Top 10 Unforgettable Movie Couples of the 2000s
These movie couples are some of the most romantic couples of the 2000s! For this list we've included couples like Toula & Ian from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Jonathan & Sara from Serendipity, Joel and Clemintine from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
#10: Toula & Ian “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002)
When this rom-com was released, it took the world by storm. Telling the story of a young Greek woman who falls in love with a non-Greek man, the movie is a hilarious and heartfelt look at what happens when culture and family get in the way of a relationship. What makes Toula and Ian standout is their willingness to change for each other. They understand that to make it work they need to make sacrifices, but it’s worth it so long as they’re in love. If only all film couples could get that through their heads!
#9: Jonathan & Sara “Serendipity” (2001)
Who hasn’t dreamt of spending a night with a mysterious and attractive stranger only to part ways at the end, relying on fate to bring you together again? Such was the plot of this early 2000s flick. After Jonathan and Sara meet in Manhattan during the Christmas holidays, they instantly feel a connection. However, fate has other plans. Told over the course of many years, audiences must watch in vain as the two lovers struggle to find each other again. What makes this couple unforgettable is their determination in finding each other, their ability and resourcefulness in making it happen, and their unflinching belief in true love.
#8: Troy & Gabriella “High School Musical” (2006)
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This “Grease” inspired flick brought the musical to a whole new generation. After he meets Gabriella at a New Year's Eve party, Troy is shocked to discover that they’re both enrolled at the same high school. It doesn’t take long before the two develop feelings for one another, expressing their emotions through the magic of song and dance. Like any young couple, they have their ups and downs, but it’s nothing they can’t figure out. In the end, Troy and Gabriella not only win their singing competition, but each other’s hearts as well!
#7: Jamie & Landon “A Walk to Remember” (2002)
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After a prank against a fellow student goes wrong, Landon finds himself on the verge of being expelled. He’s given an ultimatum: tutor a fellow student or find a new high school. By selecting the former, he meets the reserved but sweet Jamie. It doesn’t take long for this movie couple to hit their stride. The two characters bring out the best in each other, proving that sometimes a rotten apple is only as bad as the tree it fell from. While the movie ends on a melancholic note, the love these two characters show each other throughout melt even the coldest of hearts.
#6: Joel & Clementine
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004)
Now here’s a couple with some serious baggage. Set in a world where erasing harmful memories from your brain is on par with a trip to the dentist, Joel and Clementine struggle to maintain their budding relationship… but is it possible they’ve done it all before? These two characters are so well written it feels like you might just bump into them on the street one day. While they appear to be polar opposites—Joel is quiet and reserved whereas Clementine is quirky and impulsive—they manage to make it work… for the most part.
#5: Aragorn & Arwen “The Lord of the Rings” franchise (2001-03)
It’s easy to forget that within Peter Jackson’s epic three-part story of a Hobbit’s quest to destroy an evil ring there lies a truly unforgettable romance. Over the course of the films, viewers are shown pieces of their fractured relationship. Aragorn is a man, destined for the throne of Gondor, while Arwen is an immortal elf… so pretty much your average couple. As the powers that be attempt to keep them apart, their love for one another is too strong a force to ever be denied. Was there anything more romantic than when Arwen gave up her immortality to be with the man she loved?
#4: Elizabeth Bennet & Mr. Darcy “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
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Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen shine in this film adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic romance novel. Set in the late 18th century, Elizabeth Bennet is a young, lower class woman who falls for the wealthy gentleman, Mr. Darcy. What makes this relationship work is the fact that it doesn’t, or at least not at first. Their initial reaction to one another is less than flattering, and only through extended periods of social interaction do they finally begin to shed their pride and prejudices, proving that sometimes a couple must walk before they can run. If you want more from director Joe Wright, don’t forget to also check out “Atonement,” another period piece featuring longing and Ms. Knightley.
#3: Ennis del Mar & Jack Twist “Brokeback Mountain” (2005)
In the summer of 1963, two cowboys fall in love while herding sheep through Wyoming. As their passion for one another grows, they slowly accept the fact that their love is a forbidden one, and decide to keep it from the world. A brilliantly crafted work of fiction, this film drops you right into the world of Ennis and Jack, forcing you to watch them struggle to deal with their repressed feelings. The pure bliss of watching these two men interact is overshadowed by the fact that their relationship is ultimately a tragic one. However, as the old adage goes, it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
#2: Satine & Christian “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)
This highly stylized musical romp burst off the screen and into the hearts of audiences around the world. At the onset of the 20th century, a young writer falls head over heels for a cabaret dancer. While this relationship definitely falls into the “tragic” category, that doesn’t make it any less exhilarating. From opening line to final credit, you’ll be at the edge of your seat hoping upon hope that Satine and Christian will sing just one more song. Brought to life through the mad genius of director Baz Luhrmann, the incredible set pieces and dazzling musical numbers would be rendered mute if not for the relationship that serves as the core of the film. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Jamal & Latika “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) Bella Swan & Edward Cullen “Twilight” (2008) Amélie & Nino “Amélie” (2001)
#1: Noah Calhoun & Allison “Allie” Hamilton “The Notebook” (2004)
What early 2000s teen didn’t want a relationship akin to Noah and Allie? Set in 1940s South Carolina, “The Notebook” is the tale of two teenagers from different ends of the social spectrum, who fall madly in love. As the years roll on and the two become separated, it is only through sheer will and determination that they once again end up in each other’s arms. Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling knew what they were doing when they signed on for this film, as they use their impressive acting chops to create two believable characters that audiences can’t help but cheer for. If you don’t cry when the credits roll, you’re probably watching movies wrong. Do you agree with our list? What 2000s film couple is your favorite? For more entertaining Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.
