We all love a good kiss. Makes the world seem a better place, gives us a nice lift if we're down, and makes us feel truly loved. Movies know this, and they like to show this wonderful aspect of human interaction (which is a bit weird when you actually think about what you're doing) to make you go "Awwww" in the middle of the cinema. Or push the narrative forward and stuff like that. So, whether it's a tender embrace, a passionate liplock, or an ironic tongue-lashing done for comedy effect... these are the 50 best kisses in movies.
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
The Kissers: Too numerous to list.
The Kisses: A snogathon montage assembled from all the kisses which the patrons of Cinema Paradiso didn’t get to see, because the priest of Giancaldo had censored the movies.
Passion Or Romance: Both – this is cinema.
Top Gun (1986)
The Kissers: Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Charli (Kelly McGillis).
The Kiss: On the back of Maverick's bike, at the end of the military base's runway. Charli leans over to Maverick and whispers a line from the previous scene where the pair are hanging out with Goose and his wife in a bar. "Maverick, you big stud. Take me to bed or lose me forever." The rest is some hot tongue-heavy (perhaps too tongue-heavy) action.
Passion Or Romance: More passion than you can shake a stick at. A stick made of sexy pants, whipped cream, and the sweat off Cruise's naked torso in the volleyball scene.
A Room With A View (1986)
The Kissers: Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) and George Emerson (Julian Sands).
The Kiss: George makes an impetuous assault on Lucy’s lips in a wheat field.
Passion Or Romance: Somebody call the chaperone! This sort of thing isn’t supposed to happen.
Wild Things (1998)
The Kissers: Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards) and Suze Toller (Neve Campbell).
The Kiss: Shameless, gratuitous lesbian moment in a swimming pool, not that we’re complaining.
Passion Or Romance: It’s all part of a very elaborate con, but surely there’s a bit of genuine passion in there, too?
From Russia With Love (1963)
The Kissers: James Bond (Sean Connery) and Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi).
The Kiss: A woman lying in Bond’s bed, waiting for him and complaining her mouth is too big. “No, it’s the right size. For me, that is.” Even for 007, this is working fast.
Passion Or Romance: Bond’s so horny he doesn’t realise he’s being set up – and secretly filmed! – by SPECTRE.
William Shakespeares Romeo + Juliet (1996)
The Kissers: Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet (Claire Danes).
The Kiss: A joyful tumble from balcony to swimming pool after a fancy dress ball, with both still dressed in their highly symbolic costumes. He’s a knight, she’s an angel.
Passion Or Romance: Seriously, you need to ask? You didn’t learn about these star cross’d lovers in school?
My Girl (1991)
The Kissers: Thomas J. Sennett (Macauley Culkin) Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky).
The Kiss: First love, as these kids have to practice kissing their arms before attempting the real thing, and even then still with their eyes closed.
Passion Or Romance: Romance, of course. Anything else would be weird.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
The Kissers: Sam Baker (Molly Ringwald) and Jake Ryan (Michael Schoeffling)
The Kiss: After a disastrous 16th birthday, in which her family forget about her and Ted The Geek stalks her, Sam is given a cake – and a kiss – by the boy of her dreams.
Passion Or Romance: Presumably all girls dream of their 16th birthday being this romantic. Seldom few are.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
The Kissers: Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana)
The Kiss: The pair are talking on an observation platform on Knowhere, when Star-Lord busts out the romantic music (Fooled Around And Fell In Love by Elvin Bishop), and moves in for the kiss. Only this one ends in a blade at his throat, as Gamora refuses to fall for his charms.
Passion Or Romance: It's romantic as hell, right up to the point where Gamora puts her blade on Quill's neck.
Pretty Woman (1990)
The Kissers: Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) and Vivian (Julia Roberts).
The Kiss: A modern-day fairytale needs a modern-day castle, so Edward has to clamber up the fire exit to reach prostitute Vivian’s room.
Passion Or Romance: Romance, provided you can ignore the fact Edward had been paying for it up until now.
