When thinking about classic romance movies, a few titles come to mind, including Titanic, West Side Story and Dirty Dancing. While each film might be different in premise, they all feature love stories that overcome multiple hardships. What’s more, some have unforgettable tropes their characters play into. But what makes romance flicks standout the most is the famous movie couples that have emerged from them.
Throughout the last century, movies have introduced couples who make our hearts sing with joy. But there’s also something about a famous movie couple that has a way of making viewers feel things they didn’t expect while wishing for their own happy ending. It’s a special quality to have, and it can be hard to find both on-screen and in real-life.
With this idea in mind, we set out to create an official list of the most famous movie couples. No matter which one you identify with, each couple brings something different to the world of movie romances and helps celebrate love. So grab a snack and curl up on the couch, because you’re going to want to watch a romantic movie or two after this.
1
Baby and Johnny — ‘Dirty Dancing’
2
Maddy and Olly — ‘Everything, Everything’
Maddy (Amandla Stenberg) is homebound due to an incurable illness. She meets Olly (Nick Robinson) when he moves in next door and notices her looking at him through the window. Although their romance is somewhat ill-fated, the two still fall in love — hardships and all.
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3
Lara Jean and Peter — ‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’
Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo)‘s relationship began when they were in middle school, with her writing (and not sending) a love letter to him. But when it gets out and he tries to make his ex-girlfriend jealous, it leads to a love the two never expected as teenagers.
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4
Rose and Jack — ‘Titanic’
Inspired by the real-life 1912 shipwreck, Titanic introduced a famous movie couple comprised of Kate Winslet as Rose and Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack. While most people think Jack could have survived if Rose let him get on the raft with her, it was clear this romance was doomed the day both stepped onto the Titanic.
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5
Sandy and Danny — ‘Grease’
Fans were hopelessly devoted to Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and Danny (John Travolta)‘s love story when the movie debuted in 1978. In between dance-offs, refurbishing of classic cars, plus the Pink Ladies and Greasers singing “tell me more,” we learned that opposites do attract if there is enough effort.
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6
Monica and Quincy — ‘Love and Basketball’
Quincy and Monica’s relationship starts as kids, when they’re both aspiring athletes with a hared love of basketball. No matter what life throws as them, the duo don’t let their love be affected by the realities of the world. It has love and it has sports — the perfect combination.
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7
Rachel and Frank — ‘The Bodyguard’
Kevin Costner plays Frank, a former U.S. secret service agent who is hired to protect famous singer Rachel (Whitney Houston) from an unidentifiable stalker. It not only spurred on the trope of a celebrity falling for someone who works for them, but it gave us Whitney’s rendition of the Dolly Parton classic song “I Will Always Love You.”
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8
Maria and Tony — ‘West Side Story’
Based on William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Tony and Maria are star-crossed lovers whose families are in rival New York street gangs. While the couple’s demise was one of tragedy, no one can forget the way Tony expressed his love for Maria with her own song.
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9
Rachel and Nick — ‘Crazy Rich Asians’
Constance Wu plays a Chinese-American professor who has it all with her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding). But when she learns his family is one of the richest in Singapore, she must find a way to maintain her relationship while attempting to please those he loves the most.
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10
Jasmine and Aladdin – ‘Aladdin’ (2019)
Aladdin can show Jasmine the world … or can he? This 2019 adaptation may be different from its 1992 predecessor, but it still demonstrates how two people can fall in love in unexpected ways … even when money and status is involved.
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11
Héloïse and Marianne — ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’
Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is a young painter who is commissioned for a wedding portrait of Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) in 1760s France. After falling hard for each other, they explores their first moments of freedom together. But what is eventually left of their romance is one viewers wouldn’t expect.
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12
Latika and Jamal — ‘Slumdog Millionaire’
Dev Patel and Freida Pinto star as Jamal and Latika, a couple who comes from the slums of Mumbai. When Jamal finds himself on the Indian equivalent of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, it sets their lives in motion in ways the two never thought possible.
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13
Ennis and Jack — ‘Brokeback Mountain’
Ang Lee‘s 2005 movie follows Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Ennis (Heath Ledger), two 1960s cowboys who have wives and children. Despite their growing families, the two have a 20-year long love affair that has them questioning all they know.
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14
Allie and Noah — ‘The Notebook’
In Nicholas Sparks’ most famous movie adaptation, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling‘s Allie and Noah had everyone yearning for the visceral love the couple had. What’s more, it’s become a movie everyone has seen due to the efforts Noah goes to reclaim their romance from her rich and unaccepting family.
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15
Isabel and Alex — ‘Fools Rush In’
Alex (Matthew Perry) and Isabel (Salma Hayek) are complete opposites who have a one-night stand in Vegas. When Isabel finds him three months later, the couple has to learn to navigate some of life’s biggest adventures: marriage and parenthood.
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16
Sally and Harry — ‘When Harry Met Sally’
It wouldn’t be a famous movie couples’ list without Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan). From the iconic restaurant scene to the even more classic sweaters, this movie proves that friendships can sometimes turn into the best kind of love.
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17
Albert and Armand — ‘The Birdcage’
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane star in this remake of the French film La Cage Aux Folles as Armand and Albert, respectively. When engaged couple Val (Dan Futterman) and Barbara (Calista Flockhart) want their parents to meet for the first time, they have one request: that Val’s father Armand hides his relationship with Albert to please Barbara’s parents.
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18
Tish and Fonny — ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
Tish (Kiki Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James)‘s road to romance was one filled with love, passion and trust. But they also live in 1970s Harlem, right after the Civil Rights Movement. So, when Fonny gets arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, they recommit to keeping their romance alive during hard times.
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19
Sara and Derek — ‘Save the Last Dance’
Julia Stiles plays a young woman who goes to live with her father after her mother’s death. When she meets Derek (Sean Patrick Thomas), a teen with different experiences from her, they learn how to navigate an interracial relationship while sharing a love of dance.
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20
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy — ‘Pride and Prejudice’
From literary enemies to cinematic lovers, the iconic couple from the Jane Austen classic has been portrayed in many adaptations. But they never cease to prove how you never know where love will find you.
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Adrianna Freedman
Editorial Assistant
As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture.