Romance between characters is nearly guaranteed in TV and movies. It seems inevitable that strangers will develop feelings for each other after a dramatic meeting. A great film or TV show builds romantic tension until the grand kiss. These scenes are usually pre-planned, but some legendary onscreen kisses were unplanned. Many actors have kissed their co-star unexpectedly, from Jurassic World and Top Gun to Game of Thrones and The Office. Amazingly, the director kept these kisses that were never supposed to happen in the final cut. Share these unforgettable movie scenes with friends on social media!
Unscripted Onscreen Kisses Originally Not Meant To Happen
‘Jurassic World’
The 2015 film Jurassic World revitalized the franchise that Steven Spielberg brought to life in 1993. Bringing back some classic concepts and introducing then-rising action star Chris Pratt to the series alongside Bryce Dallas Howard, the Universal Studios film was a huge success. Part of this was due to Pratt and Howard’s strained friendship. During the film’s finale, Pratt famously kisses Howard, surprising her. According to director Colin Trevorrow, the kiss was never in the script, and the only person he instructed to perform it was Pratt himself. During one take, Pratt moves in to kiss Howard. Her reaction is exactly what was utilized in the final version of the movie.
‘Jurassic World’
‘Lost in Translation’
Lost in Translation is one of those films that you don’t exactly understand, but it works, leaving you with many questions about life and society. Bob (Bill Murray), an aging Hollywood celebrity, is in Japan filming ads for a Japanese whiskey firm. He meets a much younger college student, Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), and the two establish an unexpected friendship that culminates in a startling kiss. According to director Sofia Coppola, Murray improvised the kiss at the end of the film (as well as the indecipherable whisper into Johansson’s ear). Coppola claimed that numerous scenes in the film were designed to allow Murray to use his humor and charm. In the sushi bar where they first meet, the screenplay simply states, “Bob tries to make her laugh.” Murray’s actions were entirely spontaneous.
‘Lost In Translation’
‘Top Gun’
Top Gun is one of Hollywood icon Tom Cruise’s most beloved films. It’s also one of those films with a fantastic, albeit complicated, love story. During the scene where Maverick (Cruise) and Charlie (Kelly McGillis) eventually kiss, tensions rise until Maverick finally plants one on Charlie. If the kiss appears spontaneous, that’s because it was, and for a funny reason. During the moment, Charlie tells Maverick that she does not want anyone to know about her emotions for him. They are going back and forth until Cruise reaches out and kisses her passionately. According to on-set rumors, the quick kiss was not intended, and the dialogue was supposed to last for some time. However, Cruise reportedly forgot his lines and stretched out to kiss McGillis on the spur of the moment. The scenario worked brilliantly and was included in the final cut.
‘Top Gun’
‘Star Wars: Episode IX: The Last Jedi’
Star Wars has captivated fans for decades. Loved characters are iconic. Fans were nervous when Disney unveiled a new trilogy to conclude George Lucas’ 1977 Skywalker Saga. Ryan Johnson’s The Last Jedi is the most divisive of the three. Although the kiss in the movie was unintentional, it nevertheless connects with people regardless of their opinions. In the film’s climax, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) saves Leia and says goodbye. Hamill unexpectedly kisses Leia on the forehead before confronting the Last Order warriors. Johnson loved the moment, so they took several photos to be sure it was perfect. Hamill said the kiss was “momentous” since it was like saying goodbye to a lifelong friend. Fisher died before The Last Jedi was released, and Hamill says he can’t watch the moment because it’s too painful.
‘Star Wars Episode IX The Last Jedi’
‘Edge of Tomorrow’
Tom Cruise had two impromptu onscreen kisses, one in an unexpected film. In 2014’s Edge of Tomorrow, Cruise plays Major William Cage, who dies repeatedly in a bleak future. Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt), a Special Forces warrior, helps him break the temporal loop. The writers always planned to have Cruise and Blunt kiss, but it never happened, according to Christopher McQuarrie. Since it wasn’t crucial to the plot, they didn’t care. Blunt came up with her own idea throughout filming. The Mimics follow Cage and Vrataski as they try to reach the Omega in the thrilling finish. Cage and Vrataski plan how to win knowing they will die. Vrataski kisses Cage to thank him for getting her so far. Blunt kissed Cruise on a whim without rehearsing, reports say.
‘Edge Of Tomorrow’
‘American Hustle’
The critically acclaimed American Hustle stars superb actors to tell the story of two con artists forced by the FBI to conduct a sting operation against corrupt politicians. Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), his wife Roaslyn (Jennifer Lawrence), and Irving’s mistress Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) form a complex love triangle that drives the film. Rosalyn and Sydney aren’t the most likely to kiss in this film, although Amy Adams suggested it. Adams reportedly advised David O. Russell to have Rosalyn kiss Sydney during their fight. Russell was wary but fascinated. Lawrence kissed Adams precisely, laughing maniacally.
‘American Hustle’
‘Game of Thrones’
“It just seemed like something we should do.” That was the sentiment of Gemma Whelan, who played Yara Greyjoy on HBO’s Game of Thrones. She was referring to the kiss between Yara and Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) in Season 7 of the show. Many fans predicted that Yara and Ellaria would get acquainted before the moment, based on their previous interactions. Whelan said that their relationship was intended to be highly provocative but was never explicitly shown. “Then it became more,” Whelan explained, “because it seemed right.”
‘Game Of Thrones’
‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2’
The kiss between Effie Trinket (Emily Banks) and Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson) was not written into the script and was not even discussed among the actors. Harrelson told Entertainment Weekly that the kiss was inspired by a schoolgirl crush. During an interview for the film, Harrelson told EW that his own love for Banks prompted him to surprise her with a kiss onscreen. “I will not lie: I have a crush on Elizabeth Banks. I like her beauty, talent as an actress, and adore her personality. She had no idea I was about to do that, so I just kissed her.”
‘The Hunger Games Mockingjay – Part 2’
‘The Office’
amazing fans watch The Office over and again for its amazing scenes. The various scenes of Dunder Mifflin branch manager Michael Scott (Steve Carrell) doing something cringe-worthy to an employee are charming. Michael discovers Oscar (Oscar Nunez) is gay and leads the workplace in an acceptance intervention, which is perhaps the best. Michael tries to convince the others that Oscar’s sexuality is fine during the scene. Michael kisses Oscar after they embrace after some tension. We were meant to hug, but he kept hugging me. He got in close on that take, and I thought, ‘Where is he going with this?’ Nunez told The AV Club, “Oh, dear, yes.”
‘The Office’
‘Teen Wolf’
In the fan-favorite MTV series Teen Wolf, an early improvisation prompted the writers to entirely rethink the relationship between two of its main characters. In an early episode, Dylan O’Brien kisses actor Holland Roden on the cheek. The sequence was unplanned, but it produced a romantic spark between the two, and fans demanded more. And this is exactly what the writers did. Throughout multiple Teen Wolf seasons, they gradually developed the characters’ relationships. It all paid off several years later, when O’Brien and Roden finally allowed their true sentiments to be expressed.
‘Teen Wolf’
‘A Room With a View’
In A Room With a View, Lucy (Helena Bonham Carter) meets George (Julian Sands) in Florence around the turn of the twentieth century and falls in love. Carter’s breakthrough role, and at the age of 18, she had little real-life dating experience. Which made her onscreen kiss even more difficult. During one day of filming, the production crew informed Carter that Lucy and George will kiss. Carter has stated that the kiss was purely improvised. The film was a major critical success, demonstrating that even spontaneous ideas may lead to big accolades in film.
‘A Room With A View’
‘Stranger Things’
Part of the reason viewers adore Netflix’s Stranger Things is the great ensemble that brings the characters to life. And given that they are teens, it is unsurprising that emotions and young love will play a role in the show. That was the case for Max (Sadie Sink) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) in season two, and it ended with a kiss, albeit one that was not planned. Max gives Lucas a kiss at the Snow Ball Dance. The kiss had been discussed prior to filming, but they had initially decided against it. However, co-creator Ross Duffer observed how freaked out Sink was by the notion and, believing that discomfort would play well, decided to make the scene a reality. We’d think the kids did pretty well!
‘Stranger Things’
‘New Girl’
The ensemble of Fox’s New Girl surprised fans with an unexpected kiss halfway through its first season, which the production crew repeatedly tried to leave out. In “Injured,” Schmidt (Max Greenfield) kisses an injured Nick (Jake Johnson) on the mouth twice. When asked about the kiss, they admitted it was all improvised. When speaking with Ryan Seacrest on On Air, the performers confessed that the kiss was not put into the screenplay, but Greenfield performed it anyway. The crew didn’t appear to believe the kiss was acceptable, but Greenfield kissed Johnson in every take. The staff eventually succumbed and recognized it was the right decision.
‘New Girl’
‘ER’
While some iconic kiss scenes were unplanned and surprised everyone, there are also intense kissing sequences that were planned, fans were aware of their impending arrival, and nevertheless surprised everyone. One of them was in the critically regarded ER. Fans felt there was something special between Dr. Doug Ross (George Clooney) and Nurse Carol Hathaway (Juliana Marguiles). But when Clooney left the show, it appeared like this romance would never work out. When Marguiles eventually departed the show, the writers had Clooney return for one more episode, and fans finally got their happily-ever-after between the two.
‘ER’
‘The Good Wife’
Juliana Marguiles’ kiss in E.R. wasn’t her only surprise kiss for fans. Over a decade later, Marguiles was in another fan-favorite TV relationship, this time with Josh Charles, her co-star on The Good Wife. In the show, Marguiles’ character works for her former law school lover, Charles’ character. Fans waited for the elevator scene in the season two finale to witness the rekindling of old passions and their eventual embrace. The two years were well worth the wait.
‘The Good Wife’
‘Cheers’
Throughout the first season of Cheers, Sam (Ted Danson) and Diane (Shelley Long) have a strained and heated relationship. However, viewers were able to see through it and recognize the chemistry between the two. Long subsequently revealed that throughout casting and rehearsals, she and Danson had a strong connection. But their first kiss happened at an unexpected time. In the season one finale, the two appeared to be on the verge of becoming fierce foes. However, just as things were becoming wobbly, the two kissed passionately, leaving viewers roaring.
‘Cheers’
‘The X-Files’
The X-Files was one of the most popular 1990s shows. Two FBI agents, Fox (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson), are in charge of investigating strange and inexplicable supernatural phenomena. There is sexual tension between the two characters, although it is not developed on screen until a scene in season 7. While the show’s creator, Chris Carter, stated that he dislikes “will they, won’t they” stories, he surrendered in one episode at the end of the series. In an alternate dimension, Fox and Scully eventually kiss on New Year’s Eve, fulfilling fans’ long-held expectations. Years would pass before Fox and Scully would ultimately meet in the show’s usual continuity.
‘The X Files’
‘Frasier’
It is unusual for a spin-off to become more popular and highly acclaimed than the original, but that is exactly what occurred with Frasier after Cheers ended. One of Frasier’s longest-running plotlines was his brother Niles’ affection for Daphne. He falls in love with her in episode three, but it’s not until season seven that they ultimately embrace. Throughout the past seasons, Niles has kept his feelings for Daphne a secret, typically to great humorous effect. When Frasier unwittingly reveals Niles’ feelings, Daphne realizes she, too, loves him. It wasn’t long before fans received their major payoff, and the two began their romance.
‘Frasier’
‘The Mindy Project’
In many films and television shows, two individuals who are at odds end up falling in love with one other. Throughout the first two seasons of Fox’s The Mindy Project, this concept was perfectly realized. Mindy Kaling, the show’s creator, told a panel that the connection she had with actor Chris Messina was what inspired the relationship. “You can’t script chemistry,” Kaling explained. So, at the season two finale, fans were stunned when the two kissed, completely changing the course of the show.
‘The Mindy Project’
‘The West Wing’
The West Wing, which aired on NBC, is considered one of the greatest television dramas of all time. Much of this was due to Aaron Sorkin’s exceptional writing, as well as the excellent actors that brought the characters to life. Two of the cast members were Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford) and Donna (Janel Moloney), Josh’s assistant. The couple’s love for one other were evident from the beginning, but their relationship did not fully develop until season 7. Producers knew Josh and Donna had connection from the start of the series, but there was never a proper time to confess their feelings. But then, in season seven, it finally happened, giving fans what they had been hoping for for years. As Donna puts it, “It was bound to happen sometime.”
‘The West Wing’
‘Buffy: The Vampire Slayer’
The television adaptation of Buffy the Vampire Slayer differed significantly from the 1992 theatrical film, and for good cause. Joss Whedon, the film’s creator, famously departed the project after several revisions resulted in the picture having a very different tone than he had envisioned. When he brought the show to The WB, they allowed him have his way, which included a love story between the renowned vampire hunter and a vampire itself. Fans of the program knew vampire Spike (James Marsters) had a thing for Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) from the beginning, but Whedon brilliantly built the connection over six seasons, culminating in the iconic musical episode in which Buffy and Spike kiss at the finale. Fans had no idea what was coming.
‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’
‘Moonlighting’
Many people forget that Bruce Willis’ big break came on the small screen, in the television series Moonlighting. Willis featured alongside Cybil Shepherd in the series, and the two had a clear bond from the start. In the season three episode “I Am Curious… Maddie,” Willis and Shepherd’s characters finally consummate their love, which led to the show’s cancellation the following year, similar to other shows with sexual tension between the main characters. Fans lost interest once the characters became merchandise.
‘Moonlighting’
‘Interview With a Vampire’
Interview With the Vampire is one of the best vampire films of recent years, with an extraordinary cast of A-list actors. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt headline, but young Kirsten Dunst delivers a standout performance. The most talked-about scene was one between Dunst and Pitt. While most women (and some men) would kill for the opportunity to kiss Brad Pitt, a kiss between Dunst and Pitt in the film surprised many people. Dunst was only 11 years old at the time, and while the kiss isn’t necessarily sexual, it’s nonetheless unsettling. We can’t picture such a scene being filmed in the days following the #MeToo movement.
‘Interview With A Vampire’
‘Gilmore Girls’
Gilmore Girls is still adored by its core of devoted admirers, and it will be remembered as one of those shows that generations of people rediscover over and over. Throughout the first few seasons of the program, fans wondered when Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) would finally get together. The payoff came in season four, when the two lovers locked lips. Fans had been looking forward to it for a long time and were overjoyed when it finally happened. But the big stunner came when the pair finally split up. The writers hit viewers with a double whammy of astonishment in this connection.
‘Gilmore Girls’
‘Orange is the New Black’
When Netflix first started producing its own TV shows, few people expected a show about women in jail to be such a huge hit. However, the program defied expectations because to its highly engaging characters and the ensemble who brought them to life. The bond between Piper (Taylor Schilling) and Alex (Laura Prepon) was an appealing aspect. Through flashbacks, we learn that the two ladies were together a few years ago, and they reconcile in prison. Some fans may have anticipated it, but others were taken aback when the two ultimately reunited in the steamy chapel scene.
‘Orange Is The New Black’