It’s hard to fathom the terrible tragedy that is the murder of beloved Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner. His films defined a generation in the 1980s and '90s, carving their way into cultural consciousness, and almost every one of his best films can be identified by a quote that everyone knows: “as you wish” (“The Princess Bride”), “these go to 11” (“This Is Spinal Tap”), “do you want to see a dead body?” (“Stand by Me”), “I’ll have what she’s having” (“When Harry Met Sally”), “you can’t handle the truth” (“A Few Good Men”).

Reiner indelibly shaped culture with his work, with his political activism and as a friend, collaborator and leader in Hollywood. He wasn’t close to being done yet — his film “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” premiered just this year. Many people mourn their favorite artists through revisiting their work, and so in honor of Rob Reiner, here’s where to watch so many of his best films online.

Reiner started as an actor on the sitcom “All in the Family” (streaming on Tubi), before essentially inventing the mockumentary format with “This Is Spinal Tap” in 1984, in collaboration with comedians Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, as a bumbling English heavy metal band. Forty-one years later, they released the sequel, “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.” Stream both films on HBO Max.

In 1986, Reiner went on one of the best runs of a director of all time, directing five films in a row that could be considered all-time classics. With “Stand by Me” in (1986), Reiner adapted a Stephen King novella into a coming-of-age film that captures a period of childhood when innocence gives way to real-world darkness, featuring a cast of future stars in River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Kiefer Sutherland. Stream it on Netflix.

He then directed “The Princess Bride” (1987) a playfully funny and romantic fairy tale written by William Goldman, starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Fred Savage, Peter Falk, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, Carol Kane and more. While it wasn’t a hit on release, it became a cult movie that continues to delight audiences of all ages. Stream it on Disney+ and Hulu.

“When Harry Met Sally…” (1989) directed by Reiner and written by Nora Ephron is the platonic ideal of a romantic comedy — there are very few rom-coms that are as deeply funny and satisfying. Starring Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally, this is the ultimate friends-to-lovers narrative arc. Reiner and Michele met on the set, and their love story even inspired the movie’s happy ending. Stream it on Starz.

In 1990, Reiner tackled another King novel with “Misery,” collaborating again with screenwriter Goldman. The film, about a novelist who is kidnapped by an obsessed fan, stars James Caan and Kathy Bates, who won an Academy Award for her performance. Stream it on YouTube or purchase it on iTunes or Amazon.

Reiner followed up “Misery” with the military courtroom drama “A Few Good Men” (1992), about two Marines court-martialed for murder. Penned by Aaron Sorkin, this corker of a suspense film stars Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon and more. “A Few Good Men” is available for purchase on all digital platforms.

While that five-film run from 1986 to 1992 produced some of the most memorable and beloved films of all time, Reiner continued to direct films like “The American President” (1995) and “The Bucket List” (2007) that reverberated culturally (both are available to rent). In the last few years, he directed Albert Brooks’ documentary “Defending My Life” (on HBO Max).

It will take a long time to make sense of this tragedy, and Reiner will be missed forever. One way to honor him is to continue to enjoy his work, which has been a balm for so many.

———

©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC