27 TV And Movie Characters Who Didn't Get The Romantic Endings They Deserved

    "The writers squandered a perfect opportunity with Katara and Zuko."

    Morgan Sloss
    by Morgan Sloss

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We recently asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV and movie characters didn't get the romantic ending they deserved. Here are some of our favorite people who should have gotten a better happily ever after:

    1. Rachel could have done way better than Ross in Friends.

    Rachel and Ross hugging
    Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Ross was just the worst. He was jealous and treated Rachel as an object and not a person. He was sexist and incredibly homophobic. What a jerk. Rachel deserved better."

    —just_a_human

    "Rachel should've gone to Paris and found someone new."

    —sarahk406cf2be1

    2. Katniss would have been better off by herself in The Hunger Games.

    Katniss with her bow and arrows with a fire behind her
    Lionsgate/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Katniss should have ended up on her own. She had way more to think of than her romantic entanglements during the rebellion. She didn't have the social skills or interest in getting a boyfriend until she was forced into it for show, and she probably would've been happier and better off on her own had the conventional 'marriage and babies' happily ever after been discarded."

    —colleend9

    3. Serena and Nate were clearly the better couple in Gossip Girl.

    The CW

    "I'm still pretty bitter that Serena ended up with Dan when he repeatedly lied to her. I liked Serena and Nate because they seemed like the most authentic couple."

    —izzyg770

    4. Ted getting together with Robin at the end of How I Met Your Mother was so messed up.

    Robin lying on Ted's lap
    CBS

    "Robin and Barney divorcing and then Tracy dying just for Ted and Robin to get back together AFTER LIKE 25 YEARS OF NOT BEING TOGETHER was literally the worst possible thing that could have ever happened to a TV show."

    —claremk11

    "The show was called How I Met Your Mother, not How I Met Your Mother But Then Conveniently Killed Her Off So That I Could Get With The Hot Woman Who Didn’t Want Kids.”

    —ashleyp459897ecc

    5. Katara and Zuko would have balanced each other out perfectly in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

    Katara with her hand on Zuko's shoulder
    Nickelodeon

    "Zuko + Katara = love. Zutara would have been amazing because they each grew so much as characters, not only individually but also mutually in their relationship. They complemented each other so well in terms of passion and their journeys. It was one of the most dynamic relationships with a huge emotional payoff in the end."

    —marislync11

    "Aang and Katara honestly felt more like awkward siblings than a potential romance at any given point in the series. I get why they went the way of Aang, but the writers squandered a perfect opportunity with Katara and Zuko."

    —taramisu

    6. Bonnie should have gotten her happy ending with Enzo in The Vampire Diaries.

    The CW

    "Bonnie and Enzo should have been endgame. He basically asked her to marry him in the episode that he died in. Knowing Bonnie and her loyalty, the Bennett line will end with her."

    —chloedbrown25

    7. Hermione was way too good for Ron in Harry Potter.

    Ron and Hermione looking serious
    Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

    "Hermione deserves way better than Ron. Every time she cries or is truly hurt is because Ron is stupid and immature. He doesn't treat her with the love and respect she deserves. She would have been perfect without anyone, living a happy single life."

    —whytho23

    8. Shawn and Angela showed us what true love looked like in Boy Meets World.

    Shawn with his arm around Angela's shoulders
    Buena Vista

    "I will always come back to this: Shawn and Angela's chemistry was amazing, and they always stuck by each other throughout their problems. The show creator's explanation that it would be 'unrealistic' for them to end up together made no sense considering everything else in the show (especially Topanga and Cory's relationship) was also unrealistic."

    —tjpen

    9. Mia and Sebastian not ending up together in La La Land was a huge disappointment.

    Lionsgate

    "The movie built it up, and then decided to be realistic at the very end. It broke my heart!!"

    —charleyhamilton

    10. Callie and Arizona were meant to be in Grey's Anatomy.

    Callie and Arizona smiling in their wedding dresses
    Richard Cartwright / Getty Images

    "Callie and Arizona should have been endgame."

    –veronicacooperrd

    11. Jess helped Rory grow as a person in Gilmore Girls, and that's so important.

    Jess and Rory walking down the street
    Warner Bros.

    "Rory should have ended up with Jess. He was the only person in her life who consistently pushed her to be better and who she would listen to. He was a little shit as a teenager, but he grew up to be responsible and always on her side. I always hated Logan, who wanted Rory to be something that she wasn’t, and Dean was just puppy love. Jess and Rory made each other better, and it's a TRAVESTY that they didn't end up together in A Year in the Life."

    —kristini4d1dabe16

    12. In To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, Lara Jean and John Ambrose were obviously the ideal match.

    Lara Jean and John Ambrose dancing
    Netflix

    "In every aspect, John Ambrose was the better man. I mean, they clearly were on the same level and a better match. Peter was toxic and mean to Lara Jean. Plus, Lara Jean and John Ambrose were french toast and deviled eggs!"

    —idkwhat08

    13. Stefan and Elena made way more sense in The Vampire Diaries.

    The CW

    "I feel like Elena and Stefan got along better and had more in common than her and Damon. I just felt like Delena was kinda toxic. Also, the way they had Elena fall out of love with Stefan so fast was unfathomable. Don't get me wrong, I love Damon, but they could have found someone who fit him better."

    —sweetsmellofjasmine

    14. Archie and Betty from Riverdale would have made all our high school fantasies come true.

    Archie and Betty walking into a high school dance
    The CW

    "Archie should have ended up with Betty, his lifelong friend! I am sooo DISAPPOINTED!!!"

    —graceham55

    15. Sam and Mercedes were the cutest couple on Glee.

    Fox

    "At first, I was surprised they worked together so well, but after a while, I liked their relationship more than Finn and Rachel. The two of them just fit together so perfectly. I like to think that after the finale, Mercedes came back for Sam, and the Glee club would always talk about how Sam had the coolest wife, and no one would believe them, but then in walks Mercedes Jones!"

    —megana459810788

    16. Hayley and Andy had the cutest vibes on Modern Family.

    Hayley and Andy standing next to each other
    ABC

    "Don’t get me wrong, I liked that she was happy with Dylan and had kids and everything. But I REALLY liked how Andy and Haley worked together."

    —takerbobpooh

    17. Missandei and Grey Worm were a glimmer of hope in the dark world of Game of Thrones.

    HBO

    "Missandei and Grey Worm were my favorite couple on the show. Their relationship was warm, deep, and intimate. Unlike other characters, they weren't out for themselves or trying to take advantage of each other — they just loved one another. I was devastated when I realized they would never make it to the beaches of Missandei's home like they planned."

    –sweetpeaprincess

    18. In Grey's Anatomy, Alex deserting Jo to run back to Izzie destroyed his character arc.

    Alex talking to Jo in their wedding clothes at the hospital
    Danny Feld / Getty Image

    "That was a low blow, having him leave Jo to run back to Izzie, especially with all she did to him. This still makes me so mad. He was an amazing character who deserved all the development he built over the seasons, only to have it dashed at the end. So frustrating."

    —alisonm1

    19. Jackie and Hyde from That '70s Show clearly belonged together.

    Jackie and Hyde dancing together
    Fox

    "Anyone who is a fan of the show knows that Jackie and Hyde should have ended up together. No contest."

    –originalhedgehog71

    20. Jess and Sam had sooo much chemistry in New Girl, and we deserved to see that play out.

    Jess and Sam in a booth in a restaurant
    Fox / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I honestly felt like Nick and Jess were better friends than romantic partners. She had so much chemistry with Dr. Sam. I wished they would have ended up together, and she and Nick could have just been friends forever. In the last season, the romance felt pushed and just didn’t have its original spark."

    —samanthaf440906d62

    21. In Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Willow moving on from Tara's murder with Kennedy was a mistake.

    20th Television

    "It was way too soon and felt really forced. Kennedy was such a spoiled know-it-all. I really disliked her character. She thought she knew better than Buffy, Faith, and everyone. They could have ended it with Willow being single, and it would have been fine."

    —elizabethp486c2e546

    22. Peyton and Jake were such a pure couple in One Tree Hill.

    Peyton and Jake lying in bed together
    Warner Bros.

    "I know a lot of people are diehard Lucas and Peyton stans, but Peyton should’ve ended up with Jake Jagielski. This is the hill I will gladly die on. Jake was kind, thoughtful, clearly loved Peyton (he wanted to marry her), a great father to his daughter, and a total cutie. Their relationship was so pure and unproblematic. Drama with his daughter’s mom caused him to leave Tree Hill, and Peyton eventually married Lucas, but damn, they were cute together while it lasted."

    —bripaige

    23. In Scandal, Jake brought out the best in Olivia.

    Jake and Olivia kissing on a beach chair
    ABC

    "They ruined him in the last season, but even then it was not hard to root for him over Fitz, who creeped me out so much (he was possessive, arrogant, and at times, psychotic). Olivia blossomed with Jake. She smiled and laughed and could actually live her life. To me, it always looked like she cared about him more than Fitz — like when he was dying or when her father threatened to kill him. I really think they belonged together and were the better match."

    —rylandgoesrawr

    24. Veronica and Reggie's relationship in Riverdale was more meaningful than her lust for Archie.

    Reggie smiling down at Veronica
    The CW / Courtesy Everett Collection

    "I feel like Veronica and Reggie’s relationship is a lot more stable, healthier, and mature than Archie and Veronica's. Archie and Veronica always seemed more lust rather than love. Reggie always treated her like an equal and could be a professional. I was really impressed with how he handled their break up. Veronica always treated him like a rebound."

    —florabelm

    25. Laurie and Jo should have gotten together in Little Women.

    Laurie and Jo peeking out from behind a curtain
    Sony

    "I love them both, but Amy and Laurie honestly had a sibling-type relationship. Amy could’ve evolved into a strong, independent woman. And if Laurie should’ve been with ANYONE, it should’ve been Jo. Sorry, not sorry."

    —billieeilish__mood

    26. Jane and Michael were perfect together in Jane the Virgin.

    Jane and Michael getting married in a church
    The CW

    "I wish they hadn't killed off Michael. He and Jane were so happy together. And I feel like Rafael (while a great character in his own right) was always at his worst with her. He'd get immature and jealous when they were together, and then become controlling and would make everything about himself."

    —skylersunshineraes

    27. And Black Widow and Captain America would have given us a truly epic romance.

    Disney/ Marvel

    "Natasha and Steve had incredible chemistry, and it could’ve been a great romance. I will forever be disappointed that the writers didn’t make them a thing."

    —oliviastyles1d13

    Which character deserved a better romantic ending? Let me know in the comments below!