10 Essential Diane Keaton Movies Everyone Should Watch

10 Essential Diane Keaton Movies Everyone Should Watch

Diane Keaton wasn’t just an actress — she was an era. With her signature turtlenecks, wry humor, and fearless individuality, she embodied the kind of woman Hollywood didn’t quite know how to define — so she defined it herself. From vulnerable romantics to sharp-witted rebels, her characters were as multifaceted as the woman behind them.

Her passing marks the end of a cinematic chapter, but her legacy still feels wonderfully alive in every laugh, every tear, and every perfect pause she ever delivered on screen. Watching her films now feels like revisiting an old friend — one who always knew how to make you think and smile at the same time.

Here are ten Diane Keaton movies that not only defined her legendary career but also remind us why she’ll forever remain one of Hollywood’s most beloved icons.

1. The Godfather / The Godfather Part II (1972 / 1974)

In a world dominated by men and the mafia, Diane Keaton’s Kay Adams was the moral compass we didn’t see coming. She stood at the heart of The Godfather saga — both an observer and a casualty of its darkness.

Keaton’s performance is a masterclass in quiet strength. Her transformation from hopeful outsider to disillusioned wife mirrors the tragedy of Michael Corleone’s descent. With every lingering glance and restrained outburst, she grounded the epic story in something deeply human.

While her screen time was limited, her presence was unforgettable. She brought warmth, fear, and moral clarity to a story drenched in power and corruption — proving that even amid the violence, Diane Keaton could steal a scene with nothing more than a whisper.

2. Sleeper (1973)

Keaton’s comic timing shines in this sci-fi satire about a man waking up 200 years in the future. It’s fast-paced, absurd, and delightfully weird — everything early ’70s comedy aspired to be.

As Luna Schlosser, Keaton played chaos incarnate, delivering physical comedy with elegance and wit. Her chemistry with Woody Allen turned ridiculous situations into laugh-out-loud brilliance.

Though Sleeper doesn’t carry the emotional heft of her later films, it showcased a young actress utterly in command of her comedic instincts. Watching it now feels like catching the spark that would ignite one of Hollywood’s most remarkable careers.

3. Annie Hall (1977)

Before “rom-com” became a buzzword, Annie Hall showed the world how messy, witty, and real love could be. Diane Keaton’s portrayal of Annie wasn’t just acting — it was lightning in a bottle. She was offbeat yet magnetic, vulnerable yet self-assured, and above all, completely unforgettable.

Her chemistry with Woody Allen created a film that felt intimate, spontaneous, and profoundly human. Every “la-di-da” and awkward pause became an instant part of movie history. Keaton made it impossible not to fall in love with Annie — and by extension, with her.

The film won her an Oscar and cemented her status as a cultural icon. But more than that, it gave the world permission to embrace imperfection — to be a little weird, a little neurotic, and still completely lovable.

4. Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

In Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Keaton stepped into much darker territory — a gritty exploration of loneliness, freedom, and danger in the 1970s singles scene.

Her portrayal of Theresa Dunn was haunting, layered, and deeply vulnerable. It was a bold departure from the roles that had made her famous — a choice that proved she wasn’t afraid to take risks.

While not an easy film to watch, it stands as one of her most daring performances. Keaton peeled back every layer of charm to reveal the raw, complex truth of a woman searching for meaning in all the wrong places.

5. Manhattan (1979)

Understated yet emotionally rich, Manhattan offered one of Keaton’s most nuanced performances. As journalist Mary Wilkie, she exuded sophistication, self-doubt, and charm in equal measure.

Amid the film’s sweeping black-and-white cinematography, Keaton was its heartbeat — her neurotic grace balancing the story’s melancholy tone. She managed to make even the most cerebral conversations feel warm and alive.

It’s a film about complicated people trying to make sense of love, and Keaton embodies that confusion beautifully. Watching her in Manhattan is like watching someone think out loud — flawed, fascinating, and utterly human.

6. Reds (1981)

Few roles demanded more of Keaton than Reds. Playing journalist Louise Bryant, she tackled politics, passion, and the price of independence — all while matching Warren Beatty’s intensity scene for scene.

This wasn’t the charming, quirky Keaton audiences were used to. Here, she was fierce, flawed, and heartbreakingly real. Her portrayal of a woman torn between love and ideals showed the depth of her dramatic range.

Reds earned her another Oscar nomination and further cemented her as one of the most fearless actresses of her generation. Watching it today feels like witnessing the moment she proved — once and for all — that Diane Keaton was capable of anything.

7. Baby Boom (1987)

Career-driven and unapologetically ambitious, J.C. Wiatt was the working woman every ’80s viewer could root for — especially when life threw her a curveball in the form of an unexpected baby.

Diane Keaton brought warmth and wit to Baby Boom, balancing slapstick comedy with sharp social commentary. It wasn’t just about motherhood — it was about reinvention, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms.

Her performance struck a chord with audiences who saw themselves in her struggle to “have it all.” Decades later, Baby Boom feels ahead of its time — and Keaton remains the reason it still holds up today.

8. Father of the Bride (1991)

There’s something timeless about Keaton’s portrayal of Nina Banks — the calm, loving counterbalance to Steve Martin’s frantic father.

Her performance in Father of the Bride was subtle yet powerful, grounding the film in emotional truth. She made motherhood look graceful, funny, and beautifully human — the kind of warmth that could hold an entire story together.

While it’s one of her lighter roles, it’s also one of her most universally beloved. Keaton gave the movie heart — and in doing so, reminded us why every generation falls in love with her all over again.

9. The First Wives Club (1996)

No one could deliver righteous revenge with as much charm as Diane Keaton. Alongside Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler, she helped make The First Wives Club a feminist comedy classic.

As Annie, the sweetly anxious ex-wife who finds her backbone, Keaton’s journey from pushover to powerhouse was endlessly satisfying. The trio’s on-screen chemistry turned what could’ve been camp into something empowering and fun.

The movie became a touchstone for women reclaiming their strength after heartbreak — and Keaton’s warm, funny performance remains at the heart of why audiences still love it today.

10. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

Middle-aged romance rarely gets treated with the same reverence as young love — but Keaton flipped that script in Something’s Gotta Give. As Erica Barry, a successful playwright rediscovering love later in life, she made vulnerability look both dignified and hilarious.

Her chemistry with Jack Nicholson was electric, their banter equal parts flirtation and emotional truth. And that now-famous crying scene? It was chaotic perfection — funny, raw, and deeply human.

Keaton earned yet another Oscar nomination for her work here, but more importantly, she reminded audiences everywhere that love stories don’t end at 40. If anything, she made growing older look like the best part of the script.