This Is Spinal Tap 2's Perfect Release Date Can Fix A Broken Trend

This Is Spinal Tap 2 is on schedule for a perfect anniversary that was previously skipped. How can its upcoming release date fix this broken trend?

This Is Spinal Tap 2's Perfect Release Date Can Fix A Broken Trend

With the announcement of This Is Spinal Tap 2, the film’s perfect release date can finally fix a broken trend for the fictional band. In doing so, the sequel to the original This Is Spinal Tap has a chance to correct a glaring mistake by returning. This Is Spinal Tap 2 is expected to release in a year that puts the franchise back on track.

To explore its origins, the legendary mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap must be fully understood. Helmed by The Princess Bride‘s Rob Reiner in his directorial debut, the 1984 cult classic has evolved in its public perception since. A satire of the rock music documentary subgenre, This Is Spinal Tap did not connect immediately when it was first released, but has been embraced by audiences since then. The mockumentary’s eventual popularity took the fictional Spinal Tap band to even greater heights in real life. Along with Reiner, the sequel will see the same cast of Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Christopher Guest return for another round of mirth and metal music.

Just as great, This Is Spinal Tap 2 will fix a broken trend by releasing on the perfect date of the film’s 40th anniversary. The popularity of the original 1984 movie swelled over the years (with a lot of help from home video and streaming) to reach a place well above cult status. Without fail since 1992, Spinal Tap has emerged every eight years with a new project, whether a live performance or a nostalgic revisiting of the original movie. That regular eight-year pattern was unfortunately broken in 2016. But with This Is Spinal Tap 2, the pattern will be corrected as the movie is set to release in 2024, getting back on track with the eight-year mark.

Spinal Tap’s first reappearance was eight years after the movie’s release, when they came together in 1992 for an album and concert movie follow-up to This Is Spinal Tap titled “Break Like the Wind.” Spinal Tap returned in 2000 with their single “Back from the Dead,” originally released online. That same year also saw the special edition DVD with commentary from the band. Carrying on the band’s tradition of coming back on time, Back from the Dead was released as a full album and on DVD eight years later. In spite of the regular release schedule, Spinal Tap hit an unfortunate roadblock after their 25th anniversary.

The band had been set back by Shearer and McKean’s unfortunate falling out, causing them to miss the 2016 reunion. The Simpsons voice actor Shearer revealed that he and Michael McKean were no longer on speaking terms. However, the two co-stars have made amends and will be seen together on-screen for This Is Spinal Tap 2, setting things to rights. Like the band’s stamina, there appears to be nothing that can stop This Is Spinal Tap 2 from premiering on its 40th anniversary in 2024, reestablishing the once-broken eight-year trend. Its perfect release date proves that this one goes to 11.