Thirty-six years after “When Harry Met Sally…” delivered one of the most iconic lines in movie history, Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan have reunited to recreate the moment for a Super Bowl ad.
The 60-second commercial for Hellmann’s mayonnaise, which debuted online ahead of Super Bowl 59, brings the beloved actors back to Katz’s Deli, the very location where their legendary scene was filmed.
Sitting at what appears to be the same table from the 1989 rom-com, Meg Ryan’s Sally Albright once again steals the show, but this time, over a sandwich loaded with Hellmann’s mayo that even grabs Sydney Sweeney’s attention.
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‘I’ll Have What She’s Having’
The ad kicks off with Crystal’s Harry Burns looking around the deli and joking, “I can’t believe they let us back in this place.”
Meanwhile, Ryan’s Sally takes a bite of her turkey sandwich but appears unsatisfied with the flavor. To fix that, she adds a little Hellmann’s mayo, taking another bite and suddenly, everything changes.
Much like the legendary fake orgasm scene from “When Harry Met Sally…,” Ryan begins moaning, throwing her head back, and banging on the table, mimicking her iconic performance from 1989. As everyone in the deli turns to stare, Crystal quips with a smirk, “This one’s real.”
After coming down from her sandwich-induced bliss, Ryan declares, “Now that is a sandwich.”
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Sydney Sweeney Joins the Fun
Just as in the original film, the moment wouldn’t be complete without someone else taking notice. In this version, the waiter turns to none other than Sydney Sweeney, who appears to be witnessing the whole thing unfold.
“I’ll have what she’s having,” Sweeney said.
While the full extent of Sweeney’s role in the ad hasn’t been revealed, her involvement adds another layer of star power to what is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about commercials of Super Bowl 59.
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How Do Fans Feel?
1. I miss when Super Bowl commercials air on the Super Bowl
2. Sydney Sweeney does not do that line justice
3. Why is every reunion now a commercial (scrubs, the office, when Harry met Sally, modern family, etc.) https://t.co/YvfWgUpMbe— Josh Goodman (@joshigoods) January 30, 2025
Since the ad was released on social media, fans of “When Harry Met Sally…” have been weighing in, with reactions ranging from nostalgic excitement to disappointment.
Some viewers were delighted by the reunion, calling it a heartwarming throwback.
“I literally gasped. This made my heart happy,” one Instagram user commented on Hellmann’s Instagram post featuring the ad.
“Cannot tell you how happy Hellmann’s made me today. Absolutely the best,” another Instagram user said, who later added, “I can’t stop watching this.”
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Social Media Reacts To Sydney Sweeney’s Appearance
However, not everyone was thrilled with the commercial.
On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, someone expressed disappointment, criticizing Sydney Sweeney’s delivery of the famous line and questioning why every reunion has to be for a commercial:
“1. I miss when Super Bowl commercials air on the Super Bowl
2. Sydney Sweeney does not do that line justice
3. Why is every reunion now a commercial (scrubs, the office, when ‘Harry met Sally,’ ‘Modern Family,’ etc.)”
Others pointed out a trend of nostalgic reunions being used as marketing gimmicks, referencing past Super Bowl ads such as Zach Braff and Donald Faison’s recurring T-Mobile commercials and Mike Myers and Dana Carvey’s 2021 Uber Eats ad honoring “Wayne’s World.”
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Someone else shared their thoughts on X, writing, “This scene in ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ is iconic, but the Super Bowl ad spoofy doesn’t hit like I wanted it to.”
Super Bowl Meets Rom-Com Nostalgia
With Super Bowl ads often featuring big-name stars and nostalgic throwbacks, Hellmann’s has delivered a winning combination by bringing Crystal and Ryan back together. The commercial celebrates a beloved moment in film history while adding a humorous modern twist, making it a must-watch for romantic comedy fans and football viewers alike.
Whether or not mayonnaise can truly inspire that much passion is up for debate, but one thing is certain: this Super Bowl ad is a treat for movie lovers who still swoon over Harry and Sally’s timeless love story.
Last year’s Super Bowl drew an audience of approximately 123.7 million viewers, and with the Kansas City Chiefs set to face off against the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, February 9, viewership is expected to remain just as high.