Top 10 Movie Kisses That Keep Getting Interrupted

#10: Shrek & Fiona

“Shrek” (2001)

As you would expect from an iconic fairy tale deconstruction, these two begin on the wrong foot early on. Fiona is supposed to receive true love’s kiss, instead of being shaken awake. Also, Shrek expected a pampered princess and Fiona expected Prince Charming, literally. When they realize they’re more alike than they thought, that’s when the sparks start to fly. There is even one moment where it seems the two might kiss — even though at the time, Fiona is still in her human form. Donkey interrupts, naturally, and the loss of the moment serves as a sharp reminder of Fiona’s curse.

#9: Vespa & Lone Starr

“Spaceballs” (1987)

Speaking of deconstruction, Mel Brooks’ “Star Wars” parody still holds up. “Spaceballs” follows the original film’s romance between Princess Leia and Han Solo counterparts Vespa and Lone Starr. Also a bickering duo and reluctant to acknowledge their mutual attraction, Vespa and Lone Starr share a romantic moment beneath the stars. Unfortunately, Dot’s virgin alarm stops them from admitting their feelings ahead of schedule. It’s a delightfully self-aware parody of this very overused trope. In the end, though, Lone Starr learns of his royal lineage in time to prevent Vespa’s arranged wedding, and the two are married instead. Leia and Han could never.

#8: Anastasia & Dimitri

“Anastasia” (1997)

All the ‘90s kids know exactly what we’re talking about. This Don Bluth film also features a bickering will-they-won’t-they couple, the long-lost princess Anastasia and servant-boy-turned-conman Dimitri. Of course, sparks fly as the two learn to trust each other, and as Anya gets dancing lessons from Dimitri, their attraction starts to become apparent. The moment is interrupted by a dog, which happens surprisingly often in animated films. And they are interrupted again post-battle, again by Pooka. We are finally given a proper kiss from the two at their triumphant elopement. It’s the perfect beginning.

#7: Stanley & Tina

“The Mask” (1994)

Meek bank employee Stanley Ipkiss discovers a magical mask and develops strange powers to alter reality to his liking. This mask turns out to be a product of the trickster god Loki, of course. Stanley’s crush on Tina also manifests as he dances with her at the Coco Bongo. When Stanley saves Tina from the gangster Tyrell, he almost kisses her, as his regular mask-less self. Just before he does, however, the police come to interrupt them. The true kiss is reserved for the end, when Tina tells Stanley that she liked him just the way he was, and he didn’t need the mask after all. Cue happily ever after.

#6: Jane & Rochester

“Jane Eyre” (2011)

Classic lit is lit. This film adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic romantic novel delivers the yearning and pining. When plain Jane Eyre is hired as a governess by the rough-around-the-edges Mr. Rochester, it isn’t long before the two develop feelings for each other. One night, Jane wakes up to a mysterious fire in Rochester’s room. She wakes him up, and they put it out together. As in the novel, Rochester’s gratitude is rooted in something deeper. Jane pulls away, and the moment is lost. Rochester finally confesses his love, and they almost get married. Almost, because their wedding is also interrupted, though for good reason. As always, their true kiss happens at the end.

#5: Aladdin & Jasmine

“Aladdin” (1992)

Disney films love interrupted kisses between couples. Another poor-boy-rich-girl pairing, Aladdin and Jasmine do kiss twice in their film, including once after the carpet ride scene. But they are also interrupted twice. The first near-kiss happens during their first meeting in Aladdin’s place, where their moment is interrupted by guards. At the end, after Aladdin defeats Jafar by tricking him into becoming a genie, the sultan decides to change the law to let Jasmine marry Aladdin. The couples’ near-kiss is interrupted by the Genie. In typical Disney form, they properly kiss in the final shot.

#4: Gaby & Illya

“The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” (2015)

This film adaptation of the classic spy series has a romance to remember. Gaby Teller is extracted by two secret agents, CIA Agent Napoleon Solo and KGB Agent Illya Kuryakin. Posing as an engaged couple, Gaby and Illya share at least three charged moments. First, they almost kiss in the hotel, though at the last moment Gaby passes out from drinking too much vodka. In the second and third times, they are interrupted by Napoleon Solo and a hotel bellhop. With all these near-misses, you’d think the kisses were bullets.

#3: Marty & Jennifer

“Back to the Future” (1985)

Marty McFly has a supportive girlfriend in Jennifer, although the rest of his life is not as pretty. But a Save the Clock Tower activist, Jennifer’s dad, and a time traveling adventure involving a DeLorean interrupt their intimate moments. After Marty successfully gets his parents together in 1955 and keeps himself from fading away, he is reunited with Jennifer in the present once more. Of course, what should happen but Doc arriving in the DeLorean to interrupt their near kiss. Forget Marty and Jennifer’s future kids, just let these two kids kiss already.

#2: Ariel & Eric

“The Little Mermaid” (1989)

This must be the Disney couple with the most near-kisses. Tasked with getting Eric to kiss her before sunset on the third day, or else it’s back to the sea with her, Ariel gets all the help she needs to make that happen. Ursula plays dirty, however, and her henchmen interrupt Ariel and Eric on their romantic boat ride. Ariel successfully crashes a disguised Ursula’s wedding to Eric, however, and breaks the enchantment on him. Ariel and Eric nearly kiss … only for the sun to set and for Ariel to change back into a mermaid. Their real kiss comes at the end on their wedding day.

Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Chuck & Larry, “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” (2007)

These Two Have the Opposite of a Lavender Marriage

Harry & Rachel, “Dante’s Peak” (1997)

It’s Always the Random Passerby That Interrupts

Evie & Rick, “The Mummy” (1999)

What Is It with Films & the Female Lead Fainting Just Before the Kiss?

Mulder & Scully, “The X-Files: Fight the Future” (1998)

These Two Are the OG When It Comes to Unresolved Sexual Tension

Constantine & Angela, “Constantine” (2005)

They Almost Kiss Three Times & It’s Torture

#1: Troy & Gabriella

“High School Musical 2” (2007)

It’s one thing for a film to interrupt a couple’s kiss once or twice, or even three times. It’s quite another to make a whole running gag out of it. In this sequel to the hit musical film, Troy and Gabriella are already a couple, with no internal or external obstacles to any kissing activities. Well, there is one impediment: the forces of Disney, who constantly interrupt their intimate moments. Only at the end does the couple finally smooch. You would think Disney would give their live action characters the satisfaction denied to their animated counterparts. But that’s clearly not the case.

Which of these interrupted kisses drove you the craziest? Let us know in the comments down below!