2022 has seen some delightful lip locks, whether they’re full of ion (365 Days: This Day) or filled with sweetness (Marry Me). A cinematic kiss is everything. It brings the love interests together, solidifying their attraction and exhibiting chemistry. The audience swoons for this kind of scene, fueling grandiose dreams and wishes for a love story all their own.
Kissing in movies also goes beyond romance. It can be symbolic of endearment and comion, an act of comfort surrounding a dark moment. Hollywood is filled with numerous kisses to view, and Reddit s have voted on which silver screen smooches are considered the best.
Drive (2011)
Available To Rent On Amazon Prime
An adaptation of James Sallis’ novel of the same title, Drive is considered by many to be an underrated little gem. Amidst the brutal action and intense car sequences, there was a semblance of a love story.
The Driver (Gosling) and his neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), share a slow-motion kiss in an elevator. Even though it is revealed that The Driver was behind her husband’s murder, she acquiesces to his advances. Redditor AnyNamesLeftAnymore declares that it was “the buildup of the subtle, unspoken romance” that greatly contributes to such a fantastic kiss.
Atonement (2007)
Available To Stream On HBOMAX
Reddit 2007’s tragic wartime romance, Atonement.
Based on Ian McEwan's 2001 novel of the same name, a false implication of rape tears the lovers apart. Even though Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and Robbie (James McAvoy) are not together in the end, they weren’t without devotion. Before their worlds are turned upside down, Robbie and Cecilia declare their affection for one another, love and lust culminating into one with an arduous kiss.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
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The 80s have been over for decades, but everybody still loves Sixteen Candles. John Hughes’ 1984 classic revolves around sixteen-year-old Sam (Molly Ringwald) pining over high school senior Jake (Michael Schoeffling). With the help of dorky freshman Ted (Anthony Michael Hall), the girl indeed gets the guy.
The final scene has Jake and Sam sitting at a table with a cake in between them. Sam says her birthday wish came true, implying that Jake was her wish. Redditor 13beers dubs the ending kiss as “pretty much the best thing ever.” for their 16-year-old self.
Desperado (1995)
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Redditor exwill describes Desperado as “peak mid 90’s fauxmance.” The sophomore film of director Robert Rodriguez’s Mexico Trilogy, a steamy romance is interlaced with action and neo-western genres. This would also mark the first of many film appearances for the pairing of Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek.
Having lost love before, El Mariachi (Banderas) encounters a feisty bookstore owner named Carolina (Hayek). In the process of dodging gunfire and Mexican drug lords, a sizzling connection was born between the two of them. This would result in a bedroom kiss and lead to so much more.
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Available To Rent On Amazon Prime
Sometimes the best “kisses” are the ones that don’t happen, but rather allude to the action. An almost kiss works in the favor of establishing romance later down the line. This was seen in the 2005 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice.
Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfayden) declares his love to Elizabeth Bennet (Kiera Knightley) in a field. The actors’ physical closeness exudes such intimacy between the characters, accompanied by swelling music and a beautiful fog to sunlight transition in cinematography. Redditor flouronmypjs states that while the pair don’t kiss, “somehow it’s still the best kiss scene to me.”
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
Available To Stream On HBOMAX
Baz Lurhmann puts a modernized, glitzy spin on one of William Shakespeare’s most revered plays. Romeo + Juliet sees Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as the titular characters, star-crossed lovers from rival families. In comparison to other teen adaptations of Shakespeare’s work, Lurhmann’s version is a cut above the rest.
Romeo and Juliet’s ion for one another is the story’s backbone, culminating with a steamy kissing session in a pool. Reddit monarda_fistulosa thinks that even though the actors are reciting Shakespeare lines in between the smooch, they “keep going back to kissing because they can’t bear to stop.”
Spider-Man (2002)
Available To Rent On Amazon Prime
In the way of movie kisses, many pairings come to mind. Fred and Ginger, Bogie and Bacall, but nobody could forget Tobey and Kirsten in 2002’s Spider-Man. In Old Hollywood fashion, the kiss commences following the story’s hero Spider-Man (Maguire) saving the damsel in distress Mary Jane (Dunst).
Out of all nine live-action Spider-Man films, Redditor Samurai_Beluga states that there’s “only one iconic rain kiss.” The upside-down kiss sizzled in the rain with palpable chemistry shining through. This kiss was not only the center of numerous spoofs but became cemented in both cinema history and millennial culture.
Penelope (2006)
Available To Stream On Amazon Prime
anastasia315 thinks that “the end of Penelope when he kisses her with the mask still on” is one of the best movie kisses. The 2008 comedy not only details falling in love but also learning to love one’s self.
Penelope (Christina Ricci) is inflicted with a pig nose as the result of a witch’s curse. In the quest for a suitor to break the curse, she meets Max (James McAvoy), who inspires her to break free of her fears and live her life. Although separated, the pair eventually reunite and share the sweetest kiss in their happily ever after.
Titanic (1997)
Available To Stream On Netflix
Titanic is the pinnacle of an epic romance movie and a love story wrapped in both history and tragedy. For Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet), the connection of the film’s leads played a contributing factor in making their affection deeper than puppy love.
While many have cited the famous bow kiss as the film’s best, there’s another that has gone under the radar. Upon boarding one of the lifeboats, Rose risks her life and jumps back onto the sinking Titanic, running into Jack’s arms. Redditor Cinematry declares this scene “worthy of being in the discussion” for best cinematic kisses.
Notorious (1946)
Available To Stream On Tubi TV
The steamy kiss shared between Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman in 1946’s Notorious is notorious... for being one of the most significant in Old Hollywood. What makes the kiss so provocative is that it occurred during an era when the film industry was more prohibitive in its depiction of sensual scenes. Director Alfred Hitchcock found an alternative method.
Redditor MaskedBandit77 points out how the film premiered when “a kiss that lasted longer than three seconds” wasn’t allowed. Hitchcock filmed the kiss with continuous interruptions, lasting almost three minutes. The breaks of the kiss only added to the zeal.
