72 Movie Couples Whose Sexual Tension Was So Believable, They Deserve, Like, An Award Or Something

    Because, let's be honest, we all love love!

    Allie Hayes
    by Allie Hayes

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Over the past couple of years, we've asked our BuzzFeed Community to tell us which actors they believe have had the most scintillating, jaw-dropping, awardworthy chemistry onscreen, and they've come through time and time again with some truly marvelous answers!

    Universal Pictures

    So — with that in mind and presented in no particular order — here are the most popular responses we've received, all in one place for easy access. Ready? I sure hope so! Here we go:

    1. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen in Pride and Prejudice (2005)

    Focus Films / ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "There's only one right answer. Every time they're onscreen together, it's so full of chemistry, it might explode. Their dances, their fights, their looks of longing...the scene where they're standing in the pavilion in the rain is pure sexual tension. I’ve never seen two actors have chemistry like that."

    —rebeccakate13

    2. Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia in The Addams Family (1991)

    Melinda Sue Gordon / © Paramount Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They fit together like puzzle pieces, and the actors playing them flowed together so well, almost nothing could stop their rhythm. I'm so sad that Raul died before they were able to film a third movie."

    —tigresssss13

    3. Eva Mendes and Will Smith in Hitch (2005)

    Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I always thought they were adorable together, and incredibly believable."

    —xxzombiekittiexx

    4. Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves in The Matrix series

    Warner Bros. / Warner Bros./ Courtesy: Everett Collection.

    "Duh."

    —bloaty

    5. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol (2015)

    Courtesy Everett Collection / ©Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Coll / Everett Collection

    "This was literally one of the best onscreen relationships I'd EVER seen."

    —callmeoreo

    6. Liv Tyler and Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

    New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "AMAZING! I love it!"

    —Mona Fiéry, Facebook

    7. Lily James and Richard Madden in Cinderella (2015)

    Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

    "A personal favorite of mine. They get me every time!"

    —Stacey Louise, Facebook

    8. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)

    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "There's a reason they've been romantic leads in multiple films together. They're on fire in literally anything together!"

    —dianah423074c8e

    9. Whoopi Goldberg and Ray Liotta in Corrina, Corrina (1994)

    New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I’m sure most people won’t think of this movie, but I still believe it’s one of the sweetest, best rom-coms of all time, and their chemistry was perfect."

    —actoranon

    10. Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott in Ever After (1998)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "My all-time favorite movie, and my all-time favorite movie couple!"

    —Elizabeth Ashley Oestreich, Facebook

    11. Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner in The Bodyguard (1992)

    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "A fragile Whitney Houston and a protective Kevin Costner? Perfection."

    —Nova Iva, Facebook

    12. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman in Australia (2008)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "There's a scene at the end of the movie where the two of them reunite, and it truly felt like they were in love. It was a beautiful movie made even better by their electric chemistry!"

    —rachelk4b0a45da3

    13. Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker in Something New (2006)

    Focus Films / ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I may be gay, but my god, the chemistry in that movie between the two of them was 🔥🔥🔥."

    —Shelsea Stephenson, Facebook

    14. Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth in Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)

    Courtesy Everett Collection / ©Miramax/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

    "In all three movies, frankly. You just wanted them to live happily together forever and ever, no matter what!"

    —emnoire

    15. Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke in the Before trilogy

    Gabriela Brandenstein /© Columbia /Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They are my favorite onscreen couple of all time. Their chemistry was so natural and effortless."

    —lumos47

    16. Faye Dunaway and Steve McQueen in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "A bit of a throwback, but they were great in it."

    —Annie Marks, Facebook

    17. Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing (1987)

    Vestron Pictures / ©Vestron Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Their chemistry was believable; you couldn’t even tell they actually hated each other in real life!"

    —diana25

    18. Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in The Wedding Singer (1998)

    New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "In ALL of their movies, but especially this one!"

    —laurenarevalog

    19. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas in The Mask of Zorro (1998)

    Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "The electricity was literally crackling between them!"

    —amyk453e68492

    20. Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in Pretty Woman (1990)

    © Buena Vista Pictures /Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They had natural chemistry. Go watch the scene where he shows her the necklace and closes the box on her fingers — it was meant to be a blooper, but they were so cute that they left it in the movie!"

    —lizlunavae

    21. Tessa Thompson and Michael B. Jordan in Creed (2015)

    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros / courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    "Such a beautiful, realistic couple. They should've given them some kind of award for sure!"

    —ashols115

    22. Robin Wright and Cary Elwes in The Princess Bride (1987)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I know the movie itself is a little goofy, but the chemistry between them was so pure and sweet."

    —aleeh4b6e65068

    23. Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci in Julie & Julia (2009)

    Jonathan Wenk/©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I truly believe they are marriage goals."

    —Sydney Kenning, Facebook

    24. Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

    Focus Films / ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Great writing and perfect casting."

    —Cat Girard, Facebook

    25. Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner in The King and I (1956)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "It’s a classic, and the sexual tension between them — especially in the song 'Shall We Dance' — was fantastic."

    —allisont4a163a988

    26. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling in The Notebook (2004)

    New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "People STILL want them to be together in real life to this day, all these years later!"

    —christenm

    27. Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson in Indecent Proposal (1993)

    Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I die a little bit every time I watch this movie because their chemistry was SO good!"

    —rararaaagagaoolala

    28. Zoe Saldana and Chris Pine in Star Trek (2009)

    Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I mean, I loved her with Spock, but I really felt she had more heat with the captain."

    —jmingle24

    29. Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

    Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I felt that their chemistry was sizzling."

    —Chanelle Blick, Facebook

    30. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge! (2001)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They truly had some of the best romantic chemistry I have ever seen in my life!"

    —gs23

    31. Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford in The Way We Were (1973)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Iconic."

    —Linda Leciejewski, Facebook

    32. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic (1997)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "It's a classic, and their chemistry is undeniably good. Whenever you see the both of them onscreen, you believe in their love. Especially when Rose got off the lifeboat and Jack rushed to her and said how stupid she was for getting off the boat. I was like, 'Oh, this is real.' From start to finish, their connection was just so genuine."

    —dannabaste14

    33. Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

    Tristar Pictures / ©TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I mean, honestly, any film with those two was an instant classic!"

    —lajaaaam

    34. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in Atonement (2007)

    Focus Features / ©Focus Features/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "When I first watched this movie, I began to wonder if they actually did fall in love in real life!"

    —iamlonely

    35. Karen Allen and Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Their love/hate relationship was so authentic, and you could easily imagine how passionate their relationship must have been all those years ago. Indy’s romantic entanglements in the other films couldn’t hold a candle to Marion."

    —clothildedauphin

    36. Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet (1996)

    TM & Copyright © 20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

    "They deserve an Academy Award, simply because they managed to act so believably as teens in love, even though they hated each other in real life!"

    —Annariina Hietanen, Facebook

    37. Morena Baccarin and Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool (2016)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Like Wade (Reynolds) says in the movie, 'Your crazy matches my crazy.' The two of them were meant for those roles, and I firmly believe they're the only two people who could've played them."

    —xassylax

    38. Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity (1953)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "That kissing scene at the beach was just magical."

    —Ana Stojic, Facebook

    39. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born (2018)

    © Warner Bros. / courtesy Everett Collection

    "Even in their multiple live performances of 'Shallow,' their chemistry is undeniable."

    —l49ca8a44c

    40. Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman in While You Were Sleeping (1995)

    Buena Vista Pictures / ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "You were rooting for them to be together right from the start. Pullman was adorable and, up until this movie, he was always the guy who lost the girl in the movies he was in. This time he got her in the end. Also, this wasn't Bullock's first movie, but it was the first real blockbuster with her in the lead!"

    —eimeel

    41. Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I know it's an older movie, but that phone scene? It makes me melt every single time."

    —royalbakaness

    42. Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan in The Last Five Years (2014)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They’re just so in love — it rips my heart out every time!"

    —jillk24

    43. Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain (2005)

    Focus Films / ©Focus Films/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "That kiss?! PERIOD."

    —melindaawhite

    44. Kate Winslet and Jack Black in The Holiday (2006)

    Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "One of the most believable, cutest couples ever!"

    —Jennifer Chandler, Facebook

    45. Lana Condor and Noah Centineo in To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

    © Netflix /Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They have such a beautiful friendship offscreen that many of us can only dream of. Everyone loved this movie because their chemistry is so intense and well displayed!"

    —nataliizavalaafloress

    46. Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender in The Light Between Oceans (2016)

    Touchstone Pictures / ©Touchstone Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Hands down! This was the first movie where I felt like the romance was 100% real. Not only the chemistry, but the genuine love just transcended the screen and grabbed my heart, too. I wasn’t shocked at all when I read that they fell in love while filming this movie and have been happily married since."

    —abigailb4637c0d0b

    47. Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard in The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

    Courtesy Everett Collection / ©Warner Bros / courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    "Even though they were apart for most of the movie, the scenes they did have together were AMAZING."

    —tmichelle1204

    48. Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard in Hustle & Flow (2005)

    Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "And they took all the chemistry they had in that movie and moved it right on over to Empire!"

    —Mallory O'Neill, Facebook

    49. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston in Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)

    Sony Pictures Classics

    "It was pure electricity."

    —melqncholicvegetable

    50. Juliette Lewis and Woody Harrelson in Natural Born Killers (1994)

    ©Warner Brothers / courtesy Everett Collection

    "The psychotic king and queen of movie couple chemistry. Everything about their performances were Oscar-worthy."

    —Andrea Huber-Murphy, Facebook

    51. Anne Hathaway and Chris Pine in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)

    Buena Vista Pictures / ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "STAY WITH ME. Way before Pine catapulted to stardom in Star Trek, I thought Hathaway had heart-fluttering chemistry with the blazing blue-eyed newcomer cast as her mischievous suitor. Whether they were spewing witty zingers at each other on a palace stairwell or falling head over heels into a fountain, Princess Mia and Lord Nicholas still light up the screen every time I revisit this joy of a rom-com."

    —mavmag

    52. Lucy Boynton and Rami Malek in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

    20th Century Fox

    "They were so cute and believable, and the actors are dating in real life!"

    —loulabelson

    53. Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps in Love & Basketball (2000)

    New Line Cinema / ©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Their chemistry was amazing, and I think they were together in real life for a little while after? I wouldn't be surprised!"

    —karint41079a87f

    54. Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music (1965)

    20thcentfox / 20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection

    "They basically invented onscreen chemistry. Just watch them dance the Laendler. It exudes sexual tension."

    —jessn40522547b

    55. Kate Winslet and Idris Elba in The Mountain Between Us (2017)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "One of my favorite movies. They are both amazing actors, and they captured something special in this film."

    —Marnika Stander, Facebook

    56. Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader in Secretary (2002)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Hot damn!"

    —Rachelle Betti-Bailey, Facebook

    57. Jodie Turner-Smith and Daniel Kaluuya in Queen & Slim (2019)

    Universal Pictures / ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection

    "Their chemistry was absolutely incredible, and it's what made the film unforgettable."

    —deadcupcake02

    58. Julia Ormand and Richard Gere in First Knight (1995)

    Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "That first kiss scene?! It was so, so passionate."

    —Margaret Davidson, Facebook

    59. Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in the entire Star Wars franchise

    Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection / Everett Collection

    "It helped that you got to see the progression of their relationship over three films, but when they saw one another for the first time in who knows how long in The Force Awakens? It was heart-melting."

    —superstarkpj

    60. Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man (2008)

    Paramount / ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "OK, but what about these two?!"

    —crazymarvelfan9

    61. Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in Speed (1994)

    ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved. / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Is no one going to mention the chemistry between them?! All that tension, whew!"

    —Reshme Subramaniam, Facebook

    62. Mandy Moore and Shane West in A Walk to Remember (2002)

    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "They even admitted to having crushes on each other, and are still close to this day!"

    —sunchick116

    63. Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant in Notorious (1946)

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "A classic."

    —janwheelerl

    64. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone (1984)

    20thcentfox / ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I still think they're the hottest onscreen couple I've ever seen."

    —René Martinez Bohn, Facebook

    65. Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser in The Mummy series

    Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Fight me."

    —laraterryr

    66. Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney in Out of Sight (1998)

    Universal / ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "There was a scene where they shared a glass of whiskey, and, my word, the sexual tension was palpable."

    —Deborah Langner, Facebook

    67. Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler in The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

    Warner Bros / ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Soooooo steamy!"

    —Mary Goodrich, Facebook

    68. Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom in the Pirates of the Caribbean series

    Buena Vista Pictures / ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "How...HOW...could no one name these two? I know it's a Disney movie, but their chemistry was INCREDIBLE."

    —nakshkhapekar

    69. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper in Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

    Weinstein Company / ©Weinstein Company/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Without question!"

    —scramanscra

    70. Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in The Proposal (2009)

    Walt Disney Co. / ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection

    "This is probably a really strange answer to most people, but I loved them together."

    —Ashley McConiga, Facebook

    71. Winona Ryder and Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

    Columbia Pictures

    "This should be number one on the list."

    —adriennec4edfe0534

    72. And finally: Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal in When Harry Met Sally... (1989)

    Columbia Pictures / ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "My all-time favorite onscreen chemistry will forever and always, hands down, be these two. A classic best-friends-turned-lovers story. Flawless and unbelievable chemistry. I think we’ll ALL have what they're having."

    —ncaya15

    Well, you've read their picks, but now it's your turn! Do you agree with all of these? Do you disagree? If there were an Academy Award for "Best Onscreen Chemistry," who would you nominate? Share your pick(s) in the comments below!

    Note: Some entries have been edited for length and/or clarity.