Top 10 Rob Reiner Movies (According To IMDb)

Though first endearing himself to audiences as Archie Bunker’s polar-opposite, progressive-thinking son-in-law Michael on All in the Family (1971-1979), Rob Reiner is perhaps most remembered for his long-spanning second act as a feature filmmaker.

Reiner – whose late father Carl also had his hand in directing irreverent comedies such as 1979’s The Jerk, among others – began his directorial career focusing on the comedy genre before branching out. The result: a career spanning over thirty years worth of immensely quotable, and ever re-watchable films – some of which are even uniformly heralded as American classics.

10 The American President (1995) – 6.8

Contemporary viewers looking to sample The American President could easily see how Reiner – who is not shy about letting his political thoughts be known on social media – was the right choice to direct Aaron Sorkin’s political/romantic comedy. One that serves as an authentic commentary on a modern-day media too obsessed with the wrong things; in this case, prying deep enough into a widower U.S. President’s (Michael Douglas) personal life as to derail his fast-blossoming romance with an environmental lobbyist (Annette Bening).

9 The Sure Thing (1985) – 7.0

Before he was holding a stereo outside Ione Skye’s window in Say Anything, John Cusack was holding his own as the adventure-seeking lead for Rob Reiner in The Sure Thing.

Eager to prove his directorial debut was no fluke, and that no sophomore slump accusations would be necessary, Reiner crafted a film that Roger Ebert deemed “a miracle” for the over-saturated teen comedy genre at the time.

8 The Bucket List (2007) – 7.4

Reiner’s reunion with Jack Nicholson – whom he directed to an Academy Award nomination a decade-and-a-half earlier – teamed up the aforementioned actor with fellow industry veteran, Morgan Freeman.

In the film, the two Oscar winners play terminally-ill men on their quest to cross off their most elaborate “wish list” items before they pass away. While Freeman has consistently worked since, Nicholson has only starred in one more film – James L. Brooks’ How Do You Know (2010). Despite technically being his penultimate performance, The Bucket List‘s buddy comedy-turned bittersweet, emotional drama qualifies it as an ample swan song nonetheless.

7 When Harry Met Sally… (1989) – 7.6

Perhaps one of the most beloved romantic comedies of all time, Reiner worked wonders when directing Nora Ephron’s script into a sure-fire starring vehicle for above marquee leads of yesteryear, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

Based on interviews Ephron conducted with Reiner himself regarding his own feelings on single life as a new divorcee, the director’s most noted contribution to the film’s writing involved casting his own mother as the Katz Deli customer who uttered that famous line.

6 Flipped (2010) – 7.7

Those who are of the camp that believes Reiner has not made a high-quality film since the ’90s also fall into the category of viewers who have yet to see this underrated, middle grade-aimed coming-of-age film.

The film stars Callan McAuliffe (The Great Gatsby, The Walking Dead) and Madeline Carroll (Swing Vote, Mr. Popper’s Penguins) as a pair of grade school youths who, from 1957-1963, grow close, apart and together again while navigating the overwhelming nature of young love.

5 A Few Good Men (1992) – 7.7

Based on the play of the same name that equally put Aaron Sorkin on the map, the Tom Cruise-fronted legal drama also featured contributions from Reiner’s past collaborator, Oscar-winning screenwriter William Goldman. In the film, Cruise plays Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee, a morally astute military lawyer tasked to defend two U.S. Marines charged with the murder of one of their own. A Few Good Men is also notable for resisting the inclusion of a romance between its male and female lead (Demi Moore), even after one studio executive insisted.

4 Misery (1990) – 7.8

Yet another famous Reiner adaptation of an ingenious talent’s earlier novel came in the form of the acclaimed psychological thriller, Misery.

Based on the 1987 book by Stephen King, Reiner directed Kathy Bates to an Oscar-winning performance in what undoubtedly originated as a meta exercise of self-reflection; both from King for his novel, and Reiner with the story’s next iteration. A statement custom-built for both the page and the screen, perfectly encapsulating the plight of creators everywhere who have felt boxed into a corner by their most devoted fans.

3 This Is Spinal Tap (1984) – 7.9

In recent years, many contemporary pundits have taken to social media sites like Twitter and Reddit to pledge allegiance to The Lonely Island’s underappreciated satirical musical/comedy, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping. In most instances, the film is referred to as a “modern-day This is Spinal Tap.”

Serving as Reiner’s full-fledged transition from TV actor to respected film director, This is Spinal Tap lampoons the “rock doc” wave of the 1970s. By introspectively zeroing in on the humanity behind loud bands whilst on their quest for even louder tunes, Reiner helped the timeless mockumentary earn its unique yet positively on-brand “/11” rating designation.

2 The Princess Bride (1987) – 8.1, (#235)

As one of the two Reiner-helmed films that currently hold a spot on IMDb’s Top 250, The Princess Bride is a bedtime story-structured fantasy adventure that is as timeless as the act of telling bedtimes stories itself.

Though only a modest box-office success upon initial release, the film soon became a cult hit. One that is easily enjoyed at home by the whole family. Effectively satisfying both those who are young enough to still covet fairy tales, but old enough to move beyond cartoons and onto something much more viscerally alive; and also those adults who refuse to doze off while watching it when Inigo Montoya’s path to enacting ultra-cinematic, unparalleled vengeance looms just around the bend.

1 Stand By Me (1986) – 8.1, #205

Young talents – Will Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, and Jerry O’Connell – helped Reiner to easily deploy his textbook feel for deeply-resonate, wise-beyond-their-years characters in his highest-ranked film, according to IMDb.

Stand By Me features children protagonists worthy of the respect they receive from audiences of all kinds who can identify with their heartache. Such was executed by Reiner in ways expanding even beyond the scope of what King accomplished with the original source material, his 1982 novella, “The Body.”

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