Rob Reiner: 14 movies and shows to stream

Rob Reiner, who died Sunday at the age of 78 alongside his wife, Michele, had a career that was remarkable for its versatility. After breaking out as a sitcom star with “All in the Family,” he went on to direct more than 20 films. Reiner never stuck to one genre, dabbling in rom-coms, Stephen King adaptations and wordy dramas. Along the way he continued to deliver memorable turns as a performer onscreen, never losing his own comedic flair. Here’s where to watch some of his best.

Reiner first became widely known on TV as Mike Stivic on Norman Lear’s groundbreaking sitcom. He became even better known for the insult of a name Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) hurled at him: “Meathead.” With his mustache, long hair and bell bottoms, Mike’s very presence was aggravating to the conservative Archie. Reiner knew how to balance on the very fine line that Lear was walking: As a representative for progressive youth, Mike was often the bastion of reason against the bigoted Archie, but Reiner played him just goofy enough that you understood Archie’s annoyance as well. (Stream it on Pluto TV and Tubi.)

As Reiner would tell it in an interview with CBS, it’s Lear who finally convinced executives to allow Reiner to make the rock mockumentary, telling his peers at Embassy Pictures, “Ya gotta let him do it, he’s so crazy.” Reiner co-wrote the wildly funny film along with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, the three of whom play members of the fictional, dopey British band of the title. And while Reiner directed, perfecting the style that Janet Maslin wrote in her review was “indistinguishable from the real thing,” he also played a key role. As onscreen filmmaker Marty DiBergi, Reiner is an impeccable straight man, setting up Guest, McKean and Shearer for their most ridiculous jokes. (Stream it on HBO Max.)

The adaptation of King’s novella “The Body,” almost immediately became a coming-of-age touchstone, which was something of a surprise to its director. Before release, Reiner thought, “There’s no way this picture is going to do business, because no one who went to ‘Rambo’ will go to see our film.” A lyrical story about the friendship of four boys looking for a dead body, “Stand By Me” was a feat of casting. Reiner tapped rising stars Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman and Jerry O’Connell to be the leads. “If it wasn’t for Rob, the acting wouldn’t have been half as good,” O’Connell said. (Stream it on Netflix.)

While “The Princess Bride” has become an indelible classic, it started as a passion project for Reiner, who was given the novel by his father, Carl. The story within a story (told by a wisecracking Peter Falk to his grandson, played by Fred Savage) tells of the beautiful Buttercup and her farm-boy love, Westley (Cary Elwes), who eventually becomes the Dread Pirate Roberts. But the joy is in the array of delightful performers Reiner assembled to create this colorful world. There’s Mandy Patinkin as the passionate Inigo Montoya seeking revenge; Wallace Shawn as the sputtering Vizzini; and Andre the Giant with a memorable turn as Fezzik. The movie nails both the sweeping romance as well as the divinely silly moments. (Stream it on Disney+ and Hulu.)

Rom-com fans have been in love with this Reiner film for decades, and the way it presents a picture-perfect version of Manhattan while its characters squabble. Though “When Harry Met Sally …” is best regarded as one of Nora Ephron’s towering works as a screenwriter, Reiner’s directorial stamp is all over it. In fact, he was the one who suggested Ephron write a script about the differences between men and women after a lunch where she was uninterested in another project Reiner and his producing partner Andrew Scheinman were pitching.

“She interviewed us like a journalist, got all these thoughts down, and that became the basis for Harry, and she became the basis for Sally,” Reiner later said. Reiner also put his mother in the famous Katz’s scene where Sally fakes an orgasm, allowing the older woman to deliver the enduring line, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Perhaps most crucially, Reiner suggested a change of ending after he met his wife, Michele, on the set. Initially, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) were going to go their separate ways. After falling in love himself, Reiner advocated for a happier conclusion. (Stream it on Starz.)

Reiner’s first of two collaborations with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin was this thrilling adaptation of Sorkin’s 1989 play about loyalty and justice in the tightly knit boys club of the U.S. Marines. Reiner upped the star quotient bringing in Tom Cruise to play the dogged JAG Lt. Daniel Kaffee and Jack Nicholson as the towering Col. Nathan R. Jessep. It’s Nicholson who delivers the legendary line, “You can’t handle the truth.” (Stream it on Philo.)

Although his career as a director was flourishing, Reiner would continue to act occasionally. One of his most beloved turns was in “Sleepless in Seattle,” directed by Ephron. Reiner played the buddy to Tom Hanks’ grieving widower, Sam Baldwin. In one memorable scene, as they await bowls of clams, Reiner warns Sam about what to expect in the dating world. “Tiramisu,” he says matter-of-factly. Sam is perplexed: “What is tiramisu?” “You’ll find out,” Reiner says, his timing still on point. (Stream it on Starz.)

Reiner made no secret of his political advocacy and he teamed again with Sorkin for this hopeful, idealized White House-set romance. Michael Douglas plays the title role of Andrew Shepherd, president and widower, who falls in love with the passionate environmental lobbyist Sydney Wade, portrayed by Annette Bening. (Rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.)

This film about two men dying of cancer (Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman) who decide to make the most of their remaining time was a surprising box office success for Reiner, who was in need of one after some notable flops and time spent devoted to political pursuits. He was drawn to the screenplay by Justin Zackham for what he called parallels to “Stand By Me.” That story was about boys wrestling with mortality; this one was about men in their twilight years. (Rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV and Fandango at Home.)

Reiner returned to sitcoms in 2012 for a recurring stint on “New Girl,” playing the divorced father of the show’s hero, Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel). Reiner slid seamlessly into the kooky cast of characters, making his debut in a memorable Thanksgiving episode where Jess tries to do a “parent trap” to get her folks get back together. Whenever Reiner showed up he was always welcome, melding both the show’s hangout energy with his intensity as an overprotective father. (Stream it on Disney+, Hulu and Peacock.)

Reiner constructed this tribute to comedy great Albert Brooks as a conversation between friends. In between the typical historical footage that defines most documentaries, Reiner chats with his friend of almost 60 years over cheesecake. Reiner’s admiration for his pal is clear from the outset. “I’ve always looked up to you,” he says. The rest of the documentary supports that, offering up a portrait of Brooks as a unique genius from a loving perspective. (Stream it on HBO Max.)