10 must-watch Diane Keaton films that define her legacy

From her androgynous fashion and quirky charm to her fearless performances that capture both humor and heartbreak, Diane Keaton remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved and enduring icons. Born on January 5, 1946, in Los Angeles, California, Keaton has spent over five decades redefining what it means to be a leading lady — intelligent, imperfect, independent, and unapologetically herself.

Here are 10 must-watch Diane Keaton films and TV shows that showcase her brilliance across eras, genres, and generations.

1. Annie Hall (1977)

📺 Director: Woody Allen

Keaton’s Academy Award-winning performance as the eccentric, lovable Annie Hall remains her most defining role. With her offbeat humor, idiosyncratic wardrobe, and emotional authenticity, Keaton gave audiences a heroine who felt real — awkward, charming, and heartbreakingly human.

2. The Godfather Trilogy (1972, 1974, 1990)

📺 Director: Francis Ford Coppola

As Kay Adams-Corleone, Keaton anchored one of cinema’s greatest sagas with quiet strength and moral conflict. Her transformation from Michael Corleone’s innocent fiancée to a woman trapped in his empire of power remains one of the most memorable arcs in film history.

3. Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977)

📺 Director: Richard Brooks

A dark, provocative drama about a woman exploring her sexuality amid 1970s liberation movements. Keaton’s fearless portrayal of Theresa Dunn — a complex teacher navigating love, danger, and self-destruction — proved her dramatic depth beyond comedy.

4. Reds (1981)

📺 Director: Warren Beatty

Keaton earned another Oscar nomination for her performance as journalist and feminist Louise Bryant, opposite Warren Beatty’s John Reed. This sweeping epic about love, politics, and revolution showcases her ability to balance passion and intellect on screen.

5. Crimes of the Heart (1986)

📺 Director: Bruce Beresford

In this Southern Gothic dramedy based on Beth Henley’s play, Keaton stars as Lenny, the eldest of three eccentric sisters. Her tender, humorous performance highlights her knack for portraying flawed yet fiercely loving women.

6. Father of the Bride (1991) & Father of the Bride Part II (1995)

📺 Director: Charles Shyer

As Nina Banks, Keaton shines as the warm, witty, and wise matriarch opposite Steve Martin. These heartwarming family comedies remain timeless favorites, celebrating love, parenting, and letting go — Keaton-style.

7. Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)

📺 Director: Woody Allen

Reuniting with Woody Allen, Keaton plays Carol Lipton, a housewife turned amateur sleuth. The film blends comedy and suspense, giving Keaton the perfect stage for her sharp timing and effervescent curiosity.

8. The First Wives Club (1996)

📺 Director: Hugh Wilson

A cult classic that cemented Keaton as an icon of female empowerment. Alongside Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn, she portrays Annie, one of three women who band together to reclaim their confidence — and their power — after being betrayed by their husbands.

9. Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

📺 Director: Nancy Meyers

Keaton’s performance as Erica Barry, a playwright rediscovering love and self-worth opposite Jack Nicholson, earned her yet another Oscar nomination. With wit, elegance, and vulnerability, Keaton redefined romantic comedies for women over 50.

10. Book Club (2018)

📺 Director: Bill Holderman

A celebration of friendship, reinvention, and late-blooming romance, Book Clubsees Keaton lead a powerhouse ensemble including Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. It’s a fitting reflection of Keaton’s real-life persona — timeless, funny, and full of heart.

Beyond acting, Diane Keaton has made her mark as a director, producer, photographer, interior designer, and fashion icon. Whether she’s donning her signature wide-brimmed hat or championing authenticity in Hollywood, Keaton continues to prove that age, like art, only deepens with time.