When Harry Met Sally...
"Can two friends sleep together and still love each other in the morning?"
In this late 1980s New York romance, two longtime friends with opposite views on dating strike up a connection that tests the idea that men and women can simply stay friends. Harry, a cynic about lasting love, and Sally, an optimistic realist, argue and banter as their lives cross through decades... Read more
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Streaming availability last verified: January 30, 2026
About When Harry Met Sally...
In this late 1980s New York romance, two longtime friends with opposite views on dating strike up a connection that tests the idea that men and women can simply stay friends. Harry, a cynic about lasting love, and Sally, an optimistic realist, argue and banter as their lives cross through decades of coffee shop talks, road trips, and failed relationships. The pair keep circling back to each other, weighing whether their chemistry can coexist with a steady friendship. Their witty exchanges, shared misadventures, and evolving trust create a portrait of modern dating that fuses humor with genuine emotion without rushing to a tidy ending. The film traces their evolving closeness over the years. Love and friendship endure across time together.
Released in 1989 and directed by Rob Reiner, this picture stems from an original screenplay by Nora Ephron. It features Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in the lead, with Carrie Fisher among a memorable supporting cast that still resonates today.
With a budget of 16 million, the film earned a worldwide gross of 92,823,546, proving a strong performer and helping establish its enduring popularity in the romantic comedy genre. Its success boosted careers and influenced later writers and directors worldwide.
The movie redefined how rom coms handle friendship and romance, balancing sharp humor with real emotions. It contributed lasting moments and scenes that echo in pop culture, especially a famous cafe moment and the idea that good love can grow from true friendship. Its influence still colors modern dating scenes.
Critics praised Ephron's crisp dialogue and Reiner's balance of humor and warmth. The film looks at how attraction tests friendship and how couples negotiate honesty, compromise and timing in busy city life, inviting audiences to reflect on love that grows from friendship. Audiences embraced its warmth and humor across generations.
What Viewers Are Saying
People still call it a timeless rom com with Harry and Sally's chemistry carrying most of the momentum and the Katz's Delicatessen diner moment sticking in the memory. Fans praise the sharp banter and the way the film hops through time to show their friendship turning into romance. But a chunk of viewers find it a bit too talky and slow in places, with long stretches of dialogue dragging even when Crystal and Ryan have undeniable charm.
Details
- Release Date
- July 12, 1989
- Runtime
- 1h 36m
- Rating
- R
- User Ratings
- 4,461 votes
- Type
- Movie
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance, Drama
- Country
- United States
- Studio
- Castle Rock Entertainment +1 more
- Budget
- $16,000,000
- Box Office
- $92,823,546
- External Links
- View on IMDB
Official Trailer
Cast
Billy Crystal
Harry Burns
Meg Ryan
Sally Albright
Carrie Fisher
Marie
Bruno Kirby
Jess
Steven Ford
Joe
Lisa Jane Persky
Alice
Michelle Nicastro
Amanda
Gretchen Palmer
Stewardess
Robert Alan Beuth
Man on Aisle
David Burdick
9 Year Old Boy
Director: Rob Reiner
Written by: Nora Ephron