Diane Keaton is a woman of many talents. Though Keaton first began her career on stage, it wasn’t long before she transferred her acting abilities to the silver screen. In the early ’70s, she appeared in cult classic The Godfather. However, she didn’t limit herself to the gangster film genre. Keaton has continued to take on roles in comedies, romances, and dramas, and at 74 years old, she continues to make an impact on Hollywood. To celebrate her long career, we thought it was time to look at her greatest films to date. To do this, we’ll be turning to the Tomatometer ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Every Keaton film has been assigned a score on this review aggregation website, based on the positive and negative reviews of critics. Her movie with the highest percentages will be showing up here.
With that said, it’s time to journey through a slice of film history. Here are Diane Keaton’s best films of all time, according to Rotten Tomatoes.
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993) - 93%
Keaton played a role in this 1993 comedy-mystery about a couple that must get used to an empty nest their son after he heads off to college. They soon become friends with their neighbors, Paul and Lillian. However, after Lillian suddenly passes away, the husband and wife decide to uncover the cause of her death.
Though Manhattan Murder Mystery didn’t make up its budget at the box office, it did pull in positive reviews from critics who praised Keaton’s on-screen chemistry with her co-star and director, Woody Allen. Additionally, critics found the humor to be sharp and sweet.
Finding Dory (2016) - 94%
Though Keaton is mainly known for her classic live-action films, she has also appeared in more recent movies, including this 2016 sequel to Pixar’s Finding Nemo, in which she voiced Dory’s mother.
Finding Dory tells of a blue tang with short-term memory loss who searches out her parents, having been separated from them since she was a child. Dory’s adventures lead her to the Marine Life Institute where she must figure out how to escape captivity in addition to rescuing her mom and dad. The film was cute, funny, and thoughtful, making it one of Disney’s better sequels.
Manhattan (1979) - 95%
Several years before Keaton teamed up with Woody Allen for Manhattan Murder Mystery, the pair starred in this romantic comedy about a middle-aged divorcee who, while dating a teenage girl, falls for his best friend’s mistress. Yes, the story had a lot going on and probably couldn’t be made today. Nonetheless, viewers were left impressed.
Keaton played the mistress, and critics loved the charm she brought to the role. Additionally, the complicated themes intrigued viewers, coming off as both dramatic and funny.
The Godfather, Part II (1974) - 97%
The Godfather follow-up is almost as highly regarded as the original.
In this 1974 prequel/sequel, immigrant Vito Corleone is pulled into a life of crime while Michael Corleone faces a series of new obstacles. Though Al Pacino and Robert De Niro star, Keaton reprises her role as Kay Adams-Corleone, the wife of Michael.
Reviewers couldn’t help but praise the sharp performances and the well-crafted cinematography. Though not every critic thought The Godfather Part II lived up to the energy of the first, it still managed to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
Play It Again, Sam (1972) - 97%
Woody Allen turned his 1972 Broadway play Play It Again, Sam into a movie in 1972. The story is about a divorced film critic who is encouraged to get back into the dating game by his friend and his friend’s wife, Linda. The problem? He falls for Linda.
Critics loved Keaton’s portrayal of Linda as well as the bright plot, funny scenarios, and compelling story. Though not the most unique film, it easily engaged viewers.
Annie Hall (1977) - 97%
Keaton and Allen once again starred opposite each other in this popular 1977 rom-com about a comedian and nightclub singer who struggle through a relationship with one another in New York.
While not every critic was a fan, many loved how layered the story was and how genuinely the actors portrayed their characters. The film won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Additionally, Diane Keaton took home the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
The Godfather (1972) - 98%
The original Godfather follows the crime family of Don Vito Corleone. While son Michael gets pulled into the Mafia, his wife, Kay, is reluctant to embrace a lifestyle filled with high-stakes and tension. As in the sequel, Keaton played the role of Kay.
The mobster film was a critical and commercial success, with many believing that it transcended the screen as it easily pulled viewers into an immersive, vengeful story. Just like the sequel, it picked up multiple Academy Awards including Best Picture.
Sleeper (1973) - 100%
Keaton is one of few actresses who has appeared in three movies with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score. This is one of them.
Sleeper tells of a health store owner (Woody Allen) who is frozen in 1973 and awoken a couple hundred years later. In the modern world, he meets and falls for artist Luna Schlosser (Keaton). She must figure out how to rescue him after he is captured by the police.
The comedy was packed with witty one-liners and a brisk pace that kept audiences hooked.
Lovers And Other Strangers (1970) - 100%
A few years before Sleeper, Keaton played a part in Lovers and Other Strangers, adapted from the 1968 Broadway play of the same name.
The rom-com tells of a family that must confront their long list of problems while preparing for the wedding of Susan and Mike. Keaton plays Joan, Mike’s sister-in-law, who is in the middle of an impending divorce.
Though this film marked Keaton’s film debut, it also marked her initial on-screen success. Critics loved the lively characters and pacing.
Love And Death (100%)
Topping off the list is this 1975 comedy that satirizes Russian philosophical literature. More specifically, the narrative tells of a villager (Woody Allen) who is pulled into the Russian army while falling for his cousin. Yes, Keaton plays the love interest.
Audiences couldn’t help but love the neurotic, slapstick energy of Love and Death. Keaton’s performance was praised in particular. With a fully developed character and a humorous script, she managed to elevate her role with her whimsical acting ability.