Top 20 Marriage Proposal Movie Scenes
#20: Grow Old With You “The Wedding Singer” (1998)
What better way to show your love than with a midflight serenade? Adam Sandler shows us his softer side as wedding singer Robbie in this classic 80s throwback, as he falls for the equally sweet waitress Julia, played by Drew Barrymore. When Julia boards a plane to reluctanly marry her awful fiancé Glenn, Robbie puts together an impromptu performance, with the help of a few sympathetic passengers. While he never officially pops the question, it’s clear from the lyrics of Robbie’s song, and the tears in Julia’s eyes, that they’re pretty much engaged at that point, and the next scene is the happy couple walking down the aisle.
#19: I’d Like to Date You “The Proposal” (2009)
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Based on the title, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a marriage proposal plays a key role in this romantic comedy. When the bossy Margaret faces deportation, she decides to marry her long-suffering assistant, Andrew, to stay in the States. Of course, Andrew abuses his newfound power first. While they get off on the wrong foot, these two eventually come to realize they’re made for each other. It may be a contrived setup, but Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds share such authentic chemistry that it’s hard not to cheer when the panting Andrew proposes to Margaret for real. You know, so they can date.
#18: As We Are “Jane Eyre” (2011)
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Charlotte Brontë’s 1847 novel “Jane Eyre” is one of the most highly regarded works of English literature in history, and also contains a unique and heartrending romantic storyline. This classic tale has been retold on-screen countless times, but the 2011 film starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender as Jane and Mr. Rochester perfectly adapts the book’s proposal scene. The script takes many lines from the book word for word, including Rochester’s monologue about the string in his chest binding him to Jane. Their love story may not be a conventional one, but it is certainly one for the ages, building up to an unforgettable proposal.
#17: ‘Jackson’ “Walk the Line” (2005)
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“Walk the Line” was a truly loving tribute to the lives of Johnny Cash and June Carter, even if certain elements were romanticized. After asking June for her hand in marriage several times, Johnny asks her once again on stage. June tries to move on with the show, but Johnny refuses to continue until hearing her answer. Coming to terms with her feelings, June accepts the proposal and the two engage in a crowd-pleasing kiss. While it’s been said that Cash’s proposal to June wasn’t quite as dramatic in real life, this scene is pitch perfect from a storytelling standpoint, offering a charming final curtain.
#16: The Perfect Proposal “About Time” (2013)
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This underrated film from the director of “Love Actually” tells the story of a young man who learns that he has the ability to travel through time - or at least through his own lifetime. That means he can fix mistakes that he has made by going back and reliving moments again. Tim, played by Domhnall Gleeson, uses this power to make sure his proposal to the woman of his dreams, Mary, is just right - though their ensuing wedding is practically perfect in just how terribly it goes.
#15: Say Yes, Scarlett “Gone with the Wind” (1939)
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After Scarlett O’Hara loses her second husband, Rhett Butler wastes no time proposing to the bawling widow. Scarlett is reluctant to marry anyone, let alone the conceited Rhett. Nevertheless, Rhett remains 100% confident that he’ll get a “yes” out of her. After laying a passionate kiss on Scarlett’s lips, she gives Rhett the answer he’s been waiting to hear. Mixing great humor with great romance, this scene sums up why these two are among cinema’s most iconic star-crossed lovers. Since Scarlett still holds a torch for Ashley, though, her marriage to Rhett doesn’t exactly have a storybook ending.
#14: A Predestined Proposal “The Time Traveler's Wife” (2009)
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Audrey Niffenegger’s hit novel, “The Time Traveler's Wife,” features one of the most bittersweet love stories we’ve ever read. When we found out it was being turned into a movie, we knew it was going to be a tear jerker. The story is about a man, Henry, who unwillingly time travels, and his relationship with the woman who will eventually become his wife. Henry sweetly slips a diamond ring onto her finger and her initial reaction is to blurt out “no,” just to prove that she even can, though her life is already predestined.
#13: Is It Still Raining? “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994)
Just as he’s about to marry Henrietta, Charles realizes two things: marriage just isn’t for him and he’s truly in love with another. Despite never wanting to tie the knot, Charles still wishes to spend the rest of his life with Carrie. Sharing the same outlook, Carrie accepts Charles’ earnest proposal to not marry him. While their kiss in the rain may be a cliché, this declaration of love is anything but conventional. Complete with honest, humorous, and heartfelt dialog, it demonstrates that lovers don’t always need to follow the old-fashioned romantic route, but rather do whatever works for them in order to find happiness.
#12: Happily Ever After “Ever After” (1998)
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This creative retelling of the well-worn Cinderella story is one of our favorite 90s romances, featuring one of our favorite movie proposals. Drew Barrymore plays Danielle in “Ever After,” and takes on the role of a real world Cinderella. This proposal is great because at this point in the story Danielle thinks that she has disappointed her prince by hiding her real identity from him, so she is just as surprised as the audience is when he gets down on one knee and tenderly places her shoe on her foot, asking for her hand in marriage.
#11: A Big Proposal “Sex and the City” (2008)
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While Carrie and Mr. Big officially ended up together in the final episode of “Sex and the City,” they wouldn’t reach the altar until this feature film. Of course their wedding doesn’t really go according to plan, as Big gets cold feet and leaves Carrie heartbroken again. The two get yet another shot at romance later down the line, however, upon being reunited in a walk-in closet. It took almost ten years, but shippers finally got the moment they had been waiting for. The filmmakers delivered with a proposal that may seem small on the surface, but is actually pretty big.
#10: Ring Pop “Deadpool” (2016)
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This movie stands out on our list for not being a conventionally romantic movie, and definitely not being a conventional proposal. 2016’s “Deadpool” is above all else an action film, but behind all the witty jokes and special effects is a simple romance between Wade and Vanessa. These two are far from sappy, so we could have guessed that there wouldn’t be a standard scene where someone gets down on one knee with a diamond ring. The alternative is laugh out loud funny, and definitely not PG.
#9: The Language of Love “Love Actually” (2003)
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“Love Actually” may not be the most realistic film, but it never fails to make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This scene is a clear romantic highlight, as Jamie professes his love for Aurélia, the Portuguese housekeeper who’s mended his aching heart. In order to propose, Jamie learns Aurélia’s native language and unleashes his true feelings. Even if he doesn’t speak perfect Portuguese, we feel all of the sincerity in Colin Firth’s delivery. The cherry on top is that Aurélia has been learning English to communicate with Jamie, agreeing to marry him. It just goes to show that love is a universal language.
#8: Imperfect Perfections “Emma” (1996)
Jane Austen adaptations abound in cinema and television, and while the “Pride & Prejudice” proposal scene may more well known (it was listed as #1 on our original list), there is something magical about the sweet simplicity of this scene from “Emma.” Gwyneth Paltrow plays the titular character who is a proud matchmaker that spends much of the story arranging love connections for those around her. It takes her until the end of the movie to realize who it is that she wants to be with, but when she does the timing is just right.
#7: By a Thread “Stepmom” (1998)
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In the ‘90s, Julia Roberts reigned supreme as America’s Sweetheart. While her big proposal in “Runaway Bride” certainly tugged at our heartstrings (xref), this scene from “Stepmom” gets extra points for originality. Where most marriage proposals in movies are big and flashy, this one is subtle and surprisingly honest. In bed together, Luke presents his girlfriend, Isabel, with a ring box. Instead of finding a ring inside, Isabel uncovers a spool of thread. Luke, who’s already had one failed marriage, then delivers a meaningful speech about what commitment means. Sliding the ring onto her finger, they promise not to break the thread that connects their hearts.
#6: Open Me “Serendipity” (2001)
Most of the proposals on our list take place between a film’s two romantic leads, but even though this one features “the other guy,” it’s so cute that it had to have a place. Sarah and Jonathan are meant to be together, but while fate is keeping them apart, Sarah has a relationship with Lars, a new-age musician. While his character is pretty cringe-worthy for much of the film, he manages to surprise Sarah with a proposal that anyone would be jealous of. Even though they didn’t end up together, we still think of this one fondly.
#5: Will You Marry Me? “Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason” (2004)
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Although Bridget Jones’ follow-up film isn’t up there with the original, this long-awaited proposal hits just the right note. While their rapport isn’t romantic in the traditional sense, Bridget comes to the realization that her relationship with Mark is still romantic nonetheless. Mark then prepares to ask Bridget a question. Before he can ask, though, Bridget kind of ruins the moment by opening her mouth too soon. Caught off guard, she hits the reset switch and Mark finally proposes. This scene is as awkward as it is tender, which is only fitting for Bridget Jones.
#4: Mrs. O'Brady-Callaghan “Leap Year” (2010)
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Even though “Leap Year” is a movie all about the concept of women having a chance to propose to men, it still manages to give us a traditional proposal at the end. After Anna travels around Ireland hoping to propose to her longtime boyfriend on Leap Day, she realizes that maybe they weren’t meant to be after all. She ultimately decides that she wants to be with Declan, the man who helped her while she was there. She goes back to his pub to ask him to be together, and he doesn’t give her an answer. He finds her later on, though, and offers her his mother’s Claddagh ring, and his hand in marriage.
#3: A Breakup and a Proposal “Moonstruck” (1987)
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Loretta doesn’t believe in true love, but she doesn’t want to die alone either and thus accepts Johnny’s marriage proposal. Things get complicated, however, when Loretta reluctantly falls head over heels for Johnny’s brother, Ronny. Matters seemingly work out for the best when Johnny calls off the engagement out of superstition. Since he made her a promise, though, Loretta hilariously gives her former fiancé a piece of her mind. She throws the ring to the ground, which Ronny subsequently borrows in order to propose. Confusing everyone else in the room, Loretta shifts from being infuriated to being overwhelmed with affection.
#2: Daffodils “Big Fish” (2003)
2003’s “Big Fish” is all about parsing the difference between fantasy and reality, so it goes without saying that the proposal in this film is the stuff of dreams. Edward falls in love with a woman he barely knows, and proposes to her several times to no avail. After finding out that her favorite flowers are daffodils, he collects thousands and thousands of them and places them all outside her house. This grand romantic gesture seals the deal and convinces her to break off her engagement with her fiancé. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. I Know What Love Is “Forrest Gump” (1994) Casual Proposal “High Fidelity” (2000) Shooting Star “A Walk to Remember” (2002) A Big Fat Greek Proposal “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002) Neil Commits “He’s Just Not That Into You” (2009)
#1:You Have Bewitched Me “Pride & Prejudice” (2005)
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A woman ahead of her time, Elizabeth Bennet refuses to marry just any potential suitor. Despite her initial animosity toward Mr. Darcy, she soon finds true love in the most unlikely of places. As the sun rises, the two at last come together and express their love, ushering in a new day. Even if you’ve read Jane Austin’s classic novel time after time, this scene from the 2005 adaptation will make you fall in love with “Pride & Prejudice” all over again. Everything, from the elegant music, to the lovely scenery, to the genuine performances, is simply bewitching, delivering a cinematic proposal for the ages.
