Rob Reiner may have first won over audiences as “Meathead” on All in the Family, but it was behind the camera where he truly made history. By the 1980s, Reiner had pivoted fully into directing — and what followed was one of the most remarkable runs in modern Hollywood.
Reiner, who died on December 14 at age 78 alongside his wife, Michele, directed films that spanned genres with rare ease, moving from comedy to romance to psychological thriller to courtroom drama without missing a beat. His versatility, heart, and sharp storytelling cemented him as one of the defining filmmakers of his era.
Below are the standout movies that shaped his legacy.
‘This Is Spinal Tap’ (1984)
377671 01: Members of “Spinal Tap,” from left, David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls, and Nigel Tufnel pose for photographers at the premiere of “This is Spinal Tap,” September 5, 2000 at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA. (Photo by Chris Weeks/Liaison)
Reiner made his directorial debut with the mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer as a fictional rock band — with Reiner himself appearing as documentarian Marty Di Bergi. While the film wasn’t a box office juggernaut at first, it became a cult classic and was added to the National Film Registry in 2002.
Reiner reunited with the cast one final time for Spinal Tap II: The End Continues in 2025.
“We never intended to do a sequel,” he told People in September. “People over the years have come up to us and say, ‘Yeah, you can do a sequel.’ We said, ‘No — we did it. It’s done. We’ve done it. Eventually, the Library of Congress puts it in the National Film Registry, and ‘This goes to 11,’ is in the Oxford Dictionary.”
‘Stand by Me’ (1986)
Based on Stephen King’s novella The Body, Stand by Me followed four boys on a journey that became one of cinema’s most beloved coming-of-age stories. The film earned multiple awards nominations and remains a fan favorite decades later.
“I felt extremely protected, and loved and validated by Rob Reiner, every day on set,” Wil Wheaton told People. “Even though we were little kids, Rob pointed us in the right direction.”
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
A fantasy, romance, and comedy all at once, The Princess Bride became one of Reiner’s most enduring films. Though modestly successful at release, it grew into a cultural touchstone and was added to the National Film Registry in 2016.
‘When Harry Met Sally…’ (1989)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: Rob Reiner and Billy Crystal arrive at the 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival Opening Night Gala And 30th Anniversary Screening Of “When Harry Met Sally” – Arrivals at TCL Chinese Theatre on April 11, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
Reiner and writer Nora Ephron struck rom-com gold with When Harry Met Sally…, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. Reiner later admitted casting his close friend Crystal made him nervous.
“Whenever you do something this personal and you’re best friends, if it doesn’t work, it’s like, ‘Oy!’” he told People. “Finally I said, ‘Aw, f*** it; he’s perfect!’”
‘A Few Good Men’ (1992)
With a script by Aaron Sorkin and a powerhouse cast led by Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, A Few Good Men became one of Reiner’s biggest hits.
“Rob is interesting,” Cruise told The New York Times. “He loves actors. He loves what he’s doing.”
‘Misery’ (1990)
US actress Kathy Bates holds the Oscar she won for her role in “Misery” at the 63rd Annual Academy Award ceremony on March 25, 1991. AFP PHOTO SCOTT FLYNN (Photo by SCOTT FLYNN / AFP) (Photo by SCOTT FLYNN/AFP via Getty Images)
Another Stephen King adaptation, Misery starred James Caan and Kathy Bates, whose performance earned her an Academy Award. The tense thriller proved Reiner could master horror just as deftly as comedy.
‘The American President’ (1995)
Reiner reunited with Sorkin for this romantic political drama starring Michael Douglas and Annette Bening. The film earned multiple Golden Globe nominations and laid the groundwork for The West Wing.
