Trailer
Summary
"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts…
Good for
- Date night
- Friends night
- Party vibe
Where to watch
Fingerprint
At a glance
Critics vs audiences
Critics like it more than audiences (+13)
Critics 92Audiences 79GoodWatch 85
Metascore92
User score8.1
IMDb7.9
Letterboxd · 253 K ratings3.9/5
Box office
2.4×its budget
- Budget
- $3 M
- Worldwide
- $6 M
Worldwide it earned $4 M more than it cost.
Running time
1 h 22 min
Shorter than 9 in 10 comedies, −18 min on the typical 100
typical 10082Half of all comedies run 91–111 min.
Reach
Streams in 26 countries, rent or buy in 38 more
+16Released
1984
March 2, 1984
42 years ago
Genres
ComedyMusicLanguage
English
Original language
Also spoken
JapaneseMade in
- United States
Rated
- RUnited States
What's in it
- ViolenceLittle or none
- Gore, disturbing imagesLittle or none
- Frightening scenesLittle or none
- Sex, nudityLittle or none
- Dark themesLittle or none
- Strong languageNamed in the advisories
- Drug useNamed in the advisories
In white: what the content advisories name. Levels from the title analysis.
Viewing guide
AdultsDate NightFriends NightParty VibeIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure EscapismThought-ProvokingNot listed for kids or family movie night.
and 33 more53 people
- Christopher GuestNigel Tufnel
- Michael McKeanDavid St. Hubbins
- Harry ShearerDerek Smalls
- Rob ReinerMarty DiBergi
- June ChadwickJeanine Pettibone
- Tony HendraIan Faith
- Bruno KirbyTommy Pischedda
- Ed Begley Jr.John 'Stumpy' Pepys
Paul BenedictTucker 'Smitty' Brown
Zane BuzbyRolling Stone Reporter
Billy CrystalMorty the Mime
Howard HessemanTerry Ladd
Patrick MacneeSir Denis Eton-Hogg
Paul ShafferArtie Fufkin
Fred WillardLt. Hookstratten
R.J. ParnellMick Shrimpton- DKDavid KaffViv Savage
Fran DrescherBobbi Flekman
Joyce HyserBelinda
Victory Tischler-BlueCindy
Anjelica HustonPolly Deutsch- KSKimberly StringerHeavy Metal Fan
- CDChazz DominguezHeavy Metal Fan
- SHShari HallHeavy Metal Fan
Directing · 4
- Rob Reiner Director, Writer, Original Music Composer
- Anne Rapp Continuity
- Irwin Marcus Second Assistant Director
- Donald Newman First Assistant Director
Writing · 3
- Michael McKean Writer, Original Music Composer
- Christopher Guest Writer, Original Music Composer
- Harry Shearer Writer, Original Music Composer
Production · 4
- Karen Murphy Producer
- Eve Brandstein Casting
- Lindsay Doran Executive In Charge Of Production
- Cary Glieberman Unit Production Manager
Camera · 2
- Peter Smokler Director of Photography
- Skip Cook Best Boy Grip
Editing · 3
- Kim Secrist Editor
- Kent Beyda Editor
- Art Tostado Color Timer
Sound · 5
- John Brasher Supervising Sound Editor
- Gregg Rudloff Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- Robert Eber Sound Mixer
- Kenneth Karman Music Editor
- Beth Bergeron Sound Editor
Art · 2
- Bryan Jones Production Design
- Tommy Estridge Property Master
Costume & Make-Up · 1
- Michele Payne Makeup & Hair
Lighting · 2
- Victor Abbene Electrician
- Bill Meurer Gaffer
Other crew · 2
- Billy G. Arter Transportation Coordinator
- Jane Covner Unit Publicist
Tropes
More like this
Watch order
In this series
Film 1 of 3 · then A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out
- This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
GoodWatch score 84You're here
- A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out (1992)
GoodWatch score 64Film 2
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025)
GoodWatch score 63Film 3
Similar
Most like This Is Spinal Tap overall
Nearest on the related map: closest in everything it does to you, not one trait
- Wonder Man (2026)
GoodWatch score 72 - The Studio (2025)
GoodWatch score 78 - Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
GoodWatch score 71 - Mollywood Times (2026)
GoodWatch score 68 - Theater Camp (2023)
GoodWatch score 69 - RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (2012)
GoodWatch score 69 - American Fiction (2023)
GoodWatch score 82 - Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass (2026)
GoodWatch score 63 - Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)
GoodWatch score 60 - State and Main (2000)
GoodWatch score 72 - Absolutely Fabulous (1992)
GoodWatch score 79 - Life's Too Short (2011)
GoodWatch score 68 - Toast of London (2013)
GoodWatch score 75 - Hamlet 2 (2008)
GoodWatch score 60 - Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2026)
GoodWatch score 84 - Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
GoodWatch score 79
Same genre
More comedy movies
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
GoodWatch score 77 - Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
GoodWatch score 82 - Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
GoodWatch score 80 - Rango (2011)
GoodWatch score 74 - Hoppers (2026)
GoodWatch score 74 - The Intern (2015)
GoodWatch score 60 - The World's End (2013)
GoodWatch score 76 - Coyote vs. Acme (2026)
GoodWatch score 77