Everyone loves a good kissing scene! Whether it’s a heated and sexy first kiss between rivals, a sweet and romantic kiss between an established couple, or a passionate “there’s-no-one-else-in-the-world-but-you” kiss between the will-they-won’t-they couple of the century, this list has you covered. Check out this comprehensive list of kissing scenes to watch over and over this summer!
Warning – Potential spoilers ahead!
Patrick and Kat Paintball Scene – 10 Things I Hate About You
This one is a personal favorite; it’s just a classic. This couple has so much chemistry, and they have this fun, teasing relationship while also being sweet and romantic. The paintball scene kiss is an awesome example of this, how they run around together having fun and then just collapse into the hay like there’s no one else around. The fact that this is their first kiss and there’s no dialogue to accompany it, just a paintball montage, makes it that much more magical.
Jane and John Fight Scene – Mr. and Mrs. Smith
This is one of the most sexually charged kisses I have ever seen. After the two essentially destroy their entire house trying to kill each other, they realize they might actually still love each other. The moment he walks towards her, pushing the gun out of the way, is literally one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen. It still gives me shivers.
Percy and Annabeth Underwater Kiss – The Last Olympian
This one definitely is aimed more towards younger readers, but don’t deny it—this kiss gave us ALL butterflies. When Percy and Annabeth have that first kiss underwater, it is like the conclusion of a five-book-long slow burn. Of course, the books were about so much more than just their romance, but this was just a perfect way to end that first series. This scene had little old me giggling and kicking my feet.
We held hands right up to the moment they dumped us in the water… And it was pretty much the best underwater kiss of all time.
Rick Riordan, The Last Olympian
Nick and Charlie’s Bedroom Kiss – Heartstopper
Honestly, you can pick any scene between Nick and Charlie, and it would be a winner. However, the one I wanted to focus on is the one in the bedroom, their second kiss. I absolutely adore the classic miscommunication trope (when it doesn’t go too far), and this show does that really well. After their first kiss, Nick runs off and leaves Charlie to overthink what just happened. The next day, a rain-soaked Nick shows up at Charlie’s house in this big romantic gesture, and they share their second kiss!
Ginny and Harry – The Half-Blood Prince (Book Version)
Another super slow burn, Harry and Ginny’s kiss was an extremely well-written heat-of-the-moment scene taking place right after Gryffindor won a quidditch match. Unlike the movie, which was a very calm and rational kiss in an anti-climactic scene, the book kiss displayed a lot of both characters’ personalities and even gave the reader a bit of a shock!
After several long moments—or it might have been half an hour—or possibly several sunlit days—they broke apart. The room had gone very quiet.
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Bill and Frank in the Garden – The Last of Us
Before you get mad at me for including one of the most heartbreaking TV couples in here, just remember while technically this episode did not have a happy ending, it had a happy beginning and middle, which is all we can really hope for in a show like The Last of Us. Anyway, the kiss these two shared in the strawberry garden was so romantic and sweet and ultimately iconic. Two men having to fight for survival during a devastating apocalypse but still able to find joy over a couple of fresh strawberries? BRB – literally crying all over my keyboard.
Harry and Sally’s New Year’s Kiss – When Harry Met Sally
This scene has recently gone viral on TikTok, and for good reason. Harry’s romantic speech, followed by Sally’s exasperated “I hate you”s, followed by Harry’s patient and gentle (and totally lovesick) gaze into her eyes, sets the bar SO high. When they kiss, it’s passionate and heated, but Sally is still smiling, and that’s just what love is!
I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.
Billy Crystal as Harry Burns in When Harry Met Sally
Alex and Henry’s First Kiss – Red, White & Royal Blue (Novel)
Their first kiss was so charged with emotion and realness that I knew that we were about to get a great relationship from these two. Late-night confessions, hurried kisses, and running away from your feelings? Sign me up!
Sally and Gary – Practical Magic
This movie is my all-time favorite comfort movie. When Sally and Gary kiss at the end, you leave the movie feeling like no two people were ever more right for each other. I mean, they were literally made for each other. This kiss fits the heartwarming vibe of the movie so very well.
I wished for you too.
Aidan Quinn as Gary Hallet in Practical Magic
Joey and Pacey S3 E19 – Dawson’s Creek
I will not be taking constructive criticism at this time. This kiss is the BEST kiss in all of television. It is so charged and yet so gentle, and it’s the moment when you realize that Pacey and Joey might actually end up together. The way he cups her face with his hands will be swoon-worthy until the day I die.
Violet and Xaden’s First Kiss – Fourth Wing
Okay, yes, fine. I had to include this one. These romantasy novels were just so cute and steamy, and the author really did not disappoint with the romantic tension between the two love interests. Beginning as enemies-to-lovers, Violet and Xaden grew closer and closer until they finally gave in. This trope is one of my all-time favorites: when two characters know that kissing is a mistake but they just can’t help it.
I’ve never been this out of control over a single kiss. Never wanted someone the way I do him. It’s exhilarating and terrifying at the same time, because I know that in this moment he has the power to break me.
Rebecca Yarros, Fourth Wing
And I’d let him.
Damon and Elena S3 E10 – The Vampire Diaries
Damon and Elena have always had some will-they-won’t-they energy, but it isn’t until this scene that their chemistry is truly cemented in TVD history. When Damon confidently strides up to Elena after confessing he feels guilty for being in love with her, he says, “You know what? If I’m going to feel guilty about something, I’m going to feel guilty about this,” I just about fell off of my couch. Now, THAT is some good writing and some stellar acting.
David and Patrick S3 E13 – Schitt’s Creek
This couple really swept us off our feet, starting with their very first kiss in the car. Not the most romantic location, mind you, but both characters looked so in love in this moment it was hard not to include it. David and Patrick literally always look at each other like they hung the moon. Change my mind.
If your partner isn’t confessing their undying love to you in the middle of a New Year’s party or forming a magic bubble around the two of you so you can make out underwater, then what are they doing? If you’re anything like me, these adorable kiss scenes have raised your romance standards to impossible heights. But that’s okay! After all, you shouldn’t settle for someone who doesn’t at least make you feel like you’ve just won a quidditch game and ran straight into their arms.
If you want to learn more about some popular romance subgenres, read our article on “spicy stalkers.”
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