Sayak Basu
A kiss is the sweetest expression of love. In cinema, we’ve seen several amazing kiss scenes. It represents a fondness between two people which otherwise is difficult to express no matter how many sex scenes you shoot. When we take an interest in two characters in a film and want them to end up together, we just wait for the moment when they kiss for the first time.
Throughout the film history, there have been several kissing scenes that are now regarded as iconic, but to come up with a list of greatest movie kisses of all time is a difficult task, but not for the reasons you might think. “Kiss” in a movie context is not just a kiss. It has a great significance from a story point of view — it represents a confession or acceptance of love (or attraction) in most cases. So, when deciding on this list, the challenge was to not technically judge a kiss — for e.g. the position of tongue or lips etc — but in the contextual sense how passionate or significant it is. With that said, here’s the list of top kissing scenes in movies ever. You can watch all these best movie kisses on YouTube.
20. P.S. I Love You (2007)
Without a shadow of a doubt, ‘P.S. I Love You’ is among the most melodramatic movies you’ll ever come across. Tear-jerking moments are aplenty in this film. The characters of Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank—Gerry and Holly—are among the most memorable onscreen couples of the 21st century. When the first time these two characters kiss, it turns into a deeply touching moment. If you want to know why, you’ve gotta watch the movie to find out. Just remember, it is among the greatest onscreen kisses ever.
19. The Shape Of Water (2017)
Guillermo del Toro‘s ‘The Shape Of Water‘ is a story with a rather clear motive. It tries to depict the struggles people belonging to the minority, be it racially, sexually, or genetically, have to go through before they can fulfill their hearts’ desires. The two central characters of the film, Zelda and the Amphibian Man, both belong to the margins. While Zelda does not have her power of speech, the Amphibian Man belongs to a race humans do not know anything about. Thus, when they finally are together underwater, it becomes a rather heart-touching moment. Finally, when they kiss, it turns into a deeply touching moment.
18. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Jake Gyllenhaal and the late great Heath Ledger are among the finest actors of their generation. And when pitted against each other in Ang Lee‘s ‘Brokeback Mountain‘, the duo made sparks fly with their authentic performances and the genuine chemistry they were able to induce between their two characters. The kissing scene between their characters has been talked about much in the media, and it surely deserves a place on this list. The scene speaks of urgency and a much-desired intimacy between the two characters and shall remain in the minds of audiences for years to come.
17. Gone With the Wind (1939)
‘Gone With The Wind’ is one of the greatest stories to be ever put on celluloid. After adjusting inflation, it still remains the highest-grossing movie of all time. The film boasts of some iconic characters and dialogue, and no wonder it also finds its way into this list of some of the greatest kisses in film history. “You need kissing badly,” Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) tells Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh). “You should be kissed, and often. And by someone who knows how.” Later on, while proposing to the twice-widowed Scarlett, he proves he’s the man for the job.
16. Good Will Hunting (1997)
Who says being a math genius doesn’t make you a romantic? Our very own Will Hunting disagrees. Besides being the anonymous genius in class who solves problems but does not reveal his identity, Will also finds time to meet a girl from Harvard, Skylar. The two of them kiss for the first time at a fast food joint called The Tasty at Cambridge, Massachusetts; their mouths full of tasty burger when their lips first meet.
15. Love Actually (2003)
‘Love Actually’ makes good use of its ensemble cast by putting them in different interesting situations and fascinating love stories that run parallelly and sometimes even cross paths. Among the film’s nine different love stories, one centers around the characters Juliet, Peter, and Mark. The kiss I’m going to talk about here is an important moment in the relationship between these three characters. Moreover, this also has to be the sweetest of the kisses on the list. Mark (Andrew Lincoln) secretly loves Juliet (Keira Knightley) and when he finally confesses to her his feelings, she returns the favor by a sweet peck on his lips (that’s how far she could have gone considering she’s already married to Mark’s friend).
14. Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
If you’re a millennial and were not thinking of this scene while scrolling down, I really don’t know what to say! We all loved the moment Harry finally brought out the romantic side of him in this fifth installment of the film series after those intense games in ‘Goblet Of Fire‘. We all know that Cho Chang was Cedric Diggory’s girlfriend before his death at the hands of Peter Pettigrew on Voldemort’s instructions. Harry was the only witness of the crime. Thus, when Harry and Cho came close, the situation was loaded with emotion. Their first kiss under a mistletoe remains one of the most touching scenes of the entire franchise.
13. The Notebook (2004)
Based on the bestselling book by Nicholas Sparks, Nick Cassavetes made a rom-com for the ages. The film centers around the love story between Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah (Ryan Gosling). After a lot of trepidations, when the two characters finally come together and share a passionate kiss in the rain, you can’t help but shed a tear. I might be crucified for saying this, but this kiss is better than the whole film.
12. The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Nerds go gaga over this kiss while they diss romantic comedies for being too corny. When Han and Princess Leia first lock lips, it is like a moment of catharsis for everyone. The romantic tension between them was building for a long time, until finally, Han tells her that he knows she’s harboring feelings for him. When the two finally lock lips, it becomes a moment to be remembered for a long time.
11. Dirty Dancing (1987)
We go to resorts to have a great time, relax, and maybe have a few drinks with friends. But in the land of glitz and glamour, a young, naive 17-year-old can easily meet a hot dance instructor and fall for him. This is exactly what happens with Frances. Despite her father’s opposition, she falls head over heels for the dance instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze). ‘Dirty Dancing’ is another one of those films that is loved more for its kissing scene that the story. When Johnny finally took Frances (Jennifer Grey) into his arms, women everywhere swooned.
10. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)
Richard Gere‘s onscreen charisma is truly amazing. Whenever he is in a movie, the interests are as much about how good he’s going to look in the film as the film itself. In this movie, Gere plays the role of Zack, a navy aviation officer. When he falls in love with Paula, the relationship becomes his only emotional connection to the world after being raised by a drunken father. In one particular scene, Zack sweeps Paula off her feet and plans to kiss on her lips. It’s an incredibly romantic moment.
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9. Pretty Women (1990)
One of the most iconic rom-coms of all time, ‘Pretty Woman‘ stars Hollywood legends Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Roberts here plays the role of a prostitute with whom the rich businessman Edward falls in love. The couple go through a number of situations until they are finally united. In this beautiful and happy climax, where Edward (Richard Gere) “rescues” Vivian (Julia Roberts) on her fire escape and she promises to “rescue him right back”, they both share a lovely passionate kiss. One for the ages!
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8. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
George Bailey is the central character of this iconic film. Being cornered in his life by various troubles, George decides that he will end all the pain once and for all. But when his guardian angel stops him and he gets to meet his childhood sweetheart Mary once again, George does rethink his decision. Throughout the film, George tries to avoid falling in love with Mary because of the many problems in his life. However, when he does finally let go of everything and kisses Mary, it turns into an incredibly romantic moment that stays with you for a long, long time.
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7. Ghost (1990)
This is probably the only supernatural kiss on this list. The story of ‘Ghost’ begins with the romantic relationship between Sam and Molly. But Sam dies fairly early in the film, and it is his spirit that wants to establish contact with Molly in any way possible. And who can help a spirit communicate with a human? Well, a psychic, of course! Technically, in this kissing scene, Molly Jensen (Demi Moore) is making out with Oda Mae Brown (Whoopi Goldberg). But because Oda Mae is channeling Molly’s late boyfriend Sam Wheat (Patrick Swayze), it’s Sam that Molly (and the viewers) gets to see. Whatever it is, it’s just beautiful!
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6. The Princess Bride (1987)
Before Robin Wright was taking on the world as the indomitable Claire Underwood, she was playing a coy princess who needs saving. And who is the one to save her? A poor farmhand called Westley. Along with many friends he gathers along the way, Westley strives through numerous hostile circumstances to finally save the girl of his dreams. When the lovebirds finally meet, their kiss becomes the culmination point of all the sufferings each one has had to endure.
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5. Spider-Man (2002)
Toby Maguire still remains the original Spider-Man for many. The 2002 ‘Spider-Man‘ film he stars in broke new grounds when it comes to superhero films. The movie has numerous memorable scenes, but the one that takes the cake is surely the upside-down kiss. This romantic moment is breathtaking to say the least.
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4. When Harry Met Sally (1989)
‘When Harry Met Sally’ is one of the greatest romantic comedies of all time. The film, starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in the lead roles, is something people of all ages will enjoy. Throughout the length of the film, we keep wondering when the two of them are finally going to admit that they love each other. The scene where they finally confess their feelings for each other and kiss is definitely one of the most memorable romantic moments in film history.
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3. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1958)
‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ boasts of one of the best climaxes in a romantic film. Holly (Audrey Hepburn) and Paul (George Peppard) make a rainy New York City alley seem to be as romantic as the most beautiful place on earth. The film itself is highly rated and boasts of one of the finest performances by Hepburn. This should be enough to get you to watch the film right away.
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2. From Here to Eternity (1953)
Boldly conceived and shot for a 1953 film, this kissing scene is iconic for good reasons. Deborah Kerr, playing a disaffected army wife, tells her lover (Burt Lancaster), “I never knew it could be like this. Nobody ever kissed me the way you do.” Kisses don’t come in more passionate form than this.
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1. Titanic (1997)
You know the film. You know the actors and the characters they play by heart. What more can I say? Jack and Rose (Leo and Kate), since 1997, have been ruling our hearts and they are, without a doubt, one of the most adored couples in film history. The kiss they share on the ship’s deck remains etched in our minds and hearts. James Cameron, you’re a genius!
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