The 26 Greatest Diane Keaton Movies, Ranked
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Diane Keaton has charmed audiences for over 45 years. The Oscar-winning Annie Hall is arguably her best movie, but she's also made us laugh, cry, and sing in the classic mafia drama The Godfather along with rom-coms that reimagine what it means to age, such as Something’s Gotta Give. And in every performance, she's managed to be her quirky, fearless, and stylish self. Keaton's top 26 films prove why she's the ultimate leading lady.
26. 5 Flights Up
Real New Yorkers understand why married couple Alex (Morgan Freeman) and Ruth Carver (Diane Keaton) decide to move out of their dream apartment: it's up five flights of stairs. We ranked the 2014 comedy at the bottom not because of their performances, but because it would be better with insightful wisdom on aging or, at the very least, some tips on dealing with elitist real estate agents.
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25. I Will, I Will...for Now
Keaton portrays Katie Bingham, a divorced woman who decides to give her ex-husband Les Bingham (Elliott Gould) a second chance only if he adheres to the stipulations outlined in their six-month couple’s contract. Problem is, their attorney has more of a vested interest in the outcome of their marriage than the Binghams realize. The 1976 rom-com ranks a little lower on our list for its cheesy clichés and the awkward pacing in the second half of the film.
24. Baby Boom
Keaton stars as J.C. Wiatt, a self-professed workaholic and business exec living in New York. When she inherits a baby girl from her estranged and now-deceased cousin, she's forced to reevaluate her priorities. Keaton brings her charm and humor to the 1997 rom-com, however, it's still ranked near the bottom for this very important reason: It reinforces the stereotype that women have to choose between having love or a successful career—not both.
23. And So It Goes
Keaton and Michael Douglas are convincing enough in the roles of Leah and Oren Little, two widows who couldn't be more opposite in the 2014 dramedy. She's a lounge singer who can't stop crying mid-performance, and he's a surly realtor dealing with family issues. We give this one a slight edge for Keaton's vocals and the adorable relationship Douglas brought to life with his fictional granddaughter, Sarah (Sterling Jerins), who softens him up. That said, it doesn't take a genius to guess the ending.
22. The Big Wedding
This 2013 family comedy includes a dynamic, all-star cast comprised of Keaton, Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon, and Katherine Heigl. Keaton stars as Ellie and De Niro as Dom, a long-divorced couple who pretend they’re still married to support their daughter’s (Amanda Seyfried) upcoming wedding. The laugh-out-loud scenes plus Williams's portrayal of an alcoholic Catholic priest will have you shedding happy tears. Unfortunately, those moments are few and far between.
21. Because I Said So
While it’s no Manhattan or Marvin’s Room, this one's perfectly fine—even if it’s not the most memorable rom-com in Keaton’s catalog. Yes, Keaton has taken on stronger motherly roles, but she does more than just phone it in throughout the heartwarming 2007 flick about a mother struggling to set boundaries when it comes to her three daughters' (Lauren Graham, Piper Perabo, and Mandy Moore) love lives.
20. The Family Stone
Though beloved, this 2005 dramedy ranks in the lower half of our list since the premise isn't exactly groundbreaking. Everett Stone (Dermot Mulroney) brings his conservative girlfriend Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker) home for Christmas to meet his family—and she doesn't impress Keaton, the matriarch, nor any other relatives. This film succeeds in its casting. Keaton's also joined by Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Craig T. Nelson, and Luke Wilson to paint the picture of a loving, albeit dysfunctional and carefree family.
19. Book Club
Keaton coincidentally plays Diane, a woman who lights up the room with her tailored suits and warm personality. As the title suggests, Diane and her four lifelong BFFs—Vivian (Jane Fonda), Sharon (Candice Bergen), and Carol (Mary Steenburgen)—pick Fifty Shades of Grey for their book club. Suffice it to say, the erotic novel inspires them in the bedroom and in their love lives.
18. Morning Glory
Keaton and Ford deliver funny and memorable performances as newscasters Colleen Peck and Mike Pomeroy. But it's McAdams, who plays the TV show producer Becky, that shines and makes you want to watch the film over and over again. While it’s not nearly as iconic as Manhattan or Annie Hall, Morning Glory’s trio has us wishing their fake morning TV show were real.
17. Love and Death
Woody Allen has made headlines for facing various sexual abuse allegations. Despite this, some of Keaton's best films were produced by the director. In this lesser-recognized 1975 Russian comedy, she portrays Sonja, his love interest. What's worthwhile is seeing how they come up with a plot to assassinate Napoleon while making light of foreign films and Russian literature.
16. Mad Money
In 2008's Mad Money, Keaton demonstrates her ability to collaborate with other talented female actresses while taking up the role of Bridget Cardigan. Bridget and her husband (Ted Danson) Don are in debt, which forces her to get a job as a custodian at the Federal Reserve. When she discovers money shredded at the Reserve, she decides to rob the bank along with her two co-workers, Nina Brewster (Queen Latifah) and Jackie Truman (Katie Holmes).
15. The Other Sister
Juliette Lewis and Keaton play leads in this incredibly underrated 1999 film. Lewis stars as Carla Tate, a mentally disabled young girl who attempts to find herself away from her overbearing sisters, Elizabeth (Keaton), Heather (Sarah Paulson), and Caroline (Poppy Montgomery). As Carla searches for her first apartment and starts planning for college, she meets the equally interesting and sensitive Danny (Giovanni Ribisi). You'll laugh and cry, but most importantly, you’ll root for how Carla and Danny’s relationship blossoms as they overcome adversity.
14. Father of the Bride
Keaton and Steve Martin play husband and wife Nina and George Banks in this celebrated 1991 rom-com, which led to a 1995 sequel that doesn't come close to the original. When their eldest daughter Annie (Kimberly Williams-Paisley) moves out of the house and becomes engaged, George has a hard time letting go—and accepting the cost of the wedding. This one doesn't crack our top 10 because Martin’s likable personality and comedic timing slightly outshines Keaton’s Nina.
13. Reds
The 1981 Warren Beatty-directed melodrama is heavy but vastly entertaining. Beatty delivers an understated performance as journalist John Reed, who is married to writer Louise Bryant (Keaton). Jack Nicholson also stars as Eugene O’Neill, marking Keaton's first collaboration with him. Though the film is far too long at 195 minutes, know that it's worth powering through—but don't anticipate much humor.
12. The Godfather Series
Keaton's name probably isn't the first that comes to mind when referencing Francis Ford Coppola’s mafia-centric film series The Godfather. Despite her small role, she shows up fully present as Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) wife, Kay Adams—especially in the debut film's final scene. The depth she brings to the character and the chemistry between her and Michael is worth tuning in for, even if you’re not into gangster dramas and mob bosses.
11. Crimes of the Heart
For the 1986 adaptation of Beth Henley’s play of the same name, director Bruce Beresford assembled a legendary cast that includes Keaton, Jessica Lange, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard, and Tess Harper. The story is about three troubled sisters who reunite after Babe (Spacek) shoots her husband. Though the acting is solid and the film does a great job of addressing suicide and mental health issues, the dark comedy feels bloated thanks to its lengthy dialogue.
10. Marvin's Room
With a stunning lead performance from Keaton as the overworked Bessie, Marvin’s Room is an underdog. It's a story about healing, illness, and, ultimately, family. The only real flaw is that it could use a few more lighthearted scenes, but we'll gladly cry with Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio any day.
9. Something's Gotta Give
Forewarning: there’s a lot of beige in this 2003 flick, but Nicholson and Keaton’s incredible performances will make you look past the monochromatic styling. Nancy Meyers’s film posits two older singles, Erica Barry (Keaton) and Harry Sanborn (Nicholson), who have nothing in common, besides the fact that they both love her daughter, Marin (Amanda Peet). After Harry suffers from a heart attack, Erica is tasked with taking care of him, and you can pretty much guess what happens next. Something’s Gotta Give reminds us that you don't need 20-something-year-old actors to carry a traditional romantic comedy.
8. Interiors
In Woody Allen's 1978 drama, Keaton plays one of three daughters who come to their mother's aid after a breakdown, despite the fact that they are each riddled with their own troubles. Keaton is absolutely breathtaking to watch as Renata, the hopeless writer and married sister.
7. Sleeper
Sleeper is stunning and ahead of its time. Allen and Keaton star as Miles Monroe and Luna Schlosser who pose as doctors after a botched surgery. This 1973 comedy reached top-10 status for Keaton's Marlon Brando impression alone.
Michelle is the Culture & News Writer for OprahMag.com, where she writes about celebrities (she considers herself an expert on Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon), plus the latest in pop-culture news, binge-worthy TV shows, and movies. The transplanted Southerner turned ambitious New Yorker lives her best life by listening to hip-hop and Pod Save America, watching The Office on repeat, quoting Oprah-isms, eating dessert before dinner, and avoiding avocado. Seriously, she doesn’t get the hype.
It should say, “Michelle is the former Culture & News Writer for Oprahmag.com...”
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