Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Finally Sets Streaming Release Date

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Good news for fans of the legendary fictional band Spinal Tap: the long-awaited sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, is finally coming to streaming services. Remarkably, this release comes over forty years after the original movie first appeared in theaters.

The movie This Is Spinal Tap didn’t initially make a big splash in theaters in 1984, but it gained popularity after it was released on VHS and became a beloved cult classic. After decades of discussion, a sequel finally came out in theaters in September 2025 – 41 years after the first film. Now, just three months later, HBO Max will start streaming the sequel on December 4th, giving those who missed it in theaters a chance to watch it from home.

Over time, This Is Spinal Tap became famous for its clever writing and realistic performances. The movie brilliantly parodied the wild side of rock and roll and the often-pretentious attitudes of its bands, while also playfully mocking the way rock documentaries often treat their subjects with too much respect.

Featuring Christopher Guest (known from The Princess Bride), Michael McKean (Better Call Saul), and Harry Shearer (The Simpsons), this film was brilliantly made up on the spot. The talented cast went on to collaborate on several other hilarious mockumentaries, such as Waiting for Guffman, Best In Show, and For Your Consideration.

I was so disappointed to learn a sequel seemed impossible, and it wasn’t due to a lack of enthusiasm from the cast! Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer really wanted to work together again, but they ended up in a long and frustrating legal fight with the companies owning the film – Vivendi, StudioCanal, and Universal Music Group. Apparently, there were serious issues with how the film’s trademarks were handled and, even more frustratingly, they weren’t seeing the profits they deserved, especially considering how incredibly popular the soundtrack was!

This probably stopped plans for a follow-up movie, but by late 2020, the four original creators regained full ownership of the film and its characters. They then announced, less than two years later, that a sequel was in the works.

Was Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Worth the Wait?

The sequel received mostly good reviews, with critics noting it successfully captured some of the charm of the first film, though it wasn’t quite as good overall. A key strength was its humorous portrayal of a washed-up, self-absorbed band getting back together for a tour, poking fun at the many real-life legacy bands that do the same. It scored a 66% approval rating from critics and a very enthusiastic 90% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, the film didn’t perform well in theaters, earning only $3.2 million with a $22.6 million budget. This likely explains why it’s becoming available on streaming so quickly after its cinema release. Those involved are probably hoping it will be more successful when viewers watch it at home.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues will be available to stream on HBO Max from Dec. 4.

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2025-11-28 20:11