The Best Kisses in Cinema History

For decades, romantic on-screen duos have melted our hearts and made us feel their (mainly fictional) affection on the other side of the screen. From Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic to Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain, the infatuation can vary. But they always have a common ground — kisses.  Some films' kisses are so butterflies-in-the-stomach that they are forever etched in our minds and have become cult classics.

The best kisses in cinema history

Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) 

After reuniting with her lost cat, young socialite Holly Golightly kisses Paul in the pouring rain in Blake Edwards' adaptation of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Dirty Dancing  (1987) 

In Emile Ardolino’s romance and dance Dirty Dancing, Baby and Johnny dance and kiss to “Love Is Strange”.

Ghost (1990) 

In Jerry Zucker's supernatural romance Ghost, Sam's ghost uses the medium Oda Mae's body to kiss Molly for the last time. 

My Girl (1991) 

To understand why people do it, Vada and Thomas have a sweet first kiss in Howard Zieff’s My Girl. 

Titanic (1997) 

On the Titanic, as the sun goes down and Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On plays, Jack and Rose share their first kiss in a pose that has become iconic (Rose's arms outstretched, Jack behind her).

Cruel Intentions (1999) 

A scheming Kathryn teaches a naïve Cece how to kiss in the park in Roger Kumble’s drama Cruel Intentions.

Spider-Man (2002) 

In Sam Raimi's Spider-Man, the superhero aka Peter Parker and Mary-Jane kiss upside down in the rain.

City of God (2002) 

In the Brazilian action film City of God, directed by Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund, Angélica kisses Buscapé’s cheek as they sit chatting on the beach.

The Notebook (2004) 

In Nick Cassavetes' romantic drama The Notebook, Allie and Noah finally come together in the pelting rain. 

Brokeback Mountain (2005) 

When Jack returns to see Ennis, now married in Ang Lee’s Western drama Brokeback Mountain, they kiss with an intensity that oozes fear and passion.

La La Land (2016)

Imaginatively back in the same restaurant where Mia first saw Sebastian, he doesn't walk past her after talking to his boss. Instead, he kisses her passionately in Damien Chazelle's acclaimed musical love story La La Land.

Challengers (2024) 

In Luca Guadagnino's sport drama Challengers, Tashi, Patrick and Art share a steamy triple kiss in a hotel room.