Top 10 Haters to Lovers with the Best Chemistry

#10: Devi Vishwakumar & Ben Gross

“Never Have I Ever” (2020-23)

There was room for only one ambitious overachiever in Sherman Oaks High … until there were two. Ben and Devi, also known by their ship name Bevi or Benvi, started off as fierce academic rivals, constantly fighting over grades. However, in their relentless process of trying to one-up each other, glimmers of vulnerability peeked through. This allowed them to forge a bond that took the shape of friendship, romance, and much more. Although their relationship wasn’t immune to high school antics and love triangles, the attraction between them was palpable through it all, and it ultimately drew them back together.

#9: Rhaenyra & Daemon Targaryen

“House of the Dragon” (2022-)

These two are the quintessential soulmates to sworn enemies pipeline. Their complex relationship starts when Daemon finds himself drawn to Rhaenyra, who is his niece. However, when her father, the King, names her the heir to his throne, seeds of envy are sown. They ultimately take root throughout their relationship and rear their ugly head when Rhaenyra throws Daemon’s deepest insecurities at him during the Dance of the Dragons. In a heated argument, she reminds him of how unfit he is – and always was – to be King. Things escalate and Daemon is all but ready to overthrow Rhaenyra. However, the Harrenhal visions bring him to the realization that he must bend the knee. Lovers’ spat aside, these two sure make a formidable power couple.

#8: The Professor & Raquel Murillo

“Money Heist” (2017-21)

There’s something incredibly captivating about watching these two clash one moment and melt into a passionate embrace the next. The Professor is a criminal mastermind behind the greatest stickup at the Royal Mint of Spain. Raquel, on the other hand, is a sharp inspector tasked with bringing him down. The two pick each other’s brains during negotiations and gradually fall in love as the Professor poses as the ever-so-gentlemanly Salva to gather intel. Before you know it, emotions take over, the lines blur, and Raquel finds herself drawn towards the dark side.

#7: Joe Fox & Kathleen Kelly

“You've Got Mail” (1998)

This classic takes us back to the times when anonymity online wasn’t weaponized. Instead, two people, who are very much at odds IRL but assume anonymous identities in a chatroom, fall in love. Kathleen is the owner of a quaint little bookstore whose business is threatened by corporate giant Fox Books, led by Joe. Naturally, the two lock horns. Little do they know, they’ve also formed a deep connection in an anonymous chatroom, where they vent about each other under their secret IDs, Shopgirl and NY152. As fate would have it, their feelings also blossom in real life, so when the truth is revealed, they’re over the moon. With Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in the lead, this rom-com remains unmatched.

#6: Jake Peralta & Amy Santiago

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-18)

These NYPD detectives, who are both extremely competent yet operate with vastly different approaches, mask their feelings for each other behind a fierce rivalry. From the very first episode, they are outwardly competitive, but it is clear to anyone that they have an undeniable fondness and respect for each other. Like kids who don’t quite know how to act when they have a crush, Jake endlessly teases Amy, while she refuses to admit she’s head over heels for him. Talk about being made for each other. When the stars finally align for them though, the connection is electric and they get a well-deserved happily ever after.

#5: John & Jane Smith

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005)


Sometimes, the key to a lasting marriage is a little excitement. John and Jane Smith have a painfully ordinary love story that culminates in a dreary marriage. However, when they discover that they are both contract killers, their relationship gets a much-needed jolt. Now, their days are spent constantly on edge, with guns pointed at each other. Although they do their best to remain dutiful assassins, they’re too deeply in love to actually pull the trigger. So, what should be their death match becomes an ‘us against the world’ situation. As for their chemistry, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie apparently fell in love on set, despite Pitt being married to Jennifer Aniston at the time. And that says it all.

#4: Kat Stratford & Patrick Verona

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)

We could name a hundred things we love about this couple. From a fake courtship to a genuine romance, Kat and Patrick have all the bases covered to cook up a timeless love story. What makes it so enduring is how it builds up slowly but surely. After all, initially, Patrick only dates Kat for a quick buck, so as to help his classmate Cameron bypass her father’s dating ban and pursue her sister Bianca. Despite their rocky start, Kat eventually opens up to him. One could argue she gets the short end of the stick in the arrangement, but when Patrick ultimately falls for her, he falls hard. The cultural impact of their chemistry remains incomparable to this day.

#3: Andie Anderson & Benjamin Barry

“How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” (2003)

When it comes to dating goals, these two couldn’t be further apart from each other. Andie writes a how-to column for Composure magazine and is working on a piece about behaviors that drive men away. For the article, she decides to run a social experiment. The subject of her superficial affections is Benjamin, who, she hopes, will dump her in ten days after she does everything wrong. Simultaneously, Benjamin, who works in advertising, wants to use Andie to show he can sweep anyone off their feet, which would allow him land a major diamond campaign. Though their motives clash on paper, in reality, they match each other’s energy to a T. Let’s just say, Andie and Benjamin invented relationship goals.

#2: Jon Snow & Ygritte

“Game of Thrones” (2011-19)


Get you a man who’ll break an oath for you. That’s what Ygritte did. Despite once feeling the pain of his sword on her neck and aiming an arrow at him, Ygritte and Jon Snow were undeniably intertwined. The romance between the Wildling and the Night’s Watch brother burned with more passion than arguably any other couple in the show. Although it ended in an unimaginable tragedy, actors Rose Leslie and Kit Harington, who played those characters, actually found their own happy ending. The two fell in love while filming the show and are now happily married. Jon Snow may know nothing, but we know these two are the cutest.


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

Elizabeth Bennet & Mr Darcy, “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)

The Fire of Love Started from a Spark of Disdain

Cher Horowitz & Josh Lucas, “Clueless” (1995)

Step-Siblings Turned Lovers, but It’s Not What It Looks Like

Lucy Hutton & Joshua Templeman, “The Hating Game” (2021)

Two Coworkers Fight Their Feelings for a Promotion

Alex Claremont-Diaz & Prince Henry, “Red, White & Royal Blue” (2023)

It’s a Royal Affair!

Will Graham & Hannibal Lecter, “Hannibal” (2013-15)

You Could Cut Their Tension with a Knife

#1: Anthony Bridgerton & Kate Sharma

“Bridgerton” (2020-)

Forget love at first sight. What these two had going from the moment they laid eyes on each other was a fervent competition. Be it in horse riding or banter, their fierce personalities clashed so often, the line between love and hate got thinner and thinner. Lord Anthony discovers women can be unyieldingly independent without ever needing a Viscount’s hand, while Kate realizes that she’s deserving of love. The closer they get, the more they let their guards down and help each other heal from old wounds. When it comes to chemistry, Kathony simply cannot be dethroned.

Have you ever fallen for a rival? Spill the tea in the comments!