Xuenou > Featured > Meg Ryan’s New Movie — Her First Rom-Com In 14 Years — Just Released A Trailer, And Everyone Is Already So Excited
Meg Ryan’s New Movie — Her First Rom-Com In 14 Years — Just Released A Trailer, And Everyone Is Already So Excited
Meg Ryan's New Movie — Her First Rom-Com In 14 Years — Just Released A Trailer, And Everyone Is Already So Excited,Meg Ryan said she took inspiration from her late friend and collaborator Nora Ephron when it came to directing <i>What Happens Later</i>, her first starring role in a rom-com since 2009.

Meg Ryan’s New Movie — Her First Rom-Com In 14 Years — Just Released A Trailer, And Everyone Is Already So Excited

I think it’s safe to say that Meg Ryan is one of the undisputed queens of the romantic comedy genre. I mean, when talking about CLASSIC rom-coms, chances are you mention one that Meg starred in.

Warner Bros / Everett Collection

But, after a string of movies, especially in the 2000s, Meg largely stepped back from starring in films and turned to directing and producing projects. Her last role was in 2015 when she starred in and directed Ithaca, with her last rom-com being Serious Moonlight in 2009.

Magnolia Pictures / Everett Collection

So, it’s no surprise that people have been clamoring for her next project, with many turning to rewatch When Harry Met Sally… the minute fall comes around in celebration of “Meg Ryan fall” — I am one of those people.

Columbia Pictures

And now, Meg is finally back with her newest rom-com titled What Happens Later, which she also directed and co-wrote.

Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

Starring alongside David Duchovny, What Happens Later follows Willa (Ryan) who ends up snowed in at an airport alongside her ex-love Bill (Duchovny), who she hasn’t seen in years.

Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

As Willa and Bill unpack their mutual past and compare their current lives to the dreams they once shared together, they begin to wonder if their reunion is just a coincidence, or something much more enchanted.

Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

The movie is about second chances, lost love, reuniting with someone who might’ve been “the one,” and more, which are honestly the hallmark qualities of an incredible romantic comedy. I mean, we’ve got exes trapped at an airport together, people. ROM-COM GOLD.

Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

Before we get into Meg talking about the movie and what fans are saying, you can watch the full trailer below:


Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

Also, she took inspiration from Nora, saying, “Nora Ephron used to say about rom-coms that they were really a secretly incredible delivery system to comment on the times, and we do that in this movie.”

Warner Bros / Everett Collection

In terms of returning to acting as well, Meg Ryan told Carol Burnett in a conversation with Interview magazine, “Truly, the easiest part was acting in it. I want to direct again just so I can sit in the chair, because I’m sure there’s a lot of things I missed. I hadn’t done a role in a really long time, but it was fun with David.”

Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

She continued, saying, “A lot of it was done in two shots. I’m proud of that. I set up everything beforehand so that once we were there, it was just David and I trying to tell the truth.”

Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

Meg explained that they had a limited budget and filmed “over the course of 21 nights.”

Just from the trailer alone, people cannot get enough of Meg’s return to the genre she basically owns. Here are some of the best reactions:

The first day of Fall is when Meg Ryan announces a new romantic comedy.

— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) August 30, 2023Lynda Carter

Did not fully grasp the enormity of the void left by not having Meg Ryan in new rom coms until we got this glimpse of Meg Ryan in a new rom com. Snowed in! At an airport! With an old flame! https://t.co/rpa1fGXZCc

— Ashley Spencer (@AshleySpencer) August 30, 2023Ashley Spencer / Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

Meg Ryan is coming to save Hollywood with her new romcom pic.twitter.com/axypVutayL

— asta (@lollasta) August 30, 2023@lollasta / Bleecker Street / Via Twitter: @lollasta

Meg Ryan to rom-com fans; pic.twitter.com/0G1azXGikw https://t.co/RwWHi48f8K

— Just Amal (@bigmac_00) August 30, 2023@bigmac_00 / Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

Oh baby I am seaTED!!!! Romcoms are BACK baby! https://t.co/IqBW6XBM0K

— Meech (@MediumSizeMeech) August 30, 2023@MediumSizeMeech / Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

a new meg ryan romcom!? in theaters?? https://t.co/hpAFjHcRLP pic.twitter.com/degcuu8Lq2

— Telly Savalas Truths™ (@TheDouggernaut) August 30, 2023@TheDouggernaut / Bleecker Street / Via youtu.be

What Happens Later hits theaters on Oct. 13.

And you can read Meg’s entire interview alongside Carol Burnett for Interview magazine here.