25 of the most swoon-worthy romance movies of all time
By Amy Kaplan
When Harry Met Sally
Who would have ever thought that Billy Crystal would be a leading man in anyone’s personal favorite rom-com of all time? But I cry everytime Harry gives Sally the speech on New Year’s Eve, “I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
I can’t. I just can’t.
It’s quite possibly the most romantic line in any movie I have ever seen. No “best of” list could be complete without this ’80s romance that proves first impressions are not always right. Not to mention this flick has one of the most famous movie scenes of all time. You know it… where Sally fakes an orgasm in a very crowded roadside diner to prove to Harry that he really doesn’t know if he’s ever really pleased a woman. CLASSIC.
Just in case you aren’t familiar with the plot (have you been living under a rock?!) the film begins with Harry and Sally driving from Chicago to New York together (having never met) kinda hating each other and then parting at the end of the trip. Little did they know, they’d begin running into each other over the years (at the airport, a bookstore, etc.) and forming a friendship based on their completely opposite outlooks on love. It’s your classic meet-cute. Of course, Harry screws it all up and then has to fight to get Sally’s friendship back and in the process realizes he’s loved her all along. AWWWWWWW.
Fun Fact: Meg Ryan stars in THREE of my most romantic movies, more than any other actor (When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail and Sleepless in Seattle).
Release date: July 1989