Time Out Names 'This Is Spinal Tap' the Best Comedy Movie Ever in 2026 Ranking
When a movie makes viewers truly laugh with abandon, that is an experience that they will likely cherish and remember for many years. Since people tend to grow to love their favorite funny films, many become deeply invested in debates over what the most hilarious one ever is. Despite how fierce the competition is and how brutal the arguments over the subject can be, a highly respected outlet crowned This Is Spinal Tap as the best comedy ever.
Why 'This Is Spinal Tap' Was Ranked the 'Best Comedy Movie of All Time'
In April 2026, Time Out released its list of the "best comedy movies of all time." The fascinating ranking named Rob Reiner's 1984 classic, This Is Spinal Tap, No. 1. The iconic mockumentary focuses on a fictional rock band whose ridiculous antics are a perfect send-up of the seriousness of many music documentaries. It features a stellar cast consisting of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Reiner himself.
Time Out's argument for choosing This Is Spinal Tap to top its list notes that the ranking was based on votes from experts, and the classic film won by a wide margin. The outlet praised it for having great original music and "arguably the most quotable script in movie history." The article went on to credit Reiner's film with having a massive influence over generations of comedy movies and shows, including The Office.
In 2002, This Is Spinal Tap was chosen to be preserved in the Library of Congress's National Film Registry to ensure it is never lost. It is heartwarming to know that the movie will go down in history because it pulled off a feat that often feels near-impossible. The film was legitimately hilarious without ever becoming mean or cynical.
Even though the movie is more than four decades old and familiar to so many, This Is Spinal Tap still feels fresh in a lot of ways due to its improvisational energy. The film also effortlessly lampoons people with massive and unearned egos, which makes its humor universally relatable since everyone knows someone like that. Ultimately, on a scale of one to 10, This Is Spinal Tap is an 11.
The Top 25: Time Out's "Best Comedy Movies of All Time"
- No. 25 The Castle (1997)
- No. 24 ¡Three Amigos! (1986)
- No. 23 Dr. Strangelove: Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964)
- No. 22 Bridesmaids (2011)
- No. 21 Play It Again, Sam (1972)
- No. 20 Tootsie (1982)
- No. 19 Ghostbusters (1984)
- No. 18 Young Frankenstein (1974)
- No. 17 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
- No. 16 Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987)
- No. 15 Some Like It Hot (1959)
- No. 14 Dumb & Dumber (1994)
- No. 13 The Naked Gun (1988)
- No. 12 The Big Lebowski (1998)
- No. 11 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
- No. 10 Annie Hall (1977)
- No. 9 Duck Soup (1933)
- No. 8 Withnail & I (1987)
- No. 7 Groundhog Day (1993)
- No. 6 Team America: World Police (2004)
- No. 5 The Jerk (1979)
- No. 4 Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)
- No. 3 Airplane! (1980)
- No. 2 Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006)
- No. 1 This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Next: 1994 Hit Film Ranked Among ‘Best Movies' of All Time
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 6:45 AM.