Top 10 Most Underrated Teen Movie Kisses
#10: Bliss & Oliver
“Whip It” (2009)
Even if things don’t always work out, an underwater make-out can do a lot for a gal. “Whip It” is one of the most criminally underrated teen movies of the 2000s. It centers around Bliss, a shy high schooler who starts to come into her own when she discovers roller derby. Her new-found confidence on the rink leads to confidence in other aspects of her life, including her romantic one. In a gorgeously shot scene, Bliss makes out (and much, much more) a musician named Oliver while submerged in a pool. Oliver isn’t the endgame for Bliss, but this scene looks absolutely stunning.
#9: Donnie & Gretchen
“Donnie Darko” (2001)
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Even a movie as emotionally unsettling as “Donnie Darko” can have real moments of romance. They may be far and few between, but the short-lived relationship between Donnie and classmate Gretchen Ross is one for the books. Much like Donnie, Gretchen is also a troubled kid, and the two bond over their shared sense of loneliness. In a scene where they share a kiss outside of school, the chemistry between actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Jena Malone is palpable and sweet. That connection makes the film’s doomed conclusion all the more tragic.
#8: Kevin & Chiron
“Moonlight” (2016)
Top 10 Hilarious Kevin Hart Movie Moments
“Moonlight” might rest outside of the teen genre in its entirety, but the film’s middle section is one of the best teen movies in recent memory. As a teenager, Chiron is bullied at school and is dealing with the effects of his mother’s addiction. He finds comfort in his friend Kevin, but that friendship quickly changes into something more. While smoking up on a beach, the two share a kiss. The setting is beautiful, and the quiet hesitancy and curiosity between the two is magic on the screen. This section of the film doesn’t end happily for Chiron and Kevin, but when they reconcile later on, it's revealed how much this moment meant.
#7: Lizzie & Gordo
“The Lizzie McGuire Movie” (2003)
Top 10 Lizzie McGuire Movie Moments That Make No Sense
From 2001 to 2003, we tuned into “Lizzie McGuire” wondering if this would be the episode where it finally happened. Would Gordo finally admit his feelings for Lizzie? Would they finally kiss? Turns out, it was Lizzie who would have to make the first move. In the 2003 film “The Lizzie McGuire Movie,” Lizzie spends most of her time hung up on Italian pop star Paolo. But, once Paolo is out of the picture at the end of the film, it’s Gordo’s time to shine. Standing on a balcony overlooking the city of Rome, the two finally share the kiss we had been waiting for.
#6: Jamie & Landon
“A Walk to Remember” (2002)
Jamie Bell Interview: Tintin Premiere Red Carpet
There are plenty of kisses to swoon over in 2002’s “A Walk to Remember.” But we’re going to focus on the one that was a little unplanned. After a prank gone wrong, bad boy Landon is forced to participate in the school play as punishment, leading to a crush on Jamie, the preacher’s daughter. Landon denies his feelings for as long as he can, but after watching Jamie sing a rousing rendition of “Only Hope,” he just can’t help himself. This kiss definitely wasn’t scripted in whatever high school play these two are supposed to be in, but we think this was a good improvisation on Landon’s part!
#5: Ellie & Aster
“The Half of It” (2020)
In the very best way, Ellie Chu really embodied the phrase “love ‘em and leave ‘em” with this kiss. “The Half of It” follows Ellie as she helps school jock Paul make good on his crush on a girl named Aster. The only problem? Ellie has a pretty big crush on Aster, too. After a ton of confusion and heartache, Ellie finally gets her chance to really tell Aster how she feels right before she’s set to leave for college. Between Ellie’s sweet determination, and Aster’s dazed reaction, this scene is nothing less than heartwarming. It’s a funny and bittersweet moment that leaves the audience with a lot of hope for both girls moving forward.
#4: Georgia & Robbie
“Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging” (2008)
Finally, a scene that perfectly combines the wonder and embarrassment of teenage romance all into one moment. When Georgia and Robbie meet up in the pool, he’s under the impression that she has a boyfriend. After she vehemently lets him know that she doesn’t, the two start to splash around in the water, leading to a very embarrassing moment for Georgia. In an effort to make her legs more tan, she inadvertently made them orange by applying some sort of cream. To his credit, Robbie doesn’t seem to care. He jokes that her legs look like giant cheesy puffs, and then leans in for a kiss. And they say the perfect man doesn’t exist!
#3: Jess & Joe
“Bend It Like Beckham” (2002)
While some might argue the real romance in “Bend It Like Beckham” is between Jess and Jules, we must admit we have a soft spot for Jess and Joe. At the end of the film, after Jess’ parents have agreed to let her go to the United States and play football, she meets up with Joe on the pitch. You’d think this would be the perfect spot for a kiss, but Jess resists, worried her parents won’t accept too much rebellion from her all at once. But that’s not the end for these two. Later, Joe shows up to the airport for a classic rom-com-style declaration. We love a good airport snog, and this is one for the books.
#2: Jenna & Matty
“13 Going on 30” (2004)
We need to start a petition for Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo to make another movie together. Chemistry like this should not go untapped! “13 Going on 30” follows 13-year-old Jenna Rink after she makes a wish to be older, and magically wakes up in a 30-year-old's body,but still with her teenage mind. She immediately tracks down her old friend Matty, and romance begins to bloom. This scene on the swingset is lovely in part because of its innocence. Even though the two actors are decidedly not teenagers, they have a certain sweetness to them that really shines through.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Mia & Michael, “The Princess Diaries” (2001)
Everyone Loves a Good Foot Pop
Katniss & Peeta, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013)
Even In the Arena, Nothing Beats a Good Kiss
Jennifer & Needy, “Jennifer’s Body” (2009)
Sleepovers Just Got a Lot More Kissy!
Troy & Gabriella, “High School Musical 2” (2007)
The Kiss We’d All Been Waiting For
Lloyd & Diane, “Say Anything…” (1989)
The Kiss That Led to a Boombox Serenade
#1: Juno & Paulie
“Juno” (2007)
If there’s one thing Juno MacGuff is going to do, well, it’s not play by anyone’s rules. Throughout “Juno,” her relationship with Paulie Bleeker, her best friend and the father of her child, is on the rocks. But right before Juno gives birth, the two have one of the sweetest, most awkward reckonings in teen movie history. After sweetly gushing about how cool each other are, the two share a sweet kiss. When Juno’s friend Leah catcalls them, Juno doesn’t let it bother her. She just flips Leah off and keeps on kissing.
Which kiss had you feeling those first love butterflies all over again? Tell us about it in the comments.
