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September 10, 2026Sources cited
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When Harry Met Sally...

When Harry Met Sally...

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

When Harry Met Sally... is a 1989 American romantic comedy film directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron. Starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, it follows two friends over many years as they explore whether men and women can be “just friends.”

Premise

The story begins with Harry and Sally meeting after graduating from the University of Chicago and sharing a drive to New York City. Over time, they repeatedly encounter each other as their lives, relationships, and careers evolve.

Production

The film was directed by Rob Reiner from a screenplay by Nora Ephron. It was produced in the United States and released in 1989.

Themes

The film examines friendship, romance, and the possibility of platonic relationships between men and women. Its dialogue-driven structure helped define its place in romantic comedy history.

Reception and legacy

When Harry Met Sally... became one of the best-known romantic comedies of its era. It is frequently cited for its sharp writing, performances, and memorable set pieces.

Key facts

  • The film follows Harry Burns and Sally Albright from their first meeting after college through a series of reunions over more than a decade.
  • Its central theme is the question of whether men and women can maintain a strictly platonic friendship.
  • The film is set largely in New York City after the characters first travel from Chicago to New York together.
  • It was written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner.
  • The film is widely regarded as a notable romantic comedy and is remembered for several iconic scenes.
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Canadian context

The film has long been widely available to Canadian audiences through theatrical, television, and home-video distribution, and it remains a familiar reference point in Canadian popular culture and film criticism.

Frequently asked questions

What is When Harry Met Sally... about?
It is about two people whose friendship develops over many years as they debate whether men and women can be just friends.
Who directed When Harry Met Sally...?
The film was directed by Rob Reiner.
Who wrote the screenplay?
The screenplay was written by Nora Ephron.
Who stars in the film?
The main roles are played by Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, with Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby in supporting roles.
When was it released?
It was released in the United States on July 21, 1989.
What genre is it?
It is a romantic comedy.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/
    Supports: Release year, release date, country of origin, and basic premise.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098635/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot outline and opening setup involving the drive from Chicago to New York.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/When-Harry-Met-Sally
    Supports: Film identification, director, writer, cast, themes, and legacy.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/when_harry_met_sally
    Supports: Plot synopsis and romantic-comedy premise.
  5. FilmAffinity — https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film540481.html
    Supports: Director, screenwriter, year, runtime, and genre.