film involving teenagers." Its IMDb rating is currently 7/10 from 23,000 votes.
Stand By Me (1986)
Based on Stephen King’s novel The Body, Stand By Me tells the story of four boys searching for a missing child in Oregon, in the fictional town of Castle Rock. The coming-of-age film stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell. The film earned critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay, cementing its status as a classic. It maintains an IMDb rating of 8.1/10 from over 447,000 votes, the highest among Reiner's films.
The Princess Bride (1987)
This fantasy adventure comedy, based on William Goldman’s novel, blends romance, adventure, and humor with an ensemble cast led by Cary Elwes and Robin Wright. The Princess Bride is recognized for its witty script, memorable characters, and quotable dialogue. The film rates 8/10 out of 477,000 votes on IMDb.
When Harry Met Sally…(1989)
Widely regarded as a defining romantic comedy, When Harry Met Sally…stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, charting a friendship that evolves over 12 years. The film, written by Nora Ephron, was a box office hit and is famous for its clever observations on romantic relationships. It has an IMDb score of 7.7/10 from 264,000 votes.
Misery (1990)
Adapting Stephen King again, Reiner directed Misery, a psychological thriller where a novelist (James Caan) is held captive by a delusional fan (Kathy Bates). Bates’ performance earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. The film currently holds a rating of 7.8/10 out of 258,000 votes on IMDb.
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A Few Good Men (1992)
Rounding out the historic run, A Few Good Men is a legal drama about the trial of two U.S. Marines accused of murder. The film, starring Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore, was nominated for four Oscars. IMDb lists its score as 7.7/10 out of 310,000 votes.
What People Are Saying
Reiner previously told IMDb that: "Stand By Me was a unique directing experience because ideas came from everywhere. Doing a period piece about the world of childhood is an adventure, each day on-set; people from the crew threw their own childhood memories into the production."
He’s also said: "I've made movies that nobody saw initially, and then, all of a sudden, people over the years pick up on it. Like This Is Spinal Tap and The Princess Bride."
What Happens Next
Rob Reiner’s influence continues to be felt in Hollywood and in the genres he helped shape.
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