From the earliest days of movies, on-screen kisses have carried the power to truly move audiences (or at times, stun them). These smooches have sparked controversy, defied censorship, and reflected changing social attitudes about love, race, gender, and desire. Whether a quick peck or a full-on, passionate lip lock, a single kiss has said more about its era than an entire script. These moments pushed boundaries, and some redefined what romance could look like.
Some kisses went far beyond serving the story; they changed cinema itself. These kisses influenced how filmmakers and audiences understood romance. The most iconic ones broke taboos and introduced new levels of intimacy. Here are eight on-screen kisses that left a permanent mark on film history.
Island in the Sun (1957)
Directed by Robert Rossen, 1957’s “Island in the Sun” depicts a tale of violence, politics, and inequity on the fictional island of Santa Marta. While it isn’t the most memorable film, it produced the first interracial kiss in cinema history between actors Joan Fontaine and Harry Belafonte.
Wings (1927)
Depicting something of a love triangle between a woman and two pilots, William A. Wellman and Harry d’Abbadie d’Arrast’s “Wings” became the first silent film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. It also became the first film in history to depict a kiss shared by two men, actors Richard Arlen and Charles Rogers.
The Kiss (1887)
Though it’s next to impossible to find clips of the film online (the picture above is taken from one of his other films), Eadweard Muybridge’s 1887 short film “The Kiss” remains a landmark of cinema. Muybridge helped revolutionize cinema through the use of a zoopraxiscope, a primitive technique of presenting photographs in quick succession. Not only did his short show the first smooch on camera, but it also depicted the first kiss between two women. That’s pretty revolutionary for the 19th century.
From Here to Eternity (1953)
While some kisses were movie-firsts, no kiss is as memorable as the one in “From Here to Eternity.” Depicted in stark black and white, actors Deborah Kerr and Burt Lancaster share a kiss while they lie amidst incoming ocean waves. Kerr’s character says, “No one ever kissed me the way you do.” Indeed, it became such an iconic embrace that it was recreated in movies like “Shrek.”
Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Upon its release in June 1955, “Lady and the Tramp” became one of Disney’s biggest hits. It depicted a love story between two dogs from very different backgrounds. It also produced one of the most iconic kisses in history, with the pups sharing a string of spaghetti until they lock lips.
Sixteen Candles (1984)
John Hughes made his name with classic teenage movies, but 1984’s Sixteen Candles remains his most beloved. It tells the story of the romance between a popular upperclassman and a quirky girl. The kiss the characters share over her birthday cake became iconic and cemented Hughes’ reputation for charming, intimate teenage rom-coms.
Spider-Man (2002)
The most iconic kiss of the 21st century comes from Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man.” In the film, Kirsten Dunst’s character shares a rainy kiss with an upside-down Spider-Man (Tobey McGuire). While it became an instant classic and won the 2003 MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss, it was reportedly a challenging shot to accomplish.
The Godfather Part II (1974)
“I know it was you, Fredo.” Thus kicks off one of the most memorable kisses in cinema history from “The Godfather Part II.” Unlike the other moments on this list, this kiss is not romantic. Instead, it evokes the “kiss of death” from Al Pacino’s character to his brother after realizing his brother’s betrayal.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.