From The Notebook to Titanic to Gilmore Girls and so much more, we’ve been inspired by the most iconic on-screen couples who desperately make us believe in the magic of love. Time and time again, these couples have made us weak in the knees, in no way that online dating ever could. Together, we’ve laughed and cried with each character and their love roller coaster – but it’s been so worth it. To honor these couples and their everlasting love, we decided to put together a list of all our favorite on-screen couples – the ones that people will never forget as they all secretly hold a special place in all our hearts. **Tissues at the ready!**
Jim and Pam – The Office
If you thought that we would start this list with any other couple then you are seriously mistaken. Without a shadow of a doubt, Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly give some unrealistic relationship goals, and actually that’s still true to this day. After years of knowing looks, air high-fives, and witty pranks, we are all team PB&J forever.
Noah and Allie – The Notebook
“If you’re a bird, I’m a bird,” – one of the greatest phrases born from a film. Not only is The Notebook one of the most romantic films of all time, but Noah and Allie are basically the perfect couple. (Yes, we understand our list is filled with plenty of perfect couples but come on now, Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling are basically perfect). Actually, you know what? That about sums it up!
Joe and Kathleen – You’ve Got Mail
Now here’s a couple that practically invented online dating. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan had already stolen hearts in their 1993 rom-com Sleepless in Seattle and boy, did they deliver once more in You’ve Got Mail. So thanks, Joe and Kathleen, for showing us that sometimes online romance is far easier than real-life ones.
Derek and Meredith – Grey’s Anatomy
“Pick me. Choose me. Love me.” Ugh, we will NEVER EVER get over MerDer. What began as a drunken, one night stand developed into a strong, loving partnership. And come on, who could forget that elevator proposal and their wedding on a post it?! Derek and Meredith should have had a lifetime together, they SHOULD have grown old together, but in Shondaland, the carousal never stops turning. **Forever sobbing.**
Marshall and Lily – How I Met Your Mother
Marsh-mallow and Lily-pad didn’t need online dating – from the moment they first met, they knew it was true love. Jason Segal and Alyson Hannigan brought us two characters who are basically the epitome of #RelationshipGoals. Just the way that Marshall and Lily show their love for each other is enough to melt our hearts ten times over. It’s adorable, cheesy, messy, and real – it’s relatable for every single one of us.
Luke and Lorelai – Gilmore Girls
Ready for some heart strings to get pulled? “Where you lead, we will follow”, Luke and Lorelai, because from season one, episode one, we were all heavily invested in your love story. The slow-growing romantic relationship between Luke Danes and Lorelai Gilmore was one that showed fans just why these two crazy kids belonged together. From the dance at Liz’s wedding, to the painting of Luke’s diner, the kiss at the Dragonfly Inn, and that spontaneous diner proposal; we are forever invested in your happily ever after.
Chuck and Blair – Gossip Girl
Granted there was a lot of online action on this show but when it comes to Chuck and Blair, online dating isn’t one of them. And as far as dysfunctional, love-hate relationships go, Chuck and Blair enraptured audiences everywhere. Despite all the drama, Chair are everything we could hope to be, and if that wasn’t enough then we leave you with this: “Three words, eight letters…say it and I’m yours.” ~Swoon.~
Jack and Rose – Titanic
Granted, Rose had plenty of room on that door to share but let’s not get boggled down on the little things. Titanic brought us one of the greatest, yet saddest, love stories that ever lived. And before we start ugly crying, we’ll just say that their emotional love story coupled with laughter and encouragement is breathtaking. “If you jump, I jump,” while not practical, we can totally understand their wild desire for one another.
Kate and Sawyer – Lost
Come on now, Sawyer was always the grinning bad-boy while Kate was always the heroine with a secret. Their spicy love-hate relationship had audiences gripped scene after scene. And while to most of us, Kate and Sawyer will always be star-crossed lovers, they have definitely earned a spot on our list.
Carrie and Mr. Big – Sex and the City
Even if you’re never watched the show, surely you’ve heard about the epic love story of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth). Undoubtedly their 10+ year world-wind romance always left fans with a nail-biting experience. Questions like would these love birds ever wind up together or are the obstacles in the way just too strong could overwhelm even the most devoted of fans. And if you weren’t Team Big, well you just couldn’t ignore that they had some of the most magical moments together.
Baby and Johnny – Dirty Dancing
Stop right now if you think that Baby and Johnny are nothing more than a summer fling, cause we’re here to tell you otherwise. Naive, college bound Jennifer Grey and the blue-collar dance instructor Patrick Swayze have what it takes to live happily ever after. Not only do they connect because of their differences but they admire each other because of them. After all, they don’t say that opposites attract for nothing.
Leo and Piper – Charmed
Look, Movie Pilot said it best when summarizing the relationship between Leo and Piper, “They’d [the writers] captured lightning in a bottle because the chemistry was nothing short of electric.” Sure, Charmed was filled with girl power, sisterly love, brilliant sarcasm, and some seriously wicked butt kicking, but it was Leo and Piper’s love that made fans keep coming back for more.
Eric and Tami – Friday Night Lights
Just about everyone thinks that Eric and Tami are the greatest on-screen couple to EVER exist. Some even claim that Eric and Tami have basically ruined all other relationships for us. Whether or not this is all true is up to each of us to decide, but in any case, it’s pretty much on the ball. Their head-over-heels love, unwavering support, and openness effectively makes them our favorite #RelationshipGoals couple.
Joey and Pacey – Dawson’s Creek
From their meet-cute to their first kiss to their grand gestures to breakups and hookups; Joey and Pacey repeatedly broke our hearts. But in a good way. When the final season came round, we FINALLY watched these two get their act together. See, Joey admitted that her heart belongs to Pacey and always has. So yes, the season finale ends with a happily ever after for these two!
Monica and Chandler – Friends
Let’s be real, Monica and Chandler are the definition of endgame. For those of you who don’t know what that means – basically, it’s an on-screen couple loved by all and who will always, no matter what, get their happily ever after. Better yet, Monica and Chandler’s entire relationship was built on a perfect foundation: friendship. And if that’s not endgame then we don’t know what is.
Seth and Summer – The O.C.
Ahem, Captain Oats and Princess Sparkle forever, folks. Ryan and Marissa may have started off as the ultimate O.C. couple but really, it’s all about Seth and Summer. All their bickering just reaffirmed that these two were forever meant to be.
Fran and Maxwell – The Nanny
If you looked up “romantic tension” in the dictionary, there would be a photo of “Miss Fine” and “Mr. Sheffield” right next to it. Eventually these two got hitched and even had twins! So you see, folks, true love does exist. Even if it takes time.
Harry and Sally – When Harry Met Sally
“I’ll have what she’s having.” As in their love! Come on now, get your head out of the gutter. Moving along, it’s fair to say that When Harry Met Sally is the best romantic comedy of all time. Why? That whole “love declaration” scene was the epitome of relationship goals before relationship goals were even a thing. **Cue mic drop.**
Westley and Buttercup – The Princess Bride
“As you wish.” That line is enough to make every single woman on the face of this Earth swoon as her knees buckle. It might be a reach but practically every girl was in love with Westley, before even knowing what love was! While their relationship was a bit childish, it was after all, a love that has never left our hearts and minds. Despite all its cringy-ness.
Nathan and Haley – One Tree Hill
My heart is seriously destroyed right now. Nathan and Haley will always be the One Tree Hill couple who were clearly meant to be together…always and forever. While their relationship surely had a number of ups and downs, we all knew deep down that the bad-boy jock turned good guy and the tutor girl with a killer voice would always wind up together in the end. Always and forever, that is.