Autumn got you in a state of yearning? Oh, just me? Anyhoo, either way, I decided to round up some of the steamiest, most romantic, literally-makes-you-weak-in-the-knees celebrity pairs (both onscreen and off) that are sure to scratch that "an old woman experiences pain and yearning" itch you have.
Of course, these are in no particular order, and range anywhere from "so explicit, I chose to redact it" to palpable pining. Proceed with caution — there are tears, sexual tension, and aggressive heartbreak bellow!
1. Trevante Rhodes and André Holland as Chiron and Kevin in Moonlight.
2. Zooey Deschanel and Jake Johnson as Jess and Nick in New Girl.
3. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott as Fleabag and the Priest in Fleabag.
4. Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer as Eve and Villanelle in Killing Eve.
5. Úrsula Corberó and Miguel Herrán as Tokyo and Rio in Money Heist (La Casa de Papel).
6. Manny Montana and Christina Hendricks as Rio and Beth in Good Girls.
7. Joseph Morgan and Candice King as Klaus and Caroline in The Vampire Diaries.
8. Alexis Bledel and Milo Ventimiglia as Rory and Jess in Gilmore Girls.
9. Indya Moore and Angel Bismark Curiel as Angel and Papi in Pose.
10. Kit Harington and Rose Leslie as Jon Snow and Ygritte in Game of Thrones — but also, of course, as themselves IRL.
11. Robert Pattinson and Camille Rowe in THAT Dior Homme commercial.
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OK, hear me out. I first had the honor of stumbling upon this video several years ago, and most truthfully, I have been a wreck ever since. Robert is, of course, Hollywood's most beloved and hottest resident weirdo. Camille is a French model who has previously been on the cover of Playboy. Put them together in an elevator, add a black-and-white filter and some dangerously flirtatious music, et voilà — the steamiest commercial for a fragrance, nay, any product, to date. His hand on her neck! Then their interlocking fingers! The bedroom eyes! Whatever they're selling (a hot-and-heavy makeout in an elevator with a sexy stranger?), I'm buying.
12. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as Hannah and Jacob in Crazy, Stupid Love.
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Fine, fine, I'll be honest — I haven't seen this movie for the better part of a decade after it dropped in 2011, at the arguable height of when Ryan had (still has, tbh) everyone by the throat. HOWEVER, I cannot and will not forget the way Emma and Ryan made me feel many, many [redacted] things at the time of my viewing. And personally, as a hopeless romantic and lover of all rom-com tropes, the "no strings attached" to "Wait, I actually have feelings for you" pipeline gets me. Every. Damn. Time.
13. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio as Rose DeWitt Bukater and Jack Dawson in Titanic.
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Can I really call this a list of celeb pairs with intense chemistry without including one of the foremost onscreen couples? There's a reason the movie absolutely dominated at the Oscars! Kate and Leonardo — as always — acted with their whole being. Whatever your thoughts are on some of its cheesier aspects, you cannot deny the iconicity of this classic! Nor the foggy car scene, which has since entered the cultural zeitgeist as an absolute tour de force. (As it should!)
14. Lana Condor and Noah Centineo as Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky in the To All the Boys I've Loved Before franchise.
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Two words: Hot. Tub. From Anna of the North's "Lovers" playing in the background to Peter saying, "You are impossible," this scene (and that kiss, whew!) simply exemplifies top-tier onscreen romance. Lana's L.J. and Noah's Peter presented one of the best instances of chemistry in a teen rom-com I've seen in a hot minute (pun intentional). Based on Jenny Han's series of novels of the same name, these two executed the "fake dating to real dating" trope with immaculate precision and good ol' earnest adolescent yearning. I'm hereby demanding more films like this one, so look out for a petition from me soon!
15. Gina Rodriguez and LaKeith Stanfield as Jenny Young and Nate Davis in Someone Great.
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I will never stop talking about this underrated Netflix film! Part anti-rom-com, part televised self-help novel, this movie tracks the unraveling of a serious relationship and one woman's (Gina) journey toward healing. It has, without a shadow of doubt in my mind, one of the most intimate and blazing (literally, in the form of a joint) sex scenes of all time!
16. Tom Holland and Zendaya in Spider-Man: Far From Home — but also IRL.
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Ah, young love! I don't think I need to go too deep into this one, since these two broke the internet when a handful of pics of them making out in a car went viral. On and off the red carpet, and now on- and offscreen, any casual observer can see their deep love for each other. (While they've been romantically linked, they haven't directly spoken on their relationship — regardless, even their platonic love is palpable!) For now, let's just count down the days until Spider-Man: No Way Home.
17. Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper as Ally and Jackson Maine in A Star Is Born — and on the red carpet premiere for the film.
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Listen, Gaga and Bradley walked so Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain could run. If you haven't seen this film — or the absolutely ridiculous levels of chemistry Gaga and Bradley share with each other — then do so now! It's embarrassing, honestly! And let's be real: How can you do a duet of a soulful ballad and not fall at least a tiny bit in love with your singing partner?!
18. Victoria Pedretti and Amelia Eve as Dani Clayton and Jamie in The Haunting of Bly Manor.
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No, I have not yet recuperated from the ending of The Haunting of Bly Manor, please stop asking. Regardless, Dani and Jamie invented gay yearning, and their 1980s-era England wardrobe is *chef's kiss.* Fun fact: A friend who is also LGBTQ and who watched the series before me hilariously (and distressingly) gaslit me into thinking that these characters don't ever actually explore their romance despite their obvious chemistry. Needless to say, I am incredibly glad that was not the case, and also a bit mortified that I actually believed her.
19. Joel McHale and Alison Brie as Jeff and Annie in Community.
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Right off the bat, let's address these characters' age difference — something that deterred the two (especially Jeff) from pursuing a real relationship with each other, and that — *spoiler alert* — ultimately led to them not ending up together (for very good reasons). However, no one can deny the truly electric chemistry between these two (ahem, every time Jeff calls Annie "Milady"). From their furtive glances to their passionate back-and-forths, they're definitely up there — along with New Girl's Jess and Nick — in terms of sitcom couple royalty. For all the shippers out there, check out the 22-minute compilation of all their shared moments above.
20. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal as Marianne and Connell in Normal People.
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Based on Sally Rooney's novel of the same name, the Hulu serial adaptation would, quite frankly, be impossible if Daisy and Paul did not mesh well as the heartbreaking, dysfunctional couple that is Marianne and Connell. The push and pull of their story is kind of like Love, Rosie — only if it were Irish, in cool-toned shots, and sadder. Oh, and don't get me started on how seamlessly they go from breath-hitching hot to painstakingly pining.
21. Freddy Carter and Amita Suman as Kaz and Inej in Shadow and Bone.
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I am well aware that the word "hot" can be applied to every pair on this list, but if there was ever a time to use it, it would be right now — to describe Kaz and Inej's chemistry. Affectionately known as Kanej, the characters — who first appear in author Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows duology — don't actually have any physical scenes together in the series, which has already been renewed for a second season (thank the lord). Regardless, anyone who's seen the show can surely attest to their hot-and-cold, semi-demure attraction to each other. Once again, it's all in the glances and the tension between them! You can argue all you want, but it shan't be with me!
22. Also, Jessie Mei Li and Ben Barnes as Alina Starkov and General Kirigan in Shadow and Bone.
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I would be extremely remiss not to include these two on my list! Say what you want about General Kirigan (ahem, Darkling) being a (spoiler) power-hungry killer, but, like, does that stop me from thirsting over him? No, definitely not. (Literally, "if the darkling bad why so sexy?") Anyway, Jessie and Ben hit the nail on the head with this couple, who were already so rich in romance tropes from Leigh Bardugo's trilogy series of the same name. I have no words to describe the power these two hold over me, so I'll just leave it at this: I need Season 2 yesterday!
23. Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney as Karen Sisco and Jack Foley in Out of Sight.
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You can't tell me that every scene with them isn't absolutely pulsating with electricity! In this particular clip, their characters' banter is a perfect mix of playful and sexy — with Jennifer delivering her lines in a sultry, breathy kind of whisper and George deploying his with his signature baritone voice. What's more, the Oscar-nominated crime dramedy features both of the stars in one of their arguable primes — ahead of their more high-profile career moments: George before his turn as the suave Danny Ocean in Ocean's Eleven, and Jennifer pre–"Jenny From the Block." I mean, really, just do yourself a favor and watch this movie if you haven't already!
24. Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta-Jones in The Mask of Zorro.
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This example literally warrants no explanation. The 1998 classic features a young Catherine and Antonio being hot (as always, but this time together). A timeless action-adventure comedy, there's masks (duh!), fighting (only natural), a rousing Spanish soundtrack (of course), and a steamy romance (yay!). Also — and most importantly — there's a mix of "enemies to lovers" and "fighting as sexual tension" tropes. I mean, come on (!!!), truly — what more could you ask for from a movie or its romantic leads?
25. Fran Drescher and Charles Shaughnessy as Fran Fine and Maxwell Sheffield in The Nanny.
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Rewatching this beloved '90s sitcom as an adult made incredibly clear the levels of innuendo between Fran and Max that completely went over my head as a child. These two were absolutely unabashed (and filthy!) in their desire for each other. And, it must be said, Ms. Fine truly was the original hot girl. (The category is body, as well as 'fits.) Anyway, this sitcom wouldn't be the comedy gold mine that it is without Max's constant bumbling shyness toward Fran and her subsequent coy teasing of his boyish behavior. Every couple of episodes, these two would make out and then move on, leading to a beyond-frustrating (yet also very hot) tension throughout the show's six-season run.
26. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz as Rick O'Connell and Eve Carnahan in The Mummy.
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Once again: No! Explanation! Necessary! These stars portrayed their characters' romance so well, rumors about an IRL relationship followed them for years. The period film avoids falling into the damsel in distress trope and sweeps you off your feet with its perfect blend of adventure and romance. And if you need more convincing, one look at Eve's face when she catches Rick post-cleanup will tell you all there is to know. You can't ask me to pick a top pick for this list, but this would definitely be up there!
27. Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas as El Mariachi and Carolina in Desperado.
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OK, let's be honest: Is it even possible for Salma and Antonio not to have chemistry with someone — much less together? I think not, but I'll entertain you regardless. In a 2018 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Antonio fondly reflected on his "immediate" chemistry with Salma. And while Salma called Antonio "an absolute gentleman" in a 2021 conversation on the Armchair Expert podcast, she admitted that she had a rough time with the film's sex scene — which she said was "demanded by the studio when they saw the chemistry." The 1995 neo-Western Bonnie and Clyde–esque film is widely hailed as Salma's breakout role, and it's clear to see why.
28. Mina El Hammani and Miguel Bernardeau as Nadia and Guzmán in Élite.
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I'll admit — I was a bit late to shipping Guznadia, and it took a very, very long time for Guzmán to get in my good graces. (I still hold firm to the belief that no man will ever deserve Nadia!) And while — spoiler alert — he has since fallen out of my good graces following whatever the hell he was doing in Season 4 after their breakup, their chemistry still has me rooting for them. Enemies to lovers, shy flirtation, and bringing out the best in each other — these characters have it all!
29. Brett Goldstein and Juno Temple as Roy Kent and Keeley Jones in Ted Lasso.
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Even before they began dating, Roy and Keeley had an unspoken attraction that was quite literally palpable in the air! They complete each other in so many ways, and it's clear that either will do anything for the other. Personally, I'm a sucker for the "I hate everyone but you" trope, and it's inarguable that Roy invented and perfected it. And, yeah, don't get me started on that scene where Keeley masturbates to Roy's teary press conference.
30. Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson as Steve Rogers and Natasha Romanoff in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
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So, OK, hear me out before you come for my throat. On- and offscreen, Chris and Scarlett have such wonderful banter and camaraderie that I believe their placement on this list is merited! Yes, I'm fully aware that Scarlett is happily married to Colin Jost, with whom she just had a baby. However, I am also aware of the wasted potential of Romanoger in the MCU, particularly Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I mean — come on — a kiss to distract Hydra agents out for blood? That's the making of a rom-com if I ever saw one! Not to mention, the movie was even nominated for an MTV Best Kiss Award. What's more, the two will be starring in an action romantic adventure movie, so when that garners high praise for its two leads' chemistry, we'll see who ends up getting the last laugh!
31. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck circa the early 2000s and also their post-2021 reunion.
32. KiKi Layne and Stephan James as Tish and Fonny from If Beale Street Could Talk.
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Easily one of the most romantic movies I've ever seen, Barry Jenkins' adaptation of James Baldwin's eponymous novel is exquisite in its casting and dialogue. The period drama takes place in '70s Harlem, where Tish recalls her love story with fiancé Fonny, all while embracing her pregnancy and trying to prove him innocent of a crime he didn't commit. Scored by Nicholas Brittel (that's the composer behind the Succession theme), the Oscar-winning feature has undeniable chemistry, ranging from a truly tender sex scene to Tish's showstopping inner monologue on the train.
33. Austin Butler and AnnaSophia Robb as Sebastian Kydd and Carrie Bradshaw in The Carrie Diaries.
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You know, sometimes I'm convinced I'm the only person who's seen this underrated (and tragically canceled) CW series. Tracing the origins of Sex and the City's Carrie circa 1984, the dramedy delivers on its promise of rebellious creativity and teen melodrama. AND it features Austin in his 2010s internet-boyfriend prime. His character REALLY says, "I'd slay a dragon for you." Like, come on! Cheesy? Definitely. But was high school me (and current me) eating it up? Also definitely.
34. Dominique Fishback and Isaac Cole Powell as Lil and Vince in Modern Love.
35. Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles as Patrick Verona and Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You.
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Fine, I'll say it, since everyone else is afraid to: This is the best rom-com movie ever made. Full stop. The way the “enemies to lovers” trope simply did NOT exist prior to this movie. Kat is the coolest of gals, and Patrick is the coolest of dudes, and this Shakespearean high school adaptation is just cinema in its most perfect form. The tabletop dancing scene? Legendary. Kat hitting that douche's car? Culture shifting. Patrick serenading Kat? Top tier. POEM SCENE?! I mean, do I even need to say it?
36. Also, Heath and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain.
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One of the few moments I've ever been speechless in my life can be attributed to this heart-stopping and gut-wrenching movie. Moving past the fact that I could not stop bawling my eyes out for several hours after seeing this for the first time, Heath and Jake's performance should have given rise to a Best Chemistry category at the Oscars. Director Ang Lee has previously spoken about the casting decision, which he said resulted in "great chemistry," and confirmed that the actors nearly broke each other's nose while filming a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, Jake — who remained close friends with Heath until his death in 2008 — said the chemistry could be attributed to a deep sense of "trust" between the actors. "We never knew how people were going to respond to the movie; we kind of just joined up and said, 'Fuck 'em, let's go for it,'" Jake told Radio Free Entertainment in 2005. "And we did. And I think you probably see that. And that's a lot of the chemistry."
37. And, finally, Brigette Lundy-Paine and Fivel Stewart as Casey and Izzie in Atypical.
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Sure, yes, they're not perfect, but what high school couple is?! Despite this, both Bridgette and Fivel manage to bring so much love, joy, and tenderness to their respective characters and their relationship. Their storyline — as I've yelled about before on this site — is by far one of the most honest and realistic portrayals of young queer love. The show balances the two teens' raging hormones (hello, steamy scenes like the one above) with their earnest dedication to each other (still crying about Casey making Izzie custom tarot cards) — and it's largely thanks to Bridgette and Fivel for their amazing, convincing performances.