Let’s be honest: nothing makes us more invested in a story than two actors who absolutely sizzle together. The banter, the loving glances exchanged, the first kiss you replay three times—sometimes the fireworks fly so high you know for sure they must be a couple in real life (even if they’re not). These couples provided us with unforgettable romances that remain rent-free in our heads, spawned endless re-watches, and, yes, quite a lot of fanfiction. Here are 10 on-screen couples from movies and television whose chemistry on screen was pure magic.
10. Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Grey – Dirty Dancing
You can name the lift. You can name the soundtrack. But what you may not know is that these two notoriously didn’t like each other on set. Ironically, that tension meant they created one of the greatest movie romances of all time. Proof that sometimes life tension can ignite the screen.
9. Dan Levy & Noah Reid – Schitt’s Creek
David and Patrick’s romance is the epitome of wholesome. And so equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, their romance was surprisingly conflict-free—and their chemistry so real that fans welled up in happy tears. The “Simply the Best” duet isn’t included. Immediate TV history.
8. Simone Ashley & Jonathan Bailey – Bridgerton
Enemies-to-lovers tropes don’t come better than Kate and Anthony. Their burn-them-up-in-the-bedroom tension and intense stares had fans swooning. The tension was so palpable that some viewers were surprised to know that Jonathan Bailey is gay IRL—a testament to how well the sparks were sold.
7. Zooey Deschanel & Jake Johnson – New Girl
Few television romances have ever gotten the slow burn as right as Jess and Nick. Their iconic first kiss left viewers so shook, people confessed they had to stop the episode in order to “walk it off.” The showrunners even needed to keep them separated in previous seasons because their natural chemistry was stealing every scene.
6. Anne Hathaway & Chris Pine – The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Mia and Nicholas are every hopeless romantic couple’s dream. From getting into fountains to swoon-inducing slow dances, Hathaway and Pine brought fairytale-level romance to the screen. Theirs is like pure nostalgia wrapped in a rom-com package.
5. Julia Roberts & Dermot Mulroney – My Best Friend’s Wedding
Julia Roberts might set sparks off with nearly anyone, but opposite Dermot Mulroney, the pairing is indelible. Their pull-and-push dynamic gave us a bittersweet rom-com classic that’s still memorable decades later.
4. Kristen Bell & William Jackson Harper – The Good Place
Eleanor and Chidi aren’t on paper – she’s a hot mess, he’s an aneurysm-inducing stickler – but them? Perfection. Bell and Harper’s easy, effortless chemistry turned every afterlife crisis into a cosmic meet-cute.
3. Sanaa Lathan & Omar Epps – Love & Basketball
The actual emotion in this film resonates differently—and that’s partly because Lathan and Epps were an on-again, off-again couple during filming. Their undeniable chemistry resulted in one of the most genuine love stories ever to make it to the screen.
2. Kerry Washington & Tony Goldwyn – Scandal
Olivia Pope and President Grant were on opposite sides on point-blank terms. From those fiery stares to heated showdowns, their love affair left fans dazed. Their clandestine affair didn’t just burn TVs—it set an example of what hot, messy love could be on television.
1. Issa Rae & Jay Ellis – Insecure
Issa and Lawrence’s relationship was messy, dirty, and impossible to turn away from. Every breakup, reunion, and cringe-worthy moment roped viewers into their world. When they eventually hooked up, it was like fate—a special kind of chemistry so worth the ride.
Behind every legendary on-screen couple is a fan base ready to ship, obsess, and hit “rerun” more times than they’d like to admit. These couples remind us that good chemistry can make a good story unforgettable—and perhaps, remind us of love again.