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Best in Show

Play trailer Poster for Best in Show PG-13 2000 1h 30m Comedy LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 115 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.
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Best in Show

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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.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek 03/07/2018
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. Go to Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media 10/14/2010
3/5
Hilarious and offbeat, but humor is pretty grownup. Go to Full Review Mark Bourne Film.com 02/08/2008
...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. Go to Full Review Rachel Wagner Hallmarkies Podcast Mar 23
one of the best comedies ever made. Go to Full Review Chance Solem-Pfeifer Willamette Week 01/22/2025
A great Guest movie depends on his massive casts entertaining across the board, and Best in Show hits a sweet spot where a half-dozen members of his recurring troupe... project all their insecurities and obsessions onto their nonplussed animals. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 06/17/2021
1.5/4
...often feels much, much longer than its 90 minutes... Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Andrew B @DrewPanda 2d The final evolution of childless adults See more Allen R @AL_SeesALotOfMovies 4d Top form mockumentary! See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch 4d Best in Show is a mockumentary about a national dog show, featuring a large ensemble cast. Catherine O’Hara shines with her comedic timing, but she isn’t the central focus, leaving some viewers wanting more of her. The screenplay juggles numerous eccentric characters and storylines, which creates humor but often feels chaotic and uneven. The improvisational dialogue lands at times, yet the back-and-forth between contestants, dogs, and backstage antics can make the narrative feel disjointed. While the film has clever jokes and standout moments, the pacing and sheer number of characters dilute the overall impact. It’s funny, unique, and culturally notable, but not fully engaging for everyone, especially those unfamiliar with the mockumentary style. See more John W. @JackW344 4d One of my favorite movies of all time. There's a great mix of quiet chuckles, big laughs, and sly innuendo. The characters are genuine and multi dimensional. The script does not disappoint. See more Coleen A. @Cocoma 5d Had to watch this twice to catch everything. Hilarious! See more S S. @sherishark 6d Hillarious mockumentory See more Read all reviews
Best in Show

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Cast & Crew

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Christopher Guest

Director

Michael Hitchcock

Hamilton Swan

Parker Posey

Meg Swan

Eugene Levy

Gerry Fleck

Catherine O'Hara

Cookie Fleck

Christopher Guest

Harlan Pepper

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Best in Show

Gerry Fleck (Eugene Levy) and his wife Cookie (Catherine O'Hara) with their prize winning Norwich Terrier, Winky. Harlan Pepper (Christopher Guest) prepares his Bloodhound, Hubert for the Mayflower Kennel Club dog show. Yuppie lawyers Meg and Hamilton Swan (Parker Posey and Michael Hitchcock) ready themselves to show their dog at the Mayflower Kennel Club. Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) and professional dog handier Scott Donlon (John Michael Higgins) with their Shih Tzus, Tyrone and Miss Agnes. Director Christopher Guest behind the camera on the set of "Best In Show. Ace dog handler Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch) holding two-time Mayflower Kennel Club champion Rhapsody In White with Rhapsody's owner Sherri Ann Ward Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge). Poster Art Best in Show (2000) Best in Show (2000) Best in Show (2000) View more photos

Movie Info

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)
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