The 15 Most Persuasive Couples in Movies

      In celebration of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal's reunion for the Oscars this Sunday, we present our selection of the 17 most believable movie couples in cinematic history.

      Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca

      Credit: Warner Bros.

      You may already know how Casablanca concludes, yet you still find yourself hoping for an alternate ending, regardless of how much time passes. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman epitomize the ideal onscreen duo.

      George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight

      Credit: C/O

      “Wait,” we hear you interjecting. “Can George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez truly follow Casablanca?” Yes, they certainly can — they rank among the most persuasive couples in film history. The interaction between “Gary” and “Celeste” in the bar during that snowy night in Detroit is as intoxicating as the solitary bourbon they share in this exceptional 1998 crime thriller.

      Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic

      Credit: C/O

      The dynamic of a rich girl and a poor boy isn't novel, but Titanic elevated this classic theme to extreme heights and devastating lows, transforming a tale of a doomed ship into a critique of social class, elitism, and the disparity between the rich and the poor.

      Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet delivered their performances with remarkable poise and skill; their chemistry, even more than the film’s breathtaking scope and visual effects, contributed to Titanic becoming one of the highest-grossing films ever. They even portrayed a couple facing a passionless marriage in Reservation Road, released just over ten years after Titanic.

      Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in The Empire Strikes Back

      Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Credit: C/O

      During the making of the first Star Wars, they became a real-life secret couple, despite Harrison Ford being married and significantly older. (At the time, Ford was 33 while Carrie Fisher was 19.)

      They infused the palpable tension from their past relationship into a fervent will-they-or-won’t-they conflict that solidifies The Empire Strikes Back as the ultimate Star Wars narrative. Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote the 1980 film and later penned and directed Body Heat, has a genuine talent for crafting exciting dialogue between couples.

      Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung in In the Mood for Love

      Credit: C/O

      In the Mood for Love is an exceptionally beautiful film, in part due to the elusive, dreamlike melancholy portrayed by its leads. Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung depict neighbors who discover their spouses are cheating with one another. Although heartbroken and irresistibly attracted to each other’s charm, they strive to rise above the deceit of their partners.

      Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman

      Credit: C/O

      Nothing about this film should succeed — the premise is quite unappealing — yet Richard Gere and Julia Roberts possess such immense charisma that they turn this love story between a sex worker and her client into a delightful date-night film.

      They are arguably the most enduring movie couple of the '90s.

      Cary Elwes and Robin Wright in The Princess Bride

      Credit: C/O

      Cary Elwes and Robin Wright were relatively unknown when The Princess Bride premiered, yet they made audiences believe in true love as farm boy Wesley and future princess Buttercup. Their exchanges, especially commands followed by “as you wish,” are more passionate than the dialogues of countless lesser films.

      Their witty banter made them one of the most cherished movie couples, enduring through Wesley's adventures at sea, the fire swamp, and even after her wedding and his demise. (Don’t worry, everything turns out well in the end.)

      Warren Beatty and Annette Benning in Bugsy

      Credit: C/O

      The meaning behind Virginia’s (Annette Benning) remark to Bugsy (Warren Beatty), “Why don’t you go outside and jerk yourself a soda?” remains elusive — but it only gets more dynamic from there. The palpable chemistry was genuine, as Beatty and Benning married in 1992 and have stayed together since.

      We understand if some of you are thinking, “Bugsy? Not Bonnie and Clyde?” However, upon rewatching Bonnie and Clyde, it's clear that Clyde wasn't particularly romantic. In comparison, Virginia and Bugsy make for a far more electrifying cinematic couple.

      Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon in The Apartment

      Credit: C/O

      Like her brother Warren Beatty, Shirley MacLaine is no stranger to onscreen chemistry: It's evident how much Bud (Jack Lemmon) would risk everything to be with the adorable, troubled Fran in the 1960 classic The Apartment, a film that remains impressively relevant today.

      There’s a reason The Apartment, along with two other selections on this list, has earned its