The kissing scene: It’s the pinnacle of any romance film — even if the film doesn’t technically classify itself as a romance. You watch two characters develop an interest in each other. The tension builds, and you quietly root for them through the film. Will they kiss? Will they continue despising each other through the rest of the film? Will they fall in love? Or will this ultimately be a letdown, and they don’t end up together in the end? It’s emotionally exhausting.
But then it happens, and it hits you right in the feels. You swoon all over your couch or the movie theater seat — wherever you may be watching — and you swear you can almost see the sparks flying.
There are certainly specific scenes that never leave our memory: those we personally hope to experience in our lives (the incredibly sweet first kiss shared in P.S. I Love You), those that would never happen in a million years (that upside-down kiss in Spider-Man), and even those that are highly uncomfortable but still strangely sweet (we’re literally only talking about The Shape of Water here, folks).
Now that we’ve got you jonesing to watch a romance flick stat, let’s scroll through the most memorable movie kisses of all time. They’re sure to make your heart flutter.
A version of this article was originally published in February 2017.
‘P.S. I Love You’ (2007)
We feel dehydrated just thinking about this film, it makes you cry that much.
Gerard Butler's character gives Hilary Swank's character an Irish kiss — their first kiss — and it's simultaneously adorable and heartbreaking. If you've watched this film, you know what we mean.
‘The Shape of Water’ (2017)
The kiss and sex scene with Amphibian Man (Doug Jones) and Elisa (Sally Hawkins) in the award-winning The Shape of Water was controversial.
‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ (1961)
Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) and Paul Varjak (George Peppard) set the standard for romantic in-the-rain kisses.
‘Casablanca’ (1942)
After being separated by war, it's moving when Rick (Humphrey Bogart) and Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) are reunited.
‘Ghost’ (1990)
Molly (Demi Moore) could only kiss her late husband Sam (Patrick Swayze) through a medium (Whoopi Goldberg).
‘Gone with the Wind’ (1939)
The love-hate relationship of Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) and Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) came through in this kiss.
‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ (2003)
Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson's spark was undeniable — even when their characters were fighting.
‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005)
The kiss shared between Heath Ledger's Ennis and Jake Gyllenhaal's Jack was one of desperate urgency.
‘Good Will Hunting’ (1997)
When Will (Matt Damon) and Skylar (Minnie Driver) kiss with a mouth full of burger, it's totally endearing.
‘Dirty Dancing’ (1987)
Learning to dance never looked hotter than when Johnny (Patrick Swayze) taught Baby (Jennifer Grey).
‘Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix’ (2007)
It took so long for Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) to move on Cho (Katie Leung), we were all rooting for the boy wizard.
‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (1980)
The chemistry between Harrison Ford (Han Solo) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) was quite literally out of this world.
‘Planet of the Apes’ (1968)
This kiss between George (Charlton Heston) and Dr. Zira (Kim Hunter) was one of film's first interspecies lip-locks.
‘Lady and the Tramp’ (1955)
Who knew slurping up spaghetti could be so cute? The kiss between Lady and mutt Tramp remains classic.
‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ (1982)
Everyone's heart skips a beat when Zack Mayo (Richard Gere) sweeps Paula (Debra Winger) off her feet.
‘Pretty Woman’ (1980)
When Vivian (Julia Roberts) breaks her own rule and kisses Edward (Richard Gere), it's movie magic.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946)
George Bailey (James Stewart) fought falling in love with Mary (Donna Reed), but this kiss says it all.
‘Brown Sugar’ (2002)
Just friends… pshh! The chemistry between Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan smoldered in this kiss.
‘She’s All That’ (1999)
The kiss between Laney (Rachael Leigh Cook) and Zack (Freddie Prinze Jr.) is reborn every time "Kiss Me" plays.
‘Daredevil’ (2003)
Because Ben Affleck's character was blind, he "saw" his kiss with Jennifer Garner through rain vibrations.
‘The Notebook’ (2004)
Noah (Ryan Gosling) exclaimed, "It's still not over!" before kissing Allie (Rachel McAdams), and we all fangirled.
‘Sixteen Candles’ (1984)
Everyone forgot Samantha's (Molly Ringwald) birthday, but she still got a kiss from her crush (Michael Schoeffling).
‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
Known as the "as you wish" kiss, this smooch between Westley (Cary Elwes) and Buttercup (Robin Wright) is timeless.
‘Romeo & Juliet’ (1996)
It's safe to say every '90s kid dreamed of a first kiss like the one shared between Leo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
‘The Princess Diaries’ (2001)
When Mia (Anne Hathaway) kissed Michael (Robert Schwartzman) in the courtyard, she finally got her foot-pop.
‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
Peter (Tobey Maguire) and Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) upped the kissing-in-the-rain ante with an upside-downer.
‘Twilight’ (2008)
Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's real-life chemistry made Bella and Edward's first kiss intense.
‘The Wedding Singer’ (1998)
Julia (Drew Barrymore) memorably demonstrated "church tongue" on Robbie (Adam Sandler).
‘When Harry Met Sally’ (1989)
It took the entire movie, but Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally's (Meg Ryan) New Year's kiss was worth the wait.
’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)
Patrick (Heath Ledger) sealed his apology to Kat (Julia Stiles) with a Fender and one heck of a kiss.
‘Armageddon’ (1998)
When A.J. (Ben Affleck) says goodbye to Grace (Liv Tyler) before "leavin' on a jet plane," it's too cute for words.
‘The Hunger Games’ (2012)
When Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) kissed Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), it was the official start of something more.
‘Love Jones’ (1997)
Nineties rom-com queen Nia Long shares a super-steamy in-the-rain kiss with Larenz Tate.
‘You’ve Got Mail’ (1998)
When Joe (Tom Hanks) tells Kathleen (Meg Ryan), "Don't cry, Shopgirl" and kisses her, it's impossible not to melt.
‘Never Been Kissed’ (1999)
When you think Sam (Michael Vartan) is going to stand Josie (Drew Barrymore) up, he shows up with this smooch.
‘My Girl’ (1991)
Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin) and Vada (Anna Chlumsky) kissing will forever be one of the film's sweetest liplocks.
‘Titanic’ (1997)
Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) kissing on the bow made moviegoers swoon hard.
Best movie kisses
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