"There are few directors who have impacted the cultural zeitgeist quite like Nancy Meyers. Sure, directors like Tarantino and Nolan have their own dedicated flock of finance bro–esque fans who worship their every move, but those auteurs don’t hold a candle to the phenomenon that can only be described as the Nancy Meyers effect. She hasn’t even released a movie in the past decade, but she’s a part of everyday conversations like she’s on a Wicked-level press tour.
because his sock drawer is full and those #1 Dad mugs are collecting dust
People choose outfits based on what Nancy Meyers’ characters wear, design their homes to mimic her sets, and have created entire aesthetics inspired by her movies—all in the hopes of replicating just a smidge of that magic in their own lives. Without her, there would be no coastal grandma (the horror!), no Chessie summer, and no Meredith Blake aesthetic.
Needless to say, Nancy Meyers is an icon, and I hold her films near and dear to my heart. But which of her movies is actually the best? I’ve taken on the grueling task of rewatching all of them and presenting my final ranking, knowing full well that the coastal granddaughters and their ilk may come for me, defending their own favorites. Without further ado, here is my ranking of every movie Nancy Meyers wrote and directed:
6. What Women Want
Okay, it’s not that What Women Want is bad, but I wouldn’t say it’s great either. The premise is funny, but spending the entire movie inside the mind of a man just isn’t what I come to Nancy Meyers for. Her signature charming aesthetic isn’t as present in this movie, either. I want stunning grandmillennial living rooms, not NYC bachelor pads! And it’s hard to root for a man who’s literally stealing his female colleagues’ ideas the entire movie. Sure, he does the right thing in the end, but that doesn’t mean I like him.
5. The Intern
For me, The Intern just doesn’t leave much of an impact. No one’s out here talking about Robert De Niro’s wardrobe choices, and while Anne Hathaway’s NYC apartment is gorg, it doesn’t have the same je ne sais quoi as other Nancy Meyers interiors. It’s not a movie I think about often or feel called to rewatch—especially when there are so many other New York fashion-scene films I fall back on more.
4. The Holiday
Don’t get me wrong, The Holiday is absolutely fabulous, but because it’s a Christmas movie, it doesn’t have the year-round appeal of Nancy Meyers’ other films. That said, not a winter goes by without me watching this masterpiece, and if this were a holiday movie ranking, it would shoot to number one. But against her other movies, it sits comfortably at number four.
3. It’s Complicated
IMO, It’s Complicated is where Nancy Meyers’ writing really shines. The dialogue is quick and witty, and the banter between Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin’s characters somehow has me rooting for her to get back with her ex-husband, who literally cheated on her and left her high and dry. Her house in this film alone is reason enough to watch it on repeat, but I also just genuinely love the story. The cast is incredible (why do I always forget John Krasinski is in it?), and I find myself smiling the entire time. It’s the definition of a comfort watch—even if it doesn’t quite crack my top two.
2. The Parent Trap
I acknowledge that nostalgia may be influencing me, but The Parent Trap will always be that girl. It hits just as hard watching it as an adult as it did when I was a kid, and no matter how many times I see it, I never get tired of it. We get to see Nancy’s signature style across so many different settings—Napa Valley, London, summer camp—and I can’t help but love a second-chance romance. My only hangup is how we all villainized Meredith Blake when she’s literally 26 in the movie. Girl, what are you doing becoming a stepmom?? Go to the club!
1. Something’s Gotta Give
I mean, how could I not put Something’s Gotta Give at number one? Diane Keaton’s character is quite literally who I want to be when I grow up, and the quirky, charming romance is peak Nancy Meyers. Every scene is filled with breezy linens, gorgeous beach views, and decor I would quite literally die to have. It’s the perfect summer rewatch, and I laugh out loud every single time. Plus, who doesn’t love getting to watch young Keanu Reeves as a hot doctor?
Lauren Blue, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of must-read books, movies, home tours, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Goodreads for new releases to feature on the site.