From original Mafia spouse to the romcom heroine and early 20th-century feminist author to late-20th-century modern woman navigating both the tumultuous Me Decade and the you-can-have-it-all 1980s — these roles may have been memorable in the hands of many actors, however, Diane Keaton made them iconic.
Keaton, who sadly passed away recently at the age of 79, consistently brought warmth and emotional complexity to every character she embodied. She could be amusing without being frivolous and eccentric without ever seeming contrived. Her characters reflected real women — flawed, resilient and unapologetically themselves. Here are five of our favourite films from the late actor that you can watch now on streaming services.
Annie Hall (1977)
Watch it on Prime Video
Annie Hall is not just Keaton’s most celebrated performance, but one of the most memorable performances in film history. Woody Allen wrote Annie Hall for her, even using her real surname, and only she could have captured Annie’s quirky magnetism — that mix of sweetness, insecurity and spontaneous wit — without turning her into a caricature or a prototype of the “manic pixie dream girl”. While Allen’s character Alvy Singer narrates the story and drives its neurotic energy, it’s Annie’s warmth that ultimately defines the film. Her laughter, her hesitations, her wide-eyed openness bring light to Alvy’s gloomy introspection — like a sunflower blooming through the cracks of New York cynicism. It’s impossible to imagine Annie Hall without her, because she is Annie Hall.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
Watch it on HBO Max
Most remember Keaton as Kay Adams, the fresh-faced girlfriend-turned-wife in The Godfather (1972). But it’s in Part II that she fully claims her place within the epic. As Michael Corleone’s (Al Pacino) moral compass, Kay becomes the emotional anchor in a world drowning in power and blood. Her now-iconic scene revealing that she didn’t miscarry but instead chose to abort their child to save him from “this Sicilian thing” is devastating in its moral clarity. It’s the moment the saga stops being about organised crime and becomes a tragedy of lost humanity. As much as Fredo’s death, Kay’s decision marks Michael’s final descent into darkness.
Baby Boom (1987)
Watch it on Prime Video
Keaton’s first collaboration with writer-producer Nancy Meyers resulted in one of her most beloved performances. Baby Boom follows J.C. Wiatt, a high-powered Manhattan executive whose life is upended when she unexpectedly inherits a baby girl. What follows is a sharp, funny exploration of female ambition, identity and the impossible balance between career and motherhood. Often dismissed as glossy fluff, Baby Boom is in fact one of the great feminist-lite comedies of its era. Keaton is sublime here — switching from corporate cool to maternal chaos with effortless timing. Her physical comedy still feels fresh nearly four decades later and her journey from burnout to self-reinvention remains surprisingly relevant.
Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
Watch it on HBO Max
In Nancy Meyers’ later classic, Keaton stars opposite Jack Nicholson as Erica Barry, a divorced playwright who finds herself unexpectedly hosting her daughter’s much older boyfriend after he suffers a heart attack in her Hamptons home. Cue the romantic chaos. Keaton is utterly magnetic — neurotic, luminous and heartbreakingly funny — as a woman rediscovering passion and purpose in her 50s. Her chemistry with Nicholson is electric, while her scenes opposite Keanu Reeves, who plays her younger suitor, are tender and full of quiet confidence. Keaton’s performance earned her an Oscar nomination and redefined what a romantic lead could look like beyond youth and perfection.
The First Wives Club (1996)
Watch it on HBO Max
Who wouldn’t want to watch Keaton, Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn unite to give their cheating ex-husbands a taste of revenge? Directed by Hugh Wilson, The First Wives Club is a fizzy, sharp and joyful revenge comedy that became an instant cult favourite. Keaton plays Annie, a gentle, neurotic woman whose husband takes her for granted until she finds the courage to stand up for herself — and team up with her equally wronged friends. It’s 9 To 5 for the 90s and while the ensemble sparkles, Keaton’s charm grounds the film with sincerity and warmth. Her signature turtlenecks and anxious energy are on full display, reminding audiences why she remained one of Hollywood’s most relatable stars.