Meg Ryan is undisputedly the queen of romantic comedy movies.
During her career, the 61-year-old starred in multiple iconic rom-coms like Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally.
And now, after an eight year long hiatus, Meg is set to return to the big screen in a new rom-com, titled What Happens Later.
The film, which was also directed by Meg, was released in cinemas on November 2, 2023 and follows Meg’s character Willa: a woman who finds herself snowed in and stuck at an airport with her ex-lover Bill, played by David Duchovny.
“I feel like this is really a love story with romantic comedy elements. You know, it has banter, has some of those things, but then it takes turns I think you might not necessarily expect,” Meg said of What Happens Later during an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered.
In honour of Meg’s return to acting, we’ve rounded up our favourite Meg Ryan movies of all time and where to watch them.
When Harry Met Sally
Director: Rob Reiner
Starring: Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Release: 1989
Arguably, When Harry Met Sally is one of the greatest rom-coms of all time. Written by Nora Ephron (who was also behind Meg’s two other hugely successful rom-coms You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle), the film follows two friends of the opposite sex: Harry and Sally.
Ultimately, with some clever dialogue, witty one-liners and phenomenal performances, the film explores whether a man and woman can be friends without sex getting in the way…
Where to watch: When Harry Met Sally is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Stream now on Prime Video with a 30-day free trial. Subscribe here.
You’ve Got Mail
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Greg Kinnear
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Release: 1998
In You’ve Got Mail, Meg plays Kathleen Kelly – the owner of a small independent bookshop who slowly begins to fall for a man she met and frequently talks to online. However, unbeknownst to Kathleen, is that the virtual man of her dreams is actually Joe Fox, the owner of a bookstore mega-franchise who’s trying to put her out of business.
This film reunited Meg and Tom – the pair starred in the 1993 film Sleepless in Seattle – and their chemistry is simply magic.
Where to watch: You’ve Got Mail is available to stream on BINGE. Stream now on BINGE with a 7-day free trial. Subscribe here.
Anastasia
Director: Don Bluth, Gary Goldman
Starring: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Christopher Lloyd
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Release: 1997
Is this film technically an animated kids film? Yes. But it’s still incredibly riveting and honestly, one of our favourite Meg Ryan movies of all time.
Meg voices the titular character Anastasia, and yes, the film is loosely based on the tragic true story of The Russian Imperial Romanov family. We highly recommend Anastasia for your next family movie night, not only because the kids will love it, but because you will too!
Where to watch: Anastasia is available to stream on Disney+. Stream now on Disney+ with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Sleepless in Seattle
Director: Nora Ephron
Starring: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Release: 1993
It’s a classic for a reason; Sleepless in Seattle is simply a must-watch. If you’re one of the few people on this planet who’ve never seen it, the film follows widowed Sam Baldwin who suddenly finds himself somewhat famous after his 8-year-son Jonah calls a national radio talk show and reveals on-air that his biggest wish is for his dad to find love and happiness.
One of the many listeners who hears Sam and Jonah’s tale is Annie; an engaged newspaper writer who begins to question everything…
Where to watch: Sleepless in Seattle is available to stream on Foxtel Now. Stream now on Foxtel Now with a mth-to-mth no lock-in contract. Subscribe here.
Kate & Leopold
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Meg Ryan, Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Release: 2001
Before he was Wolverine, Hugh Jackman played Leopold, an English Duke from 1876, opposite Meg’s Kate, a modern day businesswoman, in this sweet rom-com.
Essentially, Leopold inadvertently time travels to 2001 from the 1800s but soon falls in love with Kate… This movie may have received lukewarm reviews upon its release, but we think it’s well worth revisiting.
Where to watch: Kate & Leopold is available to stream on 10Play.
