While films like Casablanca (1942) and 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) harbor some of the most famous kisses in cinema history, that doesn't necessarily mean they made headlines. There's a difference between the kisses that remain popular for their swoon-worthy presentation and those that garnered attention for famous firsts, pushing censorship boundaries, and behind-the-scenes controversy. This guide is for the films that rocketed into headlines and continue to pop back up in the ethos of the Internet because people can't stop talking about them.
Here are 10 famous movie kisses that made the news for the good, the bad, and everything in between, listed in order of release date. Boot up HBO Max, Apple TV+, and more to watch them for yourself and see what all the fuss is about.
Rhett Butler & Scarlett O'Hara - Gone With the Wind (1939)
"You should be kissed, and often, and by someone who knows how." It doesn't get much more iconic than the kiss shared between Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. Their passion practically jumps through the screen, earning the movie a permanent spot on lists like this. At the time, Clark Gable was one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors, but a then-relatively unknown Vivien Leigh confessed she disliked kissing him, blaming his smelly dentures.
The media, of course, loves star-drenched drama, and Leigh and Gabel's behind-the-scenes tension fueled tabloid stories. Of course, Gone With the Wind came with content controversies, too, including accusations of romanticizing the South during a time of extreme racial inequality. Still, as one of the most famous movies of all time, it's well worth watching for cinephiles and lovers of historical romances who understand that old movies often come with dated content.
Karen Holmes & Sgt. Milton Warden - From Here to Eternity (1953)
Don't think a war film can get a little steamy? Tell that to From Here to Eternity. Chronicling the stories of three Army soldiers stationed in Hawaii before the lead-up to Pearl Harbor, the film became a talking point in 1953—and it didn't just have to do with the bevy of Academy Award nominations and Best Picture win.
Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster's famous beach scene featured the ocean-soaked actors kissing in the sand. While comparatively tame by today's standards, the scene pushed the limits of '50s censorship, especially with the Hays Code still very much in effect. Like Gone With the Wind, From Here to Eternity will work best for fans of classic movies and historical romances. It is very much a character-driven drama set against the backdrop of impending war.
Luke and Leia - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Long before Jaime and Cersei Lannister made jaws drop in Game of Thrones (2011), Luke and Leia kissed in a medical bay far, far away. However, The Empire Strikes Back smooch didn't make headlines until three years later in Return of the Jedi (1983) when Obi-Wan Kenobi lets it slip that Luke has a sister—and that sister is Leia.
Awkward? Supremely. But let's remember that during The Empire Strikes Back (and A New Hope), George Lucas hadn't decided to make Luke and Leia siblings yet. Was it wise to make that change during the last film in the original trilogy? Probably not, but at least we got some great memes out of it. If you haven't seen it already, you'll want to watch A New Hope to get the most out of The Empire Strikes Back. Then, you'll probably want to find out what happens in Return of the Jedi. So, if you don't mind a small commitment, The Empire Strikes Back is the ultimate movie for fans of sci-fi action of epic proportions.
Spider-Man & Mary Jane - Spider-Man (2002)
Those familiar with Sam Raimi's blood-spattered past with The Evil Dead franchise and Darkman (1990) might not have guessed the director would go on to produce one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. Spider-Man not only marked the first live-action outing for Marvel's wallcrawler but also the first on-screen kiss between Spidey and Mary Jane.
Hanging upside down from a web in the rain, Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) peels back the mask of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man just enough to reveal his lips. What ensues is one of the most iconic rain-soaked kisses in cinema history. It might have been hellish to shoot, but the result was well worth it for audiences everywhere. Even if you don't typically gravitate toward superhero movies, Spider-Man has enough action and emotional beats to satisfy most viewers. Bonus points if you're looking for a standalone story that doesn't require a PhD in Marvel Comics to understand.
Jane Smith & John Smith - Mr. and Mrs. Smith (2005)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith features quite a few kisses between the middle-class suburban assassins hired to kill each other despite their marital status. However, perhaps the most iconic comes at the film's end when the titular duo share a kiss after a particularly thrilling fight. So, yes, action movie fans will be more than pleased by the movie's fast-paced story and comedic offshoots.
While there are plenty of steamy sequences to gawk at among the chaos, the Mr. and Mrs. Smith kisses became even more famous for the scandal attached to Angelina Jolie and a then-married-to-Jennifer-Aniston Brad Pitt. What started as rumors became fact, with the actors later admitting they "fell in love" during filming, making Mr. and Mrs. Smith the birthplace of "Brangelina."
Jack and Ennis - Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The first on-screen gay kisses extend back to the '20s. One of the earliest same-sex cinematic kisses in 1927's Wings received little media coverage and even less controversy. So, who would've thought that the forbidden love story between two cowboys would drum up so much attention in 2005? But that's precisely what happened with Brokeback Mountain.
Ennis (Heath Ledger) hitting Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) with that rough, push-against-the-wall kiss is one for the books. However, negative coverage by conservative media outlets and homophobic backlash plagued the film's release. Still, Brokeback Mountain proved them all wrong. While it didn't win Best Picture that year, it became a major milestone in queer cinema. A romance movie at its core, this one is for those who like their love stories steeped with western flair.
Kevin & Chiron - Moonlight (2016)
Sometimes a kiss is so good that it wins awards, and that's precisely what happened with actors Ashton Sanders and Jharrel Jerome at the 2017 MTV Movies & TV Awards. Adapted from a play by Tarell Alvin McCraney, Moonlight follows Chiron through three significant parts of his life (boy, teen, and adult) as he navigates his sexuality.
The award-winning first kiss occurs during Chiron's teen years. Hollywood frequently ignores the early exploration, fearful firsts, and trepid vulnerability of younger gay men, making Moonlight's media spotlight well-deserved. Not only did Sanders and Jerome walk away winners, but they became the first Black men ever nominated for "Best Kiss." It also didn't hurt that Moonlight won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Like atmospheric coming-of-age dramas like Call Me by Your Name (2017) and Lady Bird (2017)? Then, don't sleep on Moonlight.
Ellie Sattler & Alan Grant - Jurassic World Dominion (2022)
If you watched Jurassic Park (1993) and thought Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) should've kissed, join the club. (My club, specifically.) The headstrong paleobotanist and introverted paleontologist harbored enough chemistry that audiences were surprised to learn Ellie married someone else in Jurassic Park III (2001). However, with her marriage a thing of the past by Jurassic World Dominion, Ellie and Alan finally got their shot at romance.
After nearly 30 years, the scientists finally locked lips, which certainly makes up for the original kiss scene Steven Spielberg cut from Jurassic Park back in 1993. While anyone who enjoys a good creature feature romp can enjoy Dominion, it's truly made for audiences who fell in love with the franchise with the original Jurassic Park. My recommendation: start there and work your way up.
Tashi, Patrick, and Art - Challengers (2024)
Sport romances are shaping up to be the hit subgenre of the decade, and Challengers proves why. Delivering a steamy love triangle between an injured tennis star (Zendaya), her ex-boyfriend (Josh O'Connor), and her husband (Mike Faist), the film offers a captivating story about rivalry, competition, and sex that is hard to look away from.
Script triumphs aside, Challengers' three-way kiss between its lead characters took the Internet by storm. Used in promotional images and marketing, the kiss has become as famous as the movie itself. While fans of more traditional sports movies might not get the fanfare, those searching for romance narratives bolstered by strong performances and believable character development should add Challengers to their watch list.
Joe & Rose - The Last Rodeo (2025)
Actor Neal McDonough has a prolific career where one rule has always remained in place: He doesn't kiss other actors out of respect for his wife. However, with the release of Angel Studios' The Last Rodeo, that all changed. News broke of McDonough's first on-screen kiss. The catch? It was with his real-life wife, Ruve McDonough.
Although working as a producer on projects like Homestead (2024) and Boon (2022), The Last Rodeo marks Ruve McDonough's first turn in front of the camera. While the western genre is nothing new to Neal McDonough, this time, he finally gets the girl. As such, The Last Rodeo has the potential to appeal to fans of heartwrenching western dramas, but its association with Angel Studios makes it ideal for viewers wanting faith-based values in their films.
