Meg Ryan as Sally Albright in "When Harry Met Sally..."Columbia Pictures
- Meg Ryan has starred in dozens of movies throughout her career, including many iconic romantic comedies.
- Some of her best known rom-coms include "When Harry Met Sally" and "You've Got Mail."
Whether she's bickering with Tom Hanks in the checkout line of a Zabar's in "You've Got Mail," or proudly faking an orgasm over a pastrami sandwich during a lunch with Billy Crystal in "When Harry Met Sally," Meg Ryan is the undisputed queen of romantic comedies.
Ryan has appeared in nearly a dozen romantic comedies throughout her career. She later took a bit of a break from rom-coms and acting in general. She returns to the genre in the 2023 romantic comedy "What Happens Later" (which she also directed and co-wrote), starring opposite David Duchovny.
Here are all of Ryan's rom-coms, including her latest, ranked by critics from worst to best.
"My Mom's New Boyfriend" (2008)
Meg Ryan in "My Mom's New Boyfriend." Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Rotten Tomatoes score: No critics' score available. One review called it "an unmitigated disaster" and it currently has a 29% audience score.
After Marty (Ryan) finds her sense of purpose again after being widowed, her budding romance with a potential art thief causes tension between her and her son, an FBI agent.
"I.Q." (1994)
Tim Robbins and Meg Ryan in "I.Q." Paramount Pictures
Rotten Tomatoes score: 43%
Set in the 1950s, "I.Q." follows Catherine (Ryan), a doctoral student who's relentlessly pursued by Ed, a mechanic (Tim Robbins) after they meet in a garage. Helping things along are Albert Einstein (who is, incidentally, Catherine's uncle and played by Walter Matthau in the movie), and Einstein's scientist friends, all of whom have taken a liking to Ed.
"French Kiss" (1995)
Kevin Kline and Meg Ryan in "French Kiss." Twentieth Century Fox
Rotten Tomatoes score: 48%
An American named Kate (Ryan) confronts her preconceived notions of French people, a cheating fiancé, and a petty criminal named Luc (Kevin Kline) in the 1995 film "French Kiss." Of course, this being a rom-com means that Kate and Luc, the small-time con artist, start to develop feelings for each other as well.
"Kate & Leopold" (2001)
Hugh Jackman and Meg Ryan in "Kate & Leopold." Miramax
Rotten Tomatoes score: 52%
Hugh Jackman plays Leopold, a 19th-century duke who, upon inadvertently time-traveling to the 21st century, begins a relationship with a thoroughly modern woman, Kate (Ryan). Complicating things is the fact that Kate's ex-boyfriend (Liev Schreiber) is Leopold's descendant, and the time-travel may alter their current reality if Leopold doesn't return in time.
"Addicted to Love" (1997)
Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan in "Addicted to Love." Warner Bros.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 55%
Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan star in this late '90s rom-com about two people desperate to get their respective ex-partners (who are now dating each other) back. After a contentious first meeting, Sam (Broderick) and Maggie (Ryan) decide to team up in their efforts to ruin the new relationship, but soon realize that they might have feelings for one another now, too.
"What Happens Later" (2023)
Meg Ryan and David Duchovny in "What Happens Later." Bleecker Street Media
Rotten Tomatoes score: 56%
Ryan stars in, directs, and also co-wrote this wintry rom-com, which marks her return to the genre. The beloved actress plays Willa, a dreamer who becomes stranded in an airport with her ex, Bill (David Duchovny). As they brave the storm together, they realize they might still have feelings for one another.
"Prelude to a Kiss" (1992)
Meg Ryan and Alec Baldwin in "Prelude to a Kiss." Twentieth Century Fox
Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
This 1992 film, based on a 1988 play of the same name by Craig Lucas, is equal parts "Freaky Friday" as it is romantic-comedy: During her wedding to Peter (Alec Baldwin), free-spirited Rita (Ryan) somehow trades bodies with a wandering old man named Julius (Sydney Walker). The rest of the film sees Peter and Rita (in Julius' body) attempt to reverse the switch while also ruminating on life and loss.
"Joe Versus the Volcano" (1990)
Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in "Joe Versus the Volcano." Warner Bros.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 67%
Before they were bickering in "You've Got Mail," Ryan and Tom Hanks starred in "Joe Versus the Volcano" together. The absurdist rom-com follows a chronically ill man (Hanks) who thinks he's finally close to death. After accepting a suicide mission from a wealthy businessman, however, Joe gets involved with the businessman's daughter (Ryan).
"You've Got Mail" (1998)
"You've Got Mail" was directed by Nora Ephron. Warner Bros.
Rotten Tomatoes score: 70%
The chemistry between Hanks and Ryan is just too good in this beloved rom-com, which follows a local bookstore owner (Ryan) as she inadvertently connects with her business rival (Hanks) — the heir to a Barnes and Noble-type bookstore chain — in an anonymous chatroom. Their growing attraction online belies their real-life squabbles (including an argument at the Zabar's checkout line), and when the truth is revealed, the two are forced to reckon with their feelings.
"Sleepless in Seattle" (1993)
Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger, and Tom Hanks in "Sleepless in Seattle." TriStar Pictures
Rotten Tomatoes score: 75% (certified fresh)
Ryan and Hanks reunite in this beloved rom-com, which follows a journalist named Annie (Ryan) as she attempts to connect with a recent widower, Sam (Hanks). Unbeknownst to both of them, Sam's son (Ross Malinger) is determined to help guide the romance along, culminating in a truly romantic meeting between the three of them at the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day.
It lacks the yearning of "When Harry Met Sally," but it's always a treat to see Ryan and Hanks fall in love onscreen — even though they spend most of this movie separated.
"When Harry Met Sally" (1989)
Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally." Columbia Pictures
Rotten Tomatoes score: 91% (certified fresh)
Few rom-coms are as iconic as Rob Reiner's 1989 film "When Harry Met Sally," penned by Nora Ephron, and starring Ryan and Billy Crystal. Whether it's Sally triumphantly faking an orgasm while out to lunch with Harry at Katz's Deli (yes, we will have what she's having), or Harry running through the wintry streets of New York on New Year's Eve to tell Sally he loves her, there's just something about this film that tugs at the heartstrings.
Plus, Carrie Fisher gives viewers an outstanding supporting performance as Sally's friend Marie, and the ending scene is sure to have you in happy tears.