Everyone has their favorites, and this list features some of the best that Hollywood has to offer. From the classic Princess Bride to the passionate Titanic, here are some of the top ten best movie kisses of all time.
The Princess Bride (1987)
Westley and Buttercup’s relationship is the heart of The Princess Bride. This film wasn’t successful at first, but the action/romance/adventure/comedy soon won the hearts of families spanning multiple generations. Westley and Buttercup’s ending kiss was intended to be one of the best movie kisses of all time. And it pretty much is. Westley and Buttercup’s passionate kiss when they are reunited is not only simply beautiful, but it is also an absolutely unforgettable movie kiss. This is a film that really is about true love, and its legendary kiss really sealed it all together. This kiss was, in a word, serendipitous.
The Mask of Zorro (1998)
The Mask of Zorro is a great action-adventure film that follows the story of a legendary masked vigilante. The protagonist, young Zorro, is a witty, confident, and skillful swordsman. Who can forget the passionate, post-dual, 5-second-long kiss shared between Elena and Zorro? After an intense sword fight, the two come together in a passionate kiss. It is absolutely incredible and is forever seared into the minds of millions of movie watchers. This dual and kiss scene in The Mask of Zorro was a dramatic and action-packed sequence that combined elements of romance and excitement. This scene influenced fictional tension-filled romances for years to come.
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
The 2005 Pride and Prejudice is perhaps one of the best-filmed movies of all time, so of course it has a great kiss scene. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have a very complicated relationship, one that seems incredibly unlikely to end in romance, but alas, it does. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy only share a few truly sweet and mutually tender moments throughout the entire film, and this kiss scene is at the very end, when the two are finally married and in pure bliss. After so much drama and tiptoeing, to see the two finally in pure peace and happiness is so satisfying. It is one of the most gentle and tender kisses ever filmed. “Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy…” Unforgettable.
Casablanca (1942)
A true classic, Casablanca is a film set during World War II in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. The film follows the story of Rick Blaine, a cynical American expatriate who is forced to confront his past and make a difficult decision when his former lover and her husband, a resistance leader, arrive at his cafe seeking his help to escape from the Nazi-occupied country. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman’s kiss in Casablanca was one of the most iconic moments in movie history. Their relationship is a poignant and moving one, filled with love, heartache, and the struggles of making difficult decisions. The kiss is tender and emotional, conveying the depth of their love for each other. Casablanca is a timeless tale of romance that continues to resonate with audiences today.
The Notebook (2004)
Based on the 1996 novel by Nicholas Sparks, the film follows the love story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, two young people from different worlds who fall in love during the summer of 1940 but are separated by their social differences and World War II. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling’s passionate kiss in the rain is one of the most romantic and skin-tingling kisses to hit the big screen. Reuniting after years apart, the scene is filled with pure romantic tension. The rain really adds to the atmosphere of the scene, creating a sense of intimacy and emotion. And the chemistry between Gosling and McAdams is electric, and their performances in this scene are both tender and passionate.
Spider-Man (2002)
Spider-Man is the story of Peter Parker, a high school student who is bitten by a genetically-modified spider and gains superhuman powers. As he struggles to win over his crush, Mary Jane, he must also balance his new responsibilities as Spider-Man and confront the villainous Green Goblin. Spider-Man and Mary Jane’s upside-down kiss in the superhero classic is an unforgettable moment. Spiderman just finished saving Mary Jane’s life, and she can’t resist kissing him, no matter that he is upside-down. It is a truly memorable scene that continues to be loved by fans of the film today. It is utterly iconic—the upside-down kiss.
La La Land (2016)
La La Land follows the love story of Mia, an aspiring actress, and Sebastian, a jazz musician, as they struggle to make their dreams come true while navigating the challenges of life in Los Angeles. As they fall in love, they support each other as they chase their dreams and face the realities of life and love. This romantic kiss between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling at the Griffith Observatory is one of the most recent iconic movie kisses in history. The couple, alone in the romantic observatory, dance themselves into the air, return to the ground, and then end the scene with a sweet and gentle kiss. Ryan Gosling is a lucky man, making this list twice. I guess we can call him a very skilled cinematic kisser!
You’ve Got Mail (1998)
Despite being business rivals in the real world, Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox develop a deep connection through their anonymous online conversations, not realizing that they are actually each other’s main competition in the bookselling industry. You’ve Got Mail is a cute romantic comedy that is still relatable and enjoyable over twenty years later. The chemistry between Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan is incredible in this film, and the kiss at the end really perfects it. After discovering who she had fallen in love with online, Kathleen, with tears brimming in her eyes, tells Joe, “I wanted it to be you,” and of course, a kiss follows. Then Joe’s dog comes along to interrupt the kiss, and Joe swats him away—charming!
The Fault in Our Stars (2014)
The Fault in Our Stars is a romantic drama based on the novel by John Green. Despite the challenges and obstacles that they face due to their terminal illnesses, Hazel and Gus find solace and hope in each other as they navigate the complexities of their love and mortality. The first kiss between Hazel and Gus is emotional and passionate. It perfectly captures the throes of young love. It’s the perfect combination of innocence, beauty, and sincerity that takes viewers’ breath away. Their future is bound to be full of sadness, but it is obvious that they’ve forgotten all about that as we see the joy light up on their faces right before they kiss.
Titanic (1997)
A fictional romance inspired by a true event, the Titanic is one of the most epic romantic disaster films ever. It is set aboard the Titanic, an ocean liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg during its maiden voyage. The Titanic kiss scene is such a famous and iconic moment. It depicts Jack and Rose sharing a passionate kiss as they stand on the bow of the Titanic, the wind blowing their hair. They’re “flying.” Cinematic perfection. When you watch this scene, you completely forget about the certain disaster that lies ahead for them. This is what the directors were aiming for, and they certainly achieved it. Ah, my heart will go on… Well, there you have it. Have any suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!
