Who doesn't love love [1]? There's just something so incredibly satisfying about seeing characters finally do something about their simmering romantic tension and share a big, swoon-worthy kiss [2]! This year isn't even over yet, and we've already seen quite a few passionate, sweet, and just plain steamy lip-locks in our favourite TV shows and movies. Whether you're more into weepy, epic romances, torrid tales [3], or a little bit of both, there's definitely a passionate makeout scene on this list that will make your heart race.
The secret to a truly great kissing scene? It's all about finding the perfect balance between sentimental and sexy. Keep reading to see our picks for the best makeout scenes of the year, and see if your favourites made the cut!
Shadow and Bone
Let's face it, there's a reason bad boys have a sexy reputation. Case in point: this scene in Shadow and Bone [4] where Alina shares a vulnerable moment with General Kirigan that quickly turns into a full-on makeout session. Alas, the whole "actually a semi-immortal villain" thing kills the mood pretty quickly.
Watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix [5].
A Discovery of Witches
Matthew and Diana, the vampire and the witch at the heart of this fantasy drama, have a relationship that constantly crackles with electricity. Their wedding episode, though, really elevates the romance of the show to the next level, as the scene cuts seamlessly from a sweet dance in public to one very sexy wedding night.
Watch A Discovery of Witches on AMC [6].
To All the Boys: Always and Forever
The third and final To All the Boys movie bids farewell to Lara Jean and Peter and sends them off to college, but not before one more romance-novel-worthy scene! After finally figuring out the things that were keeping them apart, the duo reconnect at Lara Jean's father's wedding, then decide to take their relationship to the next level. It's a sweet, intimate moment that perfectly captures all the feelings of first love.
Watch To All the Boys: Always and Forever on Netflix [7].
Elite
So many of Elite's romances are steeped in intense melodrama that it can be hard for any of the couples to just have time to breathe. That's why we love this lip-lock between Rebeka and Mencía, who go through the wringer with the latest crimes and coverups. For this moment, they can just be in love, which makes this scene such a standout.
Watch Elite on Netflix [8].
The Last Letter From Your Lover
This romance movie features several heart-stopping moments between two sets of lovers whose stories intersect. After tension builds between journalist Ellie and archivist Rory, they finally give in to their feelings in an emotional, passionate scene that marks a turning point for both of them. Bonus points for nailing the kiss-in-the-rain trope later in the movie!
Watch The Last Letter From Your Lover on Netflix [9].
Station 19
The Grey's Anatomy [10] universe continues its grand tradition of hooking up in all the wrong places with this Station 19 kiss! Travis admits his lingering feelings for Emmett, and although he's initially rebuffed, Emmett just can't let him walk away, resulting in one very steamy kiss in one very unsexy location.
Watch Station 19 on Hulu [11].
Gossip Girl
The new Gossip Girl [12] does its best to live up to the steamy shenanigans of the original series. So far, the show's most intriguing dynamic is between established couple Aki and Audrey and their pal Max, whom they're both attracted to. After individual hookups and flirtations, the three finally decide to explore their dynamic together after an intimate dinner.
Watch Gossip Girl on HBO Max [13].
Younger
Before there was the polarizing Younger finale, there was the penultimate episode, which features the kind of kiss that feels pulled straight out of a classic rom-com. Liza summons up the courage to walk away from Charles forever and accept that he'd rather be with Quinn. Charles has other plans, though, and runs out of the airport to sweep Liza up in one seriously epic smooch.
Watch Younger on Paramount+ [14].
Riverdale
Riverdale [15] is always good for a wacky, trope-tastic time filled with lots of drama and messy, sexy romance. After plenty of hints and teases that a Betty/Archie hookup was in the making, the longtime pals finally hook up in a steamy (literally) shower scene.
Watch Riverdale on Netflix [16].
Love, Victor
Hulu's coming-of-age dramedy picked up in season two with Benji and Victor navigating their new relationship, with all its ups and downs. Throughout the season, they're constantly figuring out the next steps in their relationship, which eventually leads to a very sweet, slightly awkward first time that feels just right for these characters at this time.
Watch Love, Victor on Hulu [17].
Roswell, New Mexico
The Roswell reboot has never been one to shy away from passion and romance! This season, Maria gets to blow off some steam with the season's sexiest scene. After Maria escapes a near-death experience, she and Greg take their sweet flirtation to the next level with a fireside hookup.
Watch Roswell, New Mexico on Netflix [18].
Monday
The entire premise of this movie is that the two main characters, Mickey and Chloe, have an intense, lust-at-first-sight connection that plays out in scene after steamy scene. There's something particularly memorable about this vividly lit lip-lock that really captures the intensity and daydream-like quality of their relationship.
Watch Monday on Amazon Prime [19].
The World to Come
There's always something sexy about forbidden love, and this frontier romance has it in spades! When Tallie and her husband move into the farm next door to where Abigail lives with her own husband, the two women form a close friendship that soon turns into a passionate love affair. Stealing moments where they can — out in the fields or against a kitchen wall — is the only way they can be together.
Watch The World to Come on Hulu [20].
New Amsterdam
At the end of season three of this medical drama, "Sharpwin" shippers were both delighted and frustrated by Helen and Max's long-awaited first kiss . . . which is promptly cut off by a door closing. The season four premiere, however, had no such subtlety, as we pick up on the other side of that closed door, where Helen is getting a very specific kind of "tour" of Max's apartment!
Watch New Amsterdam on NBC [21].
Wynonna Earp
"WayHaught," aka Waverly Earp and Nicole Haught, have been the fan-favourite relationship in Wynonna Earp for years. It's only fitting, then, that the final season devotes plenty of time to the duo's relationship. As satisfying as their series-ending nuptials are, there's something extra epic about their just-out-of-danger kiss in the penultimate episode.
Watch Wynonna Earp on Netflix [22].
Station 19
The smooch between Maya and Carina at their long-awaited wedding isn't even the best part of the scene. What makes it so special is knowing everything they've gone through to get to this perfectly imperfect moment, and, surrounded by their loved ones, they're finally able to share a moment of pure, unbridled joy.
Watch Station 19 on Hulu [23].
Lucifer
Lucifer and Chloe have come a long way over the show's six seasons. It might not be their most epic or steamiest moment, but the tenderness and intimacy they share in the final season's premiere is just perfect for where they are at that moment. Who wouldn't love a kiss like that?
Watch Lucifer on Netflix [24].
Roswell, New Mexico
Michael and Alex have never had a problem with intense passion in their relationship — it's always been the communication that holds them back. That's what makes this scene work so well: It starts with a very honest, sweet conversation establishing that they're in it for the long haul this time. It's only then that it moves on to one very romantic kiss (and, a little later, a glimpse of one very steamy moment on the couch!).
Watch Roswell, New Mexico on Netflix [25].