Why When Harry Met Sally . . . Is the Perfect Romantic Comedy

No movie explores the question of friendships between men and women quite like When Harry Met Sally . . . — the ultimate will-they-or-won't-they romantic comedy. The film turns 25 this month, but more than two decades later, it's recognized as one of the best onscreen love stories of all time. Beyond the fun back-and-forth chemistry between Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, the movie is also loved for its unforgettable one-liners. From "I'll have what she's having" to "I would be proud to partake of your pecan pie," the film is packed with quotable moments, including those from one of the final, swoon-worthy scenes: "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." To celebrate the film's anniversary, look back on the famous love story to remember why it's such a perfect romantic comedy!

01
It's Not Love at First Sight
Columbia Pictures

It's Not Love at First Sight

02
But There's a Lot of Charming Banter From the Get-Go
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But There's a Lot of Charming Banter From the Get-Go

03
Harry Says a Lot of Big, Important Things
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Harry Says a Lot of Big, Important Things

04
And They Realize They're Very, Very Different
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And They Realize They're Very, Very Different

05
Bottom Line: They're Just Friends
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Bottom Line: They're Just Friends

06
Later, There's More Witty Banter
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Later, There's More Witty Banter

08
Through It All, Sally's Just . . . "OK"
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Through It All, Sally's Just . . . "OK"

09
But She Knows Exactly What She Wants
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But She Knows Exactly What She Wants

10
Like, EXACTLY What She Wants
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Like, EXACTLY What She Wants

11
And She Doesn't Try to Hide It
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And She Doesn't Try to Hide It

12
Harry and Sally Ease Into More of a Friendship
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Harry and Sally Ease Into More of a Friendship

13
And Their Worlds Blend Together
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And Their Worlds Blend Together

15
And Sally Turns to Harry When She's Sad
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And Sally Turns to Harry When She's Sad

16
She Feels Absolutely Hopeless
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She Feels Absolutely Hopeless

17
And There's a Lot of Ugly Crying
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And There's a Lot of Ugly Crying

18
And Then WHOA They Cross the "Just Friends" Line
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And Then WHOA They Cross the "Just Friends" Line

19
Spoiler Alert: That Doesn't End Well
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Spoiler Alert: That Doesn't End Well

20
But Harry Has an Epiphany and Finds Sally on New Year's Eve
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But Harry Has an Epiphany and Finds Sally on New Year's Eve

22
And Sally Doesn't Even Know How to React
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And Sally Doesn't Even Know How to React

23
Seriously, He Says So Many Perfect Things It's Almost Unbelievable
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Seriously, He Says So Many Perfect Things It's Almost Unbelievable

24
Sally Can't Even, Because Ohmygod
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Sally Can't Even, Because Ohmygod

25
But, You Guys, It's Love! It's Real Love!
Columbia Pictures

But, You Guys, It's Love! It's Real Love!

Twelve years and three months after meeting, they live happily ever after. PERFECTION.