Wakey, wakey, film buffs. Thirty years ago, the romcom “Sleepless in Seattle” by Nora Ephron became a huge sensation, helping to put our city on the Hollywood map.
Until that point, there had been a few flicks filmed here, but nothing with the city’s name so central that it’s still a catchphrase. (Try telling any out-of-towner that you have insomnia and see if they can avoid making the joke.)
Of course, a lot has changed since the early 90s when people had landlines, precocious kids could book flights on their own, and Tom Hanks had a full head of curly hair. Let’s take a wistful look back.
Seattle metro area population
1993: 2,351,000
2023: 3,519,000
Amazon would become a small online bookstore a year after the movie came out — the big population boom was still more than a decade away.
Major pro sports teams
1993: Mariners, Seahawks, Sonics
2023: Mariners, Seahawks, Kraken, OL Reign, Sounders, and Storm
Only the Sonics had won the city a championship when “Sleepless” came out.
Sam’s floating home value
1993: ~$550,000
2023: Likely $3 million+
The house in the movie sold for $2 million in 2014, but is likely worth much more now, if recent trends are an indication.
Bumbershoot lineup
1993: Barenaked Ladies, Naughty By Nature, Violent Femmes
2023: Sleater-Kinney, Band of Horses, The Revivalists
Grunge had just begun in the early 90s.
We get it, Meg Ryan.
“Sleepless in Seattle” GIF via GIPHY
View of I-5 from the Yesler Way overpass
1993: Tall buildings with the Columbia Tower prominent.
2013: Tall buildings with the Columbia Tower prominent and an extra street lamp.
Obviously, our skyline has changed dramatically overall, but this view has remained remarkably steady.
Cost to fly to New York to meet the love of your life
1993: ~$300-$500 round-trip (based on averages)
2023: ~$300-$500 round-trip
Hey, totally worth a shot.
