Top 20 Haters Turned Lovers in Movies

Top 20 Haters Turned Lovers in Movies

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Haters Turned Lovers in Movies.

For this list, we’ll be looking at those film couples that went from wanting to kill each other to being willing to die for one another. We’ll be excluding animated couples, as they could warrant a list of their own.

Which big screen couple was really unexpected? Let us know in the comments!

#20: Tristan Thorn & Yvaine
“Stardust” (2007)

Some romances are written in the stars, while others involve one. In the magical world of "Stardust," Tristan sets out to retrieve a fallen star to impress his crush, and that remains the same even after the protagonist learns the star has taken the form of a woman called Yvaine. Surprisingly, Yvaine is not too enthusiastic by the thought of being used as a gift, and Tristan chaining the star up does not help matters. These two could not have gotten their relationship off to a worse start, but a near-death experience and a helpful pirate send Yvaine and Tristan down a different and far more magical road.

#19: Woody Deane & Nell Bedworth
“It's a Boy Girl Thing” (2006)

There is no relationship so strained that a good old fashioned body swap cannot fix. "It's a Boy Girl Thing" centers around two neighbors, Woody and Nell, who are complete opposites and cannot help but argue about everything. Their toxic dynamic is annoying enough to prompt an Aztec god statue to take matters into his own hands and force them to swap bodies. While Woody and Nell initially react to the situation by trying to sabotage each other's lives, the teenagers eventually grow to appreciate and even love one another. It goes beyond the cliche that opposites attract, as Woody and Nell learn to look beyond their respective outer shells.

#18: Johnny Castle & Frances “Baby” Houseman
“Dirty Dancing” (1987)

The power of montages and '80s pop tunes should not be underestimated. Baby and Johnny come from different backgrounds and, at the Catskills resort, they are not meant to mix. Although their first meeting is relatively cordial, Johnny is far less willing to accept Baby when she replaces his usual dance partner for an important show. After some intense training, a classic song, and an iconic lift, Johnny begins to think differently of Baby. Before long, the two have developed a strange love that transcends class and leads to one of the best moments of their lives.

#17: Mike Chadway & Abigail "Abby" Richter
“The Ugly Truth” (2009)

Whether arguing on live TV or kissing in a hot air balloon, Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler are never anything short of electric. Abby is a romantic who is desperate for love; meanwhile, Mike takes a more sardonic and calculated approach to relationships. When the pair end up working together, Abby and Mike's strong natures and contrasting perspectives spark a predictable contempt for each other. "The Ugly Truth" plays up to gender stereotypes quite a bit, but Abby and Mike are such aggressive personalities that they shine as enemies and also as lovers.

#16: Eric Messer & Holly Berenson
“Life as We Know It” (2010)

Sometimes, all it takes for a couple to realize they are meant for each other is a fatal car crash, an unexpected baby, and a sprint to an airport. Connected through their close friends, Holly and Eric would have gone on hating each other from a distance if they had never found themselves suddenly acting as guardians for the same baby. After disliking each other while under the same roof, Eric and Holly begin to form something akin to a friendship that would eventually give birth to a new family.

#15: Ronny Cammareri & Loretta Castorini
“Moonstruck” (1987)

Cher, Nicolas Cage with a wooden hand, and New York City; "Moonstruck" is rom-com royalty. Believing herself to be unlucky in love, Loretta decides to settle for Johnny, but things take a turn when she meets her future husband's angry brother and experiences passion once again. In any given scene, Loretta and Ronny are equally as likely to argue, kiss, slap each other, or head to bed; sometimes, they will hate and love each other in the span of a minute, and it is all convincing. "Moonstruck" manages to be eccentric and heartfelt, two traits reflected in Loretta and Ronny.

#14: Kylo Ren / Ben Solo & Rey Skywalker
“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)

Over the course of three movies, Rey and Kylo Ren go from violent duels and forced mindreads to close partners who are willing to die for each other. Despite being on opposite sides of a galactic conflict, Rey and Ren form a deep connection not only because of their Force bond but their shared loneliness, as they both seek to better understand their places in the universe. Even as enemies, Rey and Ren have a way of inspiring each other to reach new heights; as a couple, they are simply the best.

#13: Donald “Don” Lockwood & Kathy Selden
“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)

There is nothing quite like a classic Hollywood musical. A famous silent movie actor with charm and wit to spare, Don Lockwood finds his match in Kathy Selden, a chorus girl with aspirations of superstardom. Although the two have instant chemistry, Don and Kathy's meet-cute is fueled by sarcastic retorts and put-downs rather than googly eyes and romance. While their second encounter involves a cake and Gene Kelly's face, Don becomes infatuated by Kathy's independence and strength. It's not long before Don and Kathy are singing to each other and making hearts flutter.

#12: Phil Connors & Rita Hanson
“Groundhog Day” (1993)

A sarcastic weatherman, Phil Connors is not easy to get along with, as his producer Rita Hanson knows all too well. However, when the pair of them are stuck in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania on Groundhog Day, their animosity is destined for change; although it takes a while. Phil becomes stuck in a time loop, repeating the same day over and over. During his time spent in Groundhog Day, Phil falls for Rita and during several loops he romances her, but it isn’t until he finds true happiness and love for her, and she for him, that he’s able to escape and start a life with her.

#11: Sebastian Wilder & Mia Dolan
“La La Land” (2016)

These two struggling artists definitely don’t get off on the right foot. Their first meetings occur during very stressful moments for each of them, causing them to feel negatively towards one another. However, Mia and Sebastian’s continued run-ins cause them to discuss their passions, acting, and jazz, respectively, and their passion for each other blossoms in turn. In the end, what brought them together serves to break them apart, though, as their pursuit of their dreams leads to their breakup - even if their love endures.

#10: Declan O'Callaghan & Anna Brady
“Leap Year” (2010)

What happens when an idealistic stager from Boston must travel across Ireland with a gruff innkeeper who needs some cash? Forced together out of necessity and nothing else, Anna and Declan have to tolerate each other until they get to Dublin, which proves hard to do when their trip meets one disaster after another. As they survive all of the mishaps and inch closer to their destination, Anna and Declan grow more comfortable together. However, any budding feelings of romance are pushed aside in favor of what's safe and familiar. Ultimately, Anna realizes that maybe Declan is who she needs in her life.

#9: Nicholas Devereaux & Mia Thermopolis
“The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2004)

Political intrigue, a royal wedding, and Julie Andrews; "The Princess Diaries 2" has it all. Genovia's princess, Mia is required to pick a husband to stop Nicholas Devereaux from seizing the throne, although the young lord's actions are primarily driven by his uncle. Charismatic and funny, Nicholas does catch Mia's eye, but the princess understandably finds it difficult to trust someone who is vying for her crown. Removed from his uncle's influence, Nicholas proves himself to be distinguished and kind, and it does not take long for the guy to become enamored by Mia's compassionate nature.

#8: Andrew Paxton & Margaret Tate
“The Proposal” (2009)

Occasionally on film, blackmail is just a step on the road to love. A powerful editor-in-chief who does not much care for her subordinates, Margaret treats Andrew, her assistant, without even the slightest hint of common courtesy. In response, Andrew hates his boss, something that does not change after the two get engaged so that Margaret would not be deported. Andrew and Margaret spend the first half of "The Proposal" stuck in a power struggle, but a trip to Alaska and a near-drowning experience opens their eyes to the fact that they are more than just tools to be used and discarded.

#7: John Bender & Claire Standish
“The Breakfast Club” (1985)

In fairness to these two, you don’t really expect to meet someone in detention. Each of them is guilty of judging the other, as well as their fellow students, by stereotypes: Claire is the spoiled, rich, popular girl and Bender is the delinquent. The latter lives up to the label by generally being a jerk to everyone around him, particularly Claire, whom he drives to tears several times. However, as the detention wears on, they get to know each other better, and come to understand why they are how they are, ultimately finding common ground and a budding attraction.

#6: Benedick & Beatrice
“Much Ado About Nothing” (1993-)

No matter the adaptation of this Shakespearean comedy, Benedick and Beatrice have plenty of animosity for each other. A lord and a governor’s daughter, the pair of them have a long history of engaging one another in insults, pranks, and other amusing embarrassments. When their friends conspire to get them together by causing them to overhear their supposed feelings for each other, their witty barbs take on a greater undercurrent of affection and they eventually marry, though there are plenty of witticisms before they get there.

#5: Joe Fox & Kathleen Kelly
“You've Got Mail” (1998)

Kathleen Kelly owns a small family bookstore while Joe Fox owns a larger chain of stores, one of which opens close to Kathleen’s. Although they hit it off well before she knows who he is, upon discovering his identity, they quickly become enemies, disagreeing with each other and trying to out-do the other through their businesses; with Kathleen eventually forced out of business. Yet, they’re also falling for each other while chatting online through anonymous emails, which Joe eventually discovers. After trying to improve her opinion of him, Joe reveals who he is, leading them to start a relationship.

#4: Patrick Verona & Katarina "Kat" Stratford
“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

Kat Stratford is an anti-social loner, whose father bars Kat’s sister, Bianca, from dating unless Kat dates someone too. This leads some guys to pay bad boy Patrick Verona to pursue Kat. They’re initially quite hostile to each other, verbally sparring with one another, despite Patrick’s efforts to win her over. Kat starts to warm to Patrick and he begins to genuinely like her, beyond the financial motivation. Although Kat breaks it off when she learns why Patrick started dating her, her feelings remain and they ultimately reconcile.

#3: Harry Burns & Sally Albright
“When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)

When Harry met Sally… they didn’t get along at first. Harry’s bluntness and sarcasm clashed immediately with Sally’s proper and high maintenance nature. The duo argues nearly every time they encounter each other over a decade or so, though it becomes increasingly good natured, to the point where they become friends. However, Harry holds that it’s impossible for men and women to have true friendships. Despite dancing around one another, setting each other up with their friends, and even sleeping together, they take a long time to realize their love for each other, but Harry and Sally manage it, making for one of the better romantic comedy pairings ever.

#2: Han Solo & Princess Leia
“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)

She’s a princess and a leader of a rebellion against a tyrannical regime. He’s a smuggler, a rogue, and an all-around nerf herder. From the moment these two meet, they can’t help but bicker with each other, no matter how dangerous the situation they’re in. Yet, their attraction is equally as irresistible. The tension between them gradually leads to a kiss, as well as several memorable declarations of love. Despite separating sometime after having their son, it’s clear these two love each other quite a lot and their belligerent romance is among the most beloved in cinema.

#1: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy & Elizabeth Bennet
“Pride and Prejudice” (1940-)

Any list of the greatest haters turned lovers needs these two on it. Other entries on our list reference them, and they’ve even directly inspired characters like Bridget Jones and her own Mark Darcy. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy both dislike each other when they meet and harbor misapprehensions about the other’s character. Despite their growing attraction throughout the story, their pride prevents them from admitting it to anyone, especially themselves. Ultimately, Darcy’s selfless help in Elizabeth’s family crisis leads to them finally admitting how they feel, turning their hate into love and into one of fiction’s greatest romances.