No Director Ever Had A Run Quite Like Rob Reiner
His stretch of five all-time classic movies is something to herald.
Rob Reiner in 'The Bear'
Like many people who love movies, I sat on Social Media last night with my jaw on the floor, mourning the senseless killing of Rob Reiner and his late wife.
Reiner was an all-time great director and actor whose work spanned decades and permeated American culture like no one else.
But there was one span of years where Reiner made movies that were not just good, but were all-time greats. It's one of the most dizzying runs in Hollywood history, and we had to unpack it this morning.
Let's dive in.
Stand By Me (1986)
I think this is the greatest coming-of-age movie ever made. It's a poignant, pitch-perfect drama about growing up that captured the essence of childhood friendship, fear, and discovery. It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. There's an immense rewatchability to this movie. As you age, it seems to grow with you and impart wisdom that wasn't there before. And it is so imaginative and methodical, telling you its story.
The Princess Bride (1987)
There are very few movies you can watch and enjoy with the whole family. This is a classic that can make anyone smile and believe in a fantastical world. A delightful, endlessly quotable comedy that defied the fantasy genre classification to become one of the most beloved cult classics of all time. There are many reasons to love this movie, but its characters stand the test of time. They're so well developed and deep, you really grab onto them and never let go.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Again, Reiner made another movie that is a pillar of its genre. This is arguably the definitive romantic comedy. A love story that is relatable, grounded, and beautifully shot. This movie is a genre-defining masterpiece that set the standard for witty dialogue and heartfelt emotional honesty, earning Nora Ephron an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. Reiner never shies away from cinematography and captures New York in a way that makes it the third character in the movie.
Misery (1990)
Every writer has a nightmare inspired by this film. It's a claustrophobic, terrifying psychological thriller that gave Kathy Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress and proved Reiner could master genuinely dark, unsettling material adapted from Stephen King. We follow the story of a man trapped by his fan, forced to change the ending of his latest book to her liking. To me, it's the most progressive movie about the culture we see online today.
A Few Good Men (1992)
Again, Reiner could direct anything, and here he uses his chops to adapt a famous play from Aaron Sorkin. This is a taut, explosive courtroom drama with stellar performances and unforgettable lines ("You can't handle the truth!") that earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Tom Cruise is so fun as a cocky attorney going up against Jack Nicholson, who is a general who commands every room and doesn't like to be questioned.
We Lost An Icon
Rob Reiner didn't just direct films; he created cultural touchstones across five completely different genres: coming-of-age, fantasy, romantic comedy, horror, and legal drama.
These are movies that have stood the test of time and will continue to do so thanks to his deft hand and passion for each story.
Reiner demonstrated an incredible ability to work with and elicit career-defining performances from actors, and his taste in source material (Stephen King, William Goldman, Nora Ephron) was impeccable.
What makes this run so dizzying is the consistency of quality and the immediate critical and commercial success of each picture.
Audiences flocked to these movies, and they got stellar reviews.
He was making movies about every facet of America and changing culture with stories that catered to different people.
There are maybe a couple of other directors in history who can claim to have released five consecutive films of this caliber. And honestly, as I look at their runs, I'm not sure there's anyone who ever made five in a row like this.
Reiner's passing cut short a legacy that was still being written. But the enduring power of this incredible five-film run ensures his place among the giants of film history.
And we'll remember him forever.
Summing It All Up
Rob Reiner was a giant of a filmmaker and someone who never shied away from any challenge or stage. His work speaks for itself, but among all this, we should point out the outpouring of love and respect from his peers, who had nothing but good things to say about him and his wife.
What is your favorite Rob Reiner movie of all time?
Let me know what you think in the comments.
