If you’ve ever found yourself swooning over a sunlit kitchen (usually a little cluttered, but always in the form of chic appliances and home-cooke food), a flawlessly curated bookcase, or a perfectly imperfect love story, chances are you’ve stepped into the on-screen world of Nancy Meyers. The queen of warm, witty, and effortlessly stylish rom-coms, Meyers has been shaping our idea of romance and home for decades — and is responsible for some of our favourite comforting films, that we return to time and time again.
Now, news has broken that one of Meyers best-loved films, The Holiday is being adapted for television — but, much to our collective dismay, Meyers is not involved. If the thought of tampering with this forever feel-good sans the reigning queen of feel good films has you a little nervous, you're not alone. So why not delve into Meyers archives as consolation? Below, the must-watch Nancy Meyers movies that have defined her signature blend of humour, heart, and that irresistible eye for design.
1. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
This film is Nancy Meyers at her peak. It stars Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson as Harry, an eternal bachelor, and Erica, a recently-divorced playwright. Unsurprisingly, it's a story about unexpected love and romantic tension, as Harry and Erica find themselves inexplicably drawn together.
2. The Holiday (2006)
Maybe the most iconic holiday movie of the last two decades, The Holiday is basically a holiday in movie form. Two women swap homes — one in the English countryside, the other in LA — and find love in the most charming and unexpected ways. It's also one of our favourite casts to date, with Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black.
3. It’s Complicated (2009)
In 2009, Meyers delivered us a masterpiece starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin, as divorced couple who begin sleeping together. Making things all the more complicated, Steve Martin plays Adam, an architect hired to remodel Streeps' characters kitchen, who quickly falls in love with her, but soon realises that he has become part of a triangle.
4. What Women Want (2000)
A little cheekier than the other films in Meyer's repertoire, What Women Want stars Mel Gibson as Nick and Helen Hunt as Darcy. Nick gets angry when his boss hires a woman, Darcy, at his advertising firm. But when he develops the ability to read women's minds, he quickly decides to use it to sabotage his new colleague.
5. The Intern (2015)
Robert De Niro stars as Ben Whittaker, a retired widower who re-enters the workforce as a widow at a bustling online fashion startup run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). Ben navigates the challenges of a modern workplace but builds an unlikely friendship with Jules in the process, with Meyers' signature warmth and wit baked in.
6. The Parent Trap (1998)
We couldn't leave this one off the list. A formative watch for all 90s kids, The Parent Trap stars Lindsay Lohan as identical twins Hallie and Annie who secretly switch places as a way of masterminding a reunion between their parents (played by Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson). The ultimate comfort film.
7. Father Of The Bride (1991)
One of her earlier works, Father Of The Bride stars Steve Martin as George Banks, a loving father who can't contain his overwhelm when his young daughter announces her engagement. As the family prepares for the big day, George grapples with the chaos, expenses, and emotional rollercoaster of wedding planning. It's full of the heartfelt moments and classic comedic mishaps that Meyers' work would soon become known for.
Feature image via Instagram.
