Top 10 Movie Couples With the BEST Chemistry

Richard Linklater’s “Before Trilogy” is able to capture the way relationships evolve as we grow and age – and all the cynicism that can bring. But the films wouldn’t work nearly as well as they do without the intense chemistry between Jesse and Celine, played to perfection by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The structure of the films is set up to convey a deep connection – two people having interesting and passionate conversations over the course of a night or an afternoon. Hawke’s and Delpy’s contributions to the material cannot be overstated, both helping with the screenplays and bringing their personal lives into the story. Perhaps that’s why their chemistry feels so grounded in reality.

We’ll never get over this story about two lonesome cowboys, or the beautiful chemistry at the movie’s center. Ennis and Jack have a complicated relationship – to say the least – and playing the characters to their full potential couldn’t have been an easy task. But Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger were more than up for it. So, where did all that natural chemistry come from? Well, the two already knew each other, but director Ang Lee said he thinks their innocence really helped carry the movie through – and we think he’s right. The actors play well off of each other, but they both have an earnestness about them that jumps out even when they’re trying to hold back, making for a compelling romance.

#8: Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy “Pride and Prejudice” (2005)

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Elizabeth has bewitched Mr. Darcy, body and soul – and honestly, their chemistry has us feeling that type of way too! “Pride and Prejudice” begins with Darcy and Elizabeth at odds, but that initial distaste only gives their relationship – and affection for each other – more time to grow. Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen both really lean into the yearning aspect of the love story – plenty of long, lingering looks and titillating hand flexes in this one, folks! – but what really sends this dual performance over the top is the way both actors are able to effortlessly handle the dialogue. They throw every ounce of romance, bite, and intelligence they have at it – and we love it. Most ardently.

“In your eyes….the light, the heat…” Be honest, you started singing along! We all know the boombox scene by heart, but we shouldn’t forget about the wonderful romance that leads to that moment. Diane and Lloyd don’t seem like a match made in Heaven at first glance – he’s a bit of a slacker, she’s top of the class. He doesn’t have much of a plan for anything, she plans everything out to the letter. But from that very first phone call, you can tell how charmed they both are by each other – from his nervous rambling to her responding bemusement. John Cusack and Ione Skye really nail that exciting, butterflies-in-your-stomach, beginning part of a relationship that we all love so much.

Love at first sight is difficult to convey effectively. But – with a little help from Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein – Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer were able to do just that as Maria and Tony in “West Side Story.” This classic musical follows the “Romeo and Juliet”- esque pair as they try to be together despite interference from their respective families and friends. The actors have plenty of moments where their over-the-top attraction shines through – the fire escape scene certainly comes to mind, for one. But the moment they first meet really shows just how strong their connection is. As they dance, they’re unable to take their eyes off of each other.

Not only do these two have physical chemistry that’s off the charts – and how could they not, have you seen both of them? – but their fighting chemistry is pretty incredible too. In “The Mask of Zorro” Antonio Banderas plays Alejandro, a thief training to become the new Zorro, and Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Elena, the original Zorro’s daughter. The two meet while Alejandro is undercover at a party, and the spark is electric. But while we love watching their choreography when they dance, the way they move in tune with each other when they sword fight is spectacular.

The non-stop action in “Speed” might be heart pounding, but the chemistry between Keanu Reeves’ Jack and Sandra Bullock’s Annie is heart fluttering. Jack and Annie’s relationship starts off quite...intensely. They are, after all, trying to stop a bomb from exploding on a speeding bus. An experience like that is bound to bring you together in an incendiary way, but Reeves and Bullock are able to find the heart of the characters underneath all the wild action stunts. And we love the quiet moments between them just as much as we love the jaw-dropping ones.

Playing a one-on-one basketball game for your relationship may seem a bit dramatic, but by the time you get to that pivotal scene in “Love and Basketball,” you’re already so invested in Monica and Quincy it doesn’t matter. Things between this couple aren’t always easy; when you grow up together, there are bound to be some growing pains. We adore how Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan show the characters’ affection for each other even in their bad times though. And – going back to that one-on-one game because we love it – the actors effortlessly capture the couple’s chemistry with their athleticism as well. Seriously, who knew so much could be said with a simple basketball game?

Ryan Gosling has effortless chemistry with a lot of the actors he’s worked with, so it was difficult to pick one we wanted to put on this list. And while we almost went with the connection he shared with Emma Stone in “Crazy, Stupid, Love,” nothings beats Noah and Allie’s young love in “The Notebook.” For all the magnetism between the two, Gosling and Rachel McAdams didn’t get along for much of the movie's shoot. The actors’ strained relationship obviously works well for the scenes when the characters are older and have more history. But, the scenes between them as young Noah and Allie are utterly joyous and exuberant. They also dated in real life, so they must have gotten over whatever it was. Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions: Ally & Jackson Maine, “A Star is Born” (2018) We’re Far From the Shallow Now Julia & Robbie, “The Wedding Singer” (1998) We Hope These Two Grew Old Together Baby & Johnny, “Dirty Dancing” (1987) We Have the Time of Our Lives Watching Them Sally & Harry, “When Harry Met Sally...” (1989) We’ll Have What They’re Having Chiron & Kevin, “Moonlight” (2016) Beautiful Chemistry Personified

Once again, we will NEVER let go of this couple! As Jack and Rose, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have such an easy chemistry, it’s no wonder the two remain good friends today. But, you might be surprised to know that the actors were forced to get extra comfortable with each other right off the bat. The first scene Winslet and DiCaprio filmed together was the famous nude sketching scene. Of course, the characters are feeling a little bit of discomfort during this moment – which is appropriately conveyed. We can’t help but wonder if having to film this steamy scene first paved the way for the rest of the actors’ effortless connection.