Top 20 Movie Couples with the BEST Chemistry

“10 Things I Hate About You” (1999)
In this Shakespeare adaptation, Patrick Verona is paid to date Kat Stratford. Things don’t start off well considering the circumstances. Despite their testy beginning, the two seem to be perfect for each other. It also helps when Verona makes a romantic gesture to woo Stratford. Through parties and paintball games, these characters can’t seem to get enough of each other. They both share similar interests, alternative personalities, and confrontational attitudes. It’s a relationship so strong that it even survives the inevitable reveal. Even after all of the deception, this duo seem destined for each other.

“A Star Is Born” (2018)
He’s a grizzled veteran and she’s the upcoming talent. In their first moments together, they already seem like a match made in heaven. Jackson Maine might be fighting his inner demons, but he definitely has time for his new love. He supports Ally Campana in her dreams and through her early career highs. Needless to say, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are a fantastic pairing. Their characters have this artistic passion that binds them no matter the obstacle. Even as the road looks dire for Maine, Campana shows that she loves him despite his faults.

“Dirty Dancing” (1987)
It’s not hard to see how these two fell for each other. After constantly dancing together, Baby and Johnny develop a romance. They clearly have an attraction that goes beyond their basic rhythms. Moving in lockstep, these two have a flirtatious energy in their routines which lives up to the movie’s title. When her overprotective father tries to keep them apart, Johnny stands up for his partner with a famous line. By the final number, the two show off their love with even the slightest glances. The iconic lift only reminds us that this bad boy will do anything for his protege.

“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)
In the original film, Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa seem light-years apart. The sequel explores the possibility of their romance. One is a scoundrel and the other is royalty, but their attitudes are surprisingly compatible. Their strong personalities are tested through dangerous missions and escapes. By the end of “The Empire Strikes Back,” they seem hopelessly in love. Organa reunites with Solo in “Return of the Jedi” after searching the far reaches of the galaxy for him. It also helps that these actors ooze charisma when they’re together. Through words and actions, this pair shows why they’re one of sci-fi’s great loves.

“Moonstruck” (1987)
When we meet these characters, neither seems to be in a good spot in their life. Loretta wonders about marriage and Ronny reels from his tragic personal life. When they pour their hearts out to each other, it’s clear that they have an electric chemistry. Their passion spills over into heartfelt scenes that showcase their bond. Nicolas Cage and Cher might seem like an unlikely pair, but they both prove that opposites attract. The opera sequence is just one example of their strong connection. Even with their wild families, the couple survives all kinds of drama.

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005)
This fun premise pits a married couple of assassins against each other. While it seems like a toxic setup, the movie works because of the duo’s chemistry. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bring their star power to an action adventure. Considering their offscreen relationship, the actors make it easier to imagine these two characters in love. Jane and John are believable in both tense and intimate scenes. While they’re flirtatious in quiet moments, they also have entertaining banter during gunfights and chases. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” lets the stars breathe and connect in between the scenes of violence.

“Pretty Woman” (1990)
When a businessman needs a date, he hires an escort. This doesn’t sound like the start to a great romance. Thankfully for audiences, “Pretty Woman” creates a convincing argument with two good performances. Julia Roberts brings depth and personality to her character Vivian Ward, playing opposite Richard Gere’s suave Edward Lewis. Both characters can’t help but fall in love after having a romantic time together. In the necklace scene alone, Gere and Roberts bring an amazing energy to a small moment. This helps to make the ending payoff all the more authentic. While it might be something of a fantasy, this couple grounds the entire movie.

“The Princess Bride” (1987)
Even though they’re separated, these two characters long for each other throughout “The Princess Bride.” Westley searches far and wide to save Buttercup from her captors. He’s already shown her undying love, but the couple then prove they’re made for each other. Buttercup even throws herself down a hill after her beloved partner. They both bring plenty of charm to their scenes, standing up for each other no matter the situation, from the Fire Swamp to the Pit of Despair. The two reveal many times over that their love is definitely fit for a fairytale.

“The Addams Family” (1991)
Through the twists and turns of this series, these two are always in love. Gomez and Morticia Addams have the eternal spark that never seems to go out. Whenever they find a moment to themselves, the gothic couple relishes in each other’s company. Their obsession with darkness and death only brings them closer together. Even in a graveyard, the two find a reason to rekindle their special romance. Both actors play the parts to perfection and with all the sincerity of a drama. Raul Julia[a] and Anjelica Huston are charming as ever, making you believe that the Addams family could be real.

“The Mummy” (1999)
With all of their adventures, these two still find time to fall in love. There’s clearly some serious chemistry between bookish Evelyn Carnahan and the rugged Rick O’Connell. During their encounters with ancient Egyptian forces, the librarian and the adventurer make some genuine memories together. Their rocky start turns into a high-octane thrill ride that includes boats and battles. Carnahan and O’Connell also save each other from doom frequently, showing that they’re willing to fight for each other. They might not marry until the sequel, but these heroes have something truly special in the original film.

The “Before” trilogy (1995-2013)
Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy is able to capture the way relationships evolve as we grow and age – and all the cynicism that can bring. But the films wouldn’t work nearly as well as they do without the intense chemistry between Jesse and Céline, played to perfection by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The structure of the films is set up to convey a deep connection – two people having interesting and passionate conversations over the course of a night or an afternoon. Hawke’s and Delpy’s contributions to the material cannot be overstated, both helping with the screenplays and bringing their personal lives into the story. Perhaps that’s why their chemistry feels so grounded in reality.

“Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
We’ll never get over this story about two lonesome cowboys, or the beautiful chemistry at the movie’s center. Ennis and Jack have a complicated relationship – to say the least – and playing the characters to their full potential couldn’t have been an easy task. But Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were more than up for it. So, where did all that natural chemistry come from? Well, the two already knew each other, but director Ang Lee said he thinks their innocence really helped carry the movie through – and we think he’s right. The actors play well off of each other, but they both have an earnestness about them that jumps out even when they’re trying to hold back, making for a compelling romance.

“Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
Elizabeth has bewitched Mr. Darcy, body and soul – and honestly, their chemistry has us feeling that type of way too! “Pride and Prejudice” begins with Darcy and Elizabeth at odds, but that initial distaste only gives their relationship – and affection for each other – more time to grow. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen both really lean into the yearning aspect of the love story – plenty of long, lingering looks and titillating hand flexes in this one, folks! But what really sends this dual performance over the top is the way both actors are able to effortlessly handle the dialogue. They throw every ounce of romance, bite, and intelligence they have at it – and we love it. Most ardently.

“Say Anything...” (1989)
“In your eyes….the light, the heat…” Be honest, you started singing along! We all know the boombox scene by heart, but we shouldn’t forget about the wonderful romance that leads to that moment. Diane and Lloyd don’t seem like a match made in Heaven at first glance – he’s a bit of a slacker, she’s top of the class. He doesn’t have much of a plan for anything, she plans everything out to the letter. But from that very first phone call, you can tell how charmed they both are by each other – from his nervous rambling to her responding bemusement. John Cusack and Ione Skye really nail that exciting, butterflies-in-your-stomach, beginning part of a relationship that we all love so much.

“West Side Story” (1961)
Love at first sight is difficult to convey effectively. But – with a little help from Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein – Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer were able to do just that as Maria and Tony in “West Side Story.” This classic musical follows the “Romeo and Juliet”- esque pair as they try to be together despite interference from their respective families and friends. The actors have plenty of moments where their over-the-top attraction shines through – the fire escape scene certainly comes to mind, for one. But the moment they first meet really shows just how strong their connection is. As they dance, they’re unable to take their eyes off of each other.

“The Mask of Zorro” (1998)
Not only do these two have physical chemistry that’s off the charts – and how could they not, have you seen both of them? – but their fighting chemistry is pretty incredible too. In “The Mask of Zorro” Antonio Banderas plays Alejandro, a thief training to become the new Zorro, and Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Elena, the original Zorro’s daughter. The two meet while Alejandro is undercover at a party, and the spark is electric. But while we love watching their choreography when they dance, the way they move in tune with each other when they sword fight is spectacular.

“Speed” (1994)
The non-stop action in “Speed” might be heart pounding, but the chemistry between Keanu Reeves’ Jack and Sandra Bullock’s Annie is heart fluttering. Jack and Annie’s relationship starts off quite … intensely. They are, after all, trying to stop a bomb from exploding on a speeding bus. An experience like that is bound to bring you together in an incendiary way, but Reeves and Bullock are able to find the heart of the characters underneath all the wild action stunts. And we love the quiet moments between them just as much as we love the jaw-dropping ones.

“Love & Basketball” (2000)
Playing a one-on-one basketball game for your relationship may seem a bit dramatic, but by the time you get to that pivotal scene in “Love and Basketball,” you’re already so invested in Monica and Quincy it doesn’t matter. Things between this couple aren’t always easy; when you grow up together, there are bound to be some growing pains. We adore how Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan show the characters’ affection for each other even in their bad times though. And – going back to that one-on-one game because we love it – the actors effortlessly capture the couple’s chemistry with their athleticism as well. Seriously, who knew so much could be said with a simple basketball game?

“The Notebook” (2004)
Ryan Gosling has effortless chemistry with a lot of the actors he’s worked with, so it was difficult to pick one we wanted to put on this list. And while we almost went with the connection he shared with Emma Stone in “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” nothing beats Noah and Allie’s young love in “The Notebook.” For all the magnetism between the two, Gosling and Rachel McAdams didn’t get along for much of the movie's shoot. The actors’ strained relationship obviously works well for the scenes when the characters are older and have more history. But, the scenes between them as young Noah and Allie are utterly joyous and exuberant. They also dated in real life, so they must have gotten over whatever it was.

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

These Actors Play a Convincing Version of the Star-Crossed Lovers

Even After All the Lies, These Two Realize That They’re Soulmates

The Classic Rom-Com Brings out the Best in Billy Crystal & Meg Ryan

This Stormy Romance Plays out with Believable Tension

“Titanic” (1997)
Once again, we will NEVER let go of this couple! As Jack and Rose, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have such an easy chemistry, it’s no wonder the two remain good friends today. But, you might be surprised to know that the actors were forced to get extra comfortable with each other right off the bat. The first scene Winslet and DiCaprio filmed together was the famous nude sketching scene. Of course, the characters are feeling a little bit of discomfort during this moment – which is appropriately conveyed. We can’t help but wonder if having to film this steamy scene first paved the way for the rest of the actors’ effortless connection.


Which movie romance made you swoon? Let us know in the comments below.





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