Top 10 Movie Couples with Memorable Love Scenes

For many cinephiles, David Lynch’s “Mulholland Dr.” is one of the pinnacles of film history. And when it comes to love scenes, the one shared between actresses Naomi Watts and Laura Harring is one of the most sensual we’ve ever seen. Lynch’s surreaslist masterpiece stars Harring as a woman suffering from amnesia who’s taken in by Watts’ aspiring actress Betty Elms. As the two women work to solve the mystery of who Harring’s character is, they grow closer. Before the film takes a glorious turn on its head, the two share a masterfully shot and acted love scene. The tagline for the film was “A love story in the city of dreams.” And what a trippy, sensuous love story it was.

Todd Haynes’ film about an affair between two women in the 1950s is one of the most beautiful love stories of our time. And it features a steamy scene between its leads, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara. Their characters, Carol and Therese, are on a road trip together. The two have been dancing around each other all film, but when they stop at a motel for the evening, they have the chance to finally consummate their feelings. The chemistry between Blanchett and Mara brings the yearning and forbidden aspect of their meeting to life in glorious fashion.

There’s something about the way the Wachowskis film a love scene that’s just indescribable. And there’s also something about Gina Gershon in a tank top, but we digress. This 1996 neo-noir marks the feature film debut of the Wachowski sisters, and features a love scene that’s burned into our brains. Violet, the girlfriend of a mob boss, seduces an alluring ex-con named Corky. She does so by showing Corky her tattoo, which is conveniently located on her breast. Like every good noir, this scene is sultry with just a little camp thrown in. The chemistry between Gershon and actress Jennifer Tilly is on fire, sizzling with every word shared between them.

Sensuality is a fickle, fluid thing. Alfonso Cuarón’s gorgeous coming-of-age film “Y tu mamá también” captures that fact with nuance and care. The film centers around best friends Julio and Tenoch who end up taking a road trip across Mexico with an older woman, Luisa. Sensual games ensue, with both boys trying to impress Luisa and her entertaining both their advances. When jealousy spikes between the two young men, Luisa takes things into her own hands. Perhaps recognizing something the boys don’t acknowledge themselves, she initiates a threesome. Diego and Julio enjoy each other just as much as they enjoy Luisa, leaving things uncertain between them. The scene is just as bold and daring as it is hot.

Some love scenes are slow and quiet. But some happen so quickly they jar you into paying closer attention. Such is the case with the first love scene between Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist in “Brokeback Mountain.” For the first section of the film, the slowly growing affection between Jack and Ennis is presented subtly. When Jack first makes a move on Ennis in the tent, you know it’s coming, but you’re still shocked at how quickly the passion between them escalates. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger have a natural chemistry between them. That naturalism lets them communicate without speaking, showing us everything they’re feeling with their bodies and expressions.

Who knew sports movies could be this sexy? Apparently, Gina Prince-Bythewood. “Love & Basketball” follows the relationship between Quincy and Monica from childhood to adulthood. The two first act on their feelings for each other in high school in one of the most sensual scenes we’ve ever seen in a romantic comedy. There’s no nudity or anything the first time Monica and Quincy sleep together, but everything about their encounter has a gentle sort of sex appeal. How much they care about each other comes across in every single touch and glance. It doesn’t need to be explicit to be endlessly exciting.

Sure, the famous sex scene in “The Notebook” is one of the most memorable of all time. But we mostly remember this encounter between Allie and Noah for what came before the sex. When these two star-crossed lovers meet again for the first time in years, there’s a giant elephant in the room. Noah thinks Allie never responded to his numerous letters over the years, and Allie, having never received them, doesn’t know he was writing. Things finally come to a head in the pouring rain. When the misunderstanding between them is cleared up, they can’t help but kiss. The actual kiss between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams is as thunderous as the rainstorm around them.

When most people hear the word “library,” they probably just think about books. But when “Atonement” fans hear the word “library,” their hearts start to beat a little faster. Still, the love scene between Robbie and Cecilia is memorable for more than its signature location. There’s a forbidden aspect to it of course, as Robbie is of a lower class than Cecilia. But what’s so special about this encounter in “Atonement” is the way it represents a true awakening. From the moment the two actors are on screen together, James McAvoy and Keira Knightley have a quiet, searing chemistry between them. This moment in the library is when it positively explodes.

Pottery, the Righteous Brothers, shirtless Patrick Swayze. Literally, what’s not memorable about this iconic love scene in “Ghost?” For a majority of the film, we don’t really get to see Demi Moore and Swazye interact much, seeing as he is dead and all. But in this truly iconic love scene, we get all the chemistry play we need. As “Unchained Melody” plays on in the background, a bare-chested Swayze takes a seat behind Moore as she makes pottery. She understandably gets distracted (again, shirtless Patrick Swayze), and the two begin to kiss passionately. They get covered in clay, but it doesn’t matter. Their love knows no bounds. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Jesse & Céline, “Before Sunrise” (1995) Vienna Under the Stars Couldn’t Be More Memorable Jack Foley & Karen Sisco, “Out of Sight” (1998) The Chemistry Between George Clooney & Jennifer Lopez is Unmatched Vivian Ward & Edward Lewis, “Pretty Woman” (1990) We Can Never Look at Pianos the Same Way Again Connie Sumner & Paul Martel, “Unfaithful” (2002) Sometimes Anger Translates To Passion Nick Curran & Catherine Tramell, “Basic Instinct” (1992) Over the Top & Burned Into Our Brains

“Put your hands on me, Jack.” Even without that truly amazing line reading from Kate Winslet, the love scene in “Titanic” would still be one of the most memorable of all time. After running through the massive ship to escape her evil fiance’s henchman, Rose joins Jack in the back of a car in steerage. There, they join the ranks of so many teenagers and decide to have sex in the backseat. The steamy heat of the ship makes them both unbelievably sweaty and sexy. But it also steams up the windows just enough that we get that iconic hand slap against the pane. Everything about this beautiful scene is absolutely seared into our brains. If we missed any of your favorite love connections, let us know in the comments below!