When Harry Met Sally...

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When Harry Met Sally...

R

Released Jul 12, 1989

1h 35m

Romance

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

88%

Tomatometer

129 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them.

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Critics Consensus

Rob Reiner's touching, funny film set a new standard for romantic comedies, and he was ably abetted by the sharp interplay between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan.

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David Robinson

The Times (UK)

Rob Reiner's direction is feather-light, precisely paced and with fine appreciation of the sharp New Yorkisms of the dialogue.

Jul 12, 2024

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Henry Mietkiewicz

Toronto Star

When Harry Met Sally... excels in its dead-on representation of gentle, intimate, everyday truths.

Jul 12, 2024

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Lynden Barber

Sydney Morning Herald

A witty adult comedy whose dissection of sexual mores and relationships between the sexes manages to be delightfully old-fashioned and utterly contemporary in one stroke.

Jul 12, 2024

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Noah Berlatsky

Everything is Horrible (Substack)

When Harry Met Sally hangs its romance on two of the least appealing main characters Hollywood has ever commanded audiences to embrace.

Aug 22, 2025

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Cameron Ritter

InSession Film

It’s a perfect movie, the pinnacle of Meg Ryan’s career, and the only thing I think about when thinking about Billy Crystal.

Rated: A+

Jul 25, 2024

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Dan DiNicola

The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY)

Enhanced by a dreamy mood and a quintessentially American score, When Harry Met Sally has some deft, witty observations about the nature of male-female relationships in our time.

Jul 12, 2024

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Mary

I loved the characters, the superb acting, and the beautiful love story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/17/24

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Nim T

The movie was a great romantic comedy that I was not aware. Billy Crystal's talent was superb because he was able to present his characteristics of humor with speed and precision. The chemistry he had with Meg Ryan going from acquaintances to a couple was filled with clear transitions with a timeline and good usage of updating their different lives. I was surprised to see that Carrie Fisher was cast in the film. She brought a good supporting essence in promoting the relationship between Harry and Sally. The romance and physical intimacy that the two main characters did not feel overboard, but passionate. The usage of Katz's Deli brings the importance of Brooklyn as a good place to produce high-quality films. I liked the old movies due to the great story, along with simplicity and freedom for creativity.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/25

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Noah S

They don’t make em like this anymore.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/21/25

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Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 35 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! In memory of Carrie Fisher (October 21st, 1956-December 27th, 2016)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $90,400,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/03/25

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Bob Z

Looks so boring. Something about email or something.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

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Ann D

when harry met sally is my favorite movie because it just gets it. it’s not trying too hard to be a grand love story. it just is. the dialogue is sharp. the chemistry is effortless. every scene feels like a conversation i’ve either had or want to have. it’s funny without forcing it. romantic without being cheesy. actually says something about relationships instead of just going through the motions. i love how it doesn’t rush. harry and sally take their time. figuring themselves out. messing things up. coming back together in a way that feels real. the whole can men and women really just be friends debate. classic. but what really makes it work is how they grow. how love sneaks up on them instead of being this immediate. all consuming thing. also meg ryan’s outfits. perfect. the autumn in new york vibes. immaculate. that diner scene. iconic. it’s the kind of movie that makes me believe in love. but in a way that feels grounded. it’s not about soulmates or fate. it’s about timing. friendship. really knowing someone.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/18/25

Full Review

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Rob Reiner

Director

Billy Crystal

Harry Burns

Meg Ryan

Sally Albright

Carrie Fisher

Marie

Bruno Kirby

Jess

Steven Ford

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Synopsis

In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them.

Director: Rob Reiner
Producer: Rob Reiner, Andrew Scheinman
Screenwriter: Nora Ephron
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Castle Rock Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 12, 1989, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 28, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $90.4M
Runtime: 1h 35m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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