Some movies are remembered for their incredible endings and others for their to-die-for costumes. But nothing beats an unforgettable movie couple.
Classics like Titanic, Dirty Dancing and Pretty Woman have introduced us to swoon-worthy romantic leads (and taught us a thing or two about how to navigate our own relationships). Of course, these examples only scratch the surface when it comes to standout on-screen romances. Keep reading for 40 of the best movie couples of all time.
Like we’d ever put these two in a corner…
Their tragic romance always tugs at the heartstrings—but it comes as no surprise, given that their story took inspiration from Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet.
Childhood BFFs and aspiring athletes, Quincy (Omar Epps) and Monica (Sanaa Lathan), develop romantic feelings for each other as they grow older and pursue their careers. But even as their success threatens the future of their relationship, it doesn’t change their off-the-charts chemistry.
No disrespect to fans who are #TeamGale, but it’s impossible to watch the films and not see that these two belong together. (Need proof? Watch this scene.)
We think of their relationship as a sort of Kim-Kanye situation: They’re both kinda kooky, but it works.
Do we love that Sandy totally changed herself for a guy? No. Can we recreate the entire “You’re the One That I Want” choreo from memory? Proudly.
Not including these two would’ve been a big mistake…huge.
A chance encounter at a Chicago club leads to a casual fling between these two creatives. It doesn't take long for them to realize that they might have something more.
Any guy who’s willing to put up with intense duels and torture chambers to win your heart is certainly a keeper. Princess Buttercup knows that all too well.
No lie, these lovebirds shared some of the best scenes in this movie franchise, from Leia's brave profession of love (followed by Han's classic "I know") to that steamy first kiss on the Falcon.
Think: Young love, with a whole bunch of twists.
Get this: Their love for one another was so powerful that they brought each other back to life. If that's not true love, then we don't know what is.
What started as a silly ruse to make an ex jealous turned into a swoon-worthy high-school romance.
Was their romance problematic? Definitely. But admit it, those dreamy romance scenes still gave you all the feels.
You know it's true love when your partner tries to convince you that your blue-colored soup is cool.
John Green's got a knack for crafting teen love stories that would make even Nicholas Sparks proud.
There would be no Superman without Lois. There, we said it.
Can we agree that some of the best romances can come out of bitter rivalries?
Must they choose between love and their careers? Or is it possible to have it all? La La Land addresses these very questions as two ambitious artists (played by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling) fall in love.
We know, we know. They both tragically die in the end. But if there’s one thing these star-crossed lovers got right, it’s that first loves can be seriously intense.
Yes, we’re total suckers for fairytale romances. Especially when they include a feminist hero. *Cue “A Whole New World”*
Angela Bassett’s Stella Payne embarks on a journey of self-discovery as she travels to Jamaica and starts a whirlwind romance with Winston, a young islander who's 20 years younger.
In this poignant story about first love, 17-year-old Elio (Timothée Chalamet) is smitten with a 24-year-old grad student, Oliver (Armie Hammer). If you’ve yet to see it, keep some tissues handy when you watch.
Best friends turned lovebirds Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James) are thrown the ultimate curveball when Fonny gets wrongfully convicted of a crime in ’70s New York. Their story will send anyone on a rollercoaster of emotions.
Disclaimer: It’s not a run-of-the-mill love story. The two went from having a disastrous first date to bonding while on the run from police, which makes their relationship even more fascinating.
We certainly didn’t see this relationship coming (in fact, we were leaning more towards Harry and Hermione). But now that we look back, their romance makes total sense.
Peter (Tobey Maguire) and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) will go down in history as the couple who inspired us to try that infamous upside-down kiss.
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan star as enemies-turned lovers in this charming tale, where they meet and fall for each other online.
We’ve seen plenty of examples of how rewarding love can be, but with Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake’s (Alec Baldwin) on-and-off romance, we’re reminded that it’s often messy and complicated.
When Sara (Kate Beckinsale) and Jonathan (John Cusack) meet for the first time, sparks fly. But when they part ways, they leave it up to fate to bring them back together.
We’re not sobbing, you’re sobbing.
Honestly, we were thisclose to going with Marie and Jess.
R.I.P. Brangelina. Your on-screen chemistry was super hot.
Bogart and Bergman were the heart eyes emoji before the heart eyes emoji existed.
We can’t quit this movie.
We’ll let it slide that there was definitely room for both of them on the door.
Yes, it’s a predictable teen movie, but you’ll be rooting for Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas the whole damn time.
Confession: We watch Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams accepting the award for Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards at least once a year.
Movie suspense is only acceptable when the payout is as tear-jerking as this one.
Two words: Pottery scene.
