Meg Ryan (born November 19, 1961) is an American actress, producer, and director. She began her acting career in 1981 when she made her acting debut in the drama film Rich and Famous. She later joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns in 1982. She began to appear in supporting roles in films during the mid-1980s like box office hit Top Gun, achieving recognition in independent films such as Promised Land (1987) before her performance in the Rob Reiner-directed romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989) brought her widespread attention and her first Golden Globe nomination. She subsequently established herself, both nationally and internationally, as one of the most successful actresses in the 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in romantic comedy films such as When Harry Met Sally (1989), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), Prelude to a Kiss (1992), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), French Kiss (1995), You've Got Mail (1998), and Kate & Leopold (2001). Her other films include Top Gun (1986), Innerspace (1987), The Doors (1991), Anastasia (1997), When a Man Loves a Woman (1994), Courage Under Fire (1996), Addicted to Love (1997), City of Angels (1998), Proof of Life (2000), Against the Ropes (2004), and The Women (2008). In 2015, she made her directorial debut with Ithaca, in which she also starred. In 1995, critic Richard Corliss called her "the current soul of romantic comedy." Multiple film critics and media outlets have cited her as one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination. She was married to actor Dennis Quaid (1991-2001), and they have a son, Jack. In 2000, she became romantically involved with actor Russell Crowe while working on their film Proof of Life. In January 2006, she adopted a 14-month-old girl from China whom she named Daisy True. She was in a relationship with American singer-songwriter John Mellencamp (2010-2014). They reunited in 2017, and announced their engagement on November 8, 2018. In October 2019, it was reported that she had ended their engagement.
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Biography from TMDB.
- November 19, 1961 (64)
- Fairfield, Connecticut, USA
- Actor and producer, also director and writer
- 48 on MovieCove · 57 credits in all
What are Meg Ryan's films like?
Across their 40 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.
Genres
Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.
Themes
What they feel like to watch
Ironic 1 · Wry 2 · Earnest 36
A split, not a type: Light 20 · Serious 8 · Dark 12
Grounded 27 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 4
Gentle 13 · Charged 19 · Intense 8
A split, not a type: Steady 18 · Shifting 16 · Whiplash 6
Straight-faced 15 · Some laughs 18 · Funny 7
A split, not a type: Slow burn 24 · Even-paced 14 · Relentless 2
A split, not a type: Casual 20 · Engaged 16 · Full focus 4
A split, not a type: Easy watch 16 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 12
Resolved 29 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 4
Roles they play
Usually the Hero: 13 of 25 analyzed roles.
Show the 25 rolesHide the roles
- Allyas Maggie Cavanaugh in Armed and Dangerous (1986)
- Allyas Sydney Fuller in D.O.A. (1988)
- Heroas Sally Albright in When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
- Allyas DeDe in Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
- Allyas Rita Boyle in Prelude to a Kiss (1992)
- Heroas Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
- Allyas Kay Davies in Flesh and Bone (1993)
- Heroas Alice Green in When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)
- Heroas Kate in French Kiss (1995)
- Tricksteras Maggie in Addicted to Love (1997)
- Heroas Anastasia in Anastasia (1997)
- Heraldas Dr. Maggie Rice in City of Angels (1998)
- Heroas Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail (1998)
- Heroas Eve in Hanging Up (2000)
- Shapeshifteras Alice Bowman in Proof of Life (2000)
- Heroas Kate McKay in Kate & Leopold (2001)
- Heroas Frannie Avery in In the Cut (2003)
- Heroas Jackie Kallen in Against the Ropes (2004)
- Mentoras Sarah Hardwicke in In the Land of Women (2007)
- Threshold guardianas Martha Durand in My Mom's New Boyfriend (2008)
- Heroas Mary Haines in The Women (2008)
- Allyas Deidre Hearn in The Deal (2008)
- Heroas Louise in Serious Moonlight (2009)
- Threshold guardianas Mrs. Macauley in Ithaca (2015)
- Heroas Willa in What Happens Later (2023)
Moods and endings
- Happy17
- Bittersweet16
- Tragic1
- Ambiguous6
AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.
Where can I watch Meg Ryan's films?
As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.
- Addicted to Love (1997) · actor · free
- Hurlyburly (1998) · actor · free
- Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) · actor · free
- Desert Saints (2002) · producer · free
- Promised Land (1987) · actor · free
- The Deal (2008) · actor · free
- Ithaca (2015) · actor, director · free
- My Mom's New Boyfriend (2008) · actor · free
- Amityville 3-D (1983) · actor · free
- Howdy, show their 11 titles on Howdy
- Lionsgate+, show their 2 titles on Lionsgate+
- FOX One, show their title on FOX One
- Magnolia Selects, show their title on Magnolia Selects
- MovieSphere+, show their title on MovieSphere+
- Shout! TV, show their title on Shout! TV
- Sony Pictures Core, show their title on Sony Pictures Core
Subscription and free streaming for Meg Ryan's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.
Filmography
57 credits, 48 with a MovieCove page; 26 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.
What Happens Later(2023)
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
Fan Girl(2015)
Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films
Ithaca(2015)
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Web Therapy(2011)
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows
Serious Moonlight(2009)
Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films
The Deal(2008)
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Web Therapy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)
My Best Friend's Girl(2008)
Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films
The Women(2008)
Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
My Mom's New Boyfriend(2008)
Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films
In the Land of Women(2007)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Against the Ropes(2004)
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
In the Cut(2003)
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all filmsThe Terry and Gaby Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)
Desert Saints(2002)
Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films
Kate & Leopold(2001)
Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films
The Wedding Planner(2001)
Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films
Proof of Life(2000)
Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films
Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
Lost Souls(2000)
Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films
Hanging Up(2000)
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films
Hurlyburly(1998)
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films
You've Got Mail(1998)
Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films
Northern Lights (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)
City of Angels(1998)
Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films
Anastasia(1997)
Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films
Addicted to Love(1997)
Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films
E! True Hollywood Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)
Courage Under Fire(1996)
Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films
Restoration(1995)
Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films
French Kiss(1995)
Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films
I.Q.(1994)
Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films
When a Man Loves a Woman(1994)
Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films
Flesh and Bone(1993)
Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films
Sleepless in Seattle(1993)
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
Prelude to a Kiss(1992)
Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films
The Doors(1991)
Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows
Joe Versus the Volcano(1990)
Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films
The Simpsons(1989)
Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows
When Harry Met Sally...(1989)
Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films
Live with Kelly and Mark(1988)
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all shows
The Presidio(1988)
Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films
D.O.A.(1988)
Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films
Promised Land(1987)
Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films
Innerspace(1987)
Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films
Armed and Dangerous(1986)
Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films
Top Gun(1986)
Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films
Wildside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)
Charles in Charge(1984)
Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows
Amityville 3-D(1983)
Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films
Nature(1982)
Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows
Amy and the Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)
Rich and Famous(1981)
Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films
Good Sex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
How I Met Your Dad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Rabbit Ears: Goldilocks and the Three Bears (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)
Career shape
Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles, 54 of them dated from 1981 to 2023; peak year 1997.
Biggest box office
You've Got Mail (1998)
Highest rated
When Harry Met Sally... (1989)
Most popular right now
You've Got Mail (1998)
Film career
Peak 1997 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 29 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.
- 1981Screen debut· Rich and Famous
- 1989Golden Globe nomination· When Harry Met Sally...
- 1990Career best· Captain Planet and the Planeteers
- 1993First top-billed film· Sleepless in Seattle
- 1993Golden Globe nomination· Sleepless in Seattle
- 1994Screen Actors Guild Award nomination· When a Man Loves a Woman
Show 2 more milestonesShow fewer
- 1997Career best· Anastasia
- 1998Golden Globe nomination· You've Got Mail
Billing
Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.
Awards
5 major nominations and no wins, 1989–1999.
- Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
- Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
- Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
- Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
- Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Female Lead
Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.
How do Meg Ryan's films land?
Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 41; across their 40 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.
- 75th and up9
- 50th to 74th9
- 25th to 49th19
- Below 25th11
Shape of the crowd
21 of their 48 titles are Mixed.
- Universally Loved4
- Universally Panned1
- Divisive1
- Crowd Pleaser14
- Broadly Agreed7
- Mixed21
Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 39 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.
Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.
Is Meg Ryan's work okay for kids?
Across up to 26 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and frightening / intense run lighter than most films.
Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.
Who does Meg Ryan work with?
People who share at least 2 of Meg Ryan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tom Hanks shares the most, 5.
Directors
- Nora EphronShared titles: Hanging Up (2000), You've Got Mail (1998), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), When Harry Met Sally... (1989)See all 4 shared titles with Nora Ephron
- Michael HoffmanShared titles: Restoration (1995), Promised Land (1987)See all 2 shared titles with Michael Hoffman
Writers
- Delia EphronShared titles: Hanging Up (2000), You've Got Mail (1998), Sleepless in Seattle (1993)See all 3 shared titles with Delia Ephron
Actors
- Tom HanksShared titles: There's Something About Romcoms (2016), Ithaca (2015), You've Got Mail (1998), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)See all 5 shared titles with Tom Hanks
- Dennis QuaidShared titles: Flesh and Bone (1993), D.O.A. (1988), Innerspace (1987)See all 3 shared titles with Dennis Quaid
- Hugh GrantShared titles: There's Something About Romcoms (2016), Restoration (1995)See all 2 shared titles with Hugh Grant
- Bill SageShared titles: Fan Girl (2015), Desert Saints (2002)See all 2 shared titles with Bill Sage
Composers, cinematographers and editors
- James Newton HowardShared titles: French Kiss (1995), Restoration (1995), Promised Land (1987)See all 3 shared titles with James Newton Howard
- Andrew DunnShared titles: Ithaca (2015), Addicted to Love (1997)See all 2 shared titles with Andrew Dunn
- David BrennerShared titles: Kate & Leopold (2001), The Doors (1991)See all 2 shared titles with David Brenner
- Garth CravenShared titles: Restoration (1995), When a Man Loves a Woman (1994)See all 2 shared titles with Garth Craven
Producers
- Nina R. SadowskyShared titles: Desert Saints (2002), The Wedding Planner (2001), Lost Souls (2000)See all 3 shared titles with Nina R. Sadowsky
- Bob WeinsteinShared titles: Kate & Leopold (2001), Addicted to Love (1997), Restoration (1995)See all 3 shared titles with Bob Weinstein
- Harvey WeinsteinShared titles: Kate & Leopold (2001), Addicted to Love (1997), Restoration (1995)See all 3 shared titles with Harvey Weinstein
- James W. SkotchdopoleShared titles: The Women (2008), Sleepless in Seattle (1993)See all 2 shared titles with James W. Skotchdopole
Mixed roles
- Lawrence KasdanShared titles: In the Land of Women (2007), French Kiss (1995)See all 2 shared titles with Lawrence Kasdan
- Rob ReinerShared titles: Sleepless in Seattle (1993), When Harry Met Sally... (1989)See all 2 shared titles with Rob Reiner
