Lindsay Lohan’s New Rom-Com Success Teases The Perfect Reunion 26 Years After Her $92 Million Disney Classic

Lindsay Lohan’s new Netflix rom-com, Irish Wish, proves why a reunion between the actor and one iconic director from her past must happen — and soon. Several years ago, Lohan made a successful return to acting after inking a two-movie deal with Netflix. The star’s first rom-com, Falling for Christmas, became the most-watched holiday movie of 2022. Although the flick received lukewarm reviews, critics seemed to agree on one thing: Lohan’s undeniable charm hadn’t faded since her 1998 breakthrough as a 10-year-old child actor. Similarly, Lohan is Irish Wish‘s best asset.

Formulaic and littered with clunky dialogue, Irish Wish at least gives Lohan’s aptitude for physical comedy, and the actor’s winning sincerity, a place to shine. Aside from Lohan’s not-so-confident book editor, Maddie Kelly, Irish Wish‘s cast of characters includes successful author Paul Kennedy (Alexander Vlahos), the charming (but cuttingly honest) photographer James Thomas (Ed Speleers), and Maddie’s best friends, Emma (Elizabeth Tan) and Heather (Ayesha Curry). When the smitten Maddie misses her chance to confess her feelings to Paul, the author winds up engaged to Emma — until Maddie makes a misguided wish to marry Paul.

Lindsay Lohan & The Parent Trap’s Nancy Meyers Need To Reunite On Another Rom-Com

With The Parent Trap (1998), both Lindsay Lohan and director Nancy Meyers garnered some notable “firsts” for their careers. For Lohan, the ’90s remake of the 1961 Disney movie marked her feature-film debut. While Meyers had previously penned hits like Private Benjamin and Father of the Bride, The Parent Trap was the accomplished writer’s directorial debut. With an all-star cast of characters, The Parent Trap defies the norm: it’s a remake of a beloved film that actually improves upon the original. Notably, Lohan plays estranged twin sisters Hallie Parker and Annie James, who fortuitously meet at summer camp.

After the 11-year-old twins realize that they are, in fact, related, they set up an elaborate scheme to switch places. Not only are Hallie and Annie interested in getting to know their mother, Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson), and father, Nick (Denis Quaid), but the sisters want to reignite their parents’ love for each other. Nick’s engagement to Meredith Blake (Elaine Hendrix) throws a wrench into things, but brings out the film’s best rom-com sensibilities. Meyers knew how to pull two incredible performances out of a young Lohan, which makes a contemporary movie reunion between the collaborators a must.

Nancy Meyers Often Works With Actors More Than Once

As both a writer and director, Nancy Meyers is no stranger to collaborating with talented actors more than once. For example, Meyers has teamed up with Diane Keaton on Baby Boom, Father of the Bride, and Something’s Gotta Give. Apart from his role in the Father of the Bride films, Steven Martin collaborated with Meyers on her 2009 rom-com It’s Complicated. That said, as proven by Nancy Meyers’ best movies, a re-team with Lohan on a brand-new rom-com is not completely out of the question.

The Parent Trap Remains One Of Lindsay Lohan & Nancy Meyer’s Best Movies

With tons of beloved rom-com classics to her name, Nancy Meyers cemented her place as one of the genre’s all-time greats. From The Holiday to Something’s Gotta Give, the filmmaker has a distinct style that elevates her movies. For every great straight-to-streaming rom-com, there are a dozen formulaic flops. However, as Lohan’s Irish Wish has proven, streaming platforms seem to be the new home for the genre. Aside from the surprise blockbuster performance of Anyone But You, rom-coms haven’t fared well in theaters in recent years.

That said, it’s the perfect time for a Lindsay Lohan and Nancy Meyers reunion. Over 26 years, The Parent Trap has endured, showcasing the pair’s potential to make a genre classic. In discussing Irish Wish, Lohan expressed a desire to continue making rom-coms — both to center on women’s stories and as a nod to the genre that kick-started her career. Lohan’s effortless charm in the otherwise deeply flawed Irish Wish proves that the success of a rom-com hinges quite a bit on its lead actor. With Meyers in her corner, Lohan could star in a rom-com that’s a step above the formulaic Netflix film.