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3 Reasons Why You Have to Watch 1989 Hit With 89% RT Score This New Year’s Eve

3 Reasons Why You Have to Watch 1989 Hit With 89% RT Score This New Year’s Eve
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It’s that time of year again—New Year’s Eve! You’ve probably got your party plans, your playlist queued up, and and you’re probably thinking about what movie to watch while you wind down before the countdown begins.

So, why not go for a classic? If you’re looking for a movie that will leave you smiling, laughing, and maybe even feeling a bit nostalgic, then When Harry Met Sally… is the perfect choice. It’s one of the most iconic romantic comedies out there and for good reason.

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright and Billy Crystal as Harry Burns sitting in a bar in When Harry Met Sally...
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally… (Credits: Columbia Pictures)

With incredible performances from Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the movie has everything you could ask for. So, if you want to ring in 2025 with a heartwarming film, keep reading to discover three reasons why When Harry Met Sally… is the perfect pick for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

Harry and Sally’s timeless love without technology

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright and Billy Crystal as Harry Burns walking in When Harry Met Sally....
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally… (Credits: Columbia Pictures)

In today’s world, love’s just a swipe away—texts, FaceTimes, DMs. But When Harry Met Sally…? It’s old school. No phones, no Tinder, no emojis. Just honest, face-to-face connection. And honestly, it’s kind of refreshing.

Their love story is beautiful in its simplicity. Harry and Sally first cross paths on a car ride from Chicago to New York—no distractions, just two strangers talking. A few years later, they run into each other at the airport, still no tech in sight.

Their bond grows not through endless texts, but through real conversations over dinners, phone calls, and late-night chats. It’s real, human connection—something we’re kind of missing now.

They connect over shared experiences, slowly falling in love with each other and the world around them. In a time when tech often makes things feel distant, When Harry Met Sally… reminds us that love is best when it’s slow, steady, and face-to-face.

Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s perfect chemistry in When Harry Met Sally

Meg Ryan as Sally Albright and Billy Crystal as Harry Burns in When Harry Met Sally....
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally… (Credits: Columbia Pictures)

If you think Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan have the rom-com game on lock, think again. Billy Crystal steps up, giving Hanks a run for his money. As Harry Burns, he’s funny, charming, and unexpectedly vulnerable. His comedic timing is spot-on, but there’s a depth to him that makes Harry feel real, not just the “loveable goof.”

Meg Ryan nails Sally Albright effortlessly. She’s awkward yet graceful, independent but open to love. It’s like watching two best friends share dreams, secrets, and endless laughs. And the chemistry? Pure magic.

Together, Crystal and Ryan create a dynamic that’s hard to beat. Their banter feels like you’re eavesdropping on an actual conversation between two people who’ve known each other for years. The way they exchange glances and have each other’s backs feels so natural, you can’t help but cheer for them.

When Harry Met Sally… features the best New Year’s Eve scene

Billy Crystal as Harry Burns and Meg Ryan as Sally Albright in When Harry Met Sally....
Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally… (Credits: Columbia Pictures)

Ah, the New Year’s Eve scene in When Harry Met Sally…—the moment we all knew was coming, but were still 100% rooting for. After 12 years of will-they-won’t-they, Harry finally gets it: he’s madly in love with Sally. And wow, what a moment it is.

He rushes to find her, arriving just before midnight. Sally’s unsure at first, but Harry can’t hold back. He tells her everything he loves about her. Then, just as the clock strikes, they share the perfect kiss.

But it’s not just the kiss. It’s the journey to get there. Over the movie, Harry and Sally go from strangers to friends, then to something more. There’s magic in how their relationship unfolds, with the perfect New Year’s Eve setting.

In the end, we’re all here for this sweet moment. Harry and Sally finally get their happily-ever-after. And honestly, it’s totally worth the wait.

Sure, When Harry Met Sally… might set the bar high for New Year’s parties, but it’s totally worth it. After all, there’s no better way to start the year than with a life-changing kiss in the middle of a New Year’s celebration. Who wouldn’t want that?

When Harry Met Sally… is available to watch on Apple TV!

Frequently asked questions

Who stars in When Harry Met Sally… and who directed it?

When Harry Met Sally… stars Billy Crystal as Harry Burns and Meg Ryan as Sally Albright, with Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby as their best friends. The 1989 romantic comedy was directed by Rob Reiner from a screenplay by Nora Ephron and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Why is When Harry Met Sally… considered a great New Year’s Eve movie?

It builds to one of cinema’s most beloved New Year’s Eve moments: after years of will-they-won’t-they friendship, Harry rushes to find Sally just before midnight and confesses everything he loves about her, sharing a kiss as the clock strikes. The article points to that scene, the leads’ chemistry, and the film’s pre-smartphone, face-to-face romance as the reasons to watch it on New Year’s Eve.

How well-reviewed is When Harry Met Sally…?

It is widely regarded as one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made and remains a critical favorite, with a Rotten Tomatoes critics score in the high 80s. Reviewers especially praise Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan’s chemistry and Nora Ephron’s sharp, observational script.

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