“When Harry Met Sally” is a romantic comedy film directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1989. The movie follows the lives of two friends, Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan), who encounter each other multiple times over the course of several years. As they navigate through their respective romantic relationships, they develop a close friendship, but wonder if men and women can truly just be friends.
One of the primary themes of the movie is the exploration of love and relationships, particularly the idea that men and women have different perspectives on romance. The film also tackles the question of whether or not it is possible to maintain a platonic friendship with someone of the opposite sex. Additionally, “When Harry Met Sally” touches on themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and the fear of vulnerability.
The film’s popularity can be attributed to several factors, including the witty and clever dialogue, the relatable characters, and the chemistry between the lead actors. The movie’s portrayal of the ups and downs of modern romance has resonated with audiences for over three decades. Additionally, the iconic scene in which Sally fakes an orgasm in a crowded restaurant has become a cultural touchstone, often referenced in popular media.
Other interesting facts about the film include that the screenplay was written by Nora Ephron, who drew inspiration from her own personal experiences, and that the movie was initially intended to be more of a drama than a comedy. Despite its humble beginnings, “When Harry Met Sally” has gone on to become a beloved classic, ranking as one of the most popular romantic comedies of all time.
- “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993) – Another romantic comedy directed by Nora Ephron, this film follows the story of a young boy who calls into a radio show to find a new wife for his widowed father.
- “You’ve Got Mail” (1998) – This movie, also directed by Nora Ephron, tells the story of two business rivals who unknowingly fall in love with each other online.
- “Serendipity” (2001) – This romantic comedy follows the story of two strangers who meet by chance and fall in love, but are unable to find each other again until years later.
- “The Notebook” (2004) – This classic romance film tells the story of a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s, but are separated by war and class differences.
- “500 Days of Summer” (2009) – This romantic comedy-drama follows the nonlinear story of a man who falls in love with a woman who doesn’t believe in love.
- “Before Sunrise” (1995) – This film follows the story of two strangers who meet on a train and spend one magical night together in Vienna before going their separate ways.
- “La La Land” (2016) – This modern musical tells the story of a struggling actress and a jazz pianist who fall in love in Los Angeles while pursuing their dreams.
- “Notting Hill” (1999) – This romantic comedy tells the story of a bookstore owner who falls in love with a famous Hollywood actress.
- “The Holiday” (2006) – This romantic comedy follows the story of two women who swap homes for the holidays and unexpectedly find love in their new surroundings.
1. “Sleepless in Seattle” (1993)
“Sleepless in Seattle” is a romantic comedy film directed by Nora Ephron and stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The movie tells the story of Sam Baldwin (Tom Hanks), a widowed father who moves to Seattle with his son, Jonah (Ross Malinger). Sam’s son calls a radio talk show to help him find a new wife for his father, and thousands of women respond, including Annie Reed (Meg Ryan). Despite the distance between them, Annie becomes obsessed with Sam and travels to Seattle to meet him. As their paths cross, they are both struck by the undeniable chemistry they share.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “Sleepless in Seattle” explores the themes of love and the idea that true love can happen at any age. Both films feature witty and charming dialogue, relatable characters, and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses more on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “Sleepless in Seattle” places more emphasis on the concept of fate and destiny.
2. “You’ve Got Mail” (1998)
Directed by Nora Ephron, “You’ve Got Mail” is a romantic comedy starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The movie follows the story of two business rivals, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan), who unknowingly fall in love with each other online through email exchanges. However, in the real world, they are competitors in the book industry, with Joe planning to open a new bookstore that will put Kathleen’s small independent bookstore out of business. As they get to know each other online, they struggle to reconcile their growing feelings with their real-life animosity towards each other.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “You’ve Got Mail” explores the themes of romance and the idea that love can be found in unexpected places. Both films also feature charming and witty dialogue, relatable characters, and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” deals with the challenges of maintaining a platonic friendship, “You’ve Got Mail” explores the challenges of falling in love with someone you initially dislike.
3. “Serendipity” (2001)
“Serendipity” is a romantic comedy film directed by Peter Chelsom and stars John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. The movie tells the story of two strangers, Jonathan (John Cusack) and Sara (Kate Beckinsale), who meet by chance in New York City and feel an instant connection. However, they both have significant others and decide to leave their relationship to fate. Over the years, they try to reconnect with each other, but life always seems to get in the way. Despite their best efforts, they never forget about each other and are eventually reunited by fate.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “Serendipity” explores the themes of love and the idea that fate can bring people together. Both films feature charming and relatable characters, witty dialogue, and explore the question of whether men and women can just be friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” explores the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “Serendipity” explores the power of destiny and the idea that true love can withstand the test of time and distance.
4. “The Notebook” (2004)
“The Notebook” is a romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes and stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. The movie tells the story of Allie Hamilton (Rachel McAdams) and Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), two young lovers from different social classes who fall in love in the 1940s. Their love is challenged by Allie’s parents, who disapprove of their relationship, and the outbreak of World War II, which separates them for years. Despite their challenges, they reunite years later and their love is rekindled.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Notebook” explores the themes of love and the idea that true love can conquer all obstacles. Both films feature relatable characters and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “The Notebook” focuses more on the obstacles and challenges that true love can face.
5. “500 Days of Summer” (2009)
“500 Days of Summer” is a romantic comedy-drama directed by Marc Webb and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. The movie tells the story of Tom Hansen (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Summer Finn (Zooey Deschanel), who meet at work and fall in love. However, their relationship takes a turn for the worse when Summer reveals that she doesn’t believe in love and that she doesn’t want a serious relationship. Tom struggles to move on from Summer and reflects on the highs and lows of their relationship.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “500 Days of Summer” explores the themes of love and the idea that relationships can be complicated. Both films feature relatable characters and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “500 Days of Summer” explores the challenges and heartbreak of falling in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same way.
6. “Before Sunrise” (1995)
“Before Sunrise” is a romantic drama directed by Richard Linklater and stars Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The movie tells the story of Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), two strangers who meet on a train in Europe and decide to spend a day together in Vienna. Over the course of the day, they get to know each other and fall in love. However, they know that their time together is limited, as Jesse is due to catch a flight back to the United States the next morning.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “Before Sunrise” explores the themes of love and the idea that relationships can be fleeting. Both films feature relatable characters and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “Before Sunrise” explores the idea of falling in love in a short amount of time and the impact that such a relationship can have on a person.
7. “La La Land” (2016)
“La La Land” is a musical romantic comedy-drama directed by Damien Chazelle and stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. The movie tells the story of Mia Dolan (Emma Stone), an aspiring actress, and Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling), a jazz pianist, who meet and fall in love in Los Angeles. They navigate their careers and relationship while pursuing their dreams and facing the challenges of the entertainment industry.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “La La Land” explores the themes of love and the pursuit of happiness. Both films feature relatable characters and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “La La Land” explores the challenges of maintaining a romantic relationship while pursuing individual passions and dreams.
8. “Notting Hill” (1999)
“Notting Hill” is a romantic comedy directed by Roger Michell and stars Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. The movie tells the story of William Thacker (Hugh Grant), a bookstore owner, and Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), a famous actress, who meet and fall in love in Notting Hill, London. They navigate their different lifestyles and the challenges that come with being in a high-profile relationship.
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “Notting Hill” explores the themes of love and the challenges that come with being in a romantic relationship. Both films feature relatable characters and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “Notting Hill” explores the challenges of being in a relationship with someone who is in the public eye.
9. “The Holiday” (2006)
“The Holiday” is a romantic comedy directed by Nancy Meyers and stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black. The movie tells the story of two women, Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz), who swap homes for the holidays and find love in unexpected places. Iris falls for a widowed composer, Miles (Jack Black), while Amanda falls for a charming book editor, Graham (Jude Law).
Similar to “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Holiday” explores the themes of love and the pursuit of happiness. Both films feature relatable characters and the exploration of the question of whether men and women can be just friends. However, while “When Harry Met Sally” focuses on the progression of a friendship into a romantic relationship, “The Holiday” explores the idea of finding love in unexpected places and the impact that a change of scenery can have on a person’s life.
Here’s a table with the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores of the following movies:
| Movie Title | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| When Harry Met Sally | 7.6 | 90% |
| Sleepless in Seattle | 6.8 | 75% |
| You’ve Got Mail | 6.6 | 69% |
| Serendipity | 6.9 | 58% |
| The Notebook | 7.8 | 53% |
| 500 Days of Summer | 7.7 | 85% |
| Before Sunrise | 8.1 | 100% |
| La La Land | 8.0 | 91% |
| Notting Hill | 7.1 | 83% |
| The Holiday | 6.9 | 47% |