Top 10 Friends Who Fall In Love In Animated Movies

#10: Anastasia “Anya” Romanov & Dimitri “Anastasia” (1997)

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Of course, the Disney classics are always wonderful in terms of princess movies, but “Anastasia,” produced by Fox, seriously does not get the hype it deserves. The film begins with the servant boy, Dimitri, helping the royals--a young Anastasia and her grandmother--flee the Russian Revolution. During their escape, Anastasia hits her head and suffers amnesia. We cut to ten years later, when Anastasia has become Anya, with no memory of her past life, and Dimitri has become a conman. Fate brings them together again, and, you guessed it, they fall in love. Honestly, Anastasia reminds us a little of a certain other princess with a lost past, but we’re not going to go accusing anyone of anything. (Alright, Disney? We’re all good here?)

We don’t pretend to understand how car anatomy works in this universe, but one thing’s for sure: these two make a wonderful pair. As with many of the best love stories, they meet under pretty unfortunate circumstances. Lightning McQueen is taken to traffic court for damage to the town’s property, and in walks--ahem, rolls--Sally Carrera, the town’s attorney. Lightning McQueen, arrogant as you would imagine a racecar to be, makes several unsuccessful advances toward her. But, as storytelling would have it, the two end up forming a slow friendship and an even slower romance. Are those wedding cans we hear?

Although these two were never officially declared a couple, it’s pretty easy to make the connections. At the end of “Toy Story 2,” Buzz is shown to be absolutely smitten by Jessie and her can-do attitude, with a little joke for adults thrown in there. After Buzz is accidentally set to Spanish mode in “Toy Story 3,” he falls for her all over again. Jessie seems to reciprocate his feelings, especially after he saves her in the garbage truck. He’s crushed by the TV set but, fortunately, he wakes up as himself again and Jessie plants kisses all over his face in her elation. We hope this couple lasts to infinity and beyond!

Kowalski, analysis! They’re certainly not the most conventional of couples, but it’s easy to see why these two work so well together. Where Melman the Giraffe is a ball of nerves, Gloria the Hippo can be the voice of reason. In the second movie of the franchise, Melman reveals that he’s had a crush on Gloria since they were kids at the zoo but had always been too afraid to tell her. In a sweet moment where Melman goes on about how he would treat Gloria if she were his, she falls for him right back. This couple had been friends for so long before they got together, which makes them a perfect fit for this list.

Oh my Thor, these two are cute! While Hiccup starts off as being the town’s… well, hiccup, it doesn’t take very long for everyone, including Astrid, to see just how brilliant he is. Even though Astrid kisses him at the end of the first movie, their relationship is slow to blossom. It’s in “Race to the Edge,” the Netflix series that takes place between the first and second movies, that we really get to witness Hiccup and Astrid’s budding romance. It’s full of sweet moments and almost-kisses and every awkward feeling that comes with falling in love. We see their relationship continue to develop in the second and third movies, where we finally get the Hiccstrid wedding we’ve all been waiting for. Thank Odin!

#5: Lady & Tramp “Lady and the Tramp” (1955)

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Okay, so these two don’t start off as friends so much as acquaintances. Tramp inserts himself in a conversation between Lady, Jock, and Trusty, who don’t take very kindly to him. Later, Tramp saves Lady and helps her break free from her muzzle. He shows her how he lives, “footloose and collar-free,” and takes her on a date that’s more romantic than any we’ve been on. Ahem. We digress. The famous spaghetti scene sees the two of them sharing quite the moment and, although there are some bumps along the way, Tramp is later adopted into the Dear family. The movie ends with some adorable cocker spaniel and silver mutt puppies running around.

Can you feel the love tonight? Of course you can, it’s the Lion King we’re talking about! Simba and Nala start off as childhood friends and are very clearly just that. Even though they are indeed to be wed, much like regular kids, they’re not thinking about that kind of thing. It’s only years later, when Nala and Simba cross paths again, that the two of them look at each other in a different light. If their adorable reunion weren’t sweet enough, their romantic song montage leaves no doubt about their feelings. Of course, they do get into an argument literally right after. But everything works out in the end, so, Hakuna Matata, right?

#3: Anna & Kristoff “Frozen” franchise (2013-)

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This couple gets off to a pretty chilly start. In the search for her sister Elsa, Anna meets a snow-covered Kristoff, who inevitably helps her along her journey. Kristoff is a pretty ice guy, but Anna has already fallen in love with Hans, so it looks like things aren’t going to work. Well, that’s until Hans leaves Anna out in the cold--literally. Kristoff and Anna’s relationship is definitely snow to develop, but it’s obvious their love goes beyond sandwiches and open doors. They’re consistently seen putting each others’ needs before their own because, well, some people are worth melting for. Okay, we’re done with the puns! We just hope neither of them get cold feet at the altar. Okay, now we’re done.

We’re not crying, you’re crying! No, wait, actually that is us. This movie doesn’t even wait until the climax to hit you with the saddest part--it beats us over the head with it at the very beginning. Carl meets Ellie through a mutual love of their favorite explorer, Charles F. Muntz. It’s definitely a case of opposites attract, because Ellie is loud and spunky and Carl is timid and reserved. Ellie shares her secret Adventure Book with Carl, which is filled with plans of... adventure, including a move to Paradise Falls. They get married and, although they never quite make it to Paradise Falls, Ellie and Carl make their life its own adventure--simply because they’re together. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Kovu & Kiara, “The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride” (1998) It’s a “Romeo and Juliet” Kind of Thing Tarzan & Jane Porter, “Tarzan” (1999) She Stays in the Jungle With Him! David & Nani, “Lilo & Stitch” (2002) It’s the Nice Butt and Fancy Hair Fa Mulan & Li Shang, “Mulan” (1998) Nothing Says Budding Romance Like Army Buddies Branch & Poppy, “Trolls” franchise (2016-) Can’t Stop the Feelings!

#1: WALL-E & EVE “WALL-E” (2008)

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Pixar is probably the only studio that could tell a whole love story between two robots with little to no dialogue and still make us care so deeply about it. In fact, this entire movie is masterfully crafted, from the unfolding of the narrative to the stunning animation. WALL-E and EVE’s romance is slow-building, albeit each of them show signs of their crushes early on. The true love, however, comes with WALL-E trying to save EVE when she goes into standby, and EVE doing her best to repair and restore WALL-E’s memory after he loses it. There’s love for everyone out there--even for lonely trash compactors!