When Harry Met Sally...
When Harry Met Sally... is a 1989 American romantic comedy directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron. It stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, with Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby. The story follows Harry Burns and Sally Albright as they meet in Chicago and, over twelve years of chance encounters in New York, explore love, friendship, and the big question: can men and women ever just be friends?
The film opens with Harry and Sally after college, sharing a drive to New York and debating whether men and women can be friends. They part ways with a tense goodbye, convinced they’ll never cross paths again. Five years later they run into each other on a flight, and then again in New York, where they attempt a friendship while watching each other’s dating lives and learning from their past relationships. A couple of late-night conversations and a New Year’s Eve kiss deepen their connection, but their relationship is complicated by lingering feelings.
Over the years, Harry and Sally circle each other as friends, setting up their friends with other people and testing the boundaries of platonic love. After a chaotic wedding, a night of sex, and some awkward moments, their friendship cools. At a New Year’s Eve party, Harry declares his love for Sally, leading to a decision to be together. They marry three months later, twelve years after their first meeting.
Production notes reveal that Ephron drew on real-life conversations and the longtime friendship between Reiner and Crystal to shape the dialogue and scenes. Sally’s character was inspired by Ephron and her friends. A famous moment occurs at Katz’s Delicatessen when Sally fakes an orgasm, ending with the iconic line, “I’ll have what she’s having.” The movie also features a score by Harry Connick Jr., whose big-band arrangements helped shape the film’s jazzy feel; his soundtrack earned him a Grammy.
When Harry Met Sally... opened with a platform release, then expanded nationwide. It became a critical and commercial hit, grossing about $193 million worldwide on a $16 million budget. It holds a high score on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised by critics for the chemistry between Crystal and Ryan, as well as Ephron’s sharp, witty screenplay. The film has left a lasting mark on the romantic comedy genre, influencing many later movies and producing enduring lines and moments.
The film’s legacy includes a 2004 stage adaptation and its selection for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2022, recognizing its cultural and historical significance. It remains a beloved, influential example of contemporary romantic comedy.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 06:30 (CET).