When it comes to romantic comedies of the 1990s, there’s one name that defines the genre: Meg Ryan. Once dubbed “America’s Sweetheart,” the actress was the go-to leading lady because she brought comfort, ease, and joy to the screen in every role. Working opposite some extraordinary leading men, Ryan transformed herself, embodying the character and melting you into a puddle of happiness.
Throughout her career, she has found herself starring in some of the world’s most beloved projects. Even with some smaller parts in her early career, including that of Carole Bradshaw in Top Gun, she established herself as a star on the rise. She’s been a part of some of cinema’s biggest moments on screen, including many a kiss with Tom Hanks and the infamous Katz’s Deli scene from When Harry Met Sally. Now, we’re here to celebrate her body of work by honoring her 10 greatest films.
10
‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ (1994)
Meg Ryan and in When a Man Loves a Woman sitting beside each otherImage via Buena Vista Productions
Though most fans of Meg Ryan remember her fondly from her funny parts, she took a turn for the dramatics in When a Man Loves a Woman. Alice Green (Ryan) is a wife and mother of two who has developed a severe drinking problem. While her husband, Michael (Andy Garcia), has been patient in dealing with her issues, it is suddenly revealed that he has been enabling her alcoholism. After joining a rehab clinic when her addiction threatens her children’s safety, her return home causes a marital rift that causes some soul-searching for the couple. Showcasing the complex dynamics of a marriage marred by addiction, When a Man Loves a Woman pushed Ryan to one of her strongest dramatic performances.
Ryan took on the role with much care and consideration, allowing Alice’s journey not to be simplified as other stories about addiction do. When a Man Loves a Woman allows viewers to witness Michael’s recovery from Alice’s recovery. The script offers a mature, authentic depiction of a family in crisis that refuses to take the easy way out. There is a natural evolution that culminates in a touching final scene, led beautifully by Ryan’s poignant speech about how addiction took a toll on everyone.
9
‘Anastasia’ (1997)
Anastasia, voiced by Meg Ryan, looks confused as snow falls in the animated film Anastasia.Image via 20th Century Studios
With Disney dominating the 90s with animated films, 20th Century Fox desperately tried to get into the action with their own animated division. For their debut animated feature, they tried their hand at a historical fantasy story set in an alternate 1926 Russia. Anastasia explored the life of the amnesiac Anastasia Romanov as she embarks on a journey to discover her past. Seeing how Disney successfully courted Hollywood stars for their voice cast, 20th Century Fox played their cards and welcomed a star-studded cast, including Meg Ryan in the titular role. She was joined by John Cusack as Dmitri, Kelsey Grammer as Vlad, Christopher Lloyd as Rasputin, Hank Azaria as Bartok, Angela Lansbury as Maria Fedorovna, and Berndette Peters as Sophia Stanislovskievna Somorkov-Smirnoff.
Though historians criticized the film’s fantastical retelling, it was well received, becoming an instant competitor with the House of Mouse. Through dazzling color and a whirlwind of whimsy, Anastasia introduced a new type of fairy-tale princess. Taking on the 18-year-old girl, Ryan found the ability to craft the character in a manner of nuance. Anastasia tapped Broadway composing team Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens to pen the songs. With some classic songs that rivaled Disney, Ryan did not sing her own songs. The singing voice was provided by stage star Liz Callaway.
8
‘Innerspace’ (1987)
Meg Ryan in ‘Innerspace’Image via Warner Bros.
Before she became the romcom queen, Meg Ryan explored the world of science fiction comedy thanks to the 1987’s Innerspace. Inspired by the 1966 film Fantastic Voyage, the Joe Dante-directed film follows Lieutenant Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid), a scientifically miniaturized marine, who finds himself floating around the body of a hypochondriac named Jack Putter (Martin Short), as he tries to outwit saboteurs who want the device that shrank him. Thieves try to retrieve the little man inside the tiny submersible, only to have their attempts thwarted when Tuck takes control inside Jack.
It’s a zany, manic sci-fi romp that is every bit hilarious as it is charming, all thanks to Short’s brilliant slapstick work. Ryan plays Lydia Maxwell, a reporter and the girlfriend of Tuck. She plays her part well, going along with the antics. The film is significant for Ryan not only as one of her first big films, it’s where she met Quaid, whom she would go on to marry in 1991. Filled with visual effects that might make you giggle today, Innerspace actually won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects over Predator in 1987.
7
‘Joe Versus the Volcano’ (1990)
Meg Ryan as Dede and Tom Hanks as Joe smiling and looking ahead in Joe Versus the Volcano.Image via Warner Bros.
When it comes to Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, Joe Versus the Volcano is where it all began. Written and directed by John Patrick Stanley, Joe Versus the Volcano follows Joe Banks, a hypochondriac office worker who believes his life is not worth living. When he learns that he has a “brain cloud,” and has six months to live. He accepts an offer from eccentric millionaire Samuel Harvey Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges) to live in luxury for a short time before he must jump into a volcano as a human sacrifice to appease a volcano god on a remote island. Along the way, he falls in love with Patricia, the millionaire’s daughter, giving himself a new lease on life, finally learning to embrace it.
Bringing an absurdist yet whimsical lens to diving into the exploration of life and death, Joe Versus the Volcano strays from realistic storytelling in favor of a magical, fairy-tale journey. A screwball comedy of the time, there’s a goofy existential vision hidden way deep inside the film. Maybe even all the way inside the titular volcano. Though it’s easily the weakest of Hanks and Ryan’s three collaborations, their joy is present, which leads us to happily indulge in their next two films.
6
‘City of Angels’ (1998)
Meg Ryan leans against Nicolas Cage’s shoulder in City of Angels.Image via Warner Bros.
Not every Meg Ryan romantic film was a comedy. City of Angels was anything but. Starring Ryan and Nicolas Cage, the fantasy romantic drama follows Seth, a guardian angel, who becomes infatuated and falls in love with a human heart surgeon named Maggie. Longing for an experience in the human world, Seth, with the guidance of a man (Dennis Franz) who has already made the transition from immortality, considers giving up his immortality and his celestial duty to remain with her. A loose remake of the 1987 German film Wings of Desire by Wim Wenders, the film explores themes of love, mortality, faith, and sacrifice.
A film that requires an entire box of tissues, City of Angels tugs at your heartstrings despite its slightly formulaic storytelling. Cage does a remarkable job portraying a character learning the gamut of emotions humans experience. While we sometimes feel we can no longer feel things, Seth’s desire to emote is proof of the power of humanity. Ryan takes on a strong woman as a surgeon without falling into a damsel-in-distress stereotype. Playing a character in medicine, she offers a brilliant perspective on the intersection of faith and science. City of Angels is profound, even if a bit sappy. If there’s anything we should take away from this film, it’s Goo Goo Doll’s “Iris.” Yep, this is where we first heard the ’90s smash.
5
‘The Doors’ (1991)
Meg Ryan as Pam and Val Kilmer as Jim pose cheek-to-cheek on a street and look at the camera in The Doors.Image via TriStar Pictures
C’mon, baby, light my fire! Val Kilmer is literally the face of the poster for The Doors as Jim Morrison, but behind every great man is a fascinating woman. In this case, it’s Ryan as Pamela Courson. Taking a look at the titular American rock band’s influence on music and counterculture, the Oliver Stone-directed biopic chronicles Morrison’s rise from obscurity and culminates in his tragic final days. Though taking considerable artistic and creative license, it brings viewers behind the music to a story you thought you knew.
Though the film was met with criticism, Kilmer captured the essence of the band’s frontman. To prepare for the part, Ryan met with Courson and individuals who knew her. Her performance encapsulated Courson, though some of the film’s claimed accuracy—its dramatic moments, including her interactions with Patricia Kennealy (Kathleen Quinlan), and some of the graphic violence —were heightened for dramatic purposes.
4
‘Courage Under Fire’ (1996)
Matt Damon and Meg Ryan in matching uniforms look concerned at something off-screen in Courage Under Fire.Image via 20th Century Fox
Meg Ryan in a war drama? As she continued to establish herself as a bankable actress for romantic comedies, Edward Zwick took a chance on her bankability for Courage Under Fire. With the backdrop of the Gulf War, Courage Under Fire is the emotional and intriguing story of Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) after causing an accidental friendly fire incident. Following the war, Serling is assigned to investigate the death of Army Captain Karen Walden (Ryan), who was killed in action. As Serling interviews the members of Walden’s crew, he realizes their stories about the incident don’t add up.
Equally profound and intelligent, Courage Under Fire was an emotionally driven film that became a fascinating puzzle of emotion and logistics. Though Washington is the driving force behind the film, Ryan’s ease in transforming from heroic to cowardly depending on the story being recounted allowed her to stand out. By stepping out of her typical roles, Ryan showcased her dramatic acting prowess in a daring, demanding performance. Courage Under Fire is a worthy watch, offering viewers a chance to see a fledgling Matt Damon before his seismic rise in Hollywood.
3
‘You’ve Got Mail’ (1998)
Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) sit together on a park bench in New York in ‘You’ve Got Mail’ (1998)Image via Warner Bros.
Third time’s the charm! Perhaps my personal favorite film on this list, You’ve Got Mail is a film whose title used to greet you on a daily basis. Well, as long as you’re a millennial and above. Brought to life by Nora Ephron, You’ve Got Mail draws inspiration from the 1937 Hungarian play Parfumerie by Miklós László, which in turn inspired The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime, and the musical She Loves Me. Bringing the story to (at the time) the modern present, You’ve Got Mail tells the tale of Joe Fox (Hanks) and Kathleen Kelly (Ryan) who spark an online romance only to discover they are newfound business rivals. A sort of dissertation of love in an evolving technological age, You’ve Got Mail was another film that made you believe that love could survive anything.
If you examine this film as the final part of the Hanks-Ryan trilogy, it’s the most mature, showcasing the pair’s growth on screen. Because their chemistry had been tested twice before, there was a shorthand to their working relationship, allowing the love to be portrayed as the most authentic. For Ryan, You’ve Got Mail showcased a sense of finding comfort as the face of romantic comedies. She no longer played a naive, hopeless romance. She was grounded in confidence, putting Kathleen and her needs at the forefront. If you have a heart or love love, this film is simply delightful.
2
‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)
Meg Ryan as Sally and Billy Crystal as Harry having a meal in a diner in When Harry Met SallyImage via Columbia Pictures
Sure, When Harry Met Sally celebrates the evolution of a relationship, but really, the film is forever known for the infamous orgasm scene that you’ve been terrified that your dinner date might try to reenact in public. And yet, it’s one of the most memorable moments in cinema. That’s the brilliance of the Rob Reiner-directed, Nora Ephron-penned romcom. Sally Albright (Ryan) and Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) meet in Chicago and share a drive to New York City. Through the course of twelve years of chance encounters, the film makes you ponder: Do platonic relationships actually exist?
As a quintessential feel-good relationship chick flick, the story still rings true. We’ve all been in a situationship like our two leads, right? Yes! Yes! Yes! One of the most beloved films of all time, When Harry Met Sally was the romcom that put Ryan on the map as a romantic lead. Partially due to the brilliance of the character Ephron wrote, which earned her an Academy Award nomination, Ryan lifted the vibrant Sally off the page and into a recognizable wide-eyed woman with exuberance and flair. She’s a delight in this comedic role, proving she was meant to be a star.
1
‘Sleepless in Seattle’ (1993)
Image via TriStar PicturesImage via TriStar Pictures
Nora Ephron truly is a magician when it comes to romcom. At this point, we all have our favorites of the brilliant Ephron-Ryan, but there is something wonderfully enchanting about Sleepless in Seattle. The charming film follows journalist Annie Reed (Ryan), who becomes enamored with widowed architect Sam Baldwin (Hanks) when Sam’s son, Jonah (Ross Malinger), calls in to a talk radio program requesting a new partner for his grieving father. Easily one of the greatest romances in the history of cinema, Sleepless in Seattle brings hope that love is real. The light, melancholy film has become timeless, making you fizzle and bubble in retrospect.
Playing a woman who abandons her engagement to Walter (Bill Pullman) after believing fate and destiny are real, Ryan is affable in her part. There’s a sparkle in her eye as she explores her delicate affair. Sure, you may question her naivety of falling for a voice, but it’s the magical quality of making us believe in love that brings her performance in the film toward the top of her resume. Her chemistry with Hank’s is undeniable. They had extraordinary chemistry. No matter what they film together, it’s spectacular. You may find the story frustratingly too perfect, but Sleepless in Seattle is romance at its finest.
Sleepless In Seattle
Release Date
June 24, 1993
Runtime
105 Minutes
Director
Nora Ephron
Writers
Nora Ephron, David S. Ward, Jeff Arch
