The 17 Most Persuasive Movie Couples in Cinematic History

      In celebration of the reunion of Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal at the Oscars on Sunday, we present our compilation of the 17 most compelling movie couples ever.

      **Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca**

      Image Credit: Warner Bros.

      Even though the conclusion of Casablanca is well-known, the audience still wishes for a different outcome, regardless of the passage of time. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman set the benchmark for cinematic couples.

      **George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez in Out of Sight**

      Image Credit: C/O

      “Hold on,” we can hear your protest. “Can George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez really compare to Casablanca?” Yes, they can — they are among the most believable couples in film history. The interaction between “Gary” and “Celeste” at the bar on that snowy Detroit night is as intoxicating as the bourbon they share in this excellent 1998 crime thriller.

      **Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in Titanic**

      Image Credit: C/O

      The rich girl, poor boy dynamic may not have been original, but Titanic elevated this classic trope to new heights and devastating lows, transforming a tale about a fateful ship into a commentary on class disparity, elitism, and the imbalance of wealth.

      Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet approached their roles with remarkable grace and skill, and it was their chemistry that, more than the film's impressive scale and visual effects, contributed to Titanic’s status as one of the highest-grossing films ever. They diversified their portrayal of couples by also depicting a sorrowful married pair losing their zest for life in Reservation Road, released a little over ten years following Titanic.

      **Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in The Empire Strikes Back**

      Image Credit: C/O

      The two became a real-life secret couple during the filming of the first Star Wars, despite Harrison Ford being married and significantly older. (Ford was 33 while Fisher was just 19 during their affair.)

      They infused the unresolved tension of their past relationship into a passionate galactic dilemma that makes The Empire Strikes Back the finest story in the Star Wars franchise. Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back in 1980 and went on to write and direct Body Heat the following year, excelled at creating electric dialogue between couples.

      **Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung in In the Mood for Love**

      Image Credit: C/O

      In the Mood for Love is one of the most visually stunning films we've encountered, partly due to the palpable sense of yearning portrayed by its leads. Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung portray neighbors who discover their spouses are having an affair with one another. Though heartbroken — and irresistibly drawn to each other — they strive to avoid descending to the level of betrayal.

      **Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman**

      Image Credit: C/O

      Nothing about this film should be effective — the premise is quite unappealing — yet Richard Gere and Julia Roberts are both irresistibly charismatic, making this mismatched love story a total delight for date nights.

      They may well be the most memorable couple from the '90s.

      **Cary Elwes and Robin Wright in The Princess Bride**

      Image Credit: C/O

      At the time of The Princess Bride's release, Cary Elwes and Robin Wright were relatively unknown, yet they made audiences believe in true love as Wesley and Buttercup. Their exchanges of commands and “as you wish” are more passionate than the dialogue found in a thousand lesser films.

      They became a cherished movie couple due to their witty banter throughout Wesley's adventures, from the sea journey to the fire swamp, and even beyond her wedding and his death. (Rest assured, everything turns out alright.)

      **Warren Beatty and Annette Benning in Bugsy**

      Image Credit: C/O

      The meaning behind Virginia's (Annette Benning) line to Bugsy (Warren Beatty), “Why don't you go outside and jerk yourself a soda?” remains a mystery. But the tension only escalates from there. Their chemistry was undeniably real, leading to their marriage in 1992, which has lasted ever since.

      Some may argue in favor of Bonnie and Clyde as a couple, but after rewatching it, one might find that Clyde lacks romantic dynamism compared to Virginia and Bugsy.

      **Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon in The Apartment**

      Image Credit: C/O

      Shirley MacLaine, Warren Beatty's sister, also knows the allure of on-screen chemistry: it’s easy to understand why Bud (Jack Lemmon) would risk his job for the chance to be with the charming yet troubled Fran in the classic 1960 film The Apartment, which remains remarkably engaging today.

      There’s a reason The Apartment, like two other films on this list, is featured in our selection of Old Movies That Are Still a Joy to Watch. Bud and