While we can all remember our first love, the love stories we see unfold on-screen can leave us with equally as gripping, tear-inducing relationships that shake us to our very core. In fact, some of the world’s greatest love stories have come from our favourite fictional characters, be it the 90s classic that had both romance and wit perfectly intertwined, to modern retellings that somehow managed to give us that warm and fuzzy feeling, only to leave us totally heartbroken moments later.
Over the years, we’ve become invested in the love stories of those characters – so much so, we watch them over and over again. Prepare to swoon and melt and feel all the feels, below we’ve looked back at the greatest and most iconic couples to ever grace our screens.
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Sally and Harry, When Harry Met Sally
Nora Ephron never fails to deliver a tale of true romance, all lovingly mixed in with her searingly smart screenwriting. The 1989 cult classic When Harry Met Sally is one of those memorable works, telling the story of Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan) who, after a string of chance encounters over twelve years, struggle to communicate how they really feel about one another. All we’ll say is, we’ll have what they’re having.
As one marie claire writer once wrote, “Everything about this movie is golden, syrupy, somehow sparkly with romance.”
Vivian and Edward, Pretty Woman
While an unlikely pair, following Pretty Woman’s release in 1990, Vivian and Edward became one of the world’s most adored on-screen couples. The film’s story centres on down-on-her-luck Hollywood prostitute Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts), who is hired by Edward Lewis (Richard Gere), a wealthy businessman, to be his escort for a week of business events, and their developing relationship over the course of a week-long stay. What unfolds, one of the greatest love stories of our time (even if it is just on-screen).
Baby and Johnny, Dirty Dancing
Despite their age gap, the romance in Dirty Dancing is played out by leading man Johnny (Patrick Swayze) who helps ‘Baby’ (Jennifer Grey) discover who she is when he teaches her how to dance in this coming-of-age classic. The film catapulted the two to worldwide fame, namely thanks to their undeniable on-screen chemistry, and their iconic final dance at the posh Catskills resort, which to this day continues to be a source of inspiration for other rom-coms, including Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s recreation in Crazy Stupid Love.
While we’ll never know how the original 1987 film could be topped, Grey is currently working on a Dirty Dancing sequel that will see her reprise the role of Baby. “It will be exactly the kind of romantic, nostalgic movie that the franchise’s fans have been waiting for and that has made it the biggest-selling library title in the Company’s history,” Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer said in the announcement.
Jamal and Latika, Slumdog Millionaire
The 2008 film – which took home more than eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture – tells the story of 18-year-old Jamal (Dev Patel), who wins the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? When accused of cheating, he recounts his life story to police – which includes his encounters with a childhood friend, Latika (Freida Pinto). While the entire film was praised for its imagery and captivating scenes, it arguably offered up one of the most devastatingly beautiful moments to ever unfold on-screen, Jamal sweetly kissing the scar Latika is ashamed of when they finally reunite.
Ennis and Jack, Brokeback Mountain
“I wish I knew how to quit you” still remains one of the most devastating movie lines of all time. This Ang Lee-directed film explores Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) and their life-long forbidden love affair, where they regularly escape to the lakes and mountains of Wyoming to escape their wives and the mediocrity of their everyday lives. It’s a stunning, tragic and gripping tale of all-consuming romance.
Molly and Sam, Ghost
While by no means a traditional love story, the unfolding events of Molly Jenson (Demi Moore) and Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze) will tug at your heartstrings like nothing else. The romance plays on from beyond the grave as ghost Sam continues to intervene and protect his fiancé, while also trying to send her a message – resulting in an equally heartbreaking and heartwarming film. The iconic Whoppi Goldberg character Oda Mae Brown and the forever redefining of pottery deserve honourable mentions to why this film remains one of the greatest of all time.
Noah and Allie, The Notebook
Look to any Nicholas Sparks novel, and you’ll be instantly brought to tears by the author’s devastating romances. Such is the case for the 2004 Nick Cassavetes-directed film, The Notebook, starring Ryan Gosling as Noah and Rachel McAdams as Allie. It tells the story of a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s, retold from a notebook in the present day. What unfolds is a love story that spans a lifetime, all perfectly sealed with that iconic kiss in the rain.
Sandy and Danny, Grease
The soundtrack! The costumes! The romance! There’s a reason this 1971 cult film still resonates today. It follows greaser Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Australian transfer student Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton John) who, after striking up a summer romance, discover they’re now attending the same school – where they couldn’t be any more different.
Katie and Hubbell, The Way We Were
“You’re girl is lovely, Hubbell.” In 1973 classic The Way We Were, Katie Morosky (Barbara Streisand) and Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford) cross paths while attending the same college, but soon Katie’s radical thinking and Hubbell’s carefree lifestyle begin to cause strain in their relationship. The film’s aspirational love story inspired Streisand’s hit song, ‘The Way We Were.’
Anna and William, Notting Hill
What’s not to love about this 1999 classic? William Thacker (Hugh Grant), a British book shop owner meets and falls in love with Anna Scott (Julia Roberts), a high-profile American actress. Cue romance, plenty of British humour and arguably one of the most entertaining dinner party scenes ever created. As well as the hilarious Rhys Ifans as William’s quirky roommate, Spike.
Romeo and Juliet, Romeo + Juliet
Claire Danes (Juliet) and Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo) are perfectly cast as the legendary star-crossed lovers in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. A classic and tragic tale of love.
Rose and Jack, Titanic
James Cameron’s romantic drama remains one of the most epic romance films ever made. Period. All ‘Jack could have survived’ jokes aside, the film, which catapulted Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio into Hollywood stardom, tells the story of Rose DeWitt-Bukater and Jack Dawson, two people from differing social classes who fall in love aboard the Titanic ship during its ill-fated journey.
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, Pride & Prejudice
A classic tale of romance, Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen portray Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy in the screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s 1813 novel of the same name. It follows the story of Elizabeth, who lives with her parents and siblings in the English countryside. As the eldest, she faces mounting pressure from her parents to marry, and when she is introduced to the handsome and upper-class Mr Darcy, obvious chemistry sparks between the two – but not without its complications.
Monica and Quincy, Love & Basketball
This beautiful story follows Monica Wright (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy McCall (Omar Epps), two neighbours who grow up together with big dreams of becoming basketball players. As love blossoms between the two, their desires stand in the way.
Jackson and Ally, A Star Is Born
While we may have thought the original films starring Judy Garland and Barbara Streisand couldn’t be matched, Bradley Cooper’s 2018 directorial debut in A Star Is Born certainly proved us wrong. The reinvigorated classic followed the story of struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga) and famous musician Jackson Maine (Cooper), who encourages her to follow her dreams while battling his own personal demons. This film is worth a watch for Gaga’s rendition of ‘Shallow‘ alone.
Stella and Winston, How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Eager to start living the life she’s forgotten to really live, stockbroker Stella Payne (Angela Bassett) heads on a trip to Jamaica, which turns into a voyage of self-discovery as she finds love with the handsome Quincy (Taye Diggs) – even if he is sum 20 years her junior. The 1998 classic was based on Terry McMillan’s best-selling novel of the same name and also stars Whoopi Goldberg and Regina King.
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