Best and Worst Movie Romances According to the Internet
Sorry to break it to you, but movies aren’t real. They are hyperbolized stories that twist reality into something entertaining for us to view. They’re also safe places to explore new worlds, people, and relationships. However, even the perfect ones don’t mean they’re destined for reality. Some stars and characters just make sense together. Others we’re still kind of confused about what the directors and actors were thinking.
Regardless of how true they are to real people, these relationships are always a hoot and a half to root for (and talk trash about). Grab the popcorn, maybe an engagement ring or two, and let’s buckle our seat belts.
The flying car from Grease is here and we’re off to talk about the best and worst movie relationships ever.
BEST: Jesse and Celine, The Before Trilogy
Richard Linklater’s romantic epic Before…all times of the day is pretty intense. What starts out as a chance encounter turns into an eighteen-year saga about the growing love between Jesse and Celine. Not only is their love explored in-depth, but their romance is brought to life thanks to the incredible acting abilities of Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. These two have chemistry like none other!
Not only are there eighteen whole years for them to find each other in the right place, but the films took a while too! The first one came out in 1995 and the third was finally released in 2013! It’s almost like the author/director wanted the audience to grow along with these two star-crossed lovers.
WORST: Peeta and Katniss, The Hunger Games
Nothing brings two people together like being forced to fight to the death on national television. The Hunger Games series takes reality television and a dystopian nightmare and brought us one of the greatest YA series of the 00s. Both the books and the movies show us the trauma of war and what happens when society crumbles into allowing 24 children to fight until only 1 remains.
Thankfully, most of that comes to an end when Katness and her television boyfriend Peeta cheat the system and manage to save each other. A single act of desperation turned into a forced romance nobody saw lasting. Spoilers ahead: once the Hunger Games are officially over, the two stay together! Why? Because they’re the only ones to understand each other’s traumatic stories enough to stay together?
BEST: Jane and John Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Smith
What did you do the first time you saw the love of your life? If you didn’t immediately try to eliminate them in an overly-complicated way to appease your mysterious spy agency boss, then what were you doing? Mr. & Mrs. Smith showcases the modern lives of spies and how their marriages probably work. Of course, nobody, including the Smiths, knew they were spies in the beginning. Like most marriages, keeping secrets ends up in a terrible disaster.
Unlike most marriages, your spouse is probably not Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt. What makes their love story even more interesting is that the two actors began to date during filming! It’s like a movie inside a movie…with a ton of drama heaped on for good measure.
WORST: Black Widow and Hulk, The Avengers: Age of Ultron
If The Incredibles taught us anything it’s that superheroes either work well together in a relationship or they don’t. Unfortunately, Black Widow and The Incredible Hulk don’t seem to be big movie buffs. Instead, these two had an oddly sensual romance that never really went anywhere. Yeah, we kind of understand since they’re busy saving the world all the time.
It’s just a bit odd that two of Earth’s greatest heroes weren’t able to find a bit of alone time together. Will all that saving of multiple planes of existence you’d think a quick couple’s nap or two would be in order. Before things could get too hot and heavy, one of the heroes checks out and another goes to Asgard!
BEST: Princess Leia and Han Solo, Star Wars
A long time ago…blah, blah, blah, the Empire was being a big jerk and the Rebellion was doing their best to fight for freedom. Throughout the original trilogy of Star Wars, there’s tons of action and some odd romance. Move the incest to the side for a moment and you can probably focus easier on Princess Leia and her relationship with non-sibling Han Solo. The future commander and the smuggler didn’t get off on the right foot.
Over time, one of the most romantic exchanges between a couple in cinematic history occurs. Right before Han is frozen in carbonite Leia declares her love with a simple, “I love you.” Not one to be outdone, Han merely looks at her and says, “I know.” He then promptly gets frozen so he doesn’t have to deal with the fallout of being so rude.
WORST: Anakin and Queen Padmé
Let’s look at one of the worst relationships to ever befall the galaxy. Queen Padmé Amidala, at the young age of fourteen, was elected to run an entire planet. Since that was a brilliant decision that obviously makes sense in space, so was her choice to be in a relationship with a young child as well. When Anakin Skywalker (the future Darth Vader) enters her life, Amidala’s planet is being taken over and she needs to escape.
Fast-forward two movies and she becomes a senator while Skywalker descends into madness and the Dark Side. Despite their deep and committed love for one another, something just isn’t right. It was probably the Dark Side ripping Anakin apart from the inside out. Unfortunately, love doesn’t win. Instead, Anakin nearly kills Padmé while blinded with rage. She survives but then loses the will to live after delivering future siblings (and momentary couple) Luke and Leia.
BEST: Lorraine and Ed Warren, The Conjuring
A good horror movie is made infinitely better when the love of the main couple is put to the test. Somehow, The Conjuring series is made better because the Warrens seem to love each other no matter what happens. Whether it’s the Devil, haunted dolls, or some other horrifying creature from beyond, those two never doubted their bond. In fact, the harder they loved one another, the easier they seemed to get through any murderous event.
It also leads to some pretty incredible movie moments that warmed our hearts right before we peed ourselves in terror. What makes it all better is that the two investigators were real and married in real life! Lorraine Warren even served as an advisor for the film to ensure everything was just as she remembered.
WORST: Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter
Harry Potter, on the surface, is a pretty desirable guy in the wizarding world. He’s talented, loaded thanks to a family inheritance, and a hero that not only saved that world, but the muggle one as well. On paper, those are some great qualifications for a relationship. What people tend to forget is that he also has some anger issues, is very impulsive, and doesn’t exactly have the best family life.
In the movies, his relationship with Ginny isn’t portrayed that well…or really at all. Mostly because she doesn’t get nearly enough screen time or character development. If you go by the books though, these two are written perfectly for each other. Both are incredibly strong magical folk who have deep values, a love of family (and each other), and take 0% of anyone’s crap.
BEST: Mia and Sebastian, La La Land
Love is like a song. When it’s right then the melody can get anyone singing and dancing. When Mia and Sebastian create some gorgeous music together throughout La La Land, we’re convinced that it’s a soundtrack that will play forever. These two idealistic people have their heads in the clouds and their feet in the right shoes to dance together forever. However, time gets in the way as do their dreams.
While they share some tender and beautiful moments, these two stars were destined to burn separately. However, it’s nice that they got to reconnect, even for just a moment, at the end of the film! Like a good song though, that doesn’t mean it ends on a high note.
WORST: Thor and Jane, Thor
Natalie Portman is an incredible actor. There’s no denying that. A few of her characters’ love interests across her career never seem to be a great fit. Whether it’s in a galaxy far, far away, or somewhere in the desert on Earth, she just can’t seem to catch a break. When Portman and Chris Hemsworth tried to make sparks fly in Thor, we were ready for a lightning storm full of romance.
Instead, we got a somewhat non-conductive performance between both superstars. Maybe not all scientists are destined to be with Norse Gods? No clue, but there was less thunder than a summer storm between these two titans of the screen.
BEST: Sally and Harry, When Harry Met Sally
Where were you when Sally met Harry? Wait? Or was it Harry who met Sally? Either way, it’s hard to list some of the best couples from cinema history without mentioning these two. The classic movie surrounding a couple of lovebirds that aren’t aware they’re in love is kind of a must-see in the movie world. Most modern romantic comedies take a little bit from this film (and for good reason).
Even from the long-lost days of 1989 (yeah, some of us are from then), there seemed to be a formula most movie romances took. Sure, those are still around, but Harry and Sally shook things up with a wink and a scream (in a public restaurant). Sometimes an offbeat romance is just what two people need to seal the deal.
WORST: John and Claire, The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club is one of those movies that defines not only a generation but an entire period in everyone’s lives. Highschool is tough for everybody. Even the most popular people aren’t having the time of their lives. Of course, they’re also probably not as bad as what the Brat Pack portrayed in this quintessential teen flick. While not all good memories are made to last, neither are relationships. Claire’s eventual flirtation and (supposed) relationship with John was destined to fail from the beginning.
Those two aren’t just polar opposites. They also seem to only bring out the worst in each other. Despite only chatting for a few hours, they seem determined to try and make things work. However, a lot of people have weighed in and nobody assumes that these two will be together forever. They probably wouldn’t make it to the prom.
BEST: Alabama and Clarence, True Romance
We’re somehow living in the timeline where nearly every Christian Slater movie is iconic for various reasons. We’re not sure if that’s good or bad, but True Romance is a trip that everyone should experience. It has both Gary Oldman in dreads as well as Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette falling in love. Oh, there’s also the ghost of Elvis Presley guiding these two characters for who knows what reason.
Even though this action-packed shooter has all the makings of a Hollywood bomb, it had some great moments. One of them being the irrefutable bond forged by Slater and Arquette’s characters. After what they went through it was clear that they would stay together forever.
WORST: Danny and Sandy, Grease
Sometimes musicals are a great time capsule to see an interesting interpretation of the times. Grease is one of those American classics that just had everything great going for it. The songs are catchy, the cast iconic, and the movie has the coolest flying car ever. While some of the lyrics and storylines didn’t age too well, there’s just something about this film that has people coming back again and again.
It’s most likely the love between bad-boy Danny and the good girl gone rogue Sandy. Push their love/infatuation/super-crushes aside for a moment and look at everything else that happens. Sandy changes her entire identity to get some dude that’s going to fly them into the sun.
BEST: Vanessa and Wade, Deadpool
Ryan Reynolds is gorgeous. Sorry, we just had to get that out there. Anyways, Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin are extremely talented and accomplished actors. Together, they helped make the beautiful and bizarre relationship between Wade (AKA Deadpool) and Vanessa both hilarious as well as fitting into the more serious tones of the movie. Their craziness matched outrageously and perfectly!
Spoiler: maybe in a different universe, they lived happily ever after. However, this is still a superhero/villain/vigilante movie. That means a perfect love won’t last. Something has to happen to help create the hero. Either way, we didn’t think we’d feel emotions like that in a comedic hero flick.
WORST: Neo and Trinity, The Matrix
The thing with being star-crossed lovers is that it never ends up well for them. That’s kind of the whole point. The stars cross but never stay together. In a way, that’s kind of how Neo and Trinity ended up (depending on which version of The Matrix you’re in). You wouldn’t think by watching them that they were supposed to be together.
Was it the system that tried to get them together? Maybe it was the Oracle. However, as much as they claimed to love each other it just didn’t seem like it was a passionate match. Perhaps Trinity was trying to get the Prophecy fulfilled early and thought that this guy was the One to do it.
BEST: Rosemary and Dill, Easy A
Easy A is an underrated classic about another classic that people don’t seem to read anymore. The Scarlet Letter was mandatory when we were young and that’s back when books still had pages and weren’t on a screen. Easy A is a much funnier retelling set in the modern age with Emma Stone and her father Stanley Tucci. Now doesn’t that just sound like a laugh riot already?
Anyway, Stanley Tucci and his wife Patricia Clarkson play the sweetest, most doting, kind of embarrassing married couple with the cool hip teenager. These two are the very definition of lovebirds ( minus the wings). They’re also named after herbs. Who wouldn’t want a mom and dad named Rosemary and Dill?!
WORST: Noah and Allie, The Notebook
It doesn’t matter how good the movie is. Some relationships can’t be romanticized enough to make us believe they’re healthy. Even if Noah and Allie were destined to be together, he could have wooed her in much better (and saner) ways. If you’re basically threatening to fall to your death if you don’t get a date, then slow down. Take a breath.
Then talk it out with someone. He guilt-tripped her into falling head over heels in love with him! Plus, all the kissing in the way? You’re going to get sick and a little bit snotty. It’s probably much better written in the novel. At least, we hope it is.
BEST: Ellie and Carl, Up
Do you want to travel to Paradise Falls with someone one day? Carl and Ellie from UP showed the world a timeless and heartbreakingly beautiful relationship bloom, wilt, and grow into something else in under two hours. Most of the story takes place during the first fifteen minutes. This movie hits us like a sucker punch every time. While everyone says their favorite couples were made for each other, we KNOW these two were.
The love and completion these two characters brought to one another are more than just couple goals. Those are life goals. At the same time, it also showed a generation of people how fragile and fleeting love really is, and how strong some bonds will always be.
WORST: Scott Pilgrim and Knives Chau, Scott Pilgrim vs the World
Did you hear that Scott Pilgrim was dating a high school girl? The Scott Pilgrim series (and movie featuring everyone’s favorite awkward adult: Michael Cera) is pretty cool. One of the best reasons is that nearly everyone is a little terrible. They’re also not nearly as terrible as Scott and Ramona. Those two make a great couple. Do you know who doesn’t? Scott and Knives. He took advantage of her innocence and naivety so he could check out for a while and pursue someone else.
No matter how noble he is, or how he finds his love in the end, Knives deserved someone much more involved. The only positive thing to come from their relationship was Knives’ highlights. Then, she got those slapped off because Scott got into a whole other thing involving a vegan. It was wild.
BEST: Deborah and Baby, Baby Driver
Don’t you just hate it when you’re trying to get your life together and you get dragged into another heist? That’s kind of the gist of Baby Driver. This former getaway driver starts a job and then almost immediately gets dragged into crime again. He has to do it though. If not, the love interest won’t make it to see the credits.
As expected, things go from wrong to horrible and soon Baby finds himself not only fighting for his life but for his love as well. In the end, we see that their bond survives bullets, car crashes, and the American legal system. It’s oddly touching but also heartbreaking and beautiful.
WORST: Edward and Vivian, Pretty Woman
We’re surprised people are okay with the relationship between Edward and Vivian. This has nothing to do with her career choice. It all has to do with the idea that this seemed to happen a bit faster than most (healthy) relationships tend to develop. When you’re in a rough situation or lonely, or whatever else, sometimes we may jump for an opportunity.
How safe are you trusting someone who you’ve never met? That’s only like a 50/50 chance of it ending well. Don’t listen to our math…or this movie’s message. It’s sweet, but the journey to the end seems a bit creepier than how we remember it.
BEST: Clementine and Joel, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Can you justify staying in a doomed relationship if the occasional moments of happiness are strong enough to keep the whole thing warm and worth it when they occur? What makes Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind isn’t the breakout performances of Jim Carey and Kate Winslet. It’s the idea that sometimes love is stronger than the heartbreak it eventually causes. Being stuck in a loop of sadness with the occasional tender smile is enough for two people who know they can’t go on living with each other.
Both of them are aware of it but they still want to relive the same moments forever and ever. It’s an incredible movie on multiple levels. The deepest of them is the complex nature of the love between the two main characters.
WORST: Edward and Bella, Twilight
Ignore the fact that Edward from Twilight is in his 100s and Bella never even got to crack twenty. Allowing someone with an infatuation to blindly follow you into a vampire/werewolf war seems really irresponsible. We all had terrible crushes in high school. None of them changed our genetic makeup or caused a werewolf to imprint on our unborn child. Some of those things don’t seem okay.
Edward also has a very creepy way of getting close to Bella. The guy’s also really dramatic about things. That combination just doesn’t seem to make for a truly healthy relationship. Thankfully, they’re immortal, so they have time to work through their issues.
BEST: Albert and Armand, The Birdcage
Everything about The Birdcage is movie gold, timeless, and just fun for everyone who gets the chance to see Robin Williams and Nathan Lane scream at each other in marital bliss. It’s a campy frolicking romp through a Miami drag club and teaches everyone what family’s really about. Despite seeming like they’re at each other’s throats, Armand does love Albert. When he’s not being overly dramatic just because, Albert is also in utter bliss living with Armand.
These two are the quintessential bickering couple. They’ll be together for decades, tell the same jokes, have the same fights, and be in love for every moment of it. Plus, the club they own is amazing. You don’t want to split that up.
WORST: Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, Spider-Man (2002)
With all the different versions of Spider-Man out there, everyone has a favorite. The same goes for MJ! However, the weirdest relationship between these two comes from Tobey Maguire’s time in the tights. This goofy and super relatable version of the friendly neighborhood web-slinger seemed the most believable. While MJ and Parker did like each other, it wasn’t always happiness and busting bad guys.
The stress of Parker’s profession and MJ’s dreams just proved to be a lot for the two. It didn’t help that there was also a bit of friction between the actors taking on the roles. If you can’t at least act like you’re interested then it won’t read at all on camera.
BEST: Morticia and Gomez Addams, The Addams Family
Do you want the best couple of all time? Do you want to see two people who love each other to Hell and back and then go pick up the kids once the weekend’s over? You don’t need to travel far. Just walk up the road to the gothic mansion and have tea with Gomez and Morticia. The entire Addams clan is about embracing your weirdness.
That doesn’t mean you can’t also be glamorous while passionately falling into your lover’s guillotine. The two heads of the Addams family go together like bats and belfries. No matter how sunny and rosy the day gets, they’ll shield each other under some cobwebs and kisses.
WORST: The Joker and Harley Quinn, Suicide Squad
Villains are villains for various reasons. Even when they’re at their worst they want some companionship. That, or, someone who will mindlessly follow them around in exchange for affection. That’s basically how The Joker took advantage of Dr. Harleen Quinzel and turned her into Harley Quinn. While they ruled Gotham as a crime-creating super-duo she was also kind of held prisoner.
Maybe she didn’t want to admit it then, but she wasn’t thinking clearly. The Joker knew this and took full advantage of that for his personal gains. No matter the alternate universe, whenever these two are together it rarely ends well for either of them. At least both seem happy to laugh while the world around them burns.
BEST: Ilsa and Rick, Casablanca
Often called one of the greatest movies ever made, Casablanca was a hit upon its release. Snatching up Oscars and delighting fans weary from WWII, this movie was almost instantly an American classic. One of the most beautiful, and for the time controversial, themes was Ilsa and Rick’s forbidden love for one another. Married to a resistance fighter, Ilsa claims to love her husband. She also loves the nightclub-owning Rick.
His debonair looks are hard to resist, despite her husband’s noble mission and strong bond to his wife and purpose. While Ilsa struggles between the two, the emerging love between her and Rick is a rare bit of movie magic that is hard to get on film in Hollywood. Many have tried, but no story is quite like Casablanca.
WORST: Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, The Dark Knight Rises
It’s hard to encapsulate certain things when adapting a comic to the big screen. The Batman series and its many, many, many iterations are proof of this. In the comics, Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and Bruce Wayne (Batman) have been at each other’s throats, and in each other’s beds, for decades. The two are stuck in this dance of heroism against crime and love against purpose. It’s hard to showcase that tense relationship when Catwoman isn’t in as many movies as Batman.
Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight series is a great example. While Batman and Catwoman played off each other nicely, there was barely any time to develop chemistry! The two seemed to just decide to end up together because that’s what’s supposed to happen. that, and, they’re each other’s greatest match (besides the Joker and Batman).