Meg Ryan’s acting career began in the 80s when she landed a role in the TV series As the World Turns. Her career would, of course, take off once she landed a role in the 1986 movie Top Gun. After the success of the Tom Cruise movie, she would go on to star in several blockbusters, ceementing her status as a leading actress in the industry and a household name.

Most notably, Ryan made a name for herself starring in romantic comedies and effectively became known as one of the biggest rom-com actresses of all time. Alongside her comedic work, Ryan also starred in more serious roles throughout the 90s and early-2000s. From Top Gun to When Harry Met Sally, here are her best movies.

8 Restoration

     Miramax

Restoration was released in 1995 and is a historical drama which focuses on young physician Merivel (Robert Downey, Jr.) who finds a friend in King Charles II (Sam Neil), which leads do a reckless life until he falls in love with the king’s mistress (Polly Walker). He is then banished from the King’s court; however, he finds love again with Meg Ryan’s character, Katherine. The film won Oscars for Art Direction and Costume Design, and it’s a unique role in Ryan’s career that is well worth a watch.

7 Top Gun

     Paramount Pictures

Top Gun was released in 1986 and is now a classic, becoming one of the most iconic films in history with instantly recognizable pop culture moments. The film focuses on Maverick (Tom Cruise), and Ryan plays Carole Bradshaw, the wife of Maverick’s best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards). Ryan’s role was small, however, she made an impression on audiences and professionals alike, which would lead to her being cast in much larger roles thereafter. Notably, Ryan’s Carole was missing from the recently released sequel Top Gun: Maverick. According to Cinema Blend, the director’s decision lies in the fact that the film was a Maverick-focused journey.

6 Courage Under Fire

     Davis Entertainment

Courage Under Fire was released in 1996 and tells the story of Lieutenant Colonel Serling (Denzel Washington), who is haunted by a deadly mistake from his past and is tasked with determining if Captain Karen Emma Walden (Ryan) is deserving of the Medal of Honor. Her character died after following a rescue mission that ended in disaster, and the film focuses on the mystery that surrounds her death. We see her only in flashbacks, and her story is portrayed differently depending on who tells it. Ryan received positive reviews for her performance.

5 City of Angels

     Regency Enterprises

City of Angels is a fantasy film which sees Ryan star opposite Nicolas Cage. Cage plays an angel, Seth, who falls in love with Maggie (Ryan), and he must decide if he wants to retain his immortal status as an angel or live life as a human to be with the woman he loves. The film was a big success at the box office in 1998, and Ryan delivers a charming performance.

4 You’ve Got Mail

     The Donners' Company

Ryan teamed up with Tom Hanks in 1998 with the release of You’ve Got Mail. The plot centers on Kathleen Kelly (Ryan), who owns a small family bookstore, which is in danger of closing when Joe Fox (Hanks) opens a much larger bookstore nearby. The two become rivals, with each being unaware they are also each other’s internet pen pal. We see their relationship develop online as their real-life one becomes heated. The film was very well received among audiences and critics.

3 Sleepless in Seattle

     TriStar Pictures

Sleepless in Seattle was released in 1993 and demonstrates another successful collaboration between Ryan and Tom Hanks. Hanks stars as Sam, who is still in the process of grieving over the death of his wife. He then calls into a radio show to discuss his feelings, which prompts several women to reach out to him, including Annie (Ryan) who encourages him to meet her. The entire movie is about his son’s efforts to encourage the pair to meet, making for a moving love story in which both actors delivered excellent performances.

2 Innerspace

     Amblin Entertainment

Innerspace was released in 1987, and Ryan starred in this shortly after she found success through Top Gun. The plot focuses on pilot Lt. Tuck Pendleton (Dennis Quaid), who is miniaturized and accidentally implanted into hypochondriac Jack Putter (Martin Short) following an attack by a rival organization. When he realizes what is going on, he calls for the help of Tuck’s former girlfriend Lydia (Ryan) and they all embark on a mission to bring down the enemy. The film underperformed at the box office, however demonstrates Ryan’s talents well and, per Den of Geek, is an overall underrated film.

1 When Harry Met Sally…

     Columbia Pictures

When Harry Met Sally… is a classic film that was released in 1989 and focuses on two characters, Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Ryan), who discuss whether men and women can ever be just friends. They then embark on a journey that sees them discover that friends can make the best partners. The film has one of the most iconic scenes in film history in which Ryan delivers a fake orgasm, and it truly cemented her place as a figure forever to be remembered in cinema history.