Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

93% Tomatometer 116 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings

The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest events of their lives -- the Mayflower Dog Show. The canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as the great country that has bred them.

Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

Where to Watch

Best in Show

Best in Show

What to Know

Critics Consensus

A fine example of writer-director-star Christopher Guest's gift for improv comedy, Best in Show boasts an appealingly quirky premise and a brilliantly talented cast.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (116) Critics Reviews
Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (1) David Ansen Newsweek Guest seems to know just how far he can stretch reality without losing the crucial texture of verisimilitude. This is a comedy even cat lovers might adore. Mar 7, 2018 Full Review Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Nell Minow Common Sense Media Hilarious and offbeat, but humor is pretty grownup. Rated: 3/5 Oct 14, 2010 Full Review Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Mark Bourne Film.com ...it's always a pleasure to watch this ensemble of gifted talents do what they do best -- be spontaneous and funny and surprising. What we get is a master-class demonstration of the distinction between comic actors and comedians who try to act. Feb 8, 2008 Full Review Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (4) David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...often feels much, much longer than its 90 minutes... Rated: 1.5/4 Jun 17, 2021 Full Review Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (5) A.S. Hamrah The Baffler Parker Posey's high-strung yuppie sums up decades of American culture: "We are so lucky to have been raised amongst catalogs." Sep 16, 2020 Full Review Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Tom Meek Cambridge Day Willard plays a color commentator at a Philadelphia dog show, whose observations are off-color and belly-grabbing hilarious - the whole film's one big, shaggy guffaw. Rated: 3.5/4 May 29, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1000+) audience reviews

Valerie H This is one of the funniest movie ever. Perhaps you have to be a dog-owner to really appreciate it - which I am - but it is definitely in my Top 10 favourite movies of all time. Fred Willard is just brilliant! All of the actors are great in it and the fact that most of the script is improvised is so impressive. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/31/24 Full Review Jeff M To say that this is an absolutely perfect film about which I wouldn't change a single thing but then to say in my next breath that this isn't even my favorite Christopher Guest movie should give you an idea of the ridiculously high regard in which I hold his movies. Guest's "mockumentaries" fill me with levels of pleasure and cinematic giddiness that verge on the overwhelming. In an odd way, they feel like they were made especially for me. The unparalleled repertoire of actors he uses, many over and over again, has a remarkable way of walking the fine line between ridicule and affection. Simple lines such as "we both love soup" become unforgettably hysterical in the able hands of these thespians. And Guest the actor should not be underestimated - comparing his performance here with his Corky St. Clair in WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, one sees an almost Streep-ian versatility that is kinda staggering. Of course, SCHITTS CREEK fans will always revel in the chance to see Levy and O'Hara share the screen, and they are magnificent as always. The recently departed Fred Willard, as the most memorable color commentator in the history of film, is peerless. John Michael Higgins kills me! Every performance here couldn't possibly be improved upon. This is one the most re-watchable films I've ever seen, and if this is playing on loop in heaven, eternity is going to be awesome! Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/24 Full Review mark g I actually think this might be the funniest movie ever made, right there with This Is Spinal Tap and Waiting For Guffman. I think the film does require some intellect from the viewer though. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/20/24 Full Review Alec B Yeah Fred Willard is hysterical but I'll make the case that its Posey and Hitchcock who actually steal the show here. Their willingness to be as unpleasant as possible in every scene they have is quite admirable. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 12/14/23 Full Review Ava S Boasting an array of wild and colourful characters, Best in Show's improvisational style set at a unique event works wonders by giving you much to laugh and gawk at. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/24/23 Full Review Gareth v Christopher Guest's best mocumentary since Spinal Tap and an absolutely hilarious look at the bizarre world of dog shows. A blend of unique characters come to life due to it's perfect casting in this must see comedy.One of 2000's best movies. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Best in Show

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Cast & Crew

Christopher Guest Director Michael Hitchcock Hamilton Swan Parker Posey Meg Swan Eugene Levy Gerry Fleck Catherine O'Hara Cookie Fleck Christopher Guest Harlan Pepper
Show Less Cast & Crew Show More Cast & Crew

More Like This

View All Best Movies to Stream at Home

A Mighty Wind 87% 75% A Mighty Wind Watchlist To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar 48% 72% To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar Watchlist TRAILER for To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar View From the Top 14% 34% View From the Top Watchlist All the Queen's Men 7% 51% All the Queen's Men Watchlist Happy, Texas 82% 55% Happy, Texas Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Related Movie News

View All Related Movie News
Cats vs Dogs: Who Have The Best Movies? E.T., Best in Show, and More Certified Fresh Movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime New Certified Fresh Films on Netflix: The Shawshank Redemption, Boogie Nights, 2001, and More

Photos

View All Best in Show photos

Best in Show

Best in Show (2000) Best in Show (2000) Best in Show (2000) View more photos

Synopsis The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across America prepare to take part in what is undoubtedly one of the greatest events of their lives -- the Mayflower Dog Show. The canine contestants and their owners are as wondrously diverse as the great country that has bred them.

Director
Christopher Guest

Producer
Karen Murphy

Screenwriter
Christopher Guest, Eugene Levy

Distributor
Warner Bros. Pictures

Production Co
Castle Rock Entertainment

Rating
PG-13

Genre
Comedy, LGBTQ+

Original Language
English

Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 29, 2000, Wide

Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 3, 2008

Box Office (Gross USA)
$18.6M

Runtime
1h 30m

Sound Mix
SDDS, Dolby Digital, DTS, Surround, Dolby SR

Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
Most Popular at Home Now
Best in Show | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 5934

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.