When it comes to steamy on-screen romance, nothing gets our hearts racing quite like an epic, passionate kiss. From the classic Hollywood era to modern day blockbusters, cinema history is filled with unforgettable lip-locks that have made us swoon, sigh, and hit the rewind button again and again.
Whether it’s the buildup of sexual tension finally being released, a forbidden love being consummated, or just two ridiculously attractive people going at it, a great movie kiss has the power to make us feel all the feels. It’s the moment we wait for, the scene that sticks in our minds long after the credits roll.
So pucker up, because we’re counting down the 25 sexiest, most iconic kissing scenes to ever steam up the silver screen. From pulse-pounding action flicks to heart-wrenching dramas to swoon-worthy romances, these are the hottest, most memorable movie kisses of all time.
25. Spider-Man (2002) – The Upside-Down Kiss
Picture this: It’s raining in New York City. Mary Jane Watson (Kirsten Dunst) has just been saved from a group of attackers by her friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Hanging upside down, Spidey (Tobey Maguire) and MJ share a tender moment before she peels back his mask and plants a kiss on her hero – albeit, an upside-down one. It’s sweet, sexy, and oh-so-romantic, capturing the giddy excitement of that first kiss with your crush.
24. Cruel Intentions (1999) – The Sapphic Smooch
This kiss between Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Cecile (Selma Blair) isn’t just sexy – it’s downright scandalous. When manipulative mean girl Kathryn teaches the naive Cecile how to kiss and get to first base, things heat up real quick as the two engage in a sensual liplock complete with some serious tongue action. The forbidden nature of this same-sex kiss, along with the actors’ sizzling chemistry, makes it one of the most scintillating smooches of the ’90s.
23. Titanic (1997) – The Steamy Handprint
“Put your hands on me, Jack.” With those six little words, Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) take their romance to the next level in this iconic scene. Escaping into the cargo hold of the ship, the two make love for the first time, culminating in a passionate kiss as Rose presses her hand against the steamy car window. The sheer and utter bliss on her face is enough to make anyone weak in the knees.
22. Brokeback Mountain (2005) – The Tentside Tryst
Ennis (Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) spend a summer working together as sheep herders in the Wyoming mountains, where a deep bond and forbidden attraction develops. One chilly night in a shared tent, the two engage in a hungry, desperate first kiss that’s so raw and powerful, it’s like a dam bursting. Filled with both passion and anguish, this groundbreaking same-sex kiss beautifully captures the pair’s complex relationship.
21. Ghost (1990) – The Sensual Pottery Scene
Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze get down and dirty in the most literal sense in this famous scene, as their characters engage in some sensual pottery foreplay. While “Unchained Melody” plays, the two share a passionate kiss as their clay-covered hands intertwine and caress each other’s bodies. It’s the perfect combination of romance and eroticism, and has become one of the most iconic kisses in movie history.
20. Pretty Woman (1990) – The Piano Smooch
When wealthy businessman Edward (Richard Gere) falls for free-spirited escort Vivian (Julia Roberts), it’s the classic Cinderella story – with a sexy, modern twist. The two share several swoon-worthy kisses throughout the movie, but the one that stands out the most is their sensual liplock on top of a grand piano. The way Edward gently brushes the hair out of Vivian’s face before going in for the kill is guaranteed to make you melt.
19. Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) – The Rainy Reunion
This classic movie moment proves that sometimes the best kisses happen after the hardships and misunderstandings have been overcome. When Paul (George Peppard) and Holly (Audrey Hepburn) finally confess their love for each other in the pouring rain, drenched and desperate to be together, it’s enough to make even the coldest of hearts grow three sizes. This iconic kiss is the epitome of a Hollywood happy ending.
18. From Here to Eternity (1953) – The Beachside Embrace
With the crashing waves and sandy beach adding to the sensuality of it all, this classic Hollywood kiss between Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster is the perfect combination of romance and passion. As the two embrace on the shoreline, it’s a beautiful, almost poetic expression of their forbidden love. The sheer star power of the actors and the dreamlike cinematography make this one of the most memorable movie kisses of all time.
17. Dirty Dancing (1987) – The Lift Kiss
“Nobody puts Baby in a corner!” After a summer of steamy dance rehearsals and simmering sexual tension, Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Baby (Jennifer Grey) finally give into their feelings in this triumphant final scene. Following a show-stopping dance number, Johnny pulls Baby off the stage and into his arms for a passionate, long-awaited kiss as the crowd cheers them on. It’s the ultimate feel-good movie moment.
16. The Notebook (2004) – The Rainy Reunion (Part Two)
Apparently, kisses in the rain just hit different. This tearjerker of a smooch sees long-lost loves Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) finally reuniting after years apart. Soaked to the bone and overcome with emotion, the two share a desperate, passionate kiss that’s been building for what feels like an eternity. It’s the kind of kiss that makes you believe in soulmates.
15. Sixteen Candles (1984) – The Birthday Kiss
Ah, to be young and in love. This classic ’80s teen comedy ends with a sweet, swoon-worthy kiss between Sam (Molly Ringwald) and her high school crush Jake (Michael Schoeffling) over a birthday cake. With a candle glowing between them and Thompson Twins’ “If You Were Here” playing in the background, it’s the perfect cap to a coming-of-age tale and a reminder of how magical those first teenage kisses can be.
14. The Princess Bride (1987) – The Wuv Kiss
In this beloved fairy tale romance, Westley (Cary Elwes) battles pirates, giants, and Rodents of Unusual Size to be reunited with his one true love, Buttercup (Robin Wright). After Westley defeats the villainous Prince Humperdinck, he pulls Buttercup in for a passionate, earth-shattering kiss as he utters the iconic line, “Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.” Swoon.
13. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – The Train Station Smooch
After a lifetime of hardship and struggle, Jamal (Dev Patel) and Latika (Freida Pinto) finally get their happy ending in this vibrant, Bollywood-inspired romantic drama. Meeting at a busy Mumbai train station, the two childhood friends turned star-crossed lovers share a tender, tearful kiss on the platform before breaking into a joyful dance number. It’s a moment of pure, unbridled happiness that never fails to put a smile on our faces.
12. The Way We Were (1973) – The Bittersweet Goodbye
Not all great movie kisses have a happy ending. In this classic ’70s tearjerker, Katie (Barbra Streisand) and Hubbell (Robert Redford) are two vastly different people who share a powerful, albeit ill-fated attraction. Their final kiss is a bittersweet one, as the two former lovers share one last embrace after randomly meeting on a New York City street, knowing they’ll likely never see each other again. It’s an aching, wistful moment that perfectly captures the bittersweetness of lost love.
11. Casablanca (1942) – The Farewell Smooch
“Here’s looking at you, kid.” This iconic line, uttered by Rick (Humphrey Bogart) to his former lover Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) as they share one final kiss, has become synonymous with old Hollywood romance. Set against the backdrop of World War II, their farewell embrace is a poignant, heartbreaking moment that’s made all the more powerful by the sacrifices both characters make for the greater good. It’s the kind of kiss that sticks with you long after the plane has flown off into the fog.
10. Love, Simon (2018) – The Ferris Wheel Kiss
This groundbreaking coming-of-age film follows Simon (Nick Robinson), a closeted gay teenager who falls for an anonymous online pen pal. After a series of missed connections and misunderstandings, Simon finally comes face-to-face with his crush on top of a ferris wheel in the final scene. With a crowd of classmates cheering them on, the two boys share a sweet, tender kiss that beautifully captures the thrill and vulnerability of young love. More than just a great kiss, it’s a groundbreaking moment of LGBTQ representation in mainstream film.
9. Moonlight (2016) – The Beach Kiss
In this Oscar-winning coming-of-age drama, a young Black man named Chiron (Ashton Sanders) grapples with his sexuality and identity. One night, he shares a tender, tentative first kiss with his childhood friend Kevin (Jharrel Jerome) on a moonlit beach. With the sound of the waves crashing in the background, it’s a quiet, intimate moment that perfectly captures the vulnerability and uncertainty of first love. The raw emotion and understated performances make it a truly unforgettable screen kiss.
8. The Princess Diaries (2001) – The Foot Pop
Every girl who grew up in the early 2000s dreamed of being Princess Mia (Anne Hathaway) in this iconic scene. After a makeover reveals her true beauty, Mia shares a magical first kiss with her longtime crush Michael (Robert Schwartzman) on a picturesque San Francisco street. The foot pop, the sweeping camera, the swelling music – it’s like a fairy tale come to life, and a reminder of how giddy and wonderful those first teenage kisses can be.
7. Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) – The Dirty Dancing Lift
Who doesn’t love a good callback? In this charming romantic comedy, Hannah (Emma Stone) shows off her Dirty Dancing moves by running and leaping into the arms of Jacob (Ryan Gosling) at a bar. He effortlessly lifts her over his head before the two share a passionate, swoon-worthy kiss as the whole room erupts in applause. It’s a moment of pure, unadulterated joy that never fails to make us smile.
6. Pride & Prejudice (2005) – The Hand Kiss
Sometimes, the most erotic kisses are the ones that are barely kisses at all. In this smoldering adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) and Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) share a charged moment on a misty moor. As Darcy helps Elizabeth into a carriage, he takes her hand and slowly, sensually kisses her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers. It’s a small gesture, but one filled with such yearning and desire that it’s practically pornographic by Regency-era standards. Fans self, indeed.
5. Atonement (2007) – The Library Tryst
Keira Knightley makes our list yet again with this steamy, stylized scene from the wartime romantic drama Atonement. When young lovers Cecilia (Knightley) and Robbie (James McAvoy) finally act on their long-simmering sexual tension, they engage in a frantic, passionate tryst up against the bookshelves of a library. Clothes are frantically shed, gasps and moans echo through the stacks, and the two share a desperate, hungry kiss before consummating their love right then and there. It’s the kind of scene that burns itself into your brain – and your libido.
4. Twilight (2008) – The Vampire Kiss
Say what you will about sparkly vampires and questionable acting – there’s no denying the electric chemistry between Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in this franchise-launching kiss. When Bella and Edward finally give into their forbidden attraction, they share a sensual, smoldering kiss in Bella’s bedroom that’s filled with equal parts desire and danger. The way Edward gently cradles Bella’s face before hungrily claiming her lips is the stuff of teenage fantasy, and helped launch a million fanfics.
3. The Notebook (2004) – The Passionate Reunion
We’re back in Sparks territory with this rain-soaked, emotionally charged kiss. After years apart, Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) reunite at Noah’s newly renovated home. In a scene that’s seared itself into the minds of romance fans everywhere, the two engage in a screaming match that quickly turns into a desperate, passionate kiss in the pouring rain. With Allie’s wet dress plastered to her body and Noah’s bulging biceps on full display, it’s a pulse-pounding, panty-dropping moment that never fails to make us swoon.
2. Gone with the Wind (1939) – The Staircase Smooch
“You need kissing badly. That’s what’s wrong with you. You should be kissed, and often. And by someone who knows how.” With those immortal words, Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) sweeps Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) into his arms and plants a passionate, knee-buckling kiss on her in this iconic scene from the Hollywood classic. Set against the backdrop of a grand staircase and swelling orchestral music, it’s the kind of larger-than-life screen kiss that epitomizes the Golden Age of cinema romance. Frankly, my dear, we do give a damn.
1. The Notebook (2004) – The Passionate Reunion (Again)
Was there ever any doubt? The kiss so nice they named it twice, Noah and Allie’s rain-soaked reunion in The Notebook is, hands down, the sexiest, most iconic movie kiss of all time. The desperate way they cling to each other, the raw emotion in their voices, the sheer passion of that kiss – it’s the kind of moment that romance novels are made of. It’s a kiss that launched a thousand memes, inspired countless reenactments, and cemented Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as the on-screen couple of the 2000s. This, right here, is the gold standard of movie kisses – a perfect storm of chemistry, cinematography, and swoon-worthy romance. We’re not crying, you’re crying.
So there you have it – the 25 sexiest, most unforgettable kisses in cinema history. From Old Hollywood classics to modern-day tearjerkers, these are the movie moments that have made us believe in the power of a great on-screen smooch. Whether it’s the buildup, the passion, the chemistry, or the sheer romantic fantasy of it all, a truly spectacular screen kiss has the ability to make us laugh, cry, swoon, and believe in the magic of love – if only for a moment.
