Christmas is a magical time when anything can happen. And for Annie Reed (Meg Ryan), a down-to-earth newspaper reporter, it's just about to. Whilst driving to her fiancé's house to Christmas Eve, she hears a radio broadcast that will change her life. Eight-year-old Jonah is worried about his recently widowed father, and calls a radio station agony aunt. Persuaded onto the phone, Jonah's dad Sam (Tom Hanks) tells of his love for his dead wife and how their time together was pure magic. Annie is so touched by his heartfelt sentiment that she becomes determined to meet him. But there are a few problems: Sam's in Seattle, Annie's in Baltimore... and Sam doesn't even know that Annie exists!