Known for their cozy aesthetic and relatable characters, Nancy Meyers movies are ideal for a cozy night in.
From movies like The Parent Trap featuring Dennis Quaid, Lindsay Lohan, and Natasha Richardson to Something’s Gotta Give featuring Diane Keaton, you truly cannot go wrong with any Nancy Meyers movie.
This post is all about the best Nancy Meyers movies – arguably the top romantic comedies ever.
While every Nancy Meyers movie is better than the next, certain ones are ideal for a cozy night in.
Who is Nancy Meyers?
Nancy Meyers is a writer, director, and producer who has written and directed some of the most popular feel-good movies. Over the years, she has received a Golden Globe nomination and even received an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for her movie, Private Benjamin – the iconic Goldie Hawn film.
Over the four-plus decades she’s been filmmaking, Meyers has created her own very specific cinematic world which has gone on to be known as the “Nancy Meyers Aesthetic”.
We have a whole post about how to capture the Nancy Meyers aesthetic too.
In her movies, the protagonist is always a woman either approaching 40 or older living in fabulous New York, somewhere California – like the sunny Santa Barbara, or Europe.
A Nancy leading lady loves the little things in life – cooking, gardening, and reading – and has a home that could be in House & Garden magazine.
Over time, the main character (Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, Anne Hathaway) learns how to live with the changes that are happening in her life and she always has that “ah ha!” moment – with lots of fun whimsical moments along the way.
She is also well known for designing sets and costumes. With an emphasis on coastal design, the aesthetic in Nancy Meyers’s movies has turned into its own proper aesthetic over time.
What is the Nancy Meyers Aesthetic?
When watching any Nancy Meyers film, you’ll notice there is a certain aesthetic to them. The gorgeous homes are almost their own character.
Everything feels clean, crisp, and classic but also evokes a feeling of comfort. Each item used to decorate the sets feels intentional and the wardrobe feels attainable and timeless.
Built off a neutral foundation, the Nancy Meyers aesthetic incorporates color and patterns through accessories and decor.
Think chunky knits, classic patterns like stripes, floral, and gingham, and warm tones that make you want to cozy in for the evening.
Also, large windows, natural light, and a little bit of help from an interior designer helps.
Nancy Meyers Movies for a Cozy Night In
If you’re in search of an escape from reality or just want a cozy night in, Nancy Meyers has you covered. She has delightfully aesthetic classics — Father of the Bride, The Holiday, and It’s Complicated – just to name a few. They will all equally warm your heart.
It’s Complicated
Father of the Bride and The Parent Trap both highlight happy-ending versions of family life. In It’s Complicated, the film explores the more dynamic side of family life.
After being divorced for many years, Jane (played by Meryl Streep) and Jake (played by Alec Baldwin) remain friends. After an innocent meal together the two find themselves having an affair until Jane realizes she is now the other woman in her now-remarried ex-husband’s life.
While this alone seems complicated, Jane then finds herself in a casual relationship with her architect (played by the iconic Steve Martin), who soon realizes he has become part of their messy relationship and love triangle.
The sets in this movie are a grandmillennial style lover’s dream – and Jane’s bakery is perfection.
Something’s Gotta Give
On the cusp of being a senior citizen, womanizer Harry Sunburn (Jack Nicholson) and his young girlfriend, Marin, arrive at her family’s beach house in the Hamptons only to find her mother (Erica, played by Diane Keaton) is also there for the weekend.
When Harry has a heart attack and is on bed rest at the coastal home, he finds himself falling for Erica.
This is arguably the most famous out of all Nancy Meyers movie interiors.
Diane Keaton’s coastal Hamptons home in Something’s Gotta Give is what grandmillennial style dreams are made of.
The cream palette living room effortlessly showcases layered textures. We also believe this movie created the coastal grandma style blueprint.
Details are the star here. You’ll even catch glimpses of real life in the kitchen with leftover chicken in the fridge and Stonewall Kitchen pancake mix out on the counter.
Home Again
While not technically a full Nancy Meyers film, Home Again is the most recent film Nancy Meyers has been a producer on (co-producer in this case alongside her daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer).
In Home Again, Alex Kinney (Reese Witherspoon) has recently separated from her husband. She has just moved back home to Los Angeles with her two daughters.
While out celebrating her 40th birthday, she meets Harry, George, and Teddy – three young filmmakers who need a place to live.
Complications arise soon after she agrees to let them live in her guesthouse (temporarily) but she soon embraces her newfound happiness.
This is the perfect movie to watch with your girlfriends, especially if you need a few laughs.
The Holiday
The Holiday is the ultimate romantic comedy to watch during the holiday season. Starring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the TV.
Dumped and depressed English-based Iris (Kate Winslet) swaps homes with unlucky in low California-based Amanda (Cameron) for a much-needed break.
Iris finds herself in a Hollywood mansion and Amanda navigates a picture-perfect English village and before long, they both bump into local men catapulting them into the perfect romantic pick-me-up.
Obviously, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and most of all – you’ll wish that you could swap homes and fall in love in the English countryside.
Father of the Bride
Father of the Bride is the ultimate feel good movie that will have you laughing. In Father of the Bride, George Banks (Steve Martin) and his wife Nina (Diane Keaton) are the proud parents of Annie.
Their worlds turn upside down when their daughter returns from Europe engaged and they have to plan a wedding.
A nervous father unable to let his daughter go, their preparations for the upcoming nuptials will have you laughing.
Can’t get enough Father of the Bride? Make sure to add Father of the Bride Part II and Father of the Bride Part III (ish) to your viewing list!
The Parent Trap
The Parent Trap is Nancy Meyers’ directorial debut and is the ultimate feel-good movie that launches viewers into the world of Nancy Meyers.
It has everything from cozy sets to lovable characters to lifestyles that you dream to have.
Producing style icons like Elizabeth James and Meredith Blake – this film has some of the top Nancy Meyers fashion wardrobes if you’re seeking timeless style inspiration.
In The Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan plays the part of both Annie and Hallie.
Their divorced parents separated the twin sisters at birth. Finally, unknowing to this arrangement, the two girls are strangers until they meet at summer camp.
After engineering an identity swap, they both get the chance to spend time with the parent they’ve missed and it might just make their family whole again.
Throughout the film, you’ll fall in love with each character.
You will wish you had a secret sibling too – and that you had Oreos with some peanut butter.
This post was all about the best Nancy Meyers films for a cozy night in.
So, grab your best friend, your dog, and some delicious food like a fancy roast chicken and have yourself a cozy movie night in.
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