Meg Ryan, acclaimed as the queen of romantic comedies, says shes fine with moviegoers finding comfort in the film genre.

A lot of people tell me they watch my movies when theyre sick, Ryan told the Tribeca Festival Lisboa during a press conference on Thursday. The Hollywood star earned critical acclaim for her performance in Rob Reiner and Nora EphronsWhen Harry Met Sally, before partnering again with Ephron forSleepless in Seattle.

When we were making those movies, we didnt think we were in any kind of golden age, Ryan said. But she added the genre has stood the test of time and is finding new audiences among young people today. Ryan pointed to her young daughter appreciating romantic comedies for the assurance they bring to peoples lives, especially in troubled times. I think she loves the feeling that in that world, everythings all right, the worlds gonna be okay. People fall in love, so theyre very comforting, she observed.

In 2023, Ryan directed and starred in her own rom-com,What Happens Later, which also starred David Duchovny. That followed her 2015 directorial debut,Ithaca.

I wish Id done it earlier. It made me a better actor, Ryan said of stepping into the directors chair. She added directing is also part of a constant need for reinvention for the Hollywood star.

Seems like thats what people do. When you grow and change, grow and change, its just not odd at all to me, Ryan told the Tribeca Festival Lisboa press contingent. Shes taking a design class and recently completed acting work alongside Natalie Portman, Rashida Jones and Mark Ruffalo on Good Sex, a romantic comedyLena Dunhamdirected forNetflix.

You just keep trying to imagine yourself with a different hat every time. Its a career for polymaths, Ryan added of artists full of curiosity and a need to keep learning.

The Tribeca Festival Lisboa continues through to Nov. 1.