Most Memorable First Kisses In Cinematic History

Since the invention of movies, cinematic kisses have been sweeping us away into rapturous moments of romance. Watching a great first kiss can be almost as emotionally stirring as experiencing one in real life. Fantastic first kisses as depicted on film envelop the viewer in those glorious feelings of new beginnings and melting romance: Whatever the two participants have been going through prior to this moment, their lives are forever changed by their magical smooch.

But while great first kisses almost always look magical, they are rarely as romantic for the actors in question. There's bad breath, makeup, and costumes to deal with, not to mention production stresses. Other times, there are tensions between the actors, with the two kissers either at odds with each other, or, in quite the opposite scenario, dealing with their own sexual tension. All of this bleeds onto the screen, but the best actors can turn these real-world considerations into visible passion. Some of these kisses were fraught with real-world tension, some of them were effortlessly pulled off, and some happened between actors who hated each other. All of them are the most memorable first kisses in cinematic history.

The Back to the Future franchise is one of the most fun sci-fi trilogies around, but it's a little lacking in the romance department. Marty (Michael J. Fox) and Jennifer (Claudia Wells/Elisabeth Shue) aren't exactly swoony, and though Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and Clara Clayton (Mary Steenburgen) get all googly-eyed, their relationship is more adorable than it is passionate.

But George (Crispin Glover) and Lorraine (Lea Thompson) are meant to be, to the point that Marty needs to do everything he can to get them together lest he cease to exist. For most of the movie, Lorraine ignores George, but when George saves her from Biff, attraction ignites. Their first kiss on the dance floor, while the band sings "Earth Angel," is a little bit naughty, a little bit nice, and altogether unforgettable. Plus, it's just what's needed to save Marty from fading into the unknown.

William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet is one of the most popular love stories ever told. Sure, it's also a bit of a warning to frantic teenagers who might act too hastily in young love and lust. But this story has been made into movies since movies first began, and its romance remains undeniably powerful.

One of the best film adaptations of this timeless love story is Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, in which Claire Danes and Leonardo DiCaprio play the famous star-crossed lovers. Their first kiss happens in an elevator in the midst of dazzling costume party. Juliet wears a white dress and angel wings, while Romeo is in a knight's armor, meaning both of them look rather Shakespearean, despite the modern setting. Their flirtatious meet-cute unfolds while Des'ree's "Kissing You" plays, and escalates into the frenzied lip-lock in the elevator. It captures the whirlwind of their relationship perfectly.

Star Wars' Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo(Harrison Ford) have a relationship fraught with bickering, love, sexual tension, frustration, and tragedy. But their first kiss starts a romance that goes on to cross the galaxy, survive the downfall and resurgence of an empire, and last for decades.

In The Empire Strikes Back, as Leia is trying to fix a bit of machinery, Han approaches her from behind. The two flirt a bit while Han rubs her hand. Leia calls him a scoundrel, Han likes it, Leia asserts she likes nice guys, and Han says he's a nice guy, right before he plants one on her. Some criticize this kiss, and the early days of their relationship in general, citing Han's aggression and persistence. That's fair enough, but it's undeniable that for many Star Wars fans, this kiss is an iconic declaration of Han and Leia's love.

This first kiss isn't so much passionate or sexy as it is totally adorable. It's the kind of kiss that comes from pure comfort with another person, and chemistry big enough to make it work.

In Good Will Hunting, titular character Will (Matt Damon) takes Skylar (Minnie Driver) out on a date. They go to a joke shop for some goofy fun, followed by dinner at a low-key burger joint. As the two chat and flirt, the chemistry between Damon and Driver becomes absolutely palpable. Their improvisational banter comes to a head when Skylar suggests they get their good night kiss over with before the end of the night. Thus, the two lock lips with their mouths full of burger, with a giddy Skylar chuckling the entire time. You can't help but smile when, after the smooch, Skylar says, "I think I got some of your pickle."

There have been many Spider-Men on screen since Tobey Maguire first flung his web in 2002's Spider-Man. But his kiss with Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane tops all other kisses in every other Spider-Man-centric film.

After rescuing Mary Jane from muggers, Spidey, also known as Peter Parker, hangs upside down from a building while Mary Jane stands in the pouring rain. They flirt a little bit, with Peter telling her she has a habit of getting in trouble, and her replying that he has a habit of rescuing her. Then Mary Jane insinuates that she's going to thank him, pulls his mask down to the bridge of his nose, and gives him a rain-soaked, upside-down kiss. The kiss is sexy for sure, but a little less so when you find out that Maguire couldn't really breathe while kissing Dunst. Still, his temporary waterboarding was worth it for this iconic moment.

The love between Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America (Chris Evans), and Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) lasts through centuries. At the end of Avengers: Endgame, after Steve travels back in time to place the Infinity Stones back where they belong, he decides to stay in the 1940s with Peggy and live out the rest of his life with her. That's some serious devotion.

This huge, time-defying romantic gesture all starts with one quick kiss in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger. As Cap, Peggy, and Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) head off to fight Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) one last time, Cap prepares to jump off the Jeep and head into his own battle. Before he departs, Peggy grabs him by the collar and plants a kiss on him. It's not long, but it is passionate, and it sparks a romance that spans decades.

As Harry Potter grows up throughout the eight movies that make up his franchise, he goes through normal teenage rights of passage. First crushes, first breakups, and first kisses all figure into his journey. While the Harry Potter movies feature some great kisses between couples that ultimately end up together, like Hermione and Ron and Harry and Ginny, Harry's very first kiss remains the series' most memorable smooch.

Harry has his first kiss with his crush, Cho Chang, in a romantic moment under the mistletoe. But it's an experience Harry describes as "wet," because Cho cries during the act. Harry's not bad at kissing, it's just that, as Hermione explains, Cho is "feeling sad about Cedric, and therefore confused about liking Harry, and guilty about kissing him." Being a teenager is stressful, But Harry and Cho's kiss is still a great first effort.

1997's In & Out revolves around Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline), a teacher from a small town in Indiana. After a former student of his wins an Oscar for portraying a gay soldier, he thanks Howard in his speech and claims that Howard is gay. This comes as a major surprise to Howard, who is days away from marrying a woman.

As the movie unfolds, Howard explores his sexuality and faces the realities of coming out. The big first kiss involves a reporter played by Tom Selleck, who plants an intense, 12-second kiss on Howard. The kiss is incredibly awkward, clumsy, uncomfortable, and not at all sexy, but it is memorable for knocking some hesitancy around gay relationships out of the viewing public and being one of '90s cinema's few same-sex kisses. It's a far cry from what we see today, but at the time, this kiss stood out.

James Cameron's Titanic is probably one of the most romantic movies ever made, yet it is also shrouded in tragedy. But in the depths of the film's saddest moments, the romance between Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet) is a stalwart life preserver. 

Their big moment comes at the front of the giant ship, right after Rose has changed her mind about getting off the boat with Jack when they dock. Jack shows her how to climb the bars at the very tip of the ship's bow, and hold her arms out to feel like she's flying. At this moment, bathed in the glow of the setting sun, Jack and Rose finally kiss. As the scene transitions, the two of them fade into the sea as the Titanic's shining bars transform into those long sunk beneath the sea. Jack and Rose go on to do some more sexy smooching in the back of a car in the cargo hold (literally steaming up the windows in the process), but that first kiss is simultaneously romantic and haunting.