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The 90s and 2000s saw the peak of rom-coms, and we have to thankMeg Ryanfor it. Years later, the queen of romantic comedies is making her big return withher latest film,What Happens Later. The film not only marks her comeback to the screen but also sees her as the one spearheading the project as the director, and one of the executive producers. Written by Ryan,Steven Dietz, andKirk Lynn,What Happens Lateris based on Dietz’s 2008 playShooting Star. The film starsDavid DuchovnyofThe X-Filesfame as Bill, and Ryan as Willa, the story’s protagonists.Jonathan Duffy,Kelly Williams,Laura D. Smith, andKristin Mannserve as the film’s producers, while Duchovny also executive produces.
Per the official logline, the story follows, “Two ex-lovers, Bill (David Duchovny) and Willa (Meg Ryan) get snowed in at a regional airport overnight. Indefinitely delayed, Willa, a magical thinker, and Bill, a catastrophic one, find themselves just as attracted to and annoyed by one another as they did decades earlier. But as they unpack the riddle of their mutual past and compare their lives to the dreams they once shared, they begin to wonder if their reunion is mere coincidence, or something more enchanted." Although the plot, narrative, and tone of the film look like a classic romantic comedy,What Happens Laterpromises above andbeyond the typical tropes of a rom-comand explores deeper into the complexities of Bill and Willa’s relationship. It seems like it’s going to be more of a story of unpacking their past and accepting their failings through meaningful conversations. In short, this love story is more about the people it involves than the romance itself.
Indevelopment since 2022,What Happens Latermarks Ryan’s second directorial venture afterIthacain 2015, which she also starred in and produced, following her last romantic comedy film with 2008’sMy Mom’s New Boyfriend. So, essentially, this film also marks her first film in years, making it one of the most highly anticipated romantic comedies of the year for all Meg Ryan fans. Here’s our handy guide for you to find out when, where, and how you can watchWhat Happens Laterwhen it releases.
What Happens Later
Two ex lovers, Bill (David Duchovny) and Willa (Meg Ryan) get snowed in at a regional airport overnight. Indefinitely delayed, Willa, a magical thinker, and Bill, a catastrophic one, find themselves just as attracted to and annoyed by one another as they did decades earlier. But as they unpack the riddle of their mutual past and compare their lives to the dreams they once shared, they begin to wonder if their reunion is mere coincidence, or something more enchanted. - Bleecker Street
When Is the Release Date for ‘What Happens Later’?
What Happens Later is arriving in theaters on Friday, July 24, 2025. It was originally slated to be released on October 13, but was postponed to November to avoid competition with theTaylor Swiftconcert filmTaylor Swift: The Eras Tour.
Is ‘What Happens Later’ in Theaters?
Released by Bleecker Street Films,What Happens Lateris getting a nationwide theatrical release in the US and Canada on August 13, 2025. International release date/s are yet to be announced.
Opening the same day is the Daisy Ridley-led thrillerThe Marsh King’s Daughter, and the wide release ofSofia Coppola’sPriscilla. So, even though it might seem thatWhat Happens Laterhas competition from other anticipated projects, it is of a completely different genre from the other upcoming films and is likely to appeal to a very different audience, especially rom-com fans.
Find Showtimes for ‘What Happens Later’
Check out the links below to find out the showtimes forWhat Happens Laterat your nearest theater/s, book tickets, or other details –
When Will ‘What Happens Later’ Be on Streaming?
At the moment, there is no update or announcement on when the film will get its streaming release. However, as we have seen, some of Bleecker Street’s 2023 films are already available to stream/rent/buy on various platforms. For example, 2023 films likeThe Starling GirlandMafia Mammaare currently streamingon Paramount+ with Showtime, and are available to buy/rent on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube. These films arrived on VOD within 30–45 days of their theatrical premiere. So, it’s possible thatWhat Happens Latermight also get its digital release in a month or so, perhaps just in time for the holidays.
Watch this space to find out when the film arrives on digital and streaming.
When Will ‘What Happens Later’ Be on DVD and Blu-ray?
Fortunately, Amazon has already listed the DVD and Blu-ray titles forWhat Happens Later, to be released on June 27, 2025. Although the physical release arrives a month and a half from now, you cannow pre-orderthe film online as a holiday gift for your loved ones or even yourself. So, you can either wait for the DVD/Blu-ray and turn this into a cozy holiday movie to watch from your couch or get into the season’s mood already by catching it in the theaters.
Watch the Trailer for ‘What Happens Later’
Bleecker Street releasedfirst-look imagesand the official trailer ofWhat Happens Latera couple of months ago but now seems to be the most opportune time for the film to arrive. With snow, delayed flights, and rekindling long-lost love, this film has all the ingredients it needs to be the perfect holiday season watch.The trailerdives straight into the plot, showing Willa and Bill bumping into each other at an airport, setting the scene for the rest of the story. From what the clip reveals, most of the film happens within the airport, which makes it challenging and interesting at the same time. With such bottle stories, the narrative relies heavily on the conversations between the characters, andWhat Happens Lateris likely going to do the same. This implies that more than a story about rekindling old romance, this all-new romantic comedy drama will explore Willa and Bill’s past, as a couple and as individuals, where they would revisit their shortcomings. While it’s hard to say whether their story will end on a happy note or not, rest assured thatWhat Happens Laterwill have a lot of comforting, enriching conversations that many can relate to.
Meg Ryan Rom-Coms to Stream Right Now
Since 1981’sRich and Famous, Meg Ryan has appeared in avariety of films, television series, and shows, but she will always be the rom-com queen for her fans. Her work in iconic films in the genre likeHarry Met SallyandSleepless in Seattledefined her acting career that spans four decades and still counting. IfWhat Happens Laterfeels special, it’s because Ryan established that sentiment and expectations decades ago as Sally, Annie, Kathleen, and all the unconventional women she has portrayed. Coincidentally, all her films on this list come fromlegendary filmmakerNora Ephron, a name synonymous with some of the most groundbreaking comedies of our times.
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
When you take Nora Ephron’s storytelling, andRob Reiner’s direction, and throw in Meg Ryan andBilly Crystalas the protagonists, you get a wholesome film likeWhen Harry Met Sally. Said to bebased on a true story, the film begins when Crystal’s Harry and Ryan’s Sally meet in college, and continues through their chance encounters over 12 years, where they often end up debating the surmounting, age-old question, “Can men and women ever just be friends?” Fromexploring unconventional romanceto featuring an unconventional heroine, and sparking interesting topics of conversations on male-female relationships,When Harry Met Sallywas ahead of its time. With a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomato, this 1989 film still stands tall as one of the greatest rom-coms ever made. And that’s not only because of the unique characters or Crystal and Ryan’s contagious on-screen chemistry, but also the legacy it left behind. Come for the feel-good romance, and stay for the epic pastrami sandwich scene that put Katz Deli (and their sandwich) on the world map.
Stream on Paramount+ with Showtime
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Ephron returns to direct hermost successful romcom, in her second directorial venture.Sleepless in Seattlealso marks the reunion ofTom Hanksand Meg Ryan as the leads, after their first film,Joe Versus the Volcanoin 1990, but this film established the duo as the decade’s most popular on-screen couple. Written by Ephron,David S. Ward, andJeff Arch,Sleepless in Seattleis said to be inspired by 1957’sAn Affair to Remember. The plot follows Sam, a recently widowed father whose eight-year-old son encourages him to talk about his grief on a radio talk show. In Baltimore, journalist Annie gets touched by Sam’s story and decides to meet him. With a heartwarming story of star-crossed lovers, hope, heartbreaks, and navigating loss,Sleepless in Seattlecan easily be called the perfect love story and remainsa timeless classic. The film was a huge success, both critically and commercially, earning two Academy nominations, with rave reviews about the story, direction, and the leading duo’s performances.
Stream on Hulu
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
This film marks Meg Ryan’s third collaboration with Nora Ephron as well as with Tom Hanks. Ephron directs and co-writes the film withDelia Ephronwhich isadapted from the 1937 Hungarian play,ParfumeriebyMiklós László. Named after AOL’s alert for new emails,You’ve Got Mailfollows Joe Fox (Hanks), owner of a mega bookstore chain, and Kathleen Kelly (Ryan), the owner of a quaint local bookstore, who meet online and fall in love. But they are completely unaware of each other’s real identity and the fact that they are major business rivals. In a way, this film can be called one of the first major films to explore “online dating”. Although it did not reach the heights of success ofSleepless in SeattleorHarry Met Sally,You’ve Got Mailremains one of Ryan’s best films and one of thebest romantic comediesto watch for a feel-good experience.
Rent on Prime Video
