Rob Reiner‘s first acting claim stretches all the way back to 1971, where he played Michael Stivic in the acclaimed sitcom All in the Family. The show was the most-watched television program in the U.S. for five seasons straight, launching Reiner into national stardom. He continues to act in supporting roles on film and on television today.



As a director, Reiner has been making commercially and critically successful films since the mid-’80s, his first effort being the legendary mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap. Reiner does not limit himself by genre, and has gone on to make heartfelt coming-of-age stories, intense war dramas, and epic comedic fantasies alike. However, despite the incredible versatility and consistently dependable quality of his films, Reiner often does not garner the recognition he deserves in Hollywood as an A-class director. This is despite having directed over fifteen films throughout his career, and even having founded his own production company, Castle Rock Entertainment. To commemorate the successful, yet underappreciated director, here are some of our favorite Rob Reiner films, ranked.

7 The Sure Thing (1985)

Unfortunately, this witty teen romance has faded into obscurity over the years, currently unavailable on any streaming services. However, The Sure Thing is the movie that launched John Cusack’s career and heavily influenced all teen road-trip films to come. In the movie, Cusack plays college freshman Gib, whose continuous strikeouts with women incline him to go on a road trip across the country, where a “sure thing” awaits. However, on the trip, Gib is accompanied by his uptight classmate, Allison, and naturally, the two begin to develop feelings for one another. Although The Sure Thing’s premise may sound outdated or grating to some, the film handles these topics with a perfect blend of thoughtfulness and humor, making the film an entertaining and authentic portrait of young love.

6 Misery (1990)

One of the best horror films of the ’90s, Reiner’s Misery is just as deeply riveting as it is bone-chilling. Based on Stephen King’s eponymous book, the film follows sellout novelist Paul Sheldon as he is held hostage by his “number one fan” in her remote cabin. The film stars the late James Caan as Sheldon, who gives the writer an air of rugged coolness, while also capturing the utter paranoia of a bedridden existence. Of course, the stand-out performance of the film belongs to Kathy Bates, though, who single-handedly gives a whole new meaning to the term “rabid fan.” Aside from its performances, Misery is masterfully paced and meticulously directed — its most terrifying parts are not always what’s caught on camera.

Related: 90s Horror Movies That Don’t Get Enough Love

5 A Few Good Men (1992)

A Few Good Men is undoubtedly one of the best dramas of the ’90s, capturing the essence of a new generation of national leadership. The film features a staggering ensemble cast including Tom Cruise — arguably in his prime — Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, and Kevin Bacon. However, there is so much more to love about the film beyond its iconic performances. Aaron Sorkin’s compelling screenplay, based on a play he wrote in 1989, permanently expanded what a courtroom drama is capable of. Reiner expertly captures all the glaring suspense, but also the small subtleties of character, that fall into Sorkin’s screenplay, creating a film that is entertaining while still having a powerful message about justice and abuse of power.

4 When Harry Met Sally (1989)

33 years after its initial release, When Harry Met Sally is still one of the best romantic comedies ever put on screen. There are countless elements that make the film such a timeless love story, apt to be revisited and providing comfort at any time one views it. For one thing, the film takes a realistic and novel approach to “love” and how it manifests itself in different ways. The whole premise of the film is famously based around the question of whether men and women can “truly” be friends. Due to the contentiousness of this subject, When Harry Met Sally is no cheesy romance filled with bombast and ceremony. Rather, we witness, through ever-provocative conversations, how two people grow platonically, and then romantically intimate with each other. Reiner infused the film with the perfect balance of intimacy and humor to make When Harry Met Sally such a one-of-a-kind classic.

3 The Princess Bride (1987)

Reiner’s masterstroke of genre-bending, The Princess Bride is where we start to get into the stuff of legend. While any other director could have made Morgenstern’s classic appear hokey and unoriginal on screen, Reiner takes us on an epic journey that brings the audience to question the nature of storytelling itself. However, the film is still unpretentious, boldly adventurous, and infinitely quotable. It also features some of the most iconic characters of all time, like Mandy Patinkin’s Inigo Montoya and Andre the Giant’s Fezzik. Reiner utilizes the versatile talents of his legendary cast to create a picture that is funny, suspenseful, and deeply endearing all at once.

2 This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Six-inch stonehenges, amps that go to eleven, mysteriously exploding drummers — practically every other moment of Spinal Tap ought to go down in movie history. The brilliant mockumentary, written by the mockumentary master himself, Christoper Guest, follows heavy metal band Spinal Tap on their journey from superstars to embarrassing has-beens. Few other mockumentaries “keep it real” in such a way that Spinal Tap does — even if what it’s documenting is entirely fake. At a certain point, we almost start to feel pity for the beleaguered members of Spinal Tap, as they wind their way through Cleveland arenas and can barely sell out amusement parks. However, what makes the film so iconic is that none of the band members are “in on” the joke – they struggle until the very end.

Related: Spinal Tap 2: Plot, Cast, and Everything Else We Know About the Rockumentary Sequel

1 Stand By Me (1986)

There are few more heartwarming — and heartbreaking — coming-of-age films than Stand By Me, and even fewer that capture the essence of adolescent friendships so well. Once again inspired by early Stephen King work, this time his short story “The Body,” Stand By Me follows a group of twelve-year-old friends as they go on a spontaneous trip in search of a dead body. The film is replete with every element that makes any young adventure movie so great, from wild dog chases to unfortunate encounters with leeches to wide-eyed fireside storytelling. However, Stand By Me also manages to transcend these elements for something much deeper and more lasting – a commentary on how friendships may fade over time, but how priceless they are to us when we are twelve. Thus, how priceless they are to us forever. Complete with fantastic child performances by the late River Phoenix, Will Wheaton, and Cory Feldman, Stand By Me is a touching masterpiece that will never grow tiresome on the re-watch circuit.