20 Best Diane Keaton Movies Ranked Worst To Best

Diane Keaton is one of America’s most adaptable actors, successfully starring in a wide range of films – from historical dramas and crime stories to personal dramas and comedies. She’s collaborated with many famous directors, appeared in blockbuster hits, and also taken chances on smaller, character-focused films where she could really showcase her talent. Over the past five decades, her work reflects how Hollywood has changed and proves that well-crafted, detailed stories always resonate with audiences.

This list ranks Diane Keaton’s 20 most memorable movies, starting with her least impressive and ending with her best. For each film, we’ll cover the plot, the director, and what made it special – whether that was awards, how well it did in theaters, great partnerships with other actors or filmmakers, or its impact over time. It showcases how her career evolved through different roles.

‘Book Club’ (2018)

When a book club picks a daring title, it sparks big changes for four longtime friends. The story follows Diane Keaton as a recent widow who starts to explore dating, while also showing how her friends grapple with their careers, family pressures, and the challenges of starting over in middle age.

The movie brings Keaton back together with a group of well-known actors in a modern story that particularly resonated with grown-up viewers. Directed by Bill Holderman and co-written with Erin Simms, the film did surprisingly well considering its low cost, which led to a follow-up movie and confirmed Keaton’s ability to attract audiences of all ages to comedies.

‘Morning Glory’ (2010)

A new producer joins a failing morning news show with the goal of revitalizing it, both by boosting the energy of the hosts and completely changing the show’s style. Diane Keaton plays a long-time co-host, and her surprisingly good on-screen connection with a difficult, award-winning journalist becomes central to all the drama happening behind the scenes.

This film is a funny and insightful look at life in a newsroom, following the personal and professional journeys of its characters as they navigate their careers. Directed by Roger Michell and produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, the movie stars Michael Keaton alongside a talented cast and realistically portrays the fast-paced world of live television, from planning segments to worrying about viewership numbers.

‘Baby Boom’ (1987)

A driven New York executive’s life takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the caregiver of a baby. This forces her to reconsider her priorities and decide between her career goals and a completely new path. The film stars Diane Keaton as this executive, who moves to Vermont, starts her own business, and ultimately discovers what success truly means to her.

As a movie fan, I always loved how this film, directed by Charles Shyer and co-written with Nancy Meyers, really captured what people were talking about at the time – juggling work and life, and what it meant for women building careers. It was so popular it even got a TV show for a little while! And you know, it really set the stage for Diane Keaton’s future movies, which often explored similar themes of career, being independent, and families that weren’t exactly traditional.

‘The Family Stone’ (2005)

During a family holiday, a close-knit New England family is thrown off balance by their son’s new girlfriend. As they try to navigate the situation, a series of misunderstandings and surprising truths come to light. Diane Keaton stars as the mother, whose personal story and health challenges force the family to confront change and learn to accept one another.

Thomas Bezucha wrote and directed this film, which beautifully blends romance with the complexities of family relationships across different generations. Each character feels real and has their own unique perspective. Released during the holidays, the movie connected with viewers and is often praised for its thoughtful portrayal of family traditions, dealing with loss, and finding new opportunities.

‘The First Wives Club’ (1996)

Three college friends come together after a difficult loss and decide to take control of their lives. They’ve all been through divorces with men who left them for younger women, and now they’re plotting a comeback. Diane Keaton plays one of the friends, bringing both strength and emotional honesty to their clever plan to build secure futures through legal and financial strategies.

The movie, based on Olivia Goldsmith’s book and directed by Hugh Wilson, was a big hit in theaters, largely thanks to its popular cast and witty conversations. It also sparked a renewed focus on stories about women over forty, produced a memorable song, and helped bring back the trend of comedies featuring established actors working together.

‘Crimes of the Heart’ (1986)

When a family scandal becomes public news, three sisters come back to their small Southern hometown. As they deal with the fallout, old hurts and long-held family secrets resurface. Diane Keaton stars as the oldest sister, who finds her dedication to others clashing with her own dreams and the weight of her family’s past.

This film, based on Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play and directed by Bruce Beresford, stays true to the play’s focus on well-developed characters and a strong sense of place. The actors received praise for their performances, and the movie demonstrates how a play can be successfully adapted for the screen by carefully crafting the environment, conversations, and how the actors work together.

‘Father of the Bride Part II’ (1995)

I was completely charmed by this story! It follows a family thrown into delightful chaos a year after a wedding – the bride and her mother both unexpectedly become pregnant! It’s so fun watching Diane Keaton’s character juggle becoming a mother later in life with all the renovations, planning, and funny little disasters that come with two pregnancies happening at once. It’s a wonderfully hectic and heartwarming situation!

Charles Shyer’s film maintains the look and feel of the first movie, with its focus on suburban life and party-planning scenes. It builds on the themes of family events like having children and renovating homes, using the parallel pregnancies of two characters to highlight how traditions and everyday life continue across generations.

‘Looking for Mr. Goodbar’ (1977)

This film follows a young teacher in New York City as she navigates life, love, and independence. Diane Keaton stars as a woman discovering herself while experiencing the city’s vibrant nightlife, but also facing challenges and feeling isolated. The story is set against a backdrop of changing social norms surrounding sex, personal safety, and freedom.

The film, directed by Richard Brooks and based on Judith Rossner’s novel, caused quite a stir when it came out because of how it showed the lives of single people in the city. It’s notable for featuring some actors who later became famous, and it vividly recreates a specific time and place through its real-life locations, music, and attention to detail.

‘Father of the Bride’ (1991)

I was completely captivated by this story of a father struggling with his daughter’s engagement! He just wants to help, but he gets so focused on the details – the costs, the location, everything keeps getting bigger and more elaborate. Luckily, Diane Keaton plays the mom, and she’s amazing at balancing his practical concerns with what the couple actually wants and needs. She’s the one gently guiding decisions about the guest list, the budget, and making sure everyone’s happy. It’s so relatable and beautifully portrayed.

As a movie fan, I really enjoyed this film! It’s a remake of an older classic, but it feels totally fresh because it’s set in today’s world of big, elaborate weddings. They really leaned into all the details of planning a modern ceremony – the venues, the costs, everything! Plus, the wedding planner character was hilarious and memorable, and it was fun to see how much things have changed since the original movie.

‘Marvin’s Room’ (1996)

When one sister becomes seriously ill, she and her estranged sibling begin to rebuild their relationship. The healthy sister arrives with her teenage son, hoping to be a potential donor. Diane Keaton plays the sister who stayed behind to care for others, providing a realistic and emotional center to the story as it explores the complex medical, procedural, and ethical challenges they face.

Based on a play by Scott McPherson and directed by Jerry Zaks, the movie featured a talented cast and received praise for its acting. It uses scenes in a hospital and family meetings to thoughtfully examine the challenges faced by caregivers, the importance of planning for end-of-life care, and the difficulties of making amends with loved ones.

‘Something’s Gotta Give’ (2003)

When a music executive and a playwright unexpectedly find themselves dealing with a health crisis together, they begin to form a quiet, developing connection that changes their everyday lives. The film features Diane Keaton as a well-known author, and her home, daily routines, and struggles with writer’s block play an important role in how the story unfolds.

Nancy Meyers wrote and directed this popular movie, which stands out for its focus on a love story between older characters. The film beautifully showcases the Hamptons, uses costumes to show how characters change, and features a soundtrack that enhances its themes of starting over and being open emotionally.

‘Sleeper’ (1973)

A health food store owner is revived after being frozen, only to find himself in a bleak, oppressive future. He joins forces with a group fighting against the controlling government, and along the way, he teams up with a poet, played by Diane Keaton, who is hesitant but helps him avoid government surveillance, change identities, and stay hidden.

Woody Allen’s film blends science fiction with classic physical comedy, featuring funny gadgets and playful jabs at current events. The production design was unique, combining futuristic settings with props built for laughs and nods to the silent film era. It essentially created a blueprint for later comedies that combine imaginative ideas with slapstick humor.

‘Reds’ (1981)

This story follows an American journalist and activist as she navigates political unrest in another country, all while dealing with a complex personal relationship. Diane Keaton plays her partner – a talented artist whose work and beliefs are intertwined with their travels, the pressures of publishing, and changing friendships.

Warren Beatty directed, co-wrote, and stars in this film, which is known for its broad historical setting and unique use of interviews with people presented as witnesses. These interviews are woven into the dramatized story, offering firsthand perspectives. The film was nominated for many Academy Awards and is often praised for its large scale, realistic location shooting, and the way it blends documentary-style footage with a fictional narrative.

‘Manhattan Murder Mystery’ (1993)

When a couple suspects something isn’t right about their neighbor’s unexpected death, they start their own investigation. It quickly grows into a full-blown pursuit with spying, waiting for hours, and a case of mistaken identities. Diane Keaton plays the lead detective, carefully checking travel plans, excuses, and who had access to the building to try and solve the mystery.

Woody Allen’s film is a detective story set in modern New York City. It uses familiar detective elements, but places them in everyday locations like apartments, elevators, and theaters. The story unfolds at a classic pace, with the main characters working through clues, considering their options, and teaming up with friends to catch the culprit.

‘Interiors’ (1978)

This film follows a family dealing with the emotional fallout of their parents’ separation. The adult daughters must navigate their mother’s declining mental health while also pursuing their own creative dreams. Diane Keaton delivers a compelling performance as one of the sisters, and her character’s inner struggles are reflected in the film’s simple yet striking visual approach.

This film represented a move towards more dramatic storytelling for its director and was praised for its visual style – think subtle colors, carefully arranged shots, and understated sound. It earned several award nominations and is well-known for its thoughtful exploration of themes like loss, self-discovery, and the burden of trying to be perfect within a family.

‘Play It Again, Sam’ (1972)

A film critic, recently divorced, tries to navigate dating again with help from an imaginary version of a beloved movie star. Diane Keaton plays a friend who’s also dealing with relationship issues, making it hard for the critic to actually follow the typical dating advice she gives.

The film, directed by Herbert Ross and based on a popular stage production, feels very much like a play with its focus on conversation and limited locations. It’s also interesting because it marks the first time several actors and filmmakers worked together, and you can already see the development of their signature style and humor that would become prominent in their future projects.

‘Love and Death’ (1975)

This comedy, set during the time of Napoleon, follows a worried and overly-thoughtful man who is unexpectedly forced to join the army. He accidentally gets caught up in a plan to kill a powerful leader. Diane Keaton plays a fellow plotter who keeps the story moving with both her challenging arguments and clever plans, leading to exciting scenes involving sword fights, disguises, and legal battles.

As a total film buff, I was completely charmed by this movie. It hilariously sends up those grand Russian novels and those stately European period pieces you often see. What’s brilliant is how it mixes visual jokes, clever little sayings, and beautifully choreographed movement all against these amazing historical settings. The sets and costumes really make you believe you’re there, and it proves how you can take all those high-brow literary ideas and turn them into genuinely funny scenes that everyone can enjoy. It’s fast-paced and just works!

‘Manhattan’ (1979)

A TV writer is going through a tough time, re-evaluating his life, work, and relationships, including a complicated affair. He’s struggling with what he wants and what he should do. The story also features Diane Keaton as a journalist whose own career and interests become intertwined with his creative struggles and the people around him.

The film’s distinctive visual style was created by Gordon Willis’s stunning black-and-white cinematography and expansive widescreen shots, complemented by memorable New York City settings. George Gershwin’s music provides a strong emotional foundation, and the story unfolds through interwoven dialogues and changing allegiances, slowly revealing what truly motivates each character.

‘Annie Hall’ (1977)

This show features a comedian looking back on a past romance, piecing together how it unfolded – from the initial spark to the eventual split – through memories and direct commentary. Diane Keaton stars as a singer whose changing music, career choices, and growing independence significantly impact the relationship and how it progresses.

As a total film buff, I’ve always been blown away by this movie – it absolutely swept the Oscars! But it’s not just the awards, it really changed things. The way it was put together – with split screens, those cool animated bits, and even subtitles showing what characters were *really* thinking – was groundbreaking. And it wasn’t just visually innovative; the costumes were a huge influence on fashion at the time. Honestly, it pretty much set the standard for how romantic comedies show things like therapy, concerts, and even just dating in the city. You can see its influence everywhere!

‘The Godfather Part II’ (1974)

The movie weaves together the story of an immigrant’s early years with his son’s current climb to power, examining themes of family history, rightful authority, and the burdens of being a leader. Diane Keaton plays a key role as a partner who uncovers secrets about the family business, causing conflicts that build to the film’s dramatic conclusion.

Francis Ford Coppola’s film jumps between different time periods and settings, weaving together several storylines to explore how power develops and the difficult choices people make. It won major accolades, like Best Picture, and is well-known for its complex structure, the development of the character Michael Corleone, and how the film uses homes to symbolize political actions.

‘The Godfather’ (1972)

This story follows a New York crime family dealing with who will take over, shifting loyalties, and long-held grudges. A former soldier gets pulled into their dangerous world, and Diane Keaton plays a character who isn’t part of the family, offering a unique look at the difference between how they appear to the public and what they’re really doing behind closed doors – especially at events and family meetings.

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on Mario Puzo’s novel, this film is a classic of American cinema, celebrated for its stunning visuals, memorable music, and detailed sets. It was a huge hit with audiences and critics alike, and set a new standard for how films tell stories with a large cast, strong acting, and immersive worlds – influencing filmmakers for years to come.

Let us know your favorite Diane Keaton movie role in the comments, and tell us what film you think should be on our list!

2025-10-12 18:23