Y'all. It's me, Allie. A writer and editor here at BuzzFeed dot com the website who really loves movies, ranking strangely specific things*, and working waaay harder than she has to!
This time around, I've decided to rank the absolute best FIRST KISSES in film because I'm a hopeless romantic at heart and, let's be real, a little bit of a creep.
The rules here are simple: I will only be including kisses that are framed in the films themselves as the "first kiss" between the characters. There are plenty of great kisses in some of my favorite films that I've left off solely because it's not ~*technically*~ their "first kiss." So, you won't be seeing the more famous scenes from things like When Harry Met Sally..., Brokeback Mountain, Casablanca, or even The Notebook on here because of RULES! Self-imposed RULES that I made up to torture myself!
Ready? Okay! Buckle up, buttercups:
15. Anastasia and Christian, Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: Affluent something-or-other Christian Grey wants college student Anastasia Steele to be his submissive — in sex, but also, kind of just in life in general? Like, all the time? He sucks. Also, these two have great porn star names (and, as someone who shares her legal name with a beloved porn star, I would know).
Why It's Here: Usually, I try to start these lists off by luring you into a false sense of security about my (bad) taste by posting a universally beloved movie first, then working my way into something ridiculous so that you don't immediately click away. But y'all — we've been doing these for so long now that I'm just comin' right out of the gate with this one. Is this movie as a whole...not good at all? Yes. Is this kiss also objectively hot? Yes. Both can be true!
14. Lady and Tramp, Lady and the Tramp (1955)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: The dog equivalent of a fuqboi falls for a prim and proper lady (aptly named "Lady"). The two share a full plate of spaghetti and kiss on accident. The kiss is iconic, but we don't talk enough about the fact that a human man served two dogs a full plate of spaghetti for free, no questions asked. Anyway, I just want someone to love me enough to push a meatball toward me with their nose.
Why It's Here: It's a classic. Also, the dogs are higher up on the list than Fifty Shades, so...do with that accidental visual gag what you will.
13. Jamie and Landon, A Walk to Remember (2002)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: Shane West at the height of his heartthrob-ness and Mandy Moore at the height of her singing career-ness play drastically different teenagers who form an unlikely bond while prepping for a play. On the night of the show, he's so taken by her beauty and vocals that he kisses her onstage in front of everyone. But, here's the kicker: that kiss isn't scripted in the play — and his girlfriend's in the audience!
Why It's Here: It's just...really lovely, right? The song is pretty and the fact that he can't take his eyes off her the whole time is super romantic. Also, I'll take that dress in a size "For the love of god, why does all clothing fit me everywhere but my hips?!" thanks!
12. Leia and Han, Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: A scoundrel will not leave a literal princess (who's just trying to do her very important job) alone, despite a space war happening all around them.
Why It's Here: *Stefon voice* this kiss has everything. The tender hand rubbing. The whisper-talking. The slowly moving in for the kiss. The being interrupted by C-3PO. It's perfect. That is all.
11. Kat and Casper, Casper (1995)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: Christina Ricci is forced to move into a clearly haunted house by her eccentric, ghost-obsessed dad, Bill Pullman. Most of the ghosts in the house are mean, but Casper is friendly and develops a crush on her. Through circumstances too ridiculous to explain in a single paragraph, Casper is granted a human body for one night to enjoy the Halloween party Christina Ricci is throwing.
Why It's Here: It's sweet, simple, and shockingly romantic given their ages in the world of the movie. Plus, "Can I keep you?" is the smoothest goddamn line I've ever heard in my goddamn life, and it was uttered by a canonically 12-year-old ghost child.
10. Lara Jean and Peter, To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: The most stylish teenager I've ever seen in my life writes letters to every crush she has, but never sends them. However, after the letters mysteriously get sent out, she ends up in a fake relationship with one of the recipients (long story). Of course they fall for each other, and it all culminates in a very steamy scene — get it? Because...hot tub. Steam. Wocka wocka. (Also, yes, I know this is ~*technically*~ their second kiss, since Lara Jean attacked Peter on the track field, but I'm still counting it as their first kiss because, ya know, Peter consented to this one.)
Why It's Here: It's! So! Good! This is truly the stuff that nerdy high school dreams are made of, and it's executed so well. Also, it's rude of both of them to look so beautiful with uplighting like this. If it were me, I'd look like the Crypt Keeper about to spin you another tale o' terror.
9. Terry and Nickie, An Affair to Remember (1957)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: Playboy Nickie falls for lounge singer Terry on a cruise — the issue here is that they're both involved with OTHER people. As I've previously described the plot of this film: It's a movie so romantic, you almost forget it's 100% about cheating! "Affair" is, quite literally, in the title! Still love it, though!
Why It's Here: Old movie kisses are pretty hard to top, since they had to find the most creative ways to make them as inoffensive as possible. I love the way this is shot. I love the way Cary Grant looks up at Deborah Kerr. I love his slow walk. I love her grip on the banister. Seriously, find someone who makes you grip a banister like that, am I right?!
8. Latika and Jamal, Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: A young man goes on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and makes it all the way to the final question, where he uses the "Phone a Friend" life-line to call his love interest — even though he totally already knows the answer to the question. It's A LOT more romantic that I'm making it sound.
Why It's Here: It's here because I'm a little bit in love with Dev Patel. That's it. It's not any deeper than that. Give me my Dev Patel led rom-com, please and thank you.
7. Bridget and Mark, Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: In the only modern Pride & Prejudice retelling I'll ever acknowledge (don't @ me), a perfectly average-sized woman obsesses over her weight, relationships, and career. When she meets a misunderstood gentleman who "likes her, just as she is," she falls for him. However, she believes she's blown her chances with him after he discovers her diary — which doesn't describe him in the best light. Then, this happens (if you haven't seen it, just watch it).
Why It's Here: I could make up a bunch of reasons why this kiss is on here, but I think we all know this is on here because of the way Colin Firth says, "Oh yes, they fucking do" and no, I will not be taking any further questions past that.
6. Celie and Shug, The Color Purple (1985)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: As a child, Celie is married off to an abusive man who separates her from her sister. Celie has no one, as she's isolated from everyone outside of her husband's family. However, when Shug Avery — her husband's mistress — comes to stay with them, the two women form an unlikely bond that turns romantic.
Why It's Here: As mentioned in a previous ranking, The Color Purple is one of my favorite movies and, as a baby bisexual, this moment was very important for me (I was like, "Wait...you can kiss your friends?!"). It's also the first time Celie feels beautiful and loved, and the chemistry between Whoopi Goldberg and Margaret Avery is ELECTRIC. Whoopi was robbed of this Oscar, and no, I'll never be over it.
5. Rose and Jack, Titanic (1997)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: A first-class passenger (with the best red hair I've seen since Pretty Woman) and a very poor man (with TikTok hair) fall in love on a literal sinking ship. Another movie so romantic, you almost forget that there's straight-up cheating involved — but also, Cal sucks, so it's okay.
Why It's Here: Titanic is one of those movies that — if you ask me, at least — is exactly as good as everyone thinks it is. It's just very, very good. It feels BIG and it makes you feel BIG things. It's MELODRAMA, baby. This scene is SO cheesy, but that's 100% what makes it work. Plus, I once pulled a muscle in my neck lookin' back at it like that (sorry mom).
4. Mary and George, It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: George Bailey wants to leave his hometown and conqueror the world, but the universe does everything in its power to stop him from doing that. But when Mary — his childhood friend and high school sweetheart — invites him over for a reunion, he stops being a jerk for long enough to realize he's in love with her. Also, I miss wall phones. Though, this scene would be hilarious on a cellphone ("Lady, just turn speaker phone on.").
Why It's Here: The amount of sexual tension in this scene is absurd. When she looks up at him and says, "It's the chance of a lifetime," I gasp EVERY. TIME. Face kisses > lip kisses. I want to be that phone so bad.
3. Chiron and Kevin, Moonlight (2016)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: In one of the best coming-of-age films ever made, a young man moves through three stages of his life as he comes to terms with his identity and sexuality — as well as the feelings he has for a close friend.
Why It's Here: This moment is, without a doubt, one of the most sensual moments I've ever seen in a movie. The look they give each other right before leaning in for the kiss? Just rip my heart right out of my body, why don't you. (Also, if you somehow still haven't seen Moonlight, stop reading this and go watch it now — but come back and finish this list later!)
2. Jasmine and Aladdin, Aladdin (1994)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: A diamond in the rough and a monkey that he inexplicably dresses up exactly like him set off on a whirlwind adventure to trick a princess into believing he's royalty. Like, all men are liars, I guess — but only some men are "use one of their three wishes to get your attention because they're in love with you" liars — don't settle for less!
Why It's Here: It's the best Disney kiss. Period. Yeah, I said it. One quick question, though: why is this kiss so hot in a movie marketed to children? I remember being a toddler thinking, "Should I be watching this???" Anyway, it's marvelous and that magic carpet makes one heck of a wingman. (Rug-man? Carpet-man? Oh no, wait, that sounds dirty, I take it back.)
1. Mary Jane and Peter, Spider-Man (2002)
View this video on YouTube
Some Context: Two actors who are very clearly fully developed adults pretend to be teenagers. Then, one's bitten by a big CGI radioactive spider.
Why It's Here: WHAT THE HECK DID YOU EXPECT? THIS ENTIRE POST IS ASKING A QUESTION WITH ONLY ONE RIGHT ANSWER. I love everything about it. I love that it's objectively ridiculous. I love that Tobey Maguire literally almost drowned during it but kept going anyway. Most of all, I love how fanfiction-y it is (The rain! The no-bra! The alleyway! The saving a lady from nondescript criminals!). Perfection. 12 out of 10.
Well, there you have it! You've read my ranking, but what's YOURS? I want to hear all about YOUR favorite first kisses in movies in the comments below because, as I say in all of these, I genuinely do read all the comments! So please, be gentle, I am soft! Or don't! Be mean! It's okay! We all have bad days, I understand! Exclamation points!!!
See ya in the next one, byeee!