7 Enduring Secrets Of 'When Harry Met Sally' Revealed 35 Years Later (And The 2025 Reunion)

Few films define a genre quite like When Harry Met Sally…, the 1989 romantic comedy masterpiece that set the gold standard for every "friends-to-lovers" story that followed. As of December 18, 2025, the film continues to dominate cultural conversations, not just for its quotable dialogue and iconic New York City backdrop, but due to a wave of recent revelations surrounding its 35th anniversary and a surprising new reunion project.

The enduring chemistry between Billy Crystal’s cynical Harry Burns and Meg Ryan’s high-strung Sally Albright remains timeless. Director Rob Reiner and writer Nora Ephron crafted a narrative that is still debated and celebrated today, prompting the cast and crew to share fresh, decades-old secrets about the film’s creation, its famous ending, and its lasting cultural impact on modern relationships.

The Complete Cast & Crew: A Legacy of Rom-Com Royalty

The success of When Harry Met Sally… is rooted in the perfect collaboration of its core creative team and a legendary ensemble cast. The film’s legacy is a testament to the genius of its writer, director, and stars, many of whom have shared new insights into the production for its 35th anniversary.

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• Title: When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
• Genre: Romantic Comedy (Rom-Com)
• Director: Rob Reiner (Also known for The Princess Bride and Stand by Me)
• Writer: Nora Ephron (Also wrote Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail)
• Harry Burns: Billy Crystal
• Sally Albright: Meg Ryan
• Marie: Carrie Fisher (The late actress was a close friend of Nora Ephron)
• Jess: Bruno Kirby (Kirby, who passed away in 2006, provided the perfect foil to Crystal’s Harry)
• Musical Talent: Harry Connick Jr. (The film launched his career; he recently reflected on its impact for the 35th anniversary)
• Iconic Setting: Katz’s Delicatessen in New York City

7 Enduring Secrets and Fresh Revelations from the Set

The film’s 35th anniversary in July 2024 brought a flurry of retrospective interviews, revealing details about the script, the iconic scene, and the surprising alternate ending that was originally planned. These secrets provide a deeper appreciation for the rom-com genre's benchmark.

1. The Iconic Ending Was Changed Because of True Love

One of the most significant recent revelations is that director Rob Reiner originally intended for Harry and Sally not to end up together. The initial script concluded with the two characters parting ways, reinforcing the film’s central question about whether men and women can truly be just friends.

However, Reiner met his future wife, Michele Singer, during the film’s production. This new relationship, and the happiness it brought him, inspired Reiner to change the ending to the now-famous, optimistic New Year's Eve declaration of love.

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2. Billy Crystal Ad-Libbed the Film’s Most Famous Line

The famous line, "I'll have what she's having," spoken by Estelle Reiner (Rob Reiner's mother) immediately after Sally's fake orgasm scene at Katz’s Deli, was not in Nora Ephron's script. Billy Crystal is credited with suggesting the line to Rob Reiner, who then asked his mother to deliver it. This piece of on-set improvisation became one of the most quoted lines in cinematic history.

3. Harry Connick Jr.'s Career Was Launched by the Soundtrack

Jazz musician Harry Connick Jr., who provided the film’s classic, Grammy-winning soundtrack, recently reflected on the film’s impact on his life for the 35th anniversary. Reiner and Ephron specifically sought a classic, crooner sound to evoke a timeless New York feel, and Connick Jr.’s arrangements of standards like "It Had to Be You" perfectly captured the mood, making him an overnight sensation.

4. The Real-Life Couples Were an Ephron Trademark

The short, documentary-style interviews interspersed throughout the film, featuring elderly couples telling their stories of how they met, were a signature touch by Nora Ephron. These segments were filmed separately and were meant to ground the fictional love story in the reality of enduring relationships. They serve as a powerful narrative device, adding emotional depth and topical authority to the film’s exploration of love.

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5. Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal Recently Reunited at Katz's Deli

In a major piece of current news, Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal reprised their roles for a 2025 Super Bowl commercial for Hellmann’s mayonnaise. The ad was filmed at the iconic Katz’s Delicatessen, the site of the legendary "I'll have what she's having" scene. This reunion, decades after the film's release, generated massive buzz, proving the characters' lasting appeal.

6. The Film Popularized the "Friends-to-Lovers" Trope

While the concept existed before, When Harry Met Sally… is widely credited with popularizing and perfecting the "friends-to-lovers" narrative trope in modern media. The film’s detailed, decade-long timeline, showing Harry and Sally’s repeated, awkward, and evolving encounters, raised the bar for on-screen "meet-cutes" and realistic relationship development, cementing its position as a genre-defining work.

7. The Dialogue Was Based on Real-Life Experiences

Nora Ephron’s script was heavily influenced by the lives of the director and writer. Harry’s cynical views on relationships were largely based on Rob Reiner’s experiences following his divorce. Sally’s precise, sometimes irritating, mannerisms—such as her specific coffee order or her coldness when the temperature hits 71 degrees—were drawn from Ephron's own life. This blend of personal experience gave the dialogue its authentic, relatable, and enduring quality.

The Enduring Cultural Impact of a Simple Love Story

More than three decades later, the film’s influence is undeniable. It remains a staple of the romantic comedy genre and a cultural touchstone. Its success lies in its ability to articulate the universal anxieties and complexities of modern relationships, particularly the dynamic between male and female friendships.

The New York City Backdrop as a Character

New York City is not just a setting; it is an essential character in the film. The scenes of Harry and Sally wandering through The Met, strolling through autumnal Central Park, and navigating the city’s streets capture an aspirational, sophisticated adult life. The city's energy mirrors the constant motion and uncertainty of their relationship, from their first awkward drive to their final, perfect declaration.

Why the Chemistry Still Resonates

Billy Crystal recently reflected on his "fantastic chemistry" with Meg Ryan, attributing the success to their easy, natural rapport. Their performances captured a genuine vulnerability and wit, making the characters feel like people the audience knew. The film’s focus on conversation and intellectual connection, rather than just physical attraction, ensures its relevance in a world constantly discussing the nuances of friendship, sex, and love.

The film’s 35th anniversary and the recent 2025 reunions of the cast prove that the question—"Can a man and a woman truly be just friends?"—is one we are still asking. The answer, as Harry and Sally eventually discovered, is complicated, messy, and ultimately, one of the most satisfying conclusions in cinema history.