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Love is in the air, on the television, and the mega screens of the many movie theaters in the world. These days, films are packed with fictional movie couples. If the chemistry between the characters and the leads is there, we are encouraged to invest our time to see how their relationship evolves. But, when the chemistry between the movie duos is not there, the whole movie can fall apart. Iconic movie couples are born from the chemistry they create and foster. So what makes this element so important and why is it found in the most famous movie couples on the screen?
Surely, the best movie couples can be found in the romantic genre movies. There, leading actors have to have that needed chemistry to portray romantic couples realistically and naturally. Romance movies and series are built on chemistry and without it, the whole storyline can turn into a fiasco. Chemistry also seeps into other genres. From superhero movies to action movies, couples from movies are remembered mostly for the chemistry they can transfer to us from the screens of the cinema.
No matter how good the actors are, sometimes the chemistry is just not there. Some fictional couples in movies work, while others don’t. And perhaps that’s the beauty of chemistry — you can’t force it. With the list below, take a look at how various actor duos just couldn’t quite force the chemistry between the characters they played. Upvote the couples who couldn’t convince you with their chemistry. Also, comment down below if you know of any more movie couples without chemistry!
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#1
Hayden Christensen And Natalie Portman (Star Wars: Episode II - Attack Of The Clones)
Anakin Skywalker might have hated sand, but the fans hated the relationship between him and Padme. The chemistry between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman was weak and unable to reach the stars in the eyes of the fans.
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
Oh yes, this One was bad..... But to be fair he is trying, her on the otherhand...
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
strong disagree on the idea of Natalie Portman "not trying." Really? She's one of the best female actors of her generation, she doesn't just phone it in... the issues with the roles weren't the acting, it was the script and the director. Lucas's dialogue is notoriously hokey, and he's well known as a director who doesn't like to do very many takes nor does he give his actors much direction when they are working. Lucas is great at filming action and at making beautiful picturesque shots, but scenes of characters simply talking usually fall below par, and romance is his weakest area as a filmmaker. Don't blame Natalie for things out of her control!
Load More Replies... Some rando dude 2 years ago
PT defender here. You guys know it's supposed to be awkward by design right? Anakin for the last ten years has been trained by the Jedi, who forbid attachments and feelings such as desire for another person as they fear it leads to the dark side, so Anakin is very much detached from his emotions. Padme has also been a child political figure since she was fourteen where she was queen of Naboo, and later served as Senator for her planet. She is also detached from her feelings. So, of course it's going to awkward and clunky. But that's the way it was designed to be. And those of us who grew up watching the PT and still adore it, it's enjoyable to watch.
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Eh. They were supposed to be young and awkward. I thought it was a fairly realistic portrayal of a teenage/very early adult romance.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I defend THE PHANTOM MENACE, I enjoyed it and I think it gets FAR too much hate (though it's FAR from perfect). But I have a harder time defending ATTACK OF THE CLONES and a big part was watching these two "fall in love." Admittedly I'm a STAR WARS: OT nerd. But they did SOOO much more with Han & Leia in far less time. I can enjoy ATTACK OF THE CLONES, it has some fun scenes. But I can put up with Jar Jar being annoying FAR MORE than watching these two "fall in love." But...that's just me.
Some rando dude 2 years ago
I mean, it was designed to be awkward. The benefit with Han and Leia was that Han was not in a formal position, like a General or a leader of sorts. He was just a smuggler. He also didnt have the problem of balancing his emotions verses the greater good. He just did what he wanted to. So, with him being more in touch with his emotions, of course it was going to be easier for them to fall in love. Han helped Leia become less ridged. With Anakin and Padme, they both have been raised and taught to be formal at all times. Anakin being raised by the Jedi since 10, and Padme being a political figure since she was fourteen, and the last time she had feelings for anyone was when she was twelve and had a crush. So of course it's going to seem awkward and difficult. And I am with you, TPM is GREAT! And I'm definitely in the minority when I say I actually like Jar Jar.
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Holly Stevens 2 years ago
It was such a reach, in the first movie he's a literal kid and like her little brother and she's a teenager and then suddenly there's a romance? It was such creepy older sister vibes and I didn't buy it for a second
Two_rolling_black_eyes 2 years ago
The concept they could fall in love was false to start with. A former Queen who ruled a planet and now is one of the biggest powers in the galaxy fighting for justice doesn't date a moody emotionally stunted teenager she witnessed commit genocide. Second, the dialogue was atrocious. Lawrence Olivier and Meryl Streep couldn't make it work. Lastly, the actors weren't Olivier and Streep.
Some rando dude 2 years ago
By design. Both people are detached from their emotions. Anakin has been training with the Jedi for ten years and they forbid feelings if desire and attachments. Padme has been a political figure since she was fourteen, with the last time she ever had feelings for someone was at the age of twelve and she had a crush. So of course it's going to be awkward. Also, the dialogue is inspiration from Shakespeare. The Jedi were inspired by religious Monks. So of course the duologue us gonna sound out if place instead if everyone talking informally. Also, Padme is a political figure, which is a formal position. Again, it's going to sound out of place because that's the way it's supposed to be.
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RELATED:
#2
Daniel Radcliffe And Bonnie Wright (Harry Potter)
Not all movies can perfectly adapt a book. In the last few movies of Harry Potter, mainly Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows, the chemistry between Daniel Radcliffe’s and Bonnie Wright’s characters was “invisible,” unlike in the books, where their relationship was loud and clear.
Kel_how 2 years ago
I think two things hindered this relationship in the movie: 1) they chose the actors when they were very young and Bonnie Wright just doesn't have Ginny's fiery spirit, and 2) the writers left Ginny out of most of the movies. She was a background character until all of a sudden she was Harry's love interest. It was much more natural in the books.
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Ginny does become more fiery in the later books. But it is still very much a case of a background character suddenly becoming the main character's love interest. She's not much more up front in the books than she is in the movies. Even in the last book she's barely there.
Load More Replies... TheNightOwl 2 years ago
Even in the books, their relationship came out of NOWHERE. (Yes, I was little when I read the series). The first hint I remember seeing for Harry liking Ginny came (for me) in the nineteen years later epilogue where they had already been married. The rest of the series was so well done, but ending up with Ginny just felt so random to me. It would have made more narrative sense for Harry to suddenly snap in the middle of the Battle of Hogwarts and proclaim his newfound love for Bellatrix. But Rowling even said later on that Harry should have ended up with Hermione, which I feel she had already laid the foundation for throughout the series.
Sonja 2 years ago
I always thought the only girl Harry had any form of chemistry with was Luna Lovegood XD seriously, she should have just let him be single. Hermione didn't fit. They didn't have attraction for each other. They didn't fit each other. I wasn't surprised to see her get together with Ron, and I can see how those two characters defied even Rowling's wishes. But there just wasn't the right person in the books for Harry, and that was ok. People usually don't marry their school crush anyway. No one needed that epilogue with the kids and Ginny. She could have just let it end with him being single and be done with it, leaving it to the fans imagination how it would go on later. But she was too obsessed with the books and the story and couldn't let go.
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Lil Potato 2 years ago
OMG YES. I say this all the time actually, they are awful together in the movies- but my favorites in the books!
Selina Kyle 2 years ago
People keep asking to choose between harry/hermione or harry/ginny. None of them fit. He should marry some random girl he met a while later. Rowling only needed a familiar character for him to marry.
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
I really wanted Harry and Hermione (sp) to get together. Harry getting with Rons sister just didnt make sense to me. ( I read all the books and saw the movies, still dont get it)
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Then again, they barely had time together in the books, so there wasn't much chemistry developed there either.
ljbeanfield 2 years ago
Honestly no relationship was done well in the movies and they were even a surprising pair in the books that I was never really a huge fan of
#3
Jennifer Lawrence And Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games)
In this movie, there was a hunger for games and for the chemistry between the main characters. Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson might have won The Hunger Games, but they couldn’t win the hearts of fans as a couple. When this chemistry couldn’t fill the hunger of the fans, at least the story did.
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago (edited)
Well, She was breaking ground as the 1st female action lead, só One can imagine the stress of that situation lol, She was só good that Sigourney Weaver was inspired by her in 1980s Alien, só did Linda Hamilton in the 1990s Terminator lol
Kyle Pierson 2 years ago
Idk about 'first', just off the top of my head I can think of Tomb Raider (I just visited one of the film sites in Cambodia, which is why I mention that particular film).
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An Unpopular Opinion. 2 years ago
I think so too. I never saw it. Gale wasn't exactly it either... the ending.. the ending was sweet though. I loved that. So I am content
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Maybe it's just me (and I honestly can't explain it very well) but while I enjoyed "Silver Linings Playbook" which won her an OSCAR, I DIDN'T feel much chemistry between her and Bradley Cooper. I enjoyed the movie, but it didn't WOW me, so I only say it once. The acting was good, really good, but OSCAR worthy? I guess that's subjective. I didn't feel much chemistry in THE HUNGER GAMES either. I'm not gonna address her resent "first female action lead" comment, but I would actually like to see what she could do with an action lead like "TERMINATOR" or "ALIEN" don't link her with a on screen love interest and let her kick @ss.
#4
Kristen Stewart And Robert Pattinson (Twilight)
Another relationship from Twilight that quickly disintegrates. Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattison, great actors, are emotionless romantics who talk slowly and are on the verge of falling asleep. Strangely enough, only one of them was supposed to be a vampire, but it seems both of them can perfectly capture the life of a vampire.
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
I thought she did good as Bella. (My ex was a huge fan, so i saw the movies several times). Edward did some creepy things, first he was like 130, didnt he watch her sleep? But i digress, I think Kristen was good as bella. To be fair, I was crushing on Kristen lol, fanboying
#5
Kit Harington And Emilia Clarke (Game Of Thrones)
Fictional relationships need to have a build-up so that we, the fans, can believe it. While Game Of Thrones overall lacked the build-up to the final, the main relationship of Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke's characters was forced at best, a total disaster at worst.
zak 2 years ago
He was a much better match with the red-headed Wildling woman, I forget her name though.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
Every single thing about GoT was "forced at best" starting in season five. As soon as the showrunners deviated from the novels they demonstrated that they didn't really know or care how to tell a compelling story. an adaptation can and sometimes should deviate from source material, but Game of Thrones is a perfect example of doing a really bad job at it. I seriously, honestly, non-cynically think that the one and only thing Benioff and Weiss cared about was surprising their audience; they neglected and ignored character development, foreshadowing, thematic development (one of them said "themes are for eighth grade book reports" in an INTERVIEW, demonstrating that he understands nothing about storytelling), entire plot points, established rules about the setting itself, geography, and input from their actors, for the sake of trying to be *unpredictable*, as if they got addicted to the dopamine hit from cheap clickbait articles like "YOULL NEVER GUESS WHO GOT KILLED THIS WEEK...!"
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
First rule of GoT We dont talk about the final season Second rule We really really dont talk about the final season Idk about the books, but this seemed forced and blander than cardboard
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Ugh. Then again, the whole last season and good chunks of the one before were genuinely terrible.
#6
Jessica Alba And Ioan Gruffudd (The Fantastic Four)
The Jessica Alba character was not the only one to be invisible in this movie. Her chemistry with co-star Ioan Gruffudd was barely visible and there was no flexibility available to be seen. While the movie might be fantastic, the relationship on the screen can be labeled as a solid four.
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
T'Mar, huh? Really? Who was he? (I was fanboying of J.A. lol)
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Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
"While the movie might be FANTASTIC...." ummm....not to be rude, but WHAT movie were you watching. To be polite, because all opinions are subjective, it's passable fluff AT BEST and it seems like Chris Evans is having fun in his "pre-Captain American" superhero role...but "FANTASTIC" this movie is NOT! sorry.
#7
Bryce Dallas Howard And Chris Pratt (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom)
Even in the old days of the dinosaurs, when there was no chemistry to be discovered, you just knew it instantly. In Jurassic World, the chemistry between the characters of Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt was barely there and only their good looks pushed their relationship forwards.
Lil Potato 2 years ago
yes! I think they are friends in real life so maybe that made it awkward or something?
Bloobee bloobee bloo bloo bloo 2 years ago
Yeah I definitely didn’t buy their relationship. Like, it seemed forced cuz that’s the way it works in movies
sturmwesen 2 years ago
I just watched them for the first time. They seemed like neighbours or siblings most of the time.
Holly Stevens 2 years ago
Thing is, in the first movie they were in, I was buying it because Pratt was kind of his goofy fun self and that paired well, but the newer ones Pratt is so full of himself, he spends most of the time acting like Zoolander and just posing for the camera
#8
Jason Momoa And Amber Heard (Aquaman)
Water is an important component of many chemical reactions, yet even Aquaman can’t dodge the bad chemistry with his partner. Jason Momoa and Amber Heard, the main actors in the movie, are unable to puncture the surface of the water with their poor chemistry.
RoanTheMad 2 years ago
I feel like this had nothing to do with Jason Momoa and his acting, and more to do amber heard having all the personality traits of a s**t smeared plank of wood.
Mabelbabel 2 years ago
Nothing whatsoever to do with Jason Momoa, he has plenty of chemistry with other actors. It's the fact that Amber Heard can't act, because she's such a narcissist she's incapable of pretending to be anything other than what she is.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I saw this BEFORE all the..well..court room controversy. A friend of mine took me to see this because he loved it. I thought it was fine, but it didn't WOW ME!! to be fair, SUPER-HERO OVERLOAD was starting to kick in, so THAT didn't help in my personal enjoyment. It was fine and I told my friend (who LOVED it) that I did enjoy it. I also said, I wasn't trying to be mean, but whoever played the female lead, she wasn't very good. She seemed wooden and it almost felt like she didn't even want to be in the movie. Even my friend agreed, he thought she was OKAY, bur the weakest part of the film. Also, it's just painful clear these two have ZERO CHEMISTRY!!! YIKES!!!!
Haley Futch 2 years ago
Amber Turd doesn't have chemistry with anyone. Unless it's causing corruption
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
J.M. can act, check out Stargate Atlantis. The lack of chemistry and off screen dislike over powered their scenes. For me it made the movie less spectacular than it should've been
#9
Adam Sandler And Salma Hayek (Grown-Ups)
As you grow up, you start to understand one thing — you can’t grow out of your childlike manners. Adam Sandler and Salma Hayek's characters act more like a new couple, where the relationship is based more on looks. They are funny and their timing is alright, but there is no way you can ship both of them as a couple.
Bloobee bloobee bloo bloo bloo 2 years ago
I don’t see him in any on screen relationships. It seems all the women are way out of his characters’ league
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Adam Sandler movies typically portray him paired with women who would never be interested in him in real life. Actually, that's very true of the comedy genre in general where the men are funny and the women are hot, never the other way around.
Rachel Ainsworth 2 years ago
To be fair, IRL when you look at other people's relationships from the outside you wonder why some of them are together. For example, all the AITA couples.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
...all other criticism of Sandler aside though (because I think some of his movies are excellent; Uncut Gems and Punch Drunk Love are stand-out, amazing performances within beautifully executed films), has anyone EVER seen him have actually good romantic chemistry in a movie? I mean GOOD, not just mediocre or acceptable. I can't think of an example.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I mean, it's Adam Sandler. I don't think chemistry is the main focus of the movies. It's just supposed to be ridiculous and make you laugh.
#10
Chris Evans And Emily Vancamp (Captain America: Civil War)
Hailing from different centuries, Captain America has left his chemistry set in the 1940s. While Chris Evans and Emily Vancamp's characters are powerful on their own, adding a lot to the story, their shot at creating a romantic relationship between them is just not visible on the screen and lacks that chemistry.
Lil Potato 2 years ago
I HATE HER SO MUCH. He belongs with Peggy!!! I know they end up together, but I hated every moment with Emily, she's the worst!
#11
Henry Cavill And Amy Adams (Man Of Steel)
Even Superman is not safe from poor chemistry. While the movie itself is good and well-reviewed, the chemistry between the two leads, Henry Cavill and Amy Adams, is barely there and it just proves that looks alone can’t carry a relationship.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I have to be fair and admit I only saw BATMAN vs SUPERMAN (and...hated it, sorry) but while I LOVE, LOVE Amy Adams, she was miscast. Even though I didn't enjoy the movie and her character was poorly written, she simply didn't fit as Lois Lane.
Cool_Alien 2 years ago
And they didn't give her much to do in BvS except be rescued by Superman. That subplot of Lois investigating Superman being set up for some killings or whatever made no sense, and she was just basically the damsel in distress.
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Royal Stray 2 years ago
She was honestly a weird choice for Lois Lane and her dialogue just felt wrong
Michael McDonnell 2 years ago
She has none of the elements that other actresses brought to the character, if were to ask me who Lois should've ideally Rachel McAdams.
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Amy Moore 2 years ago
Henry Cavill has much more chemistry with his Man from Uncle co-star, Alicia Vikander.
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
These movies just fundamentally don't understand Superman/Clark Kent at all. There is no way they were going to make a romance between Clark and Lois work because they don't understand either character.
Michael McDonnell 2 years ago
These versions of Clark and Lois are never coming back since we have a new film in the works that negates all those films.
Load More Replies... #12
Anne Hathaway And Adrian Grenier (The Devil Wears Prada)
Even the devil isn’t strong enough to pull these two actors and their characters together. The devil might wear some fashionable Prada for good looks, but Anne Hathaway and Adrian Grenier couldn’t even bother to emit some chemistry, even if it might look good on the screen. At least the saving grace is that the movie itself is pretty good.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Her boyfriend was a selfish jerk and her (so called) friends were insufferable! I found myself loosing interest in this film whenever she WASN'T working. NO ONE supported her.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
OMG! He was such a selfish brat and her friends were insufferable!
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Royal Stray 2 years ago
She should have gotten together with the journalist that helped her get the Harry Potter books, he really went out of his way to help her while her bf and friends just mocked her and talked s**t about her and her job, but still gladly accept the gifts
#13
Chris Hemsworth And Natalie Portman (Thor)
Looks aren’t everything and Thor proves it perfectly. If looked at individually, these characters, Thor and Jane, are perfect and well-portrayed in the movies, but when put together and pushed to create a relationship, the actors couldn’t portray the romantic chemistry that was needed. Lucky for us, they were technically broken up in later movies.
Mabelbabel 2 years ago
Maybe it's just me, but I find Natalie Portman to be an emotionally distant and cold actor. I can't see the character she portrays, she seems awkward and stiff in a lot of roles.
Carlos 2 years ago
There's a bit more chemistry here with Chris Hemsworth than in Star Wars with Hayden Christensen, but yeah it seems she struggles in romantic roles.
Load More Replies... Holly Stevens 2 years ago
The problem with Natalie's romantic roles is that she seems far more emotionally mature than the male characters she's cast with. I didn't believe she would bother with all Thor,'s goofy shenanigans
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Totally agree. I was annoyed when they made Jane out to be Thor's true love in Thor 4. I thought we were going to get a romance with Valkyrie. I'd also have loved one with Sif. But no. I was cool with Jane coming back, I just could have done without the "true love" angle.
#14
Dakota Johnson And Jamie Dornan (Fifty Shades Of Grey)
There might be Fifty Shades Of Grey to choose from, but there are also fifty-ish reasons why Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan were unable to create the right amount of chemistry between them. When the movie is focused on the romance between them, the lack of it feels forced and a bit cringe.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
It would have been nice if it had felt realistically one-sided emotionally, in a reflection of how this relationship would be correctly labeled as incredibly abusive if it weren't fictional.
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T'Mar of Vulcan 2 years ago
And yet Jamie Dornan is an absolute cutie in other projects, especially with a beard.
#15
Katherine Heigl And Gerard Butler (The Ugly Truth)
The ugly truth is — this movie lacked the chemistry that other good romance movies surely have. The script might be all right, but the relationship between the main actors is cringy. If you ever watch this movie, just make sure to pay more attention to the jokes and not to the romantic parts.
Brandi Blessent 2 years ago
Least worst on this list in my opinion. U can honestly believe shes a control freak n he's in love w anything with a slit.. Hate n comedy on point more believable theyd actually like each other
#16
Ashley Greene And Jackson Rathbone (Twilight)
Even vampires with their pale skin need some kind of chemistry to work together. While the main couple in Twilight is mediocre at best, the couple that Ashley Greene and Jackson Rathbone portray is without a heartbeat and emotions — literally.
Paulo Freitas 2 years ago
To be fair lmao, there was no chemistry at all in Twilight, not with the actors, not with directors, not with the special effects ppl.....
Bridgette Lyons 2 years ago
🤔 ..even funnier still since Pattinson and Stewart "were" supposed to be In a relationship at the time 🤦🏾♀️🤷🏾♀️ #oops 🤐
Load More Replies... Amy S 2 years ago
I clearly wasn't paying attention when I watched that film because I thought they were meant to be brother and sister.
T'Mar of Vulcan 2 years ago
Ashley Greene is just flat with no chemistry with anyone. She was in a movie with SEBASTIAN STAN (and that man could have chemistry with a rock) and stll, zip, zilch, zero, nothing, nada, niente.
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
Nobody in Twilight has chemistry. The problem is less the actors and more the terrible story, script, and direction.
DoNotGoGentleIntoThatGoodNight 2 years ago
Seriously? These two had the best chemistry out of all the couples and they barely even got any screen time!
#17
Julia Roberts And Nick Nolte (I Love Trouble)
Julia Roberts is the embodiment of the romance genre. If you remember watching a romantic movie in the 1990s or 2000s, there is a high chance that Julia Roberts was in one of them. So seeing her poor chemistry in this movie with Nick Nolte, makes you just wonder, who loves trouble like this?
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Exactly. THEY! HAATED! EACH! OTHER!!! She could BARELY get through filming because (she claimed) he was disgusting and (he claimed) she was a stuck-up Hollywood brat!!
Load More Replies... #18
Nicole Kidman And Hugh Jackman (Australia)
In the land down under, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman do the romance part in a completely different way. The chemistry between them (or more correctly, the lack of it) puts a question mark on the romantic side of the movie and we, the fans, are left to see a barely alive romance taking its final breaths.
#19
Rupert Grint And Emma Watson (Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2)
Harry Potter is a miss when it comes to building relationships. A lot of fans would agree that they would have shipped Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe together, as their characters seemed to be so compatible, but the duo we got, of Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, is boring and not worth our investment.
Lil Potato 2 years ago
Yeah, I've seen clips of them talking about how uncomfortable they were kissing or whatever because they were such good friends
#20
Angelina Jolie And Johnny Depp (The Tourist)
Italy is the place of love and pasta. But while you can buy some pasta and cook it on your own, you can’t do that for love, at least not the cooking part. When the chemistry is not there, it might feel artificial. Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp might have long names and short surnames, but they don’t have chemistry in the movie The Tourist.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
I don't usually get a "strong romantic chemistry" vibe from either Depp OR Jolie, even when they are paired with actors who usually do great work with romance... so idk why anyone thought they'd work with each other...
#21
Tom Hanks And Helen Hunt (Cast Away)
Lucky for us, the Cast Away romantic relationship wasn’t shipped throughout the whole movie. While the chemistry between Tom Hanks and Helen Hunt was barely floating above the water, we can thank the screenwriters for inserting Wilson onto the island.
El Cucuy 2 years ago
Maybe I'm in the minority but I found their chemistry to be authentic and believable.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
but was it as good as the chemistry between Hanks and (the volleyball who played) Wilson? No, I didn't think so.
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StrangeOne 2 years ago
There was barely any story of their relationship. It was more about him trying to survive on an uninhibited, small island.
Thegoodboi 2 years ago
Welllllllll their characters seemed to have jobs that made them busy, their still was some romance. At the end of the movie she was remarried so that sucked...
Stephen Gross 2 years ago
Their relationship was presented as a pre-existing fact, so the audience was simply expected to believe it. I did!
#22
Timothée Chalamet And Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name)
While “Call Me By Your Name” by Lil Nas X is a real hit, the romantic relationship in the movie Call Me By Your Name is more of a miss than a hit. The story is perfect, but it seems like the chemistry between the lead actors Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer is on the verge of making no sense.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
I dunno, I definitely saw a certain HUNGER in Armie Hammer's eyes... Frankly, I think he really sank his teeth in. He's got a real killer vibe going! ...I can't put my finger on exactly what it is, but something about Armie Hammer really reminds me of early-90's Anthony Hopkins.
cadena kuhn 2 years ago
I haven't seen it but all I've heard about this movie is how good the chemistry is
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Nominated. Didn't win. It was also up for best picture.
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Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I haven't seen it. But when it came out there was something of a "divide" in audiences. The movie was nominated for Best Picture and Chalamet was nominated for Best Actor. Some thought they had GREAT chemistry, others though their age gap was WAY too inappropriate. Maybe that's why this is listed as them them having "no chemistry."
Charlene King 2 years ago
I loved this movie, and Timothy was heartbreakingly good. But Armie's stiff, preppy acting was bad. I didn't buy his being 'in love'. It was like, 'an affair, sure, why not--I'm here for awhile'. It made it weird, like he would have done it with anyone. AND, he acted older than he was and Timothy looks like he's 14, so, there's THAT😶.
Paul Tyler 2 years ago
You should’ve consulted your gay friends about this entry. I still think about this film and their scenes together.
#23
Constance Wu And Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians)
These actors might have been friends off camera, but their chemistry in front of it is not quite there. Due to mediocre dialogue between the two and supporting actors capturing the attention away from them, this actor duo just didn’t work.
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
Constance Wu gets my upvote. Been a fan since i watched Fresh off the boat.
#24
Reese Witherspoon And Vince Vaughn (Four Christmases)
Another Vaughn movie and another movie couple without chemistry. Vince Vaughn is a talented actor, so it was strange to see how he lacked basic chemistry with Reese Witherspoon. Even this Christmas movie couldn’t instill the love of this couple into its fans in a non-forced way.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
"Vince Vaughn is a talented actor." Oh, Bored Panda... you always find a way to make me laugh.
Renée Lisa 2 years ago
One of my favorite Christmas Movies ❤️ I thought they were great together. It was what it was supposed to be a comedy that makes you laugh 😂 and it did just that!
Haley Futch 2 years ago
But I think their lack of chemistry is what makes the movie work. They don't seem to struggle with chemistry until they're traveling. Which is the whole point of the film
#25
Vince Vaughn And Malin Akerman (Couples Retreat)
Even the tropical setting and warm weather couldn’t boil up some chemistry between these two. Vince Vaughn and Malin Akerman are like those fake commercial couples on TV, where the marriage is non-believable and the lack of chemistry ruins every joke being told.
#26
Kelly Marie Tran And John Boyega (Star Wars: The Last Jedi)
These actors, Kelly Marie Tran and John Boyega, couldn’t portray the chemistry between their characters realistically. This, combined with the previous hate for the new movies, angered a lot of original fans of Star Wars.
darqemm 2 years ago
I never got the idea that they were a couple. What chemistry was there supposed to be?
Bridgette Lyons 2 years ago
🤔 ..no chance for love/no need for hate/begrudgingly respecting each other for their respective roles in the movie in the end. 😑 I thought they nailed it 😅👍🏽
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T'Mar of Vulcan 2 years ago
John Boyega and Oscar Isaac had better chemistry, and both said they would support their characters being put together. Alas, it never happened.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I'm not gonna get bogged down in my own thoughts on the movie (I think us STAR WARS nerds have said enough). But I never saw them as a couple. What did their characters a disservice is, SLIGHT SPOILERS...I GUESS... When Rose kisses Finn after saving him from sacrificing his life, was a poor decision. It felt kind of abrupt. NOTHING made me think they were a "couple." Not to go on a tangent, but just because they're of the opposite sex, am I supposed to automatically "ship" them? Early on she showed a bit of admiration for Finn, but NOTHING led me to believe they were supposed to be a couple. NO..I didn't LOVE the movie, NO I didn't HATE it, so MAYBE I missed something, but their side quest never seemed like it was written to suggest they were "falling" for each other. But, maybe I'm wrong??
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I already commented below, I have to add, as a STAR WARS nerd, I think the way the actress was treated was awful. I had ZERO problems with her. I hope this isn't offensive in some way, but I thought she was adorable. I thought the subplot of them going to that Casino planet was a waist of screentime and it kinda made very little sense on top of it all.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I'm a STAR WARS nerd, I even enjoyed THE FORCE AWAKENS, but they lost me here. I know I'm far from the 1st to say this, but their side adventure to the Casino planet was dull and a waist of time.
Load More Replies... Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
That was a poor decision to add their relationship into the movie all of a sudden. It made no sense, it had no back story. Takes me right out of the movie
strawberry idiot 2 years ago
Slightly unrelated, but my mom thought the necklace that the girl had was from her "girlfriend" and wondered out loud why they had to make a character gay...
#27
Leonardo Dicaprio And Carey Mulligan (The Great Gatsby)
Romantic couples in books are not always brilliantly represented on the big screen. The duo of Leonardo Dicaprio and Carey Mulligan couldn’t portray romantic chemistry on the screen in the movie The Great Gatsby. Strangely enough, these actors were able to create some of the most iconic romantic couples in other movies.
Detroit Citizen 2 years ago
I kinda think it works, theyre both aloof. He's a criminal and she's the OG Kardashian
#28
Emma Watson And Dan Stevens (Beauty And The Beast)
Even the warm pelt of a werewolf couldn’t heat the relationship between Emma Watson and Dan Stevens’ characters. Lacking basic chemistry, the beast and the beauty couldn’t capture the romance that could have been between them. The beauty was cold, while the beast was as stubborn as a mule.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I'm in the minority, so I'm ready to be ROASTED, but the live action BEAUTY & THE BEAST was AWFUL!!!
Jessica Lawson 2 years ago (edited)
You're not in the minority. I wouldn't say I hated it, but I had to think of it as a separate movie instead of a copy in a different medium. I appreciated the expansion of the story with the scene in Paris and the much more serious treatment of the transformations at the end. I agree with you, it was lacking a lot of the magical quality of the first. I think they tried to do too many live action versions at once (just imho).
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#29
Tom Cruise And Cameron Diaz (Vanilla Sky)
Even Tom Cruise with his good looks and stunt skills couldn’t jump the hurdle that is his poor chemistry with Cameron Diaz. Vanilla might be in the sky, but it isn’t sweet enough to engulf the fans with the chemistry.
Mabelbabel 2 years ago
I disagree-in Knight and Day they had plenty of chemistry. In Vanilla Sky, they weren't meant to be a romantically involved couple, that's the whole point. They were friends with benefits, he liked her although not as a girlfriend, but she wanted him as a romantic intimate partner, not just a FWB. There was no chemistry because there wasn't meant to be chemistry, it was meant to be an unequal and unbalanced relationship.
maggie stowe 2 years ago
Omg this ⬆️⬆️⬆️ exactly what I was thinking. It was meant so that obsessive unrequited love was the catalyst for disaster…. Not so the audience could be awed by their chemistry. The chemistry is there, just not with her character.
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#30
Ben Affleck And Sandra Bullock (Forces Of Nature)
Love is like a force — if it’s strong enough, then even the strongest can’t resist being drawn to it. The wave of chemistry between Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock in Forces Of Nature was weak and barely wavy. The chemistry between them barely reached the fans that watched this movie.
#31
Neil Patrick Harris And Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother)
In How I Met Your Mother, Barnie and Robin were meant to be together, but somehow, when they were finally married, it felt kind of weak. While the actors got along pretty well, it’s not a secret that in the eyes of the fans, Neil Patrick Harris and Cobie Smulders were lacking that huge amount of chemistry that other couples in the series had.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 2 years ago
Ted didn't have chemistry with any of his gf throughout the whole show. He's not a good actor. There's a reason why every other person in the cast, including some of his girlfriends (Jennifer Morrison got Once Upon A Time from playing Zoey and Ashley Willaims got Saving Grace from playing Victoria on HIMYM), got side gigs while he got nothing and hasn't been seen since.
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T'Mar of Vulcan 2 years ago
I disagree. The writers only put the characters together because they had such good chemistry. That said, I bailed before the whole wedding season etc.
Ahimsa Soul 2 years ago
I'm beginning to wonder what OP means by chemistry
Load More Replies... Royal Stray 2 years ago
I thought the entire point was that Barney wasn't supposed to fit well with one single person, I mean their wedding was supposed to fail at the end of the series so they can't work too perfectly. That being said comparatively to other similar meant for tv and not a streaming service tv series it really wasn't that bad chemistry
Ruth Harper 2 years ago
What? No. They were great together. Her and Ted were what didn't work. Robin and Barney were the best couple on the show.
#32
Reese Witherspoon And Tom Hardy (This Means War)
While this might mean war, you can be certain that it doesn’t mean good chemistry. From the start, Chris Pine's character that Tom Hardy portrays was set up to be the romantic interest of Reese Witherspoon’s character. The lack of chemistry between these two actors destroyed the setup of the characters.
Royal Stray 2 years ago
Wasn't that party because everyone was miserable on set, I think there was an interview where Hardy stated that it was one of the worst acting experiences he's a very had
#33
Freida Pinto And James Franco (Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes)
Even the apes of the planet couldn’t find the chemistry between these actors in this movie. In Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, the main actors Freida Pinto and James Franco, try to protect the planet and form a romantic relationship, but fail miserably at the latter, lacking chemistry and confidence.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
Their arc wasn't the focal point of the movie. The chemistry between him and Caesar was very well done.
#34
Joey King And Jacob Elordi (The Kissing Booth)
Even three movies couldn’t create the so-needed chemistry between the lead actors, Joey King and Jacob Elordi, in the Kissing Booth movies. These two actors are great individually, both showcasing themselves in acclaimed performances, but as a couple, they just didn’t work.
TheNightOwl 2 years ago
I didn’t see the movie because I couldn’t support her character. Basically, she has a great friendship with a great guy she’s known her entire life, and she decides to tank all of it by trying to date his brother, which they both agreed not to do. That friendship is far more important, long lasting, and stable than the other relationship. Besides, the chances of her succeeding are very slim; even if he is interested in her, it probably won’t last, leaving her without a best friend or a boyfriend. The girl in the Kissing Booth is a terrible person who would throw away a RARE friendship just for a CHANCE at banging his brother. In conclusion, she is actually the villain of the movie.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I really hope the lead actress can move on to better roles in her adult carrier. She stood out in "THE CONJURING" and she amazed me in "THE ACT" (where she was nominated for several awards). I think she has promise.
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#35
Morgan Freeman And Diane Keaton (5 Flights Up)
These two actors are the grandparents of Hollywood. They are easily recognizable and the charisma they portray just hypnotizes us. But combined, there is nothing between them. Even their star power couldn’t force us to enjoy the lack of chemistry between these stars and their characters.
#36
Jonah Hill And Emma Stone (Maniac)
Jonah Hill and Emma Stone might be maniacally good in this movie, but the chemistry between them is nothing to freak out about. There is barely anything there.
#37
Winona Ryder And Adam Sandler (Mr. Deeds)
Another one of Adam’s movies that is all funny and not even a bit romantic. Winona Ryder and Adam Sandler both fall over when they try to act romantic and all. When chemistry only exists during the comedic parts, there is no way that fans could ship these two together. When the actors feel stiff, there is no way to revive it.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 2 years ago (edited)
Adam Sandler only had chemistry in one movie, The Wedding Singer, with any actress. Even later movies with Barrymore couldn't recreate it.
Drew Losure-McDermott 2 years ago
ahhh, The Wedding Singer! On another post I noted that I couldn't think of a single movie where Sandler had romantic chemistry, but you're right. The Wedding Singer is the exception that proves the rule.
Load More Replies... Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
I'm simply gonna call myself out on this one. But Winona Ryder is so damn cute and charismatic that she seems to bring the chemistry to the role. I've had a slight crush on this women dating all the way back to when I was 18 and I saw her in BEETLEJUICE...and I'm GAY!!!
strawberry idiot 2 years ago
Winona Ryder is such a person that she can turn the gays straight and the straights gay!
Load More Replies... #38
Brad Pitt And Cate Blanchett (Curious Case Of Benjamin Button)
The chemistry between the main actors and characters de-evolves like the main character of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button de-ages. Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett couldn’t quite get us invested in the relationship they tried to create.
#39
Amandla Stenberg And K.J. Apa (The Hate U Give)
Another victim of a bad book adaptation. The Hate U Give has some of the worst romantic chemistry there is. Amandla Stenberg and K.J. Apa are perfect in this movie and their performances are some of the best, but the romantic relationship they are trying to push is just… weak.
#40
Katie Holmes And Christian Bale (Batman Begins)
The dark knight of Gotham might fight the villain Joker every night, but in Batman Begins, romance is the joke. Katie Holmes and Christian Bale feel like puppets who are pushed into the same situation. As friends they are great, but looking from the romantic side — there isn’t even a light of hope to be seen.
Royal Stray 2 years ago
That's the point though, he's Batman and puts that above all else, there's a reason most of his relationships as Bruce Wayne fails, and she's supposed to be in love with Harvey Dent. So why would they have good chemistry as a couple? That would defeat the purpose of their "relationship".
Charlene King 2 years ago
Christian Bale seems too in love with his real wife to have to have any chemistry left for on-screen. Ashame for the actresses, because he sure is handsome❤️.
#41
Elle Fanning And Justice Smith (All The Bright Places)
Chemistry can be the brightest thing in a movie that you can notice. The characters of Elle Fanning and Justice Smith are both flawed individuals that find love in each other. While the story pushes it, the chemistry between them is nowhere to be seen and so the whole romance story feels forced.
#42
Yara Shahidi And Charles Melton (The Sun Is Also A Star)
Nothing says dull like a hopeless romantic falling in love with a person with whom there is no chemistry. Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton try their best in The Sun Is Also A Star, but to be real, there was nothing to see or feel between them.
#43
Tobey Maguire And Kirsten Dunst (Spider-Man)
Even Spider-Man couldn’t cast a strong enough web to connect these two actors and their characters. While Tobey Maguire was able to save New York while in the costume of Spider-Man, he couldn’t create strong enough chemistry between him and actress Kristen Dunst.
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Feel free to call me corny, but that iconic upside down kiss in the first film won me over, so it worked for me in the first film. But it did fade a bit in the second, I thought I was alone in thinking that.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 2 years ago
First one their chemistry was good. They were dating. Second one and later one she was with Jake Gyllenhaal. Its hard to have chemistry with someone you just had a bad breakup with.
#44
Jim Carrey And Zooey Deschanel (Yes Man)
Jim Carrey might say yes to some changes in his life, but the fans weren’t quite united on saying yes to his fictional relationship with Zooey Deschanel in Yes Man. While their comedic timings were excellent joke-wise, romantically, they lacked chemistry and their relationship was driven by comedy.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I can see what they mean but it wasn't totally horrible though. Maybe it was the age gap or the style of comedy with Jim being physical comedy as opposed to Zoey's style.
#45
Ack Black And Gwyneth Paltrow's In (Shallow Hal)
In the movie, the relationship between Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow is as shallow as it can be. In the movie, the main characters fall in love not because they are pretty and good looking, but because they truly like each other. In reality, the lack of chemistry and weak plot just couldn’t capture the hearts of the audience.
Bloobee bloobee bloo bloo bloo 2 years ago
Can’t stand the guy so from now on I shall always refer to him as “Ack”
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Well...when your name is ACK Black, your kind of at a disadvantage already. Poor, poor ACK Black...will he ever find romance? (side note) When I read "ACK BLACK" I started giggling like a four year old giggling at a fart joke ..tee-hee...ACK BLACK🤭🤭
#46
Kumail Nanjiani And Issa Rae (The Lovebirds)
These two from the movie The Lovebirds are unable to portray the romantic chemistry of a real lovebird couple. While the two actors are great comedians on their own, when they are trying to create romantic chemistry on the screen, it only falls on its face and is unable to create a powerful effect.
#47
Ben Stiller And Naomi Watts (While We're Young)
Young love is a foolish love, full of mystery and confusion. Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts portray the older couple in the movie, but the way they do it seems weak and fake. The movie is good, but the chemistry between these main characters and actors highlights the excellent performance of Adam Driver and Amanda Seyfried.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I'd just like to point out if you haven't seen The Secret Life of Water Mitty...please watch it. He's wonderful in that movie.
#48
Will Smith And Vivica A. Fox (Independence Day)
The US Independence day is known for the bang and shooting off of fireworks. The movie Independence Day, on the other hand, lacks that chemistry and bang between the main romantic couple. Will Smith and Vivica A. Fox just couldn’t create romantic chemistry between them. Thank god that the movie was so good that we barely even noticed it.
Lil Potato 2 years ago
I haven't seen the movie in a while, but I don't think she was in the movie very much. I thought they were fine together actually
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Exactly. Actually, Will Smith isn't in as much of the film as most remember. This was one of his first SUMMER BLOCKBUSTERS and he just kinda stole the show.
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Audrey Malone 2 years ago
Disagree. They might not have put a sizzle in your panties, but I felt they portrayed a couple who'd been together for years pretty well.
#49
Lady Gaga And Bradley Cooper (A Star Is Born)
Relationships are like stars — new ones are being born and created every day. But some are not destined to last for a long time. While the duo of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper was able to wow the critics and the Oscar academy, the romantic chemistry between them bounced off from some of the fans and landed face first in the dirt.
Noho 2000 2 years ago
I agree. I thought the chemistry between these two was palpable. You could really feel it coming off the screen. Maybe it's because the movie itself was meh?
Load More Replies... cadena kuhn 2 years ago
Umm everyone was going on about the chemistry being so good people were convinced they were having an affair
Joshuah Johnston 2 years ago
Really?? When this came out everyone said they were AMAZING together. They even made headlines when the preformed the Oscar winner song together on stage because they seemed to be SOOOO INCREDIBLY INTO EACH OTHER!! I think you kinda dropped the ball on this choice!
Renée Lisa 2 years ago
Now I know this has to be a b******t list lol.. seriously 😳 I want my 5 minutes back
nooneimportant 2 years ago
this post couldn't have missed the mark more. Mother Monster and Bradley were wonderful together
#50
Keanu Reeves And Carrie-Anne Moss (The Matrix)
Even a futuristic setting couldn’t add some chemistry to Neo and Trinity’s relationship. Keanu Reeves and Carrier-Anne Moss act like stoic philosophers in The Matrix and combined with the desolated hellscape that is the Matrix world, the romantic relationship feels a bit forced.
Fantastic Mr Fox 2 years ago
Yes they are stoic. They had a job to do together. Their mission was important. It didn't strike me as odd in the context. Actually, I often feel the exact opposite when watching movies. Action movies where hero and heroine spend much time on their romantic relationship, while time is running out and the world is burning.
Selina Kyle 2 years ago
Im glad Troy and Gabriella (High School Musical) arent here. They didnt have chemistry but i liked that movie
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What do you think ?
Robyn H 2 years ago
I think a lot of these are highly personal opinions, and I would by no means take this without a grain of salt. Not all combos and relationships work for all people. I can't speak for movies I haven't seen but taking Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter for example, Rupert and Emma's on-screen relationship was never the primary focus of the whole story in the movies or the books. Besides, there's a war going on and they are teenagers, experiencing first love. How can that not be awkward? It's what makes it beautiful.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I mean some of them may seem so because the relationship isn't the focal point of the movie, for example Franco and Pinto. Their arc was very minor compared to his relationship with Caesar or his father which were brilliant.
I Just Live Here 2 years ago
Seems like most of these are due to scripting issues, or a misunderstanding of the characters and how they fit together.
Bob La Capra 2 years ago
Brendan Gleeson and Mary Louise Parker in Mr. Mercedes. No chemistry at all. In fact, them ending up in bed was so implausible to me that I couldn't watch the rest of the series.
Robyn H 2 years ago
I think a lot of these are highly personal opinions, and I would by no means take this without a grain of salt. Not all combos and relationships work for all people. I can't speak for movies I haven't seen but taking Ron and Hermione in Harry Potter for example, Rupert and Emma's on-screen relationship was never the primary focus of the whole story in the movies or the books. Besides, there's a war going on and they are teenagers, experiencing first love. How can that not be awkward? It's what makes it beautiful.
DennyS (denzoren) 2 years ago
I mean some of them may seem so because the relationship isn't the focal point of the movie, for example Franco and Pinto. Their arc was very minor compared to his relationship with Caesar or his father which were brilliant.
I Just Live Here 2 years ago
Seems like most of these are due to scripting issues, or a misunderstanding of the characters and how they fit together.
Bob La Capra 2 years ago
Brendan Gleeson and Mary Louise Parker in Mr. Mercedes. No chemistry at all. In fact, them ending up in bed was so implausible to me that I couldn't watch the rest of the series.
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