We like to believe that on-screen love stories are like fairytales. Well, most of them are. However, it isn’t always the case. That’s right, some couples whose fire ignites on television, have also carried that spark forward to their reality.
From the kisses that give us goosebumps to the flirtatious lines that make us smirk, on-screen romances set the bar up high. Here we have a list of the best on-screen couples. Your man or woman crush may be in here. Read on to find out if they’re already taken.
Julia Roberts & Richard Gere – Vivian & Edward In Pretty Woman, 1990
The ever so pretty Julia Roberts, along with Richard Gere, played the main roles in the famous movie Pretty Woman. The characters of Vivian, the female escort, and Edward, the powerful businessman, couldn’t have been portrayed by anyone better. The movie’s fans still see Roberts and Gere as a couple following their on-screen intimacy.
From the lust and excitement to the deep understanding of two people from opposite classes of the society, no wonder it became such a hit. Not only was Pretty Woman a romantic comedy with the highest number of ticket sales but it was also third in rank for the highest-grossing film of the year 1990.
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – Danny & Sandy In Grease, 1978
The romantic comedy film Grease launched in cinemas in 1978. John Travolta and Olivia Newton secured the roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson, and we’re not mad about that. In the movie, Sandy was an Australian student who was on vacation in America. During the summer, Danny met Sandy and fell in love.
The movie was a box office record-breaker at the time with earnings of $396 million. One of the reasons for this success is the sensible and attractive performance of the two main characters. Many fans were crazy about the movie. After all, who wouldn’t like to fall in love in the summer?
Jennifer Grey & Patrick Swayze – Baby & Johnny In Dirty Dancing, 1987
Falling in love during a vacation seems pretty magical. The movie, Dirty Dancing, is about a 17-year-old girl falling in love with an entertainment worker at a holiday resort. The main characters “Baby” and Johnny are portrayed by Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze.
As a result of Baby having a father with class discrimination, the couple sneaks and later fights for their relationship. The movie was a huge commercial success, grossing over $214 million worldwide. Fans of Grey and Swayze probably shipped them after seeing their on-screen chemistry, and of course, the dance moves.
Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet – Jack & Rose In Titanic, 1997
If you haven’t seen Titanic yet, what are you doing with your life? As of today, Titanic has earned over $2 billion in total, making it the third-highest-grossing film of all time. The epic love story burdened by class and wealth prejudice leaves a lasting memory.
Kate Winslet plays Rose, an emotionally troubled 17-year-old, and Leonardo DiCaprio plays Jack, a poor aimless artist. From the first kiss to the last touch of goodbye on Jack’s frozen body, both Winslet and DiCaprio gave the performance of a lifetime. With such a brilliant storyline, we can only hope that such great movies hit cinemas more frequently.
Larenz Tate & Nia Long – Darius & Nina In Love Jones, 1997
Love Jones is an American romantic drama film, released in 1997. The main characters are Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley, played by Larenz Tate and Nia Long, respectively. The movie was popular and received favorable reviews, but it was not a success money-wise.
The film is about a romantic story between Darius, a poet, and Nina, a photographer who lost her job. The on-again-off-again relationship between the couple had many reviewers point out that this story was quite compelling. The performance of the two main characters was excellent as well.
Sarah Jessica Parker & Chris Noth – Carrie & Mr. Big In S** And The City, 1998 – 2004
S** and the City is an American romantic comedy-drama series produced by HBO and created by Darren Star. The movie highlights a complicated love story between Carrie Bradshaw, played by Sarah Jessica Parker, and Mr. Big played by Chris North.
The story is about a single girl who ignored all the red flags and abandoned her single life to be with Mr.Big. He was a player who was a source of endless heartaches. However, Carrie believed that the relationship would work. The couple touched the hearts and souls of fans through their flawless acting, which made them a classic on-screen duo.
Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling – Allie & Noah In The Notebook, 2004
The Notebook was another box office hit released in 2004. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams gave a jaw-dropping performance with their portrayals of Noah and Allie. In the movie, classism leads the couple to a breakup until they reunite a few years later in the most romantic way.
Post-movie, Gosling, and McAdams began a relationship in 2005. Even though their fans rooted for them, they only lasted two years, which is a far cry from the movie. If you haven’t watched this movie yet, grab a box of tissues, and be ready for an emotional ending.
Billy Crystal & Meg Ryan – Harry & Sally In When Harry Met Sally…, 1989
When Harry Met Sally… was a successful film that made $93 million in 1989. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan starred in the movie as Harry and Sally. The story of the movie extends over 12 years, and even though the two met several times, they did not realize that they were in love for over a decade.
The charming portrayal of this duo makes the viewers’ hearts ache because there is an untold story between them for so long. Many experts said that the chemistry between this couple made this film an unforgettable hit. As of today, this couple is considered one of the best on-screen couples ever.
Halle Berry & Michael Ealy – Janie & Tea Cake In Their Eyes Were Watching God, 2005
Their Eyes Were Watching God was a novel written in 1937 by the African American writer Zora Neale Hurston. In 2005, under Darnell Martin’s direction, it was adapted into a movie. Halle Berry and Michael Ealy played the main characters by the names of Janie Crawford and Tea Cake.
The movie is about a love story between an emotionally struggling girl and a gambler. Janie struggles to find love, going through three marriages — an act frowned upon in the ’20s, the time the movie was based on. Following their on-screen romance, there was a rumor that the duo dated in real life, but they never confirmed it.
Keanu Reeves & Sandra Bullock – Kate & Alex In The Lake House, 2006
The Lake House is an unorthodox romantic drama film that hit screens in 2006. This is a remake of II Mare, a South Korean flick. The twist in this film was that Kate lived in 2006, while Alex lived in 2004. The love story unfolded in two different periods.
Not only was the storyline undoubtedly impressive, but the acting of the couple uplifted the spirit of the film as well. The duo has a long history of acting together, which sparked rumors about a romantic involvement between them. However, they continue to remain good friends.
Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling – Mia & Sebastian In La La Land, 2016
La La Land is possibly one of the most heartbreaking love stories of this decade. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are the main actors who surely grabbed more attention after this film. Their characters go by the names of Mia and Sebastian. The overall story of the film is simply sad.
The lovers were in a serious commitment, and they promised to love each other, regardless of their uncertain future. However, sometimes promises are hollow. The most noticeable element of this film was this duo’s impressive acting. Without a doubt, Stone and Gosling would make a great couple if they were together in real life too.
Sandra Bullock & Harry Connick Jr. – Birdee & Justin In Hope Floats, 1998
It’s a tragic American love story written by Steven Rogers. Starring Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick Jr., Hope Floats is a 1998 drama film. The storyline written by Steven Rogers, depicts the main roles, Birdee Pruitt and Justin Matisse.
Hope Floats is about the romantic relationship between a single mother and her high school classmate. The excellent performance of the duo awakens a lot of emotions in the viewers and blends surprisingly well with the storyline. Many of their fans wished they were together in real life because of their marvelous performance in this movie.
Meryl Streep & Alec Baldwin – Jane & Jake In It’s Complicated, 2009
This film was about a complicated love story between a bakery owner and an attorney. The unusual aspect of this plot is that Jane falls in love with her ex-husband Jake, after ten years of separation. Needless to say that situations like this happen every day to our surprise.
The main stars are Jane and Jacob Alder, played by Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. Although the film was a financial success, it received mixed reviews. Nevertheless, Streep and Baldwin received praise for their top-notch acting. It was one of the main reasons the movie made $219 million.
Kate Hudson & Matthew McConaughey – Andie & Ben In How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, 2003
The title of this movie raises a lot of questions. How hard can it be to lose a guy? Well, it’s a love story between two people in the same office who began their relationship to accomplish their goals, and not because they were in love. Strange!
Despite the complicated storyline, the pair’s fans appreciated their phenomenal performance. In this movie, Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey play the main roles of Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry. Being one of the best matching on-screen couples, the gossip sites rumored that they were in a relationship off-screen, but it was not confirmed.
Cary Elwes & Robin Wright – Westley & Buttercup In The Princess Bride, 1987
This movie is an American fantasy adventure comedy that also passes as a love story between a farm girl named Buttercup and the farmhand named Westley. Cary Elwes and Robin Wright play the roles of the star couple. The Princess Bride proves how picture-perfect the couple would’ve been in reality.
Following its release in 1987, the movie received good critiques, and Elwes and Wright drew compliments for their acting. They successfully depicted the real-life scenario on a farm and the boundaries for love. Their expression of love and attraction received praise at the time.
Drew Barrymore & Adam Sandler – Lucy & Henry In 50 First Dates, 2004
50 First Dates is a romantic movie that also makes your heart ache because of the storyline. The love story is between a veterinarian and a girl who suffers from anterograde amnesia, which is a condition where a person forgets everything from a specific date.
In this movie, Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler are playing Lucy Whitemore and Henry Roth. This duo brings out a beautiful story of unconditional love, no matter what happens in life. Even though their fans thought that they would be a great couple if they ever dated, it remained a dream.
Julia Roberts & Hugh Grant – Anna & William In Notting Hill, 1999
Notting Hill is a successful romantic movie that introduced one of the best on-screen couples. It’s a story between a bookstore owner and a Hollywood actress named William and Anna, respectively. This 1999 movie was a profitable one, primarily because of this attractive couple.
In this film, the plot is an interesting one. Years after their break up, a fragment of romance triggers their reunion. The movie fans admired the chemistry between them and how they brought their romance alive. Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant played the main roles in this movie.
Blake Lively & Michiel Huisman – Adaline & Ellis In The Age of Adaline, 2015
The Age of Adaline is an American romantic fantasy film written by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador Paskowitz. In the movie, Adaline, the main character, had an accident and died in a cold lake. Creepily, she came back to life after being struck by a lightning storm.
Due to this occurrence, she stopped aging at 29 and lived over a century as a 29-year-old. There is a love story along with the main plot. Adaline meets Ellis at a party, and she falls for him. Their love story adds more curiosity to the movie.
John Krasinski & Jenna Fischer – Jim & Pam In The Office, 2005 – 2013
The plot of the series, The Office, focuses on the lifestyles of the office workers and how they interact with each other. This includes a bored, yet talented salesman. This TV series started airing in 2005 and went on till 2013.
Alongside the main storyline, there is a romantic touch running through the series. The romance is between John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer, starring as Jim and Pam. The couple became famous because of the soft love they share. They were friends before they took on their roles, and this could be the reason for their chemistry on screen.
Kristen Stewart & Robert Pattinson – Bella & Edward In Twilight, 2008
By now we have all heard of The Twilight Saga at some point in our lives. The romance fantasy film first launched in 2008, and following the big bucks it made, four sequels were released. Edward, the brooding vampire, and Bella, the introvert teenage girl, made for quite the extraordinary love story.
If it wasn’t for Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart portraying the main characters, we doubt the film would’ve made history. With the magnetic chemistry they shared on-screen, it isn’t a surprise that they dated for four years off-screen. Unfortunately, after Stewart’s infidelity, their relationship was never the same.
Jason Segel & Alyson Hannigan – Marshall & Lily In How I Met Your Mother, 2005 – 2014
When people out there are looking for the perfect soulmate, here’s a loopy couple who adored and embraced each other’s weirdness and made it work. Jason Segel and Alyson Hannigan portrayed Marshall and Lily, respectively, in the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. The show aired from 2005 to 2014.
Given the pair’s on-screen relationship spanning over nine seasons, HIMYM fans unquestionably hoped for a real-life relationship. However, Hannigan was a happily married woman even before the start of the show. Marshmallow and Lily did not disappoint their fans though and contributed to the spectacular finale of the show.
Ed Westwick & Leighton Meester – Chuck & Blair In Gossip Girl, 2007 – 2012
Following its initial release in 2007, the teen drama series Gossip Girl aired for six seasons. The series depicts the lives of a bunch of wealthy and privileged teenagers from the upper east side. Chuck and Blair, portrayed by Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester, is a highlighted pair in the show.
In the series, the two grew up together, and in their teenage years, they fell in love. However, after a very rocky relationship, the couple somehow ends up in marriage and starts a family. Gossip Girl fans root for Westwick and Meester so hard.
Katie Holmes & Joshua Jackson – Joey & Pacey In Dawson’s Creek, 1998 – 2003
Dawson’s Creek is an American teen drama series that attracted a lot of teenage viewers after its release in 1998. The story was about the lives of close groups of friends who started high school and went on to college.
The series focuses on the incidents that teenagers go through. The love story between Joey Potter and Pacey Witter is the main focus of the plot, and Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes played the parts. After the first season of the series, Holmes and Jackson had a real-life fling. Unfortunately, the relationship did not last long.
Fran Drescher & Charles Shaughnessy – Fran & Maxwell In The Nanny, 1993 – 1999
In this television series, Fran got fired from her job by her ex-boyfriend and started a new job selling cosmetics. One fine day, Fran knocked on Maxwell’s door and eventually became the nanny for his kids. Maxwell liked the way she managed his household and feelings sparked within.
When the episodes progressed, it was apparent that both of them shared the same feelings, but were reluctant to talk about it. Fran Drescher and Charles Shaughnessy starred in this series as main characters. During the drama, there was a huge rumor that they were in a relationship, but there was no confirmation.
Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell – Kay & Lucky In Swing Shift, 1984
The movie Swing Shift is about an illegitimate couple. The main female star, Kay, committed adultery while her husband was away for his job in the military. Although the film was a highly unsuccessful one, the on-screen couple’s relationship hit off in real life.
Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell celebrated 36 years of togetherness as of 2019, after beginning their relationship on the set of Swing Shift in 1983. If you saw the movie, you know Hawn and Russell had some electricity between them. Let’s just hope that their current relationship isn’t as scandalous as the one in the box office flop.
Meryl Streep & Clint Eastwood – Francesca & Robert In The Bridges Of Madison County, 1995
Francesca and Robert are the main characters in The Bridges of Madison County. It’s a romantic drama film that hit cinemas in 1995. The movie is a moving one, and the actors Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep gave life to the couple who had an affair. Even to us, the deep-rooted meaning of the story is of great help in life.
The reviews, especially noted how matching the characters were, and how they seamlessly blended with the storyline. Once during a talk show, Streep mentioned she loved working with Clint, and his dedication helped her feed life to her character.
Natalie Wood & Richard Beymer – Maria & Tony In West Side Story, 1961
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story is a romantic movie that hit the screens in 1961. The inspiration for the storyline came from Romeo and Juliet. The main characters are Maria played by Natalie Wood, and Tony played by Richard Beymer.
The movie is about a couple who faced many obstacles to be together, and when they finally get the opportunity to flee, Maria’s arranged fiancé, Chino, shoots Tony to death. Although the storyline seems rather familiar, Wood and Beymer gave life so passionately to the characters of the lovebirds.
Barbra Streisand & Robert Redford – Katie & Hubbell In The Way We Were, 1973
The Way We Were was a successful movie with considerable box office earnings. It received numerous nominations for many awards and won an Academy Award. Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford starred in this film, which attracted additional views for their film.
The story revolves around two characters called Katie and Hubbell. They were friends since high school, who fell out of touch after graduation. However, after their encounter during World War II, the pair fell in love. Things weren’t so easy, and they had many issues to try to work on.
Talia Shire & Sylvester Stallone – Adrian & Rocky In Rocky, 1976
Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone fought with bravery in all of the 15 rounds in the New Year’s Day title bout. Although he didn’t win, he surely did conquer the love of Adrian, played by Talia Shire. Even though the couple was perfect on-screen, they never really had any flings in reality.
The 1976 film was a box office success, earning over $225 million and became the highest-grossing movie of that year. It followed up with seven sequels over the years, and Stallone starred in all of them, whereas Talia only appeared in four.
Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford – Princess Leia & Hans Solo In Star Wars, 1977
Star Wars is a world-famous science fiction movie that commenced in 1977. The film was a great success with a humongous box office total earning of $775 million. The crew used almost all modern technology available at the time, which made it a futuristic one.
With an exciting storyline, the acting of Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford as Princess Leia and Hans Solo was exceptional. There were some articles written just to outline the acting of this couple. Carrie and Harrison have worked together even before casting in Star Wars. Therefore, it could be the reason for the well-synced acting.