Top 10 Most Romantic Moments in Classic Hollywood Movies

Okay, so technically “Brief Encounter” isn’t a Hollywood film, it’s a British one. But this 1940s classic is too iconic to leave out of our list. The movie tells the story of an emotional affair between two married people, Laura and Alec, who have a chance meet-cute at a train station. Like many films of the era, it’s both melodramatic and painfully restrained. In the much parodied denouement, the couple have agreed that they must part forever and are saying a final farewell. However, they’re interrupted by a friend just as Alec’s train arrives and are therefore denied those longed-for last moments together. This heartbreaking finale has become one of the most famous break-up scenes in movie history.

It may be a cliche, but kissing in the rain is one romantic trope that we can’t get enough of. “Breakfast at Tiffanys” gives us the definitive example. The most memorable image of the movie is Audrey Hepburn’s Holly Golightly in that dress. But the most romantic scene comes during the film’s finale. Holly is hit with the realization of what and who she really wants. She begins frantically searching for Paul, who in turn, is looking for her lost cat. She discovers them both down an alleyway and all three are reunited in a rain-soaked embrace. It’s a very different ending from the book, but it’s so romantic that we don’t care.

There are an abundance of passionate scenes in this epic romantic saga - although some of them are pretty problematic. Still, Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara remain one of the most iconic movie couples of all time. They’re always at cross-purposes and they fight like cat and dog, but there’s no denying that chemistry. For Rhett and Scarlett, it’s not always the big dramatic moments that are the most romantic. We love it when they’re playfully sparring together, as in this memorable scene. She tries all her tricks on him and he gives as good as he gets.

This epic drama film is not the best known Hollywood movie today, but back in the 1940s it was a commercial and critical success. The plot follows three men who are returning to civilian life after World War II. The most touching storyline involves Homer, a young middle-class man who has lost both his hands in active service. He worries that his fiancee, Wilma, will no longer want him. In a beautifully tender sequence, Homer lets his guard down and shows Wilma the reality of his new life. She accepts him whole-heartedly. The moment is made all the more poignant as Homer was played by a real veteran who had also recently lost his hands.

“The Sound of Music’s” romantic duet was famously filmed in silhouette, as the lead actors got the giggles and struggled to keep a straight face. However, they did manage to hold it together for our favorite romantic moment of the movie - when Maria and Captain Von Trapp dance the Ländler. Maria is attempting to teach Kurt the steps of the Austrian folk dance, while the Captain watches from the doorway. After a few moments he decides to cut in. It’s a beautifully understated scene that tells us all we need to know about the couple’s feelings for each other. For the length of the dance, we’re able to watch them together and their chemistry is unparalleled.

We all love a romantic dance scene, and classic Hollywood has some great moments to choose from. From “Funny Face” to “The King and I”, we’re spoilt for choice. However, since Paris is known as the city of lovers, we had to include this swoon-worthy scene from “An American in Paris.” Gene Kelly’s leading man, Jerry, begins by serenading Leslie Caron’s Lise with the George Gershwin jazz standard “Love is Here to Stay.” Of course these two talented dancers are soon turning the moonlit Seine river bank into their own private stage. They give us a picture perfect routine that showcases the talents of both while still maintaining the tender intimacy of new love.

This classic romantic comedy follows a divorced couple who find themselves falling in love for the second time. Katharine Hepburn plays Tracy, a socialite engaged to be married. Her resolution wavers when her ex, Cary Grant’s Dexter, comes back into the picture. The final scenes of the film see Tracy calling off her marriage to potential husband number two. Luckily however, Dexter is there to step into the breach and propose a more satisfying resolution to the story. It’s a sweet, funny and hopelessly romantic moment that’ll make you believe in second chances and happy endings. And if you like it that much, you can see it all over again in 1956’s “High Society.”

“West Side Story” has so many romantic moments that it’s hard to pick a favorite. However, the scene that best summarizes the movie’s theme is the duet “Somewhere.” The re-make gave this song to Rita Moreno’s Valentina, but in the original it’s all about Tony and Maria. At this point in the film, the lovers have declared their feelings for each other, but it’s already beginning to look as if their romance is doomed. “Somewhere” is a heartfelt love song, with lyrics that are both hopeful and tragic. The couple acknowledge that their love can’t flourish in this time and place, but they hope that eventually they can be together.

“Casablanca’s” Rick and Ilsa fell in love during the war, while she believed her husband to be dead. When the star-crossed couple meet again, everything has changed. Throughout the movie, Rick’s bitterness and cynicism eventually make way for a desire to do the right thing. Unfortunately, that means he must give up the woman he loves. In the heartrending finale, Humphrey Bogart’s hero utters his immortal catchphrase. It’s a reminder of Rick and Ilsa’s shared romantic history together. and all the more poignant as they may never meet again. It’s not all bad though - after all.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The Beach Scene, “From Here to Eternity” (1953)
Deborah Kerr & Burt Lancaster’s Famous Kiss in the Surf

Peter Admits His Feelings for Ellie, “It Happened One Night” (1934)
Clark Gable’s Hero Finally Comes Clean

“We Have the Stars”, “Now, Voyager” (1942)
Bette Davis’ Iconic Quote is Beautifully Bittersweet

“La Vie En Rose”, “Sabrina” (1954)
Sabrina & Linus Are Beginning to Fall For Each Other

Robin & Marian, “The Adventures of Robin Hood” (1938)
Olivia de Havilland & Errol Flynn Have the Best Chemistry

One of the best scenes in “Sleepless in Seattle” is the moment when Rita Wilson describes the final moments of the classic Hollywood movie, “An Affair to Remember.” Starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, it’s the story of two people who love each other but are kept apart by circumstance and pride. When Kerr’s Terry is hit by a car, she’s unable to meet Grant’s Nickie at the top of the Empire state building as originally planned. It’s not until he comes to visit her, years later, that he realizes why she didn’t show. It’s a close call, but the couple is finally reunited in a scene that doesn’t leave a dry eye in the house.