Top 10 Romantic Teen Movie Endings

This coming-of-age comedy-drama focuses on teenager Juno MacGuff’s pregnancy and her complex relationship with Paulie Bleeker. While the protagonist overcomes hurdles like telling her parents and finding an adoptive family, she also struggles with her ambivalent feelings towards Paulie. Although the pair goes through a rough patch, the film’s final scene finds them in a much happier place. They trade musical verses in bright sunlight. Juno and Bleeker finally begin a real relationship as they perform a duet of “Anyone Else But You”. The kiss they share as the ever-present track team runs is a great way to cap off their sweet yet offbeat relationship.

In this romantic comedy-drama, music fan Norah meets bassist Nick at one of the latter’s shows and ropes him into pretending to be her boyfriend. This leads to an adventurous and sleepless night of trying to locate a show by the band “Where’s Fluffy?” Although they finally end up at the concert, they leave after having confrontations with their exes. In the film’s final moments, the pair doesn’t mind skipping out on the main event. They’re much more focused on the slow-mo kiss they share. Sometimes, it takes a split second to realize what really matters. This heartfelt conclusion perfectly captures that sentiment.

This John Hughes film centers on a love triangle that develops between outcasts/best friends Keith and Watts and the popular girl Amanda. During Keith's pursuit of Amanda, he goes as far as to use his college fund to purchase earrings for her. But Watts’s affections for him sadly go unnoticed. In the end, Amanda encourages Keith to go after his bff. As a sweet touch, he gives her the jewelry instead. The moment is both sweet and triumphant. Watts goes from teary to elated in a matter of seconds. As if that weren’t enough, the scene also boasts an epic final line that foreshadows happy times to come.

Patrick Dempsey stars in this teen rom-com as a nerdy high-schooler and grass-cutting aficionado who strikes an unusual deal with his neighbor. Ronald Miller pays cheerleader Cindy Mancini to pose as his girlfriend. Along the way, he becomes an arrogant jerk. It’s only after he proves his worth with actions rather than with money that he and his former girlfriend reconcile. In the now-iconic final scene, Cindy jumps on the back of Ronald’s lawnmower and they drive off together. Seeing the popular girl make a last-minute decision to give the outcast another chance was a truly satisfying payoff. And given their complicated romantic history, it’s cute to hear the pair playfully negotiate the terms of their new relationship.

After a lie about losing her virginity spreads like wildfire, 17-year-old Olive Penderghast devises a plot to take advantage of the rumors. Unfortunately, her “Scarlet Letter”-inspired plan spins way out of control. Her old friend Todd proves to be a comforting presence during the ordeal. So, it’s fitting that the charmer is waiting outside her window at the film’s conclusion. Todd prepares the ultimate homage to eighties teen films. He blasts a song over a pair of speakers before the pair rides off on a lawnmower with their fists in the air. After the hellish experience Olive has been through, it’s a joyous occasion to see Todd sweep her off her feet.

John Hughes’s directorial debut boasts one of the most picture-perfect endings of his legendary career. This coming-of-age comedy follows Molly Ringwald’s Samantha Baker, whose birthday is sadly forgotten due to her older sister’s upcoming nuptials. While she longs for the affections of the older Jake Ryan, a series of misunderstandings convinces her that he isn’t interested. And yet she finds him waiting for her after the wedding. Jake’s thoughtful gesture of bringing a candle-topped cake makes up for all the earlier disappointments Sam experienced and then some. And with mood lighting setting an intimate tone, the couple’s ultra-slow kiss is easily one of the most swoon-worthy in teen movie history.

This loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew” had Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger strike up an unconventional relationship.The rom-com follows rebel Patrick Verona getting paid to woo his cranky classmate Kat Stratford. After they start falling for each other, Kat learns the truth and publicly recites a devastating poem about Patrick. Fortunately, he gets her something truly sweet and unforgettable in return. Patrick gifts Kat a guitar so she can pursue her musical ambitions. While that would be a sweet gesture by itself, his kind words are the true peace offering. If that scene doesn’t melt your heart, the film’s final, passionate smooch in the parking lot will.

In this retelling of the classic tale, two students from different ends of the social hierarchy get a happily ever after. Samantha lives under the thumb of her wicked step-family while aspiring to attend Princeton. But she finds happiness when she strikes up an anonymous correspondence with popular football player Austin. Unfortunately, their relationship is embarrassingly aired out at a school event. Despite this fact, Austin interrupts his game to plant an epic kiss on Sam in the rain. Seeing the significant struggles Sam had to endure makes this an incredibly cathartic scene. It’s soon followed by the pair driving off to college together. Ending the story by having the two find love and pursue their dreams together is about as sweet as it gets.

This teen rom-com follows Lara Jean Covey, a high schooler who is shocked to find that her secret love letters have been mailed out under her nose. She decides to strike up a fake relationship with one recipient as part of a revenge plot. Naturally, feelings soon develop between the scheming pair. However, it takes until the film’s conclusion for them to truly spell out their affection. Lara Jean reads a new letter to Peter on the lacrosse field. Fortunately, he responds with just as much honesty and kindness. The kiss that follows isn’t the first we’ve seen from the duo. But since it signifies a major turning point for them, it’s definitely the most satisfying.

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

The Prom, “Twilight” (2008)
Bella’s Love For Edward Is Truly Undying

“Are You Saying You Care About Me?,” “Clueless” (1995)
Cher & Josh Finally Embrace Their Feelings For Each Other

Graduation, “She’s All That” (1999)
Zack Honors His Bet With a Funny & Sweet Gesture

The Centennial Dance, “Drive Me Crazy” (1999)
Next-Door Neighbors Become Something More at the Climactic School Celebration

A Very Large Present, “What a Girl Wants” (2003)
After Reconciling With Her Father, Daphne is Literally Presented With Her Love Interest

This romantic comedy-drama broke ground for being a mainstream movie centered on a gay romance between teens. After Simon forms an email relationship with a fellow student known as “Blue,” he struggles to figure out who he’s really fallen for. After the correspondence is aired on a local gossip website, Simon challenges his pen-pal to meet him at the school fair. Although it seems his love interest won’t show, he gets a fantastic surprise. “Blue” is his acquaintance Bram. As they reach the top of the ferris wheel and their peers cheer them on, they share a truly climactic kiss. LGBTQ+ teens haven’t always gotten a chance to make grand romantic gestures on screen. But this ending marked a big step in the right direction.