We all cried when Jack died, we all obsess over Mr. Darcy’s hand flex, and we all wish for someone to look at us the same way Noah looks at Allie. Why? Because we all love romance. The characters and their relationships make us fall in love with love and with their romance. Here are my top 10 on-screen couples.
Amy Santiago and Jake Peralta – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is a cop sitcom about a group of NYPD detectives. They solve crimes while pranking, competing and laughing with each other. Amy and Jake start off as rival detectives: they spend the first season competing for who has the highest amount of felony arrests. Their constant bickering makes them such a realistic and relatable couple. I just love watching them solve crime together and be just a regular couple.
Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy – “The Amazing Spider-Man”
The amount of chemistry these two had was nuclear. They’re both so awkward and nervous around each other, it’s endearing. Peter leads a double life and Gwen supports both of them so much, she believed in him more than anyone. And she was just as smart as he was, if not smarter, which I love. I love that she’s just as capable of fighting bad guys and that Peter is willing to follow her across the world to support her dreams.
Such a heartbreaking end, though.
Monica Geller and Chandler Bing – “Friends”
My favorite thing about Monica and Chandler is that they’re friends first and foremost. Even after they’re married, they still joke around with each other as they did when they were just friends. Even in the early seasons of “Friends”, we saw how great of a match they are for each other. Throughout their relationship, they both grow and mature: Monica learns not to be too much of a control freak and Chandler overcomes his fear of commitment. In my opinion, they are the best couple in the show.
Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy – “Pride and Prejudice”
The hand flex. Need I say more?
Lizzie Bennet and Mr. Darcy are the perfect enemies-to-lovers love story. Their mutual distaste (though I think it was just Darcy’s social awkwardness that made him rude in the first place) makes them constantly think about each other. Constantly thinking about each other plus Lizzie’s impromptu tour at his mansion equals an ardent love confession at dawn.
Raymond Holt and Kevin Cozner – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Another “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” couple, but I can’t not mention Holt and Kevin. Their seriousness and emotional detachment make it seem like they’re miserable, but they match each other’s energy, they get each other’s humor, and they honestly steal the show with their corgi Cheddar. Holt and Kevin are made for each other. I have nothing more to add.
Hazel Grace Lancaster and Agustus Waters – “The Fault In Our Stars”
Both the movie and the book brought me to tears. Their little infinity gave them the understanding and comfort they both needed but couldn’t find anywhere else. Life dealt them a crappy hand, but they made the best of it, together. And I don’t know about you, but Gus completely won me over when he read Hazel’s favorite book.
Mia Dolan and Sebastian Wilder – “La La Land”
We first see Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling’s chemistry in “Crazy, Stupid Love”, but in “La La Land”, it’s tenfold. The way they dance together and sing together, and support each other makes them an amazing couple. Seb encourages Mia to keep going to auditions and leads her to the role that sets her career as an actress. And Mia pushes Seb to play the music he loves and open his dream jazz club. Their dreams came true but, sadly, they took them on different paths.
Gabby Holland and Travis Shaw – “The Choice”
This isn’t Nicholas Sparks’ most famous novel/movie, but it is one of my favorites.
Gabby and Travis are neighbors, and they do not start off on good terms. Travis plays his music too loud and Grabby’s too uptight. The perfect combination, no? Nonetheless, it works for them. Ever the playboy, Travis does everything he can to charm Gabby into his arms but she’s not having any of it — which drives him crazy. I like that she doesn’t fall for him right away, it makes it all the more better and romantic when they do end up with each other.
Elena Alvarez and Syd – “One Day At A Time”
I relate so much to the Alvarez family in “One Day at a Time”. They’re like any Latinx family, and Elena is hilariously and unapologetically herself throughout the show. And Syd is her perfect match, her syd-nificant other. They’re quirky and funny, but also smart and insightful. Syd embraces Elena’s drive and enthusiasm, especially when it comes to social justice.
Mary and Tim Lake – “About Time”
Tim Lake from the 2013 film “About Time” is an awkward guy who uses his time-traveling gift to meet and fall in love with his wife, Mary. What I love about them is how normal they are. He’s a lawyer and she’s a reader for a publisher, living in London and creating a life together. They fall in love so simply and so sweetly. They create a home together and portray just how great and satisfying a happy life can be, especially when you share it with someone you love.
Everyone is different. Everyone loves different. All these couples are different, but the one thing they have in common is the love they share. On-screen couples show us how love can come in many shapes and sizes, how love is never just one thing. Being in a relationship isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, and these couples portray love’s ability to overcome obstacles and adversity.