Cinematic Sweethearts: The Most Memorable Moments In Rom-Com History

Love lifts us up where we belong.

Photos: Everett Collection, NETFLIX ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps

Say Anything: The Boombox Scene 
Is there any scene more synonymous with adolescent heartache than young John Cusack earnestly blasting Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" out of a boombox in the hopes of recapturing the heart of Diane Court? There's no better example of the visceral, ineffable feeling of young love. If you've ever given someone your heart only to receive a pen in return, you know exactly how Lloyd Dobler feels during this classic cinematic moment. - Josh Sorokach
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The Big Sick: 'An Accurate Heckle'
There is so much to love about Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon's true tale of love-turned-rom-com, but the first time Emily (Zoe Kazan) and Kumail meet is one for the books. After she 'woo-hoo's him during his stand-up set, he approaches her at the bar, where the two start playfully bantering almost immediately. There's nothing quite like watching real sparks fly during a first encounter (and knowing there's a real-life happy ending). - Jade Budowski
Where to stream The Big Sick

Everett Collection

Heath Ledger Singing In 10 Things I Hate About You 
Anyone who's ever watched Heath Ledger enthusiastically belt out Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" has been ruined for all other romantic gestures. The rakish bad boy not only eluded security, but he also hired the freaking march band to help him serenade Julia Stiles in this memorable scene from 10 Things I Hate About You. - JS
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Breakfast at Tiffany's: Moon River
If ever there were an iconic rain kiss, it's this one, perhaps the rain kiss to end all rain kisses. After Holly (Audrey Hepburn) is released from jail and finds Paul (George Peppard) waiting for her, the two take a cab, and Paul declares his love for her. This initially doesn't sit very well with the headstrong Holly, but after chasing down her cat in the rain and being stunned by a certain ring, she embraces Paul for a truly epic makeout set to "Moon River". (We will NEVER get over the way he looks at her.) - JB
Where to stream Breakfast at Tiffany's

Everett Collection

Adam Sandler's Musical Declaration of Love in The Wedding Singer 
Burgeoning romantics take note: If you're going to declare your undying love via song, it helps to have an assist from rock legend Billy Idol. How good is The Wedding Singer? Not only is the romantic chemistry between Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore off the charts, but Robbie's "Grow Old With You" is a legitimately incredible song. This classic scene is a fun mix of humor and heart. You'll laugh as Billy Idol helps to thwart Glenn's attempt at sabotage and cry at the sheer joy on Julia's face as she slowly realizes the song is meant for her. It's a perfect rom-com moment. - JS
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Bridget Jones' Diary: 'Nice Boys Don't Kiss Like That'
Oh yes, they fucking do. We still hold our breath every time poor Bridget (Renee Zellweger) chase after dreamy Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) in her underwear and trainers through the snow to apologize for her smack-talking diary entry, and we still swoon every time Mark reveals the new diary for their fresh start. The sexy f-bomb from our upstanding leading man combined with some Van Morrison? That's just the cherry on top. - JB
Where to stream Bridget Jones' Diary

Miramax

Hitch: 'There's Only One Person Who Makes Me Feel Like I Can Fly' 
Hitch is great movie, and if you don't agree, you're dead wrong. DEAD. WRONG. Will Smith and Eva Mendes portray two romantic realists whose icy hearts are finally thawed when they realize that, 'whoops, they're in love' in this under-appreciated 2005 classic. That's right, classic. The final scene between Hitch and Sara is magic -- "There's only one person who makes me feel like I can fly" -- but Kevin James yelling "Love is your job!" at Will Smith is one of the most unintentionally funny scenes in this or any other world. - JS
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Photo: Everett Collection

When Harry Met Sally: It Had To Be You
When Harry Met Sally is pretty much the gold standard as far as rom-coms go (I mean, come on - that deli scene!), but its New Year's Eve ending takes hold of your heart every single time. Between Harry's damn perfect monologue ("I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich") and Sally's tears, it makes you wonder why any other rom-coms bothered trying afterwards. There's no touching the Nora Ephron/Meg Ryan team-up. - JB
Where to stream When Harry Met Sally

Everett Collection

Just Friends: 'I Wanna Make Babies With You' 
You might be saying to yourself, "Wait, what? Just Friends? Really!? You think Just Friends includes one of the most memorable moments in rom-com history?" You better believe it, buster! Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart are charm personified in this grossly under-seen rom-com delight. Not only is it legitimately funny, but it's almost painstakingly relatable. Chris Brander's dramatic New Year's Eve declaration of love scored to Rogue Wave's tender single "Eyes" is a sweet capper to a fun flick. - JS
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The Love Actually Sign Confessional
Whether or not Love Actually holds up in its entirety is up for debate, but it's damn near impossible to get through a single holiday season without some reference to the signs that Mark (Andrew Lincoln) presents to his best friend's wife Juliet (Keira Knightley) to confess his secret feelings for her. It might be slightly questionable morally, but who wouldn't fall for some corny cue cards on Christmas Eve? - JB
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Everett Collection

Jerry Maguire: 'You Had Me At Hello' 
"You had me at hello" and "You complete me" are two of the most recognizable lines of dialogue in movie history. From the pen of feelings guru Cameron Crowe, Jerry Maguire is one of those films you stumble across at 2:00 p.m. on a random Saturday and only plan to watch until the commercial break. We all know the end to that story. Between Jerry Maguire and the Bridget Jones franchise, Zellweger has cemented herself as one of the true queens of the rom-com genre. - JS
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Everett Collection

An Empire Ending In Sleepless in Seattle
If you'd have pitched me a rom-com where the leads don't meet until the end, I probably would have said you were crazy. By the power of Ephron, though, (and a little Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks magic), our two leads finally meet atop the Empire State Building after many a hijinx, and there isn't even a grand, dramatic. As soon as Sam offers his hand and they share a knowing glance, there's really nothing else to say. I dare you not to cry at that score. They don't make 'em like this anymore, folks. - JB
Where to stream Sleepless in Seattle

Everett Collection

The Graduate: Elaine! 
Often spoofed but never duplicated, Benjamin Braddock's impetuous wedding day romantic heist is an all-timer. What makes this classic scene so much better than the rest is the realistic ending. After the rush of adrenaline wears off, Benjamin and Elaine are basically like, "Wow. So that really happened. Now what?" Now what, indeed. The film ends with the two facing an uncertain future. - JS
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Notting Hill: 'Just A Girl'
Hugh Grant is at peak floppy-haired '90s romantic lead in this one, making it all the more heart-melting when movie star Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) comes to his bookshop to tearily tell him "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her" and he lets her leave. We eventually get our happy ending, but watching Roberts so stripped down after putting on such a front for the entire movie is a gut punch with every viewing. (And how many times has "I'm just a girl..." been parodied? It's a classic.) - JB
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Everett Collection

The Ikea Date in (500) Days of Summer 
Fun fact: 85% of all couple fights originate in Ikea. But Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt turn a source of acrimony into a whimsical afternoon in (500) Days of Summer. The charming duo memorably acted out their fantasy home life during a trip to the furniture store and, against all odds, didn't get into one single argument about kitchen tiles or proper bookshelf construction. That is love. - JS
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Photo: HBO Go

Pretty Woman: 'She Rescues Him Right Back'
There so many moments in Pretty Woman that stick out (the unscripted box snap in particular), but it's the totally theatrical ending that has stuck in our minds. Who wouldn't go weak at the knees if a wavy-haired Richard Gere came to your fire escape, flowers in hand? (Definitely not me. That man is a certified DILF). - JB
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Touchstone Pictures

The Notebook: 'It Wasn't Over For Me' 
I hate rain, but even I'll admit that it makes for some pretty damn romantic moments. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams' passionate lip lock is one of the most iconic images in rom-com history. It wasn't over for them and it still isn't over for us... mostly because The Notebook is always on television. - JS
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Silver Linings Playbook: 'I Knew It The Minute I Met You'
The J-Law/B-Coops electric chemistry first found its footing in this offbeat rom-com (and Lawrence earned her first Oscar for her performance!). After what feels like ages of will-they-wont-they, Pat finally comes to his senses, chases Tiffany down, and confesses his love via letter. The ensuing 360-view of their impassioned kissing is almost too much to handle. - JB
Where to stream Silver Linings Playbook

The Weinstein Company

The Proposal: 'Marry Me... Because I'd Like To Date You' 
I for one am a big fan of the Ryan Reynolds rom-com era. From 2005 to 2009, the future Deadpool was money when it came to the combination of both rom and com: Definitely Maybe, Just Friends, The Proposal, Green Lantern (kidding). The Proposal is a gift, sure, but rewatching this film makes us wish Reynolds and Bullock would reteam for a new cinematic adventure. - JS
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Photo: Everett Collection

You've Got Mail: 'I Wanted It To Be You'
It's hard to harken for a day when dial-up was the norm and AOL was king, but You've Got Mail makes it seem like the ideal way to fall in love. Ephron, Hanks, and Ryan do it again here, bringing Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox together in Riverside Park while "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" swells (and so do our hearts). It's almost impossible not to become overwhelmed with emotion when Kathleen discovers the true identity behind her online soulmate and he wipes away her tears: "Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry." You've Got Mail is a perfect movie, and I will hear no arguments. There's even a dog pulling on them as they embrace in the final moments! - JB
Where to stream You've Got Mail

Everett Collection