The art of shipping has been around for eras now. Truly, if we look back at the early days when there were only books, we can probably pinpoint human beings wanting to see characters embark on romantic relationships. Long before fan fiction existed and forums were a thing, people were likely having these conversations with friends and family. Some on-screen relationships often come across as romantic because they should be. It's that simple. I can hear the outcries of naysayers screaming, "But why can't they just be friends?" Well, why can't they be more?
Interestingly, there are a few couples that most people will be shocked to learn aren't actually in a relationship because it's not so much that fans ship them, but it's how they act, too. We all remember where we were when it was announced that Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog were breaking up, but apparently, Nintendo's also confirmed that Mario and Princess Peach aren't in a relationship? The audacity. These five on-screen pairings aren't either, but executives have to do a lot more to convince us.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde - Zootopia (2016)
Zootopia 2 (2025) is right around the corner, but what do you mean Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde aren't in a relationship after Zootopia? Sure, they're both different animals, and maybe the biological mechanisms haven't yet been cracked, but this is fiction, and in the first movie, they have a classic enemies-to-lovers dynamic going that makes them easily shippable.
Disney is known for coupling up pairs, even unlikely ones like Little Bo Peep and Woody in Toy Story (1995) or Buzz and Jessie, but how Judy and Nick aren't a pairing is beyond me. Still, their dynamic in Zootopia is an absolute delight through and through, making the entire film a significant story about inclusivity. Perfect for anyone who loves old school Disney, this one felt like a classic the moment it was released.
Mario and Princess Peach - The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
It did actually break my brain a little to learn that Mario and Princess Peach aren't a couple in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Because what do you mean? What, are we supposed to get some sort of enemies-to-lovers thing with Bowser? If that were the case, then sure, maybe, but this one seems even harder to believe than Judy and Nick, because everything about them screams a couple.
Still, if you've ever played the games and are a fan of them, the latest movie is a must-watch for classic nostalgia. The adaptation is not only effectively done, but the animation is exceptional, and it's done a great job of bringing new, younger fans to the games so many of us loved growing up.
Sherlock Holmes and John Watson - Sherlock (2010-2017)
In canon literature, perhaps it's understandable that Sherlock and his trusty partner John Watson aren't together. They also don't get together in Elementary (2012), and it's abysmal. But in the BBC Sherlock adaptation, you could've fooled me. The performances are incredible throughout, but the vibes are really so indescribable that even non-viewers can see that there's something more there.
They're one of the most popular online pairings with fan fiction numbers rising daily even though the show hasn't been on air for years. Countless people likely even started watching the show from GIFS they'd seen because at one point, Sherlock was all over tumblr. The vibes are entirely romantic, but the particular adaptation is also a must-watch as an accurate portrayal of the books and for its stylistic approach.
Carol Peletier and Daryl Dixon - The Walking Dead (2010-2022)
Long before I hopped aboard The Walking Dead train, I assumed that Carol Peletier and Daryl Dixon were married. Like in Sherlock, it's the vibes that they give off, even through wordless moving GIFS. Now imagine my shock today that they still aren't together in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023).
Because in every way that it matters, they're closer than most couples who are together. They understand each other on a fundamentally deeper level which would make their romantic relationship stand out in a post-apocalyptic world of unstable romances. They're more stable than any two people, and the chemistry between Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride has always been infectious, too. There's a lot to watch when it comes to The Walking Dead, but it's worth every minute for the two of them (it's also certified scaredy-cat approved.)
Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler - Law and Order: SVU (1999-present)
Send a random photo of Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler looking at each other to anyone who's never seen the show, and I can guarantee they'll think they're a couple. That's because no series fandom has suffered more drastically than the Law and Order: Special Victims Unit fans. The series doesn't just put the word slow in "slow burn," but turns it into something else entirely when there's absolutely no reason why the two of them shouldn't be together.
Like Daryl and Carol, they're already closer than any pairing on the show, and the love they have for each other can be spotted from a mile away. Even people who don't watch the show know how wild it is for the two of them not to be together because they exude the kind of partnership that romance dreams are made of. SVU is a must-watch procedural for viewers who are currently loving shows like The Rookie (2018).
