Sometimes, couples have so much on-screen chemistry that you need to Google to make sure they’re not actually high school sweethearts, married in a field of sunflowers, with three kids on the way. Some TV and film couples just radiate insatiable chemistry — the kind you share with your 2 a.m. drunken kebab.
We’re looking back at the best chemistry in TV and film this year. From characters who probably shouldn’t have had that much chemistry (and maybe needed a little more with their intended love interests — you know who you are), to couples who made us weep into our pillows at night, we’ve got it all. From chick flicks to comedy, and everything in between, here’s the best on-screen chemistry of 2025. Then it’s back to swiping on dating apps and replying to those “You up?” texts.
Best on-screen chemistry in films
Ivy and Theo, The Roses
It’s fascinating that a film centred on a failed marriage and an attempted divorce could hold this much chemistry. But as they say, the opposite of love isn’t hatred — it’s indifference. When your leads are Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch, playing Ivy and Theo, indifference was never on the table. The sizzle of a very real relationship was practically guaranteed.
There’s something ferocious about love-hate dynamics — a truth too many of us have learned via the dangerous allure of hate sex. And you just know these two had it good… well, until they very much didn’t.
The Creature and Elizabeth, Frankenstein
If we’re being rational, there shouldn’t be much chemistry between a near-dead monster who can only speak one word and a woman engaged to his creator’s brother. And yet — here we are. Lady Elizabeth Harlander (Mia Goth) and the Creature (Jacob Elordi) had utterly insatiable chemistry in their few shared scenes. We were fully prepared for him to tear through the many, many layers of her dresses on the spot.
When they were torn apart by Frankenstein (boo), we felt genuinely bereft. Though, to be fair, it would be difficult not to have on-screen chemistry with Jacob Elordi.
Bjørn and Sister Liesl, The Phoenician Scheme
Two things we wouldn’t usually associate with on-screen chemistry: nuns and Michael Cera. But when we’re wrong, we’re wrong — and this time, besties, we’re very wrong. Wes Anderson is known for symmetrical visuals, deadpan humour, and pastel colour palettes, not exactly sizzling romantic tension. And yet, Sister Liesl (Mia Threapleton) and Bjørn Lund (Michael Cera) completely defy logic. Against all odds (and several vows), they manage to make us swoon.
William Shakespeare and Agnes, Hamnet
There was truly no chance Hamnet wouldn’t end up on this list. Mix Chloé Zhao’s direction with Maggie O’Farrell’s writing, add two phenomenal actors, and throw in the historical drama of a literary legacy, and you’ve got chemistry galore. The largely fictionalised story explores the marriage between Anne Hathaway (named Agnes Hathaway in the novel and film to avoid confusion with the actor) and William Shakespeare, and how the devastating death of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet, fractures — and reshapes — their relationship, later inspiring Hamlet.
Hathaway (Jessie Buckley) and Shakespeare (Paul Mescal) share the kind of raw chemistry that makes your chest ache. It’s tragic, devastating chemistry — but chemistry nonetheless.
Annie and Smoke, Sinners
In a horror film that received the highest critical ratings in 35 years, according to CinemaScore, one couple’s chemistry cut through the terror and bloodshed. Who can resist lovers torn apart by greed? Annie (Wunmi Mosaku) and Smoke (Michael B. Jordan) deliver all the yearning. He visits her after years apart, saying: “You gonna make me say it? It still hurts coming back here… but I love you. And I miss you.” Cue the sobbing.
Nasha and Mickey, Mickey 17
This science-fiction black comedy, written, produced, and directed by Bong Joon Ho, proves that romance has a place in any genre. Mickey 17 (Robert Pattinson) has serious chemistry with Nasha (Naomi Ackie) — and so does Mickey 18 (also played by Pattinson). Yes, he’s playing multiple versions of himself, and they’re all lowkey lusting after the same girl.
Despite the dystopian chaos, this couple leaves us hopeful. We can’t help but hang on to their every word and touch. We need a happy ending in a world designed to destroy him.
Bridget Jones and Roxster, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy
Now things might get a little controversial — we’ve reached a classic love triangle, but really, who’d expect anything different from Bridget Jones? For the first time, there’s no Mark Darcy in the running (sob), and the love triangle isn’t much of a choice. Bridget (Renée Zellweger) flirts with young Roxster (Leo Woodall) — twice — before turning her attention to her son’s teacher, Scott (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
And while we’d swoon for the science teacher, Bridget had undeniable chemistry with her boy toy. Those wedding dancing scenes? The giggling undressing of their first romp in the sheets? The way their gazes kept snagging on one another? Give us a break! Maybe if we’d seen more of Bridget and the teacher, they could’ve earned a spot on this list too, but alas.
Lionel and David, The History of Sound
Let’s hear it for the boys! In this period romance drama, we have Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David White (Josh O’Connor). In classic queer movie fashion, it’s utterly heartbreaking — the kind of heartbreak that leaves you ugly sobbing for hours, questioning if you’ll ever love anyone enough to be hurt this badly.
Set in the aftermath of World War I and underscored by haunting folk music, it’s a tragic love story full of lingering gazes, forbidden touches, and limbs tangled in sheets.
Noa and Evie, Film Club
2025 was truly the year of yearning, and Film Club captured it beautifully. We especially loved how this on-screen chemistry showed that attraction can look different for neurodiverse people. Evie (Aimee Lou Wood), an agoraphobic film enthusiast, creates themed movie nights in her garden shed with her best friend Noa (Nabhaan Rizwan), where DIY costumes, film quotes, and quiet rituals become the backdrop for their deep, unspoken romantic feelings.
Romy and Samuel, Babygirl
The film that divided cinemas — and couples. One partner might leave feeling flushed and strangely titillated, while the other exits with a mild sense of disgust and shame. Honestly? That’s the mark of a good film: it provoked feeling, whatever that feeling happened to be.
In Babygirl, Nicole Kidman plays Romy, a powerful CEO who risks everything by entering a passionate affair with her much younger intern (Harris Dickinson), jeopardising both her career and family. The chemistry between them is razor-sharp, driven by fraught power dynamics, dominance, and degradation — uncomfortable, intoxicating, and impossible to ignore.
Superman and Lois Lane, Superman
A tale as old as time: Superman (David Corenswet) and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan). Who can resist a smart-talking journalist and her hunky superhero? Not us. This updated version leans heavier on politics and lighter on literal swooping, but the chemistry still crackles. Lois is feisty, fearless, and more than capable of putting her big man in his place — and you can tell Superman is completely smitten with her intelligence. Hot.
Joan and Larry, Eternity
When it comes to love triangles, there’s always a pairing that screams on-screen chemistry — sometimes it doesn’t serve the plot (cough, Past Lives), and other times it’s everything we could’ve hoped for. In Eternity, Joan (Elizabeth Olsen) dies and must choose between her first love, Luke (Callum Turner), who died young and has waited all this time for her, and her husband Larry (Miles Teller). It’s a tale of “what if?” and endlessly fascinating to watch how Joan is different with each love, and how differently they love her. But the warmth, comfort, and undeniable chemistry between Joan and Larry shines through — even to them.
Elphaba and Glinda, Wicked: For Good
Let’s be real: who didn’t see this one coming? Both films felt like Glinda (Ariana Grande) and Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) lusting after each other from start to finish. Perhaps we were meant to feel torn by the love triangle between the two besties and Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey)… but frankly, we didn’t care all that much.
In Wicked: For Good, we watched Glinda and Fiyero nearly get married, only for Fiyero and Elphaba to hook up roughly five minutes later in that ratty sex cardigan — and yet, somehow, neither moment did much for us. But that final rendition of “For Good,” with them sobbing and touching the door separating them? We have been changed. Possibly not for the better, but changed nonetheless.
This chemistry extended to the press tour and beyond.
Best on-screen chemistry in series
Ilya and Shane, Heated Rivalry
If you’d told us the entire internet would become obsessed with two hockey players, we would have laughed ourselves silly. And yet, Shane (Hudson Williams) and Ilya (Connor Storrie) delivered some of the hottest on-screen chemistry of 2025. Their on-ice feud quickly turns into a secret, passionate romance — the kind of chemistry that silences a room and makes it feel like no one else exists. It’s captured perfectly in a Montreal nightclub, to the soundtrack of “All The Things She Said,” as the pair slip away without a word. More queer hockey romances like Heated Rivalry, please!
Robby and Dana, The Pitt
Look, we never said the best on-screen chemistry of 2025 had to be romantic — though we are, obviously, desperately hoping it becomes so. Along with the rest of the internet, we devoured The Pitt, which follows the chaos of a Pittsburgh ER. Robby (Noah Wyle) is a senior doctor, while Dana (Katherine LaNasa) leads the nursing staff. Both in positions of power, they clash often, but also show up for each other through personal trauma and relentless workplace drama. Even in disagreement, there’s deep respect, trust, and something charged simmering beneath the surface. Season 2, don’t be shy.
Kitty and Min-ho, Xo Kitty
Who can resist enemies-to-friends-but-secretly-in-love? Not us. Kitty (Anna Cathcart) and Min-ho (Sang Heon Lee) are the ultimate posterchildren for the miscommunication trope. We swooned when he finally confessed his love at the end of Season 1 — only for Season 2 to remind us they were still nowhere near resolved. He was dating someone new — ugh, Stella! Okay, fine, she was exploring her sexuality — love that for her. But seriously, we need Min-ho and Kitty to sort it out in Season 3 of XO Kitty, because we cannot handle the stolen glances, the lip bites, and all that tender fury any longer.
Siaja and Kuuk, North of North
North of North didn’t get nearly the attention it deserves, and we’re desperate to fix that. This CBC/Netflix Arctic drama follows Siaja (Anna Lambe) on a journey of self-discovery in a small, insular community. She leaves behind what’s expected of her — including her loser husband — and demands more from life. Along the way, Kuuk becomes her confidant and hesitant love interest.
It’s messy, yes, but the way he encourages Siaja to embrace her authentic, weird, unpredictable self is so touching. Wrapped up against the cold, their connection is mostly stolen glances and lingering words — though we’ll be the ones needing an icy shower after that kiss.
Sydney and Carmy, The Bear
It’s pretty obvious that Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Claire (Molly Gordon) aren’t making this list — we’re not haters, but we know all of you are eye-rolling already. Still, it’s impossible to deny the sizzling chemistry between Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) and Carmy — pun very much intended, and expect plenty more of it. Throughout The Bear, Carmy has always treated Syd with respect and intrigue, and it genuinely feels like they understand each other better than anyone else ever could. No matter how full the kitchen gets, they see only each other. They are each other’s north point, and the chemistry ignites again and again.
Steven and Taylor, The Summer I Turned Pretty
While our attention was supposed to be on the love triangle at the centre of The Summer I Turned Pretty, we couldn’t take our eyes off Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Taylor (Rain Spencer) in every scene. When he marched in and told her to keep only her skirt on? We melted. They were a force of nature, a gravity that pulled them toward each other in every room. Hot and fierce, passionate and tender — the movie better be packed with more of their scenes.
Belly and Conrad, The Summer I Turned Pretty
Don’t worry, we’re including Conrad’s on-screen chemistry too. The love that had a nation glued to their TVs every Wednesday. Pretending Belly might marry Jeremiah? Impossible — their chemistry was like plain water. But Belly and Conrad? Bunsen burners, fizzing test tubes, explosions, fireworks — the chemistry was off the charts. When she slowly bit into that juicy peach, and he watched with his mouth hanging open? When he wiped the side of her mouth with his white T-shirt? When they danced in Paris? Oui oui, le chemistry!
Benny and Miles, Overcompensating
We all know how Season 1 of Overcompensating ended, but let’s stay delulu and focus on the overwhelming, overpowering, over-the-top chemistry between Benny (Benito Skinner) and Miles (Rish Shah). It’s giving friends-who-want-to-be-naked, repressed sexuality, miscommunication… and oh, the yearning. When they showed up in matching Lewis and Clarke costumes, sneaking glances across the crowded party — hey Alexa, play “Party 4 U.” We’re obsessed with the tension between these two, and we have a feeling it’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better in Season 2.
Kate and Hal, The Diplomat
Season 3 of The Diplomat did not disappoint, especially when it came to the simmering chemistry between career diplomat Kate Wyler (Keri Russell) and her charismatic, political husband Hal Wyler (Rufus Sewell). The power dynamics are delicious: Hal struggles to escape her shadow, while Kate chooses power over love. Even when they’re no longer together, the pull between them is undeniable. It’s a touch toxic, but we can’t resist them any more than they can.
Ned and Mare, The Paper
Okay, is this high-key a rip-off of Pam and Jim? Yes. Are we still eating it up and begging for seconds? Absolutely. Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) and Mare (Chelsea Frei) have shy flirting down to an art — longing glances across the office, sly innuendos, the whole package. Things almost derail when Ned is mistakenly told Mare is asexual — spoiler: she wants to get sexual with him. When their first kiss finally happens, they tackle it with journalistic integrity, smooching “for research purposes.” And Ned’s simple, stunned “oh, shit” says it all.
Brian and Ellen, Outlander: Blood of My Blood
Oh, you know we had to include our favourite Brian and Ellen — Outlander: Blood of My Blood made the list. Brian Fraser (Jamie Roy) and Ellen MacKenzie (Harriet Slater) are the central, fated couple in this Outlander prequel. Their journey is packed with intense romance, danger, clan politics, and oh, so much passion. We know they’re destined to end up together — they are ancestors to Jamie Fraser and Claire Beauchamp — but everything along the way is electric. From their secret first meeting to that hot-and-heavy scene during Beltane, the chemistry between them leaves us gasping for breath.
Alex and Spencer, 1923
Another prequel, another chance for ridiculously hot romance. This time, it’s Alex (Julia Schlaepfer) and Spencer (Brandon Sklenar), the star-crossed lovers of 1923, a Yellowstone prequel. The British aristocrat and the American adventurer — why does it feel like the “Wildest Dreams” music video come to life? A whirlwind romance, a spontaneous elopement, a shipwreck-induced separation, and so much more. Their love burns hotter than a prairie fire, and honestly, we don’t know how they ever keep their clothes on around each other.
Ellie and Dina, The Last of Us
Zombies, but make it sapphic. There’s something heartbreakingly pure about friends-to-lovers, especially in a queer love story. It’s more than shared history or common interests — it’s about trusting someone enough to embrace a beautiful corner of your identity. For once, the lesbian relationship isn’t a source of trauma; it’s a source of healing. Yes, a happy, healthy romance between two characters — and we love to see it! Together, Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Dina (Isabela Merced) can conquer anything in The Last Of Us.
Ed and Adam, Prime Target
Who says love stories can’t thrive in conspiracy thrillers, where people are constantly almost dying? Maybe it’s the stakes, or the ever-present threat of danger, but the on-screen chemistry in this series is electric. To Ed (Leo Woodall), his boyfriend Adam (Fra Fee) is grounding — a connection to normal life outside the spy chaos. He’s the emotional anchor in a ridiculously high-stakes plot, and the pull between them is undeniable. Honestly, at this point, we’d love to see someone Woodall doesn’t have chemistry with — because wow.
