‘Sleepless in Seattle’ Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
One of the most romantic films of all time is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this week!
Twenty-five years ago, in Seattle, Washington, Sam Baldwin (played by Tom Hanks) caught his son Jonah (played by Ross Mallinger) calling into a late night radio talk show asking for help with finding his dad a new wife. Little did they know, all the way on the other side of the country in Baltimore, Maryland, Annie Reed (played by Meg Ryan) was listening to the same show and falling in love instantaneously. Ultimately, fate (and a little persistence and persuasion from Jonah) would bring Sam and Annie together on Valentine’s Day at the top of the iconic Empire State Building in New York City. It’s a classic story of chance, fate, love, and just a little bit of magic.
The film’s premise of meeting on top of the Empire State Building was an ode to another classic film An Affair to Remember. Sleepless in Seattle helped further solidified the Empire State Building as one of the most romantic places in the country.
For the film’s 25th Anniversary celebration, the Empire State Building in New York City paid a special tribute to the film’s iconic final scene. On Tuesday, the building lit up its top with a light display designed to match the lighting scheme shown during that final scene. Fans of the film will remember the impressive display on which a red heart illuminated the building offset by its white lights. Check out the photos below of the real-life light display.
From Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, in honor of the film’s 25th Anniversary, a new Blu-ray release of Sleepless in Seattle is now available to purchase. The special anniversary Blu-ray, Digital Release features four never-before-seen deleted scenes and additional archival special features featuring the cast and filmmakers making this special edition a “must have” for any romance fans out there.
Sleepless in Seattle was written and directed by the iconic Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally…, Julie & Julia), and in addition to Hanks, Ryan and Mallinger, also stars Rosie O’Donnell, Rita Wilson, Rob Reiner and Bill Pullman. The film earned more than $220 million during its worldwide theatrical release and was nominated for two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.
Do you remember Sleepless in Seattle? What was your favorite part of the movie? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
A karaoke obsessed, craft beer enthusiast and lover of all things pop culture, Denise enjoys all facets of entertainment from Broadway to box office blockbusters. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, concerts (lots and lots of concerts), volunteering, reading and playing with her rescue kitten, Samantha (who rescued who, right?).
