17 Most Romantic Scenes in Movies and TV — Ever
To hear Hollywood tell it, romance is pretty much the be-all, end-all of life. There's always some huge, sweeping, romantic gesture that wins someone over, or causes someone to fall head over heels, or [Insert Your Own Idiom About Love Here!]. And not only is love the plot, it is the only story, the thing that causes everything else to fall by the wayside until you live happily ever after. If you grew up watching rom-coms, either you'll be a hopeless romantic by the time you fall in love yourself, or you'll be totally cynical because life in the real world never seems to measure up to what happens on screen. Between the best boos, the best kisses, and the best couples, there's always going to be something about your IRL status that feels like it doesn't quite measure up in comparison.
But what are the scenes that will make anyone feel the butterflies and heart palpitations of new love, every time? What are the most romantic scenes in TV and movie history, the ones that not even the most jaded misers (hi, reporting for duty!) can turn down? It turns out that there are quite a few — Hollywood knows what it's doing with this love stuff. If you've been feeling a little disheartened by the game of love lately, this list is for you. (If your faith in the feeling has never wavered, this is still for you. You're a romantic no matter what.)
1/18The fish tank scene, Romeo + Juliet
Forgive me, Shakespeare, for I have sinned: somewhere*, the playwright is rolling in his grave for reducing only the most romantic meet-cute of all time to "a fish tank" but this is arguably one of the most iconic romantic moments in the last 1,000 years, hands down.
*That somewhere is England.
2/18Heath Ledger's slightly illegal serenade, 10 Things I Hate About You
Raise your hands if you've wanted someone to apologize to you by hijacking an intercom system and singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" after watching this movie. We thought so.
3/18All that dancing in Save the Last Dance
Most dudes in rom-coms protest and say they can't dance. Derek, however, teaches Sara how to dance in a whole new way — and gets her to loosen up literally and figuratively in the process.
4/18The Dirty Dancing scene in Crazy, Stupid, Love
Is it romantic in Dirty Dancing? Yes. Is it like, 100 times more romantic when Ryan Gosling is involved? Absolutely.
5/18This High School Musical moment
What is it with rom-coms and people dancing in the rain? When it rains on me, I run for cover ASAP. Maybe the trick is to get caught in the rain with someone you love? Unclear.
6/18And this one on The O.C.
Spider-ManSeth + Summer 4Ever.
7/18Blaine switching schools for Kurt in Glee
Who said grand gestures were for adults? This moment may be a little removed from reality (would your parents ever let you move schools for a crush?) but man, was it sweet.
8/18Daya and Officer Bennett sneaking moments together on Orange is the New Black... while they lasted
While there was a lot that was wrong — and eventually kind of doomed — for their relationship, the fact that they couldn't help but gravitate toward each other was sweet. Sometimes you have to just give in to whatever it is you're feeling.
9/18...But Taystee and Poussey had some of the sweetest moments in TV history, ever.
Romance isn't always in the big gestures or grand storylines. Sometimes it's the quiet moments of togetherness that that matter most.
10/18And speaking of gestures, there's this Notebook moment.
I know what you're saying: what about the "I wrote you every day for a year!" scene? I see that and raise you this moment of real talk from Noah, because sometimes love is fighting with the other person if it will make you both better.
11/18Or this moment, from Hitch.
I know you're not supposed to believe that you can "change" the other person, but Sara convincing Hitch that maybe he should give up the con-man matchmaker ways, and his admitting it to her? Iconic.
12/18But wait, what about this moment from A Walk to Remember?
A runner-up to someone explaining why they love you? Landon explaining it to his mom. Feelings. I have them.
13/18Of course, the big confessions aren't just for the dudes.
Allow Sanaa Lathan to show you how it's done, Love and Basketball-style. (TBH, I might use a curse word or two while confessing my love for somebody else. It's not perfect, but it's honest.)
14/18Raise your hand if you're a sucker for a good Cinderella moment. Maid in Manhattan's does not disappoint.
It's like the Met Gala! But with a senator! And Harry Winston jewels! And J.Lo! What more do you need? (Nothing. You need absolutely nothing else.)
15/18The entirety of Titanic.
All three hours and fifteen minutes of it. This is not an opinion.
16/18When the Beast gives Belle a library in Beauty and the Beast.
A LIBRARY. HE GAVE HER AN ENTIRE LIBRARY. Keep your diamond ring, I want this.
17/18But wait! Remember that airport chase scene in Love Actually?
Again, in a movie filled with romantic moments, it's hard to pick one most romantic scene. But if someone showed up at your doorstep when you were married and confessed their love, it would be creepy. (Sorry, Keira Knightley.) This, however, is adorable. He learned how to play the drums for her! And he sprinted through an entire airport! And she knew his name! Young love. All the feelings.
18/18This Sex and the City scene, however, might just be the most romantic moment in all pop culture history.
The moment Charlotte tells the rest of the girls that they're each other's soul mates is kind of cheesy, but all the way true. Never forget that one of the biggest love stories of your life is with your BFFs.
