Top 10 Most Wholesome Movie Couples
#10: Paulie Bleeker & Juno MacGuff
“Juno” (2007)
So much about this quirky movie is adorable to watch, from Juno's relationship with her stern but loving father, to her experiences through the joys of growing up. When Juno finds herself pregnant at sixteen, her family, friends, and the adoptive family, all experience moments of self-discovery. Throughout this journey, Juno ends up realizing her feelings for her baby’s father, Paulie Bleeker, who loves her right back. They are an unlikely duo, as Bleeker is a sweet, shy track star, while Juno is sarcastic, full of angst, and very sure of herself. It started with a chair, it ended with a chair, and we are so happy this movie ends with these two getting together.
#9: Troy Bolton & Gabriella Montez
“High School Musical” (2006)
In the millennial version of “Grease,” we see Troy and Gabriella meet on New Year’s Eve before ending up at the same school in the new year. Troy is the all-star basketball player while Gabriella is the quiet academic. Coming from opposite sides of the social ladder, they meet in the middle in the world of music, where each of them feels conflicted about going against the grain. They realize that their true feelings for each other are more important than their social status and they’re both so much more than the labels that are placed on them. We love watching them figure this out together.
#8: Augustus Waters & Hazel Grace Lancaster
“The Fault in Our Stars” (2014)
Okay? Okay. Hazel first meets Gus at a cancer patient support group, and they quickly bond over their shared strife, which gives them a unique perspective of the world. They fall for each other and make the most of their limited time together. We’re shown what pure, unadulterated affection looks like through the eyes of lovestruck teenagers. Who didn’t get choked up when Hazel read her eulogy to Gus where they express their undying love for one another? Through the tears, we can’t help but smile at this adorable couple, and we’re so happy they found each other when they did.
#7: Marcus Kim & Sasha Tran
“Always Be My Maybe” (2019)
We love a good “childhood friends turn into an adult couple” trope. Sasha and Marcus were close friends growing up and shared some intimate moments during adolescence, which made their reunion in adulthood equal parts endearing and awkward. Their lifestyles and personalities are totally different, but in a lot of ways that makes them extremely compatible, and they discover that their paths were meant to lead them back to each other. They push each other out of their comfort zones and bring each other back to their roots, while we cheer them on the entire time. The only thing more memorable than this lovely couple is the iconic Keanu Reeves cameo, and even he can’t keep these two soulmates apart.
#6: William Thacker & Anna Scott
“Notting Hill” (1999)
This heartwarming film tells the tale of William, a bookstore owner, and Anna, a famous actress, who beat the odds and fall for one another. While they encounter their fair share of trials and tribulations as they navigate their different lifestyles, watching them fall for each other is enough to leave any viewer smiling. William’s life is as ordinary as Anna’s is extraordinary, and she realizes that living simply with someone you love is just as gratifying as being in the spotlight. When we finally see William profess his love for Anna, the only thing more satisfying is seeing them enjoy their quiet life, as they walk the streets of Notting Hill.
#5: Kumail Nanjiani & Emily Gardner
“The Big Sick” (2017)
This film is based on the true story of how Kumail Nanjiani met his wife, Emily, and their story is pretty unique. After dating on and off, Emily finds herself mysteriously hospitalized, and a concerned Kumail bonds with her parents while they all wait to find out what’s going on with her. The unlikely friendship that forms is hilarious and makes us root even harder for Kumail and Emily as a couple. He’s quietly humorous and she’s bold and uninhibited. Both qualities come by honestly, and they balance each other out perfectly. It’s delightful to see their love grow strong by the end of the film. -and in real life!
#4: Harry Burns & Sally Albright
“When Harry Met Sally…” (1989)
Can men and women really just be friends? This idea is explored through the eyes of Sally and Harry, friends who reluctantly become so when they keep bumping into each other over many years. Along the way, they learn about how to navigate relationships from a perspective of someone who is seemingly not interested in being with them, while also figuring out how to interact with the opposite sex. By the film’s end, it’s clear that these two belong together, as their friendship blooms into an incredibly sweet romance, where they grow and respect each other. This couple leaves the audience instead begging the question, shouldn’t men and women who are in love also be friends?
#3: Rosemary & Dill Penderghast
“Easy A” (2010)
Even though Olive had a, let’s say, interesting time with her romantic relationships throughout the film, it’s clear that she had a great example in her life of what true love looks like. We’re talking, of course, about her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Penderghast have a lighthearted, laidback approach to parenting that is enviable to watch, and it’s clear they support and love each other and their children fiercely. They’re funny and endearing to watch as they help Olive through her struggles. We can only hope to be as cool of parents as them while staying as fun, kind, and in love as they are.
#2: Peter Kavinsky & Lara Jean Covey
“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” (2018)
This flick gave us the rom-com fix we’d been looking for, reminding us of the 80s and 90s teen movies that came before it. As Lara Jean deals with the aftermath of her sister mailing out her secret letters to the boys she likes, one of them agrees to date her to make his ex jealous. Peter and Lara Jean’s adorable fake relationship turns into a very real one that’s even more charming. From spinning her around by her jeans pocket and confessing his true feelings for her in the hot tub, there are a plethora of swoon-worthy moments between these two. This movie, and the sequels that follow, are an absolutely irresistible depiction of young love.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Noah Calhoun & Allie Hamilton, “The Notebook” (2004)
Fun Summer Love Turned Into a Lifetime Together
Jerry Maguire & Dorothy Boyd, “Jerry Maguire” (1996)
They Had Us at Hello
Sebastian Wilder & Mia Dolan, “La La Land” (2016)
Who Could Resist a Musical Love Story in the City of Stars?
Patrick Verona & Kat Stratford, “10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
We Don’t Hate Them, Not Even Close, Not Even a Little Bit, Not Even at All
Landon Carter & Jamie Sullivan, “A Walk to Remember” (2002)
This Unlikely Couple Made the Most of Their Limited Time
#1: Matty Flamhaff & Jenna Rink
“13 Going on 30” (2004)
After wishing she was 30 on her 13th birthday, Jenna wakes up with what appears to be her dream life. But, one glaring difference between her new adult life and her teen one is that her best friend, Matty, is no longer around. When Jenna realizes that the innocence of childhood and the perspective it lends her is so much better than her glamorous adult life, she realizes her love for Matty, who has known his love for her all along. Another loveable story of childhood friends turning into lovers, this duo’s nostalgic bond makes us want to live in a full-size dollhouse and eat Razzles with the love of our life.
Did you see your favorite, charming movie couple on this list? Let us know in the comments!