When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Kernel Score: 83% · 4,507 ratings · Rated R
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Released: 1989-07-12
Runtime: 96 minutes
Is When Harry Met Sally... worth watching?
Must-watch. Still the benchmark for the friends-to-lovers comedy. The talk is sharp, the New York setting is lovely, and Crystal and Ryan are funny and believable as two people who keep missing what's in front of them.
Watch it if you
- want a romcom driven by conversation, not contrivance
- like warm, witty New York stories
- enjoy a film that's actually about how friendships work
Skip it if you
- dislike talky films with little action
- want a modern take on dating
Best for: Date night
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch When Harry Met Sally...
- Stream: Fubo, Paramount+
- Rent: Apple TV
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Sex always gets in the way of friendships between men and women. At least, that's what Harry Burns believes. So when Harry meets Sally Albright and a deep friendship blossoms between them, Harry's determined not to let his attraction to Sally destroy it. But when a night of weakness ends in a morning of panic, can the pair avoid succumbing to Harry's fears by remaining friends and admitting they just might be the perfect match for each other?
When Harry Met Sally... parents' guide: ages 15+
Parents need to know that When Harry Met Sally... is an R-rated romantic comedy about a long friendship complicated by sexual tension, including frank sexual dialogue.
- Sex, romance & nudity: Moderate — Includes frank sexual dialogue and a notable comedic scene involving a fake orgasm in a public diner.
- Language: Some — Contains some adult language typical of an R-rated 1980s romantic comedy.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official R rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like When Harry Met Sally...
If you liked When Harry Met Sally..., these are the movies we'd watch next.
- The Apartment (1960) — 91%: Another sharp, bittersweet New York romantic comedy built on great dialogue.
- Love, Rosie (2014) — 86%: Best friends who take years to see what everyone else sees.
- Roman Holiday (1953) — 87%: Classic, charming romance with two leads you root for.
- Flipped (2010) — 88%: Gentle story of two people seeing each other differently over time.
- La La Land (2016) — 90%: Romantic comedy-drama with real feeling beneath the charm.
- Love, Simon (2018) — 89%: Warm, funny, sincere romance with plenty of heart.
Director
Cast
- Billy Crystal as Harry Burns
- Meg Ryan as Sally Albright
- Carrie Fisher as Marie
- Bruno Kirby as Jess
- Steven Ford as Joe
- Lisa Jane Persky as Alice
- Michelle Nicastro as Amanda
- Gretchen Palmer as Stewardess
- Robert Alan Beuth as Man on Aisle
- David Burdick as 9 Year Old Boy
When Harry Met Sally... FAQ
Is When Harry Met Sally... worth watching?
Must-watch. Still the benchmark for the friends-to-lovers comedy. The talk is sharp, the New York setting is lovely, and Crystal and Ryan are funny and believable as two people who keep missing what's in front of them.
Where can I watch When Harry Met Sally...?
In the US you can stream When Harry Met Sally... on Fubo and Paramount+ and rent it from Apple TV.
Is When Harry Met Sally... OK for kids?
When Harry Met Sally... is rated R. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 15+. Parents need to know that When Harry Met Sally... is an R-rated romantic comedy about a long friendship complicated by sexual tension, including frank sexual dialogue.
What movies are like When Harry Met Sally...?
If you liked When Harry Met Sally..., try The Apartment, Love, Rosie, Roman Holiday and Flipped.