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61 Famous Movie Couples Who Set the Bar Too Damn High

My heart. ❤️

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princess leia and han solo about to kiss in a still from star wars
Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images

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The most famous movie couples have the ability to turn cynics into believers and critics into fans. Picture this: you're sitting on the couch, settled in with your favorite flick. Next thing you know, butterflies are fluttering in your stomach, your eyes are watering, and you begin to feel something deep in your belly. Is it hope? Is that even possible to feel anymore? These symptoms are often associated with watching a love story. Whether it's a romantic comedy or a drama—the outcome is the same. Love stories make you believe in love. That chemistry just *has* to be real, right? I know we're not really saying #CoupleGoals anymore, but everyone has that fictional relationship they aspire towards...even if it's a secret.

When it comes to compiling an official list of the most famous movie couples, we have high standards. The couples have to be aspirational in some way (sorry, Anastasia and Christian), the chemistry palpable, and most importantly, the love has to be intense—even if they never get their happy ending. We can indulge in passionate affairs that aren't endgame just as much as we love to see a rock-solid relationship. 'Tis better to have love and lost than never loved at all, and all that.

From Jack and Rose on the Titanic to Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big, here are the 61 most famous movie couples who continue to live on in our hearts long after the final credits roll. (By the way, if you and your boo decide to dress up as any of these popular duos for Halloween, I certainly will not judge!)

1

Joel and Clementine ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind')

eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
Focus Features

Can you ever truly forget someone? BRB, crying.

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2

Jackson and Ally ('A Star Is Born')

a star is born 2017
MGM

🗣 IN THE SHALALALALALALOOOOOOOOOW

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3

Elisa and The Amphibian Man ('The Shape Of Water')

the shape of water
Fox Seachlight

I said what I said. Me and flippin' who??

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4

"Black" and Kevin ('Moonlight')

moonlight
A24

I still remember how tense I was when I watched this scene for the first time. They're never officially a couple, but the story stays with you.

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5

Nick and Lucy ('The Broken Hearts Gallery')

the broken hearts gallery
George Kraychyk/Sony Pictures

For those who complain they don't make good rom-coms anymore, I humbly recommend this hidden gem.

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6

Daisy and Gatsby ('The Great Gatsby')

the great gatsby 1974 robert redford mia farrow
Paramount

They obviously get problematic down the line, but that history.

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7

Joe and Nicky ('The Old Guard')

the old guard
Netflix

They're not the main characters in this epic action movie but they may be the most supportive, loving, well-oiled romantic partnership I have ever seen in a movie.

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8

Kathy H and Tommy ('Never Let Me Go')

never let me go
Fox Searchlight

I heard you like Andrew Garfield. Would you like to have your heart broken by him in the purest little couple?

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9

Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins ('My Fair Lady')

my fair lady
Warner Bros.

My toxic trait is that I'm down bad for this couple and their dynamic. Boss me around and mansplain how to be a fancy lady, I'm begging! It's enemies to mutual respect (and pining) for me.

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10

Ellie and Peter ('It Happened One Night')

it happened one night
Columbia Pictures

This one gets surprisingly spicy for the 1930s.

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11

Cyrano and Roxane ('Cyrano de Bergerac')

cyrano bam
Mark Brenner

Whichever version is your favorite, the story of the man who hid his feelings in love letters he let another man give his crush is haunting.

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12

Will and Noah ('Fire Island')

fire island set in the iconic pines, andrew ahn’s ”fire island” is an unapologetic, modern day rom com showcasing a diverse, multicultural examination of queerness and romance inspired by the timeless pursuits from jane austen’s classic “pride and prejudice,” the story centers on two best friends joel kim booster and bowen yang who set out to have a legendary summer adventure with the help of cheap rosé and their cadre of eclectic friends will conrad ricamora and noah joel kim booster, shown photo by jeong parksearchlight
Hulu

So what if there are three versions of Pride & Prejudice on this list? This couple dynamic is worth repeating.

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13

Bud and Fran ('The Apartment')

the apartment
MGM Studios

The classic romantic comedy has dialogue that'll make your heart grow three sizes.

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14

Dido and Oliver ('Belle')

belle sam reid gugu mbatha raw
Searchlight Pictures

If you like Sam Reid in Interview With the Vampire, check out this romantic period piece with a great central couple.

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15

Viola and Will (‘Shakespeare in Love’)

shakespeare in love
Miramax

I knoooooow this is fictional, but I like to believe this passionate fling was the true inspiration for Romeo and Juliet.

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16

Rick and Ilsa (‘Casablanca’)

casablanca
Warner Bros.

Need I say more than “We’ll always have Paris”…??

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17

Marianne and Héloïse (‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’)

portrait of a lady on fire
Pyramide Films

Their short-lived romance burned bright, didn't it?

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18

Mia and Nicholas (‘The Princess Diaries 2’)

princess diaries 2
Disney

Chris Pine would make my foot pop every time too.

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19

Tish and Fonny (‘If Beale Street Could Talk’)

if beale street could talk
Annapurna Pictures

An absolutely stunning friends-to-lovers tale.

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20

Christine and Raoul (‘The Phantom of the Opera’)

phantom of the opera
Warner Bros.

This is a Phantom-hate zone. We do not date MURDERERS, Christine! She made the right choice.

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