RyanReynolds Shares Heartwarming Full-Circle Moment Watching Wicked with Daughter James

Ryan Reynolds, known for his quick wit and heartfelt moments, recently experienced a touching full-circle moment with his daughter, James, during a special viewing of Wicked. The actor, 48, revealed during the National Board of Review Award Gala on January 7, 2025, that he saw Wicked in the same theater where he and his daughter had watched The Wizard of Oz years earlier.

A Special Connection to the Metrograph Theater

During the gala, Reynolds presented producer Marc Platt with the award for Best Film for Wicked. While giving his speech, he shared the personal significance of the Metrograph Theater in New York City, where the movie was screened.

“I saw Wicked at the Metrograph Theater here in New York City,” Reynolds said. “This is the very same theater that I attended in 2017 when I took my 3-year-old daughter to see her first film on the big screen, which was The Wizard of Oz.”

Reynolds’s story highlights the deep connection he shares with his family and how the theater has become a place of cherished memories. The Wizard of Oz screening in 2017 marked James’s introduction to cinema, while Wicked, a reimagining of the Wizard of Oz universe, brought those memories full circle for the actor and his now 10-year-old daughter.

A Devoted Family Man

Ryan Reynolds and his wife, actress Blake Lively, are known for their close-knit family and playful public dynamic. Together, they share four children: James, 10; Inez, 8; Betty, 5; and their youngest, son Olin, who was born in February 2023.

Despite their high-profile Hollywood careers, Reynolds and Lively prioritize their roles as parents. Reynolds has often spoken about the challenges of balancing work and family life. In a recent interview with Deadline, he admitted, “Being away from my kids sometimes makes me die inside. I don’t ever want to be an absentee father.”

A Taylor Swift Connection

The Reynolds-Lively family has also formed a close bond with Taylor Swift, a relationship that has made headlines over the years. Swift, a long-time family friend, even named her song “Betty” after the couple’s third child, with James and Inez also referenced in the lyrics.

In November 2024, Reynolds shared his amusement when Swift referred to him as her “godkids’ sperm donor” in an Instagram post promoting his Deadpool & Wolverine movie. “I’m going to need that on my gravestone,” Reynolds joked. He added that Swift’s public acknowledgment of their friendship was more than just endearing—it was a cultural moment.

“She is the godparent to my daughters,” Reynolds said. “That was very sweet. Not just sweet, that was, like, you could probably quantify a box office based on Taylor just doing something like that.”

A Memorable Night at Taylor Swift’s Concert

In October 2024, Reynolds and Lively brought James to a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans, creating yet another unforgettable family memory. Videos from the event showed Lively walking into the venue with her arm around James, who sported sparkling blonde hair.

During the concert, the family was spotted enjoying Swift’s performance of “Betty,” a special moment as the song resonates deeply with their family. Lively filmed Swift on stage while James stood in front, singing along with enthusiasm. Reynolds and Lively’s shared joy as parents was evident, underscoring their commitment to creating magical experiences for their children.

A Legacy of Family and Storytelling

Reynolds’s heartfelt anecdote about Wicked at the National Board of Review Award Gala serves as a testament to his deep connection to family and storytelling. The Metrograph Theater, where he introduced his daughter to the magic of cinema with The Wizard of Oz, and later watched Wicked, symbolizes the intersection of cherished memories and cinematic artistry.

As a father, Reynolds finds ways to weave his Hollywood career into his personal life, turning industry milestones into family experiences. Whether watching a classic like The Wizard of Oz or attending a Taylor Swift concert, Reynolds and Lively prioritize creating a sense of wonder and joy for their children.

Looking Ahead

As Reynolds continues his successful career, including his much-anticipated return in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie, his role as a father remains central to his identity. His ability to balance family life with a demanding Hollywood career sets him apart, inspiring fans with his dedication to being present for his loved ones.

The story of Ryan Reynolds’s full-circle moment at the Metrograph Theater reminds us of the power of shared experiences and how they connect us across time. For Reynolds and his daughter James, Wicked was not just a movie; it was a bridge between past and present, underscoring the enduring magic of storytelling and family bonds.

As Reynolds himself said, “Movies have the power to bring us together and create moments that last a lifetime. For me, this was one of those moments.”