The Spinal Tap II Trailer Plays The Classics

Lord knows how a bit this old is still this funny.

It seems that 2025 is the year of hoary old comedy staples returning to the screen to show the current generation How It’s Done.

Right now, we have Liam Neeson winning some pretty gushing reviews for his turn in The Naked Gun, a reboot of the no-joke-too-silly cops ‘n’ robbers parody that made Leslie Nielsen a comedy superstar. But before the year’s end we’ll have seminal satirical act Spinal Tap back on our screens, not once but twice.

First up, the original 1984 masterpiece This Is Spinal Tap is getting a theatrical rerelease from August 7. But then we’re getting Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, one of those long-gap sequels that are currently in fashion. But we’re happy to report it looks funny AF.

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues Trailer

What’s the plot?

I’m of the general opinion that this sort of decades-later follow-up reeks of desperation until proved otherwise, but the new Spinal Tap seems to be parodying the very concept itself, so that bodes well. Let’s go to the official synopsis:

Forty-one years after the release of the groundbreaking mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap, the now estranged bandmates David St. Hubbins, Nigel Tufnel, and Derek Smalls (Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, and Harry Shearer) are forced to reunite for one final concert. Spinal Tap II: The End Continues also marks the resurrection of documentarian Marty Di Bergi (Rob Reiner), who once again tries to capture his favorite metal gods as they contemplate mortality—and the hope that their 12th drummer doesn’t join them in The Great Beyond. Joined by music royalty Paul McCartney and Elton John, Spinal Tap wrestles with their checkered past to put on a concert that they hope will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock ’n’ roll.

Who’s in it?

• Christopher Guest as Nigel Tufnel.
• Michael McKean as David St. Hubbins.
• Harry Shearer as Derek Smalls.
• Rob Reiner as Marty Di Bergi.
• Fran Drescher as Bobbi Flekman.
• Paul Shaffer as Artie Fufkin.
• Kathreen Khavari as Yasmine Farangi.

Plus we’re getting cameos from Paul McCartney, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Questlove, Trisha Yearwood, Chad Smith, and Lars Ulrich, all playing themselves.

When’s it out?

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues is in Australian cinemas from 25 September 2025.

What’s the vibe?

I think the reason this is gonna work is that the oblivious, self-absorbed rock gods that Rob Reiner and the boys were mercilessly pummeling back in the day never really went away. Hell, they’ve even managed to convince a few to be in the movie! You have to wonder whether Spinal Tap as a concept has much cultural currency with the younger crowd, though. Or maybe you’re in that crowd and wondering what the big deal is? Hard to say – I’m in the older cohort, so I’m pumped for this. But if this kind of satire still works, maybe the culture it’s satirising is stagnant.