Top 10 Most Unexpected Movie Kisses
#10: Han & Leia
“Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)
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Following their victory in their first adventure, Han and Leia work closely at the Rebel Base. However, their relationship is mostly sour, as the two keep snapping at each other all the time. Upon being forced to escape, and with their lives on the line, Han's attitude toward Leia suddenly changes. While she continues their practice of insulting one another, Han begins to ignore what she’s saying as he corners her, fulfilling the popular “bad boy taking charge” trope of the era. While it’s framed as romantic, Leia’s total lack of interest before this point raises questions about how consentual the encounter might be. Either way, we certainly didn’t see this one coming!
#9: Mark & Juliet
“Love Actually” (2003)
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At the wedding of his best friend Peter, Mark seems to have an unexplained dislike for Peter's wife Juliet. However, it turns out that Mark actually has unrequited feelings for her, which Juliet learns in an uncomfortable moment. On Christmas Eve, Mark visits Peter and Juliet's place at night where he quietly reveals his true feelings. While it seems as if this might be the end of the matter, Juliet rushes up to Mark and kisses him without explanation. With Mark having had no hope or agenda during his confession of love, he's left momentarily stunned at this unexpected reception. Juliet seems to have caught herself by surprise, as the two let this exchange sink in for a few moments before going their separate ways.
#8: Tony & Pepper
“Iron Man 2” (2010)
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Tony and Pepper never act on their romantic tension for the first two Iron Man films, as they bicker like a married couple instead. The second movie sees Tony distance himself from Pepper after believing his death is imminent before finding a solution. However, his following attempts to make amends don't work out until the film's climax. Having almost lost her life, Pepper decides to resign as the two begin arguing as usual. This time, though, Tony doesn't bicker for too long as he goes a long overdue kiss mid-sentence. Stunned by his sudden initiative, the two forget all about their problems as the kiss solves everything in one swoop. It’s a big change in emotion as the two had only just escaped a near-death situation.
#7: George & Lucy
“A Room with a View” (1985)
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As soon as they meet, Lucy and George’s attraction remains unaddressed despite the two having chemistry that’s hard to miss. After George comes to her aid during Lucy’s fainting episode, their feelings begin to grow further, although neither acts upon it. This is why it comes out of the blue when George does pursue his feelings in such a forward manner. As it happens, Lucy stumbles upon a poppy field by a hillside where she sees George. Having no care or concern for their surroundings, George rushes over to initiate a passionate kiss that absolutely floors Lucy. With the two only just coming across one another in this scene, it appears as if even George and Lucy are surprised at how their feelings overcame them.
#6: Cage & Rita
“Edge of Tomorrow” (2014)
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Trapped in a time loop that only ends if he dies, William Cage figures out a way to beat the alien invasion with the assistance of Sergeant Rita. Having fallen in love with her, Cage devises a plan to ensure her survival, which doesn't work out as hoped. With death an almost certainty, Rita confesses her admiration of Cage and kisses him before heading off to her demise. The kiss shocks Cage the most as from Rita's point of view, they had only met that day. As their fates are set to meet a certain doom, expecting this show of affection is the last thing Cage had on his mind, especially considering the icy welcome she gave her when they first met.
#5: Claire & Owen
“Jurassic World” (2015)
Claire and Owen's interactions are hardly romantic for the majority of Jurassic World. While she considers him to be roguish and he thinks of her too stuck up, they work together to save the park after the breakout of the dinosaurs. The two seem to change their opinions during their ordeal, something Owen leaves no doubt about after she saves his life. As soon as Owen realizes this, he makes his way to Claire and delivers a kiss that nobody would have seen coming in such a life and death scenario. It's clear that Claire had no expectations of this kind of a show of appreciation, which makes all the fear and uncertainty of the situation stop for this moment.
#4: Bob & Charlotte
“Lost in Translation” (2003)
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Having bonded due to their mutual depression and identity crisis, Bob and Charlotte have a stern reality check when it's time for him to leave. This changes when he sees her by the film's climax, as Bob approaches her in the middle of the street for an embrace. Even more sudden is his decision to kiss her, as the two had had a falling out not long before. The suddenness of the kiss stems from the ambiguity behind it, raising questions of their future and if it means that Bob plans to see her again. For her part, Charlotte doesn't deny the kiss, leaving it up to the viewer to wonder where this sudden act of passion comes from.
#3: Charlie & Maverick
“Top Gun” (1986)
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After crashing and burning in his attempts to impress astrophysicist Charlie, Lieutenant Maverick doesn't seem to have much luck in reversing her opinion of him. The two spend each of their scenes having differing opinions that keeps getting in the way of any potential romance. After another argument, Charlie chases Maverick down for another confrontation, only to reveal her feelings for him. Maverick's response is to momentarily grasp for words, going against his argumentative nature. He then goes straight in for a kiss when Charlie herself is waiting for him to respond to her confession. Considering Maverick's loud mouth antics and need to have the final word, it's both heartwarming and surprising to see him admit defeat in this argument in favor of choosing his feelings.
#2: Graham & Amanda
“The Holiday” (2006)
Amanda takes a holiday to England to get over a breakup but realizes the place where she's staying isn't for her. Before leaving, Graham, the brother of the woman Amanda's swapped houses with, arrives in an inebriated state. The two form a connection but the idea of romance seems out of the question since they've just met. While rom coms generally build up toward the big kiss between it's leads, Graham defies this trope by kissing Amanda without giving any prior signals. Amanda's reaction is just as unexpected, quickly asking him to kiss her again as she welcomes their attraction. Although they had instant chemistry, the two giving in to this attraction was far from expected at the beginning of the scene.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Rosalyn & Sydney, “American Hustle”
Because Who Knew Revenge Can Be Served with a Smooch?
Aladdin & Jasmine, “Aladdin”
Since When Do Carpets Play Someone’s Wingman?
Peter & Gwen, “The Amazing Spider-Man 2”
Because It’s Such a Bold Move Doesn’t Seem to Fit Peter’s Character
#1: Nicholas & Mia
“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004)
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There's an attraction between Nicholas and Mia right from the get-go, which is hampered when she learns of his intention to steal the throne. Mia still finds it difficult to fight her feelings, something Nicholas takes advantage of. At a garden party, he gets her to admit she doesn't love her new fiance, as their argument begins to escalate. Out of nowhere, Nicholas pulls Mia in for a kiss that she does nothing to stop, complete with popping her foot out as well. In addition to the kiss happening all of a sudden, their embrace is extended before Mia realizes what's happening. The surprises don't end there either, as the kiss rattles them enough to cause a tumble they won't ever forget.
