Top 20 Most Unexpected Movie Kisses

Top 20 Movie Unexpected Movie Kisses

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 20 Most Unexpected Movie Kisses.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the best film lip-locks that astonished the viewers and/or the characters themselves. Although these smooches are a surprise, we’re warning you ahead of time that there will be spoilers!

Which of these moments left you open-mouthed? Let us know in the comments.

#20: Peter & Gwen
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014)

Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy definitely had a rollercoaster relationship. At the end of the first film, he essentially breaks up with her to fulfill a promise to her dying father. They’re back together by the sequel. When being Spider-Man makes Peter late to his own graduation, he has to hurry. Thankfully, he arrives in time to receive his diploma. His excitement, in turn, leads to a spontaneous smooch with Gwen on the stage. Sadly, the moment of carefree joy is rather brief. Shortly after, Peter is overcome by the guilt he feels for putting Gwen in harm's way. This time, she takes the initiative and ends things with him, leaving that kiss just a bittersweet memory.

#19: Rhett & Scarlett
“Gone with the Wind” (1939)

Love or hate them as a couple, Rhett and Scarlett are one of the most famous romantic duos in film. Their attraction is established early, but she has to go through a couple of spouses before they get together. They argue, flirt, and manipulate each other in a will-they-won’t-they romance that sets the bar for future movie couples – for better or worse. It’s not until after the death of Scarlett’s second husband that the former philanderer finally proposes to the Southern belle. She refuses to take his intentions seriously, so he goes in for an unexpected kiss. Rhett originally wasn’t really the marriage type. However, this embrace makes it clear that he’s now serious about being Scarlett’s husband.

#18: Rosalyn & Sydney
“American Hustle” (2013)

It can be hard to keep track of the truth in this film about scam artists forced to work with the FBI. However, one unarguable fact is that Amy Adams’ and Jennifer Lawrence’s characters hate each other. Since Sydney is having an affair with Rosalyn’s husband, it’s probably understandable. What is completely baffling, however, is the smooch between these two fiery ladies. While they’re in the middle of an aggressive argument, the unpredictable Rosalyn decides to end it with a kiss. In an interview, Adams revealed that it was her idea to mark the finale of the toxic conversation with the angry lip lock. It seemed like the perfect way to display the power struggle between the two women.

#17: William & Anna
“Notting Hill” (1999)

Who doesn’t love a story about a movie star falling for a regular person? After they’ve already met in his book store, Will collides with Anna on the street and spills orange juice all over her white shirt. Hugh Grant is effortlessly charming as the awkward store owner who invites the stunning Julia Roberts’ Anna into his home to clean up. Despite starting off irritated with the clumsy Brit, the incognito celebrity clearly warms to him. When she leaves without a word, we initially resign ourselves to a slow burn. Well, until she returns for her other bag and thanks him with a heartfelt kiss. It’s a pleasant surprise for the audience – and for William!

#16: Sidney & Clifford
“Deathtrap” (1982)

When playwright Sidney Bruhl (BROOL) can’t seem to create a winning play, he seemingly plots to kill and steal the script of his student, Clifford. This is just the beginning of a twisty plot full of fake-outs and surprises. In one of the most shocking moments, a kiss between the two characters, played by Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve, reveals the true betrayal. The pair were actually working together to orchestrate the death of Sydney's wife, Myra. This revelation and the kiss between the two leading men definitely stunned 1980s audiences. Of course, that twist wasn’t the end of the treachery. After all, it’s a thrilling mystery, not a romantic comedy!

#15: Rey & Kylo Ren
“Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)

You could say that the bond between Kylo Ren and Rey in the sequel trilogy was a tantalizing mystery. Were they related? Connected mystically? Enemies? Soulmates? The possibilities were practically dangled in front of fans. Both characters push the other to change, but in the end, Kylo Ren finally turns away from the Dark Side. As Ben Solo, he uses the Force in a powerful moment to save Rey’s life, proving that he’s redeemed in the process. The kiss they share before he dies is just as confounding as it is surprising. Is it romance? Is it the joy of victory? The debate continues.

#14: Gray & Fritz
“Catch and Release” (2006)

The excellent chemistry between actors Jennifer Garner and Timothy Olyphant is part of the reason this kiss is so compelling. An awkward encounter at the funeral of Gray’s fiancé, who was one of Fritz’s good friends, starts their relationship off badly. The simmering tension between the characters makes a kiss inevitable, but the timing is definitely a surprise. The scene in question begins with Gray taking her anger out on Fritz for her fiancé’s hidden affair. The kiss is born out of a moment of frustration at first, but it quickly turns to something more genuine. The intense reaction of both characters makes it clear that it's as much of a shock to them as it is to viewers.

#13: Amy & Laurie
“Little Women” (2019)

This might be the only film version of “Little Women” where the audience ships Amy and Laurie. Florence Pugh charms with a portrayal of the youngest March sister that moves beyond her just being a brat. The story also creates more time for her relationship with Laurie. Amy initially rejects his proposal because she refuses to be a replacement for her sister. When tragedy brings them back together, Amy tells him that she decided not to marry her suitor Fred. As she explains that Laurie shouldn’t feel any obligation towards her, he doesn’t wait for her to finish. With one moving kiss, he confirms that he’s loved her all along.

#12: Cher & Josh
“Clueless” (1995)

Despite the fact that their parents were once briefly married, Cher Horowitz and Josh Lucas don’t consider themselves related. At the beginning of the film, she treats him like an interloper and he sees her as a spoiled child. As the lonely college student spends more time in his ex-step-family’s home though, the two start to recognize each other’s positive traits. Cher is a little, well, clueless, but ultimately she comes to a big realization. Their awkward avoidance of any hint at romance comes to an end in a quiet moment away from everyone else. They stumble their way through a confession of their feelings, and he kisses her, providing the ultimate confirmation. They both seem pleasantly surprised.

#11: Hannah & Jacob
“Crazy, Stupid, Love” (2011)

This kiss was a huge surprise for Ryan Gosling’s womanizing character, Jacob. He was firmly shut down by Emma Stone’s Hannah on a previous evening. His smooth charisma didn’t impress the logical law graduate. However, when her boyfriend offers her a job instead of marriage, she decides to try a little spontaneity. After storming into the bar, the fired up lady doesn’t stop until she’s planted an enthusiastic kiss on the unsuspecting Jacob. It's unexpected for everyone involved, and the chemistry is palpable. It’s definitely an “opposites attract” kind of moment, and thankfully just a kick-start to a more serious relationship for the couple.

#10: Han & Leia
“Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back” (1980)

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 consensual the encounter might be. Either way, we certainly didn’t see this one coming!

#9: Mark & Juliet
“Love Actually” (2003)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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 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.

Penelope & Johnny, “Penelope” (2006)
Two Characters Recognizing & Accepting Each Other with an Unexpected Kiss

Alice & Michael, “When a Man Loves a Woman” (1994)
A Surprising Kiss That Marks a New Beginning

Nellie & Jack, “Babylon” (2022)
That One Was Margot Robbie’s Idea

Lenny & Mace, “Strange Days” (1995)
Recognizing the Real Woman Who Loves Him, Instead of the Fantasy Who Didn’t

Aladdin & Jasmine, “Aladdin”
Since When Do Carpets Play Someone’s Wingman?

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

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.