Rob Reiner Had the Greatest 7-Movie Streak in Cinema History & It May Never Be Beat

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The recent passing of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michel Singer Reiner, is deeply saddening, and many fans are understandably heartbroken. While it’s difficult, some are finding comfort by remembering the incredible impact of his work. Rob Reiner experienced an extraordinary period of success as a director, arguably creating one of the most impressive film streaks ever. From 1984 to 1992, he directed seven consecutive films that were all critically acclaimed and popular with audiences.

The seven films listed below aren’t just classics that people love; they also broke new ground in how movies were made and defined entire genres. They also introduced a generation of actors and filmmakers to the world, and gave us some truly unforgettable scenes that will be remembered for years to come, even beyond the legacy of director Rob Reiner.

This Is Spinal Tap (1984)

Enjoy shows like The Office or Parks and Rec, or newer mockumentary comedies like The Paper and Saint Dennis Medical? Then you have Rob Reiner to thank! His film This Is Spinal Tap practically invented the genre, thanks to a hilariously talented cast and crew. Reiner wrote, directed, and even starred as a filmmaker documenting the British band Spinal Tap on their American tour. Similar to The Office, the movie uses irony, satire, and witty humor – along with visual gags – to playfully criticize the music industry as it changed from the classic rock of the 70s to the hair bands and glam rock of the 80s. In the process, the film offers a pretty sharp critique of the entire music industry and the idea of celebrity itself.

The movie Spinal Tap boasts an impressive cast of now-famous actors, including Michael McKean (known for Better Call Saul), Christopher Guest (Best in Show), Fran Drescher (The Nanny), Dana Carvey (Wayne’s World), Billy Crystal (City Slickers), Paul Shaffer (from David Letterman), Fred Willard (A Mighty Wind), and Anjelica Houston (The Addams Family, John Wick). Both Spinal Tap and its sequel are currently available to stream on HBO Max.

The Sure Thing (1985)

The Sure Thing helped popularize a now-common romantic comedy plot: two people who begin as friends or rivals eventually realize they’re meant to be together, after a series of funny and emotional experiences.

Walter Gibson, a college student nicknamed ‘Gib’ (played by John Cusack), is trying to win over Alison Bradbury (Daphne Zuniga), but isn’t having much luck. When a friend tells Gib about a girl in California who’s interested in him, he decides to travel across the country to meet her. By chance, he ends up carpooling with Alison, who is on her way to see her boyfriend. After a disagreement leaves them stranded, they start hitchhiking to the West Coast together, and begin to fall in love during the journey.

Stand by Me (1986)

The movie centers on writer Gordon Lachance (Richard Dreyfuss) who discovers a childhood friend has passed away through an obituary. This triggers a powerful recollection of a summer in the late 1950s, when Gordon (Wil Wheaton) and his three friends (River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell) embarked on an adventure. The boys hear about the location of a missing boy’s body and hope to become local heroes by finding it. However, their journey forces them to confront their own problems, and they also run into trouble with a dangerous local gang led by the unpredictable Ace Merrill (Kiefer Sutherland).

For many boys growing up in the 80s and 90s, Stand by Me was the defining coming-of-age film. It launched the careers of some major Gen X stars and featured memorable scenes and lines – like the pie-eating contest and the famous question, “Do you want to see a dead body?” – making it a true cinematic classic.

The Princess Bride (1987)

A young boy, who is sick in bed, listens as his grandfather reads him a story from a fairytale book. The story unfolds on screen, telling of Westley, a farmhand, and his love for Princess Buttercup. Westley sets sail to earn a fortune so he can marry Buttercup, but he disappears. Five years later, Buttercup is forced to become engaged to a prince. Westley returns, now disguised as the notorious pirate “The Dread Pirate Roberts,” and races against time to overcome the prince’s obstacles and rescue Buttercup before her wedding.

Rob Reiner’s The Princess Bride was ahead of its time, helping to popularize the now-common practice of playfully twisting traditional fairy tales and legends. The film also cleverly uses a ‘story within a story’ format, creating funny interactions between the characters and the person telling (or hearing) the tale. Beyond its innovative approach, The Princess Bride launched the careers of several actors, including Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Carol Kane, Billy Crystal, and featured a memorable performance by wrestling legend André the Giant.

When Harry Met Sally… (1989)

Harry Burns and Sally Albright share a car ride from Chicago to New York City, a trip that proves to be a little uncomfortable. Though they go their separate ways initially, Harry and Sally keep crossing paths over the next twelve years, navigating a complex relationship that shifts between friendship, romance, and everything in between.

While Sure Thing gained a dedicated following, Rob Reiner perfected the romantic comedy formula with When Harry Met Sally…. The incredible chemistry between Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, combined with its insightful discussions about gender, relationships, and love, cemented When Harry Met Sally… as a timeless classic of the genre.

Misery (1990)

Successful novelist Paul Sheldon, known for his romantic Victorian novels, decides he’s had enough of the genre and kills off his main character, hoping to be taken seriously as a writer. On his way to a book event in New York City, a blizzard causes him to crash his car. He wakes up to find himself under the care of Annie Wilkes, a seemingly helpful nurse who is also a huge fan. But it soon becomes clear that Annie is mentally unstable and will hold Paul captive until he rewrites his popular Misery series with a happier ending.

Rob Reiner’s Misery is considered one of the most successful “prestige horror” films since The Exorcist, and earned Kathy Bates an Academy Award. It also paved the way for numerous film adaptations of Stephen King’s work, essentially creating its own sub-genre. Remarkably, 35 years later, Misery remains genuinely frightening, and eerily predicts the intense, and sometimes troubling, relationship between fans and the creators of popular franchises.

A Few Good Men (1992)

A Marine is found murdered at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Two junior officers are charged with the crime, and their defense is assigned to Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a Navy lawyer known for successfully negotiating plea bargains. However, Kaffee’s superior, Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway (Demi Moore), suspects there’s more to the story, and they begin a deeper investigation. Initially clashing with each other, Kaffee eventually realizes he’s been misled and decides to fight the case in court, ultimately challenging the entire military system, its traditions, and its culture of keeping secrets.

A Few Good Men revitalized the courtroom drama, becoming as popular as classics like 12 Angry Men and To Kill a Mockingbird. Jack Nicholson’s iconic line, “You can’t handle the truth!” remains a powerful observation about how we perceive things within the military and related industries, and the film is brilliantly plotted with unexpected twists. Beyond its compelling story, A Few Good Men cemented Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore’s status as leading stars of the 1990s – and watching it reveals exactly why.

It’s sad to hear of Rob Reiner’s passing. You can enjoy his fantastic films – both those he directed and acted in – on many different streaming services.

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2025-12-16 03:45