Where to Watch the First ‘Spinal Tap’ Movie ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ on Streaming

Turn your TV sets up to 11, because the Spinal Tap sequel, Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, opens in theaters this weekend. And that makes this week the perfect time to rewatch the first Spinal Tap movie, This Is Spinal Tap, from the comfort of your home.

Directed by Rob Reiner, this 1984 cult classic comedy all but invented the now ubiquitous “mockumentary” comedy. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer—all of whom also co-wrote the movie with Reiner—star as the fictional English heavy metal band Spinal Tap, while Reiner plays the documentarian who films the band’s life on the road. The film was not a huge financial success upon release in 1984, but the home video release elevated it to the ultimate cult classic favorite. It also launched Guest’s mockumentary career, as the comedian would go on to write and direct classics like Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, and For Your Consideration.

Now, over 40 years later, Reiner and his cast are reuniting for a sequel. Guest, McKean, and Shearer are all back to reprise their roles, as Spinal Tap, which is reuniting after 15 years for one last big show. What could go wrong? But before you watch the sequel, you’ll want to watch the film that started it all. Read on to find out where to watch the original This Is Spinal Tap movie online.

Where to watch the original Spinal Tap movie This Is Spinal Tap on streaming:

You can buy or rent the This Is Spinal Tap movie on digital platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and more. The price may vary depending on which platform you use, but on Amazon Prime, This Is Spinal Tap costs $5.99 to rent, or $9.99 to buy. If you rent the movie, you’ll have it for 48 hours after hitting “play.”

Unfortunately, This Is Spinal Tap is not streaming free on any of the subscription-based streaming services right now. If you want to watch the movie at home, you’ll have to buy or rent it online—or dust off your old DVD or VHS copy.

That said, This Is Spinal Tap has been on various streamer libraries in the past—including Netflix and HBO Max—so it will probably, eventually, be back on streaming again. But we have no way of knowing when that might be. Your best bet is to buy or rent This Is Spinal Tap online, and get your tickets to see Spinal Tap II: The End Continues in theaters.