A recent study was conducted which revealed the most popular movie kiss scenes from a whole range of iconic cinema moments.
A recent study by Emisil identified the most popular movie kiss scenes based on current public interest, measured through various factors, including Google search volume, IMDb ratings, and box office success.
Using Google search volume as a primary ranking factor with IMDB ratings providing extra context along with box office revenue numbers to gauge commercial reach there was a nice spectrum of data to analyse as a result.
Each movie was also categorized by genre, and its kiss scene was described to highlight its iconic status.
A total of 53 movies were analyzed, with those having incomplete data being excluded, ensuring the final ranking accurately reflects the public’s ongoing engagement with these memorable movie moments.
From these 53 movies, we have a definitive Top 10 Movie Kiss scenes list which goes as follows:
1. Spider-Man
Spider-Man takes the top spot with the infamous upside-down kiss between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.
This iconic scene alone garners 50.7 million Google searches and still has search interest more than 20 years after the film’s initial release.
The movie also has a strong IMDb rating of 8.2 and significant box office success at $821.7 million.
It wasn’t all roses though for poor Tobey Maguire as he once said in an interview that the scene was physically suffocating him with numerous breaths needing to be taken. He once said: “It makes you realise how important oxygen is!”
2. La La Land
Coming in second with 21.5 million Google searches is La La Land as its kiss scene during the planetarium sequence left a long-lasting impression.
With an IMDb rating of 8.0 and box office earnings of $447.4 million, La La Land balances critical glory and commercial appeal.
3. Brokeback Mountain
15.2 million people searched for that iconic kiss between Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as one of the more defining moments in cinema portraying an LGBTQ+ relationship.
With an IMDb rating of 7.7 and box office earnings of $178 million, this film resonates deeply with audiences.
4. 500 Days of Summer
Marc Webb’s 500 Days of Summer came in fourth place as this 2005 movie garnered 14.6 million Google searches for a kiss between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel. Despite the lowest box office revenue on the list at $60.7 million, the strong IMDB ratings resonated with its audience.
5. Titanic
A classic kiss between Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet gained 14.5 million searches and despite being the second most successful movie in this entire list the kiss scene ranks lower in terms of current search interest staying smack bang in the middle!
This is another kiss in this list that didn’t quite go to plan as Kate Winslett said that Leo couldn’t stop laughing during the takes and they had to re-shoot the scene about four times because of the lighting and to add insult on top of injury they had to keep having makeup retouches after the kiss every single time.
The reason for the make-up touches was that Leo had to lay on sun beds and was also wearing a lot of fake tan makeup whilst Kate’s skin was pale in comparison so she referred to the aftermath of the kiss as ‘looking as though I had been sucking on a caramel chocolate bar!’
6. Call Me By Your Name
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Call Me By Your Name and the passionate kiss between Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer attracted 13.7 million searches.
With a modest box office total of $42,1 million a strong IMDB score keeps it afloat in this Top 10 most popular movie kiss scenes list.
7. Pride and Prejudice
Keira Knightly and Matthew Mcfadyen gained 8.6 million searches for their kiss in this adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel. Scooping a box office revenue of $121.6 million and a strong IMDB score of 7.8.
8. Pretty Woman
Pretty Woman ranks eighth with 7.9 million Google searches, driven by the iconic kiss between Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. As a classic romantic comedy and the oldest one on the list, its IMDb rating of 7.1 and box office revenue of $178.5 million reflects its continued popularity.
I have a soft spot for Pretty Woman (the film, just to clarify), an absolute classic regardless of a well-searched smooch!
9. Spider-Man: No Way Home
Seeing a real-life couple kiss in a movie is always a weird one for fans to wrap their heads around as real-life and fiction blurs.
Directed by Jon Watts. With 7.3 million searches for its kiss scene, it showcases the ongoing popularity of the Spider-Man franchise. With an IMDb rating of 8.2 and the largest box office total of $1.92 billion on the list, this recent entry proves that superhero films can deliver memorable romantic moments.
10. Fifty Shades of Grey
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the kiss scene in this film is not the reason why this film is being searched so much (6.6 million Google searches to be exact).
But let me just pretend the general public is as innocent as they come and the kiss scene between Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan is the reason why people are searching for this saucy little number!
A spokesperson from Emisil commented on the study:
Iconic movie kiss scenes have captivated public interest far beyond their original release, with Google search data showing how these moments continue to resonate with audiences. Even years later, the emotional power of these kisses often outshines a movie’s box office success or critical reception. These unforgettable kisses have become cultural touchpoints, proving that a single scene can keep a film relevant and beloved long after it leaves theaters.
What disappointed me about this particular top 10 is the fact that Love Actually and The Holiday kiss scenes didn’t make the Top 10, these are two scenes iconically sealed in kisstory!
