The BEST & WORST Fictional Couples Ever

With Valentine’s Day just past us, love is in the air– and it’s only right that we take a deep dive into relationships, and what makes them successful, or not so successful. Oftentimes, romantic relationships– especially in the media (movies, T.V. shows, books, news, etc.) are shown to be “perfect”. The superficial reasons that follow the “perfection” of a relationship are what can often make them toxic. In this article, we will take a closer look into the top five fictional couples that would break up, as well as the top five that would last. 

Fictional couples that would break up:

#5: Ron & Hermione (Harry Potter)

The issues with Ron and Hermione’s relationship aren’t embedded directly in the way they communicated with one another, rather J.K. Rowling’s depiction of Hermione. She writes her out to be a powerful, intellectual, feminist character, who is seemingly perfect. The issue with this is that Ron is consequently always forced to live up to her greatness, win her back, or earn her forgiveness. Feminism isn’t necessarily the boy changing for a girl because the girl is perfect, it’s both partners understand that women deserve their rights, power, and opportunities just as much as men do. With this said, we also need to address that Ron was insecure, jealous, and far more insecure than Hermionie throughout their friendship and relationship. With Ron always being shown as “wrong” in the relationship, and Hermione as “right”, it defeats the importance of a balanced relationship. The one-sidedness of the relationship also stems from the fact that Ron’s attraction to Hermione is arguably greater than her’s of Ron. 

Hermione: “We can’t just stand here. Who’s got an idea?”

Ron: “You’re the brilliant one.”

This quote is a perfect representation of their relationship; imbalance– coming from Ron’s dependance on Hermione, and how Hermione is continuously forced to “clean up” after Ron, and his many mistakes.

#4: Eleven & Mike (Stranger Things)

Eleven and Mike… Stranger Things stars, and at one point maybe the most shipped couple on Netflix. This couple started out good… great if anything. But from there, it went downhill. The main issue in their relationship is Mike’s idolization of Eleven, and his categorization of her as a ‘monster’ or a ‘superhero’, but never a ‘normal girl’ – which is all Eleven wants to be. From the moment he met her and discovered her powers, he seemed to grow more enthralled by her existence, rather than her feelings and personality traits. Eleven would benefit from time with family and loved ones– and a break from Mike and his drama would be nice too. Don’t get me wrong… they would be amazing as just friends, but a couple? Probably not.

Mike: “That was really heat of the moment stuff, and we were arguing and I don’t really 

remember… What did I say exactly?”

Eleven: “Mike, I love you too.”

This quote is pretty self explanatory… Mike had confessed his love for Eleven previously, but when forced to tell her directly, he couldn’t get the words out. Eleven once again had to carry the conversation, and relationship– just like she carried the majority of the show. 

#3: Beck & Jade (Victorious)

This couple was a childhood staple across the Nickelodeon universe that many of us grew up with; so it pains me to say this, but let’s be honest… Beck and Jade were toxic AF. Starting off strong with Beck– he seemingly treated Jade as an ‘aggressive antagonist’, who he would occasionally use to makeout with. Beck also kissed other girls and went on dates while dating Jade– and then claimed that Jade was overreacting when she got mad. Jade also contributed to the issues in their relationship, whether that was consistently being jealous or upset with Beck over little things, or letting her insecurities get in the way of their communication during their relationship. Overall these two were fun to watch, but we were mostly just shown the bickering and makeouts– and from that their relationship seemed surface level and unhealthy.

Beck: “I would like to have a girlfriend I can talk to without it turning into a screaming match.”

Jade: “Yeah, well I’d like a boyfriend who other girls don’t stare at all the time!”

Beck: “How is it my fault girls stare at me?”

#toxic is all this quote says to me.

#2: Sandy & Danny (Grease)

What movie has all of the above: Girls in pink skirts smoking and drinking 24/7, teenage boys dancing and singing about sex, and even illegal drag-racing? If you said Grease, you’re right! This movie is definitely a classic, and don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute little love story from “simpler times”– but it’s also pretty high up on the unhealthy relationships list. For starters, Sandy changes her physical appearance and personality to gain a sense of male validation from Danny, the boy she met on summer vacation. While we mainly see Sandy changing herself for Danny, Dany also changes himself in order to get Sandy, whether that be joining different athletic teams, or changing his style. Dany is always looking for Sandy’s forgiveness, and Sandy is rarely shown to be in the wrong. Apart from the underlying sexism, racism, homophobia, slut-shaming, virgin-shaming, and female disempowerment– Grease is such a fun, sing-along, classic movie!

Sandy: “What happened to the Danny Zuko I met at the beach?”

Danny: “[laughing] I don’t know, maybe there’s two of us, right? Why don’t you take out a 

missing persons ad or try the yellow pages?”

When Dany sees Sandy for the first time since summer, he initially reacts by smiling, but upon realizing his friends are beside him he tries to “play it cool”, changing his entire personality. So, while some argue that they go together, I say they don’t “go together like Ramma lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong”.

#1: Romeo & Juliet (Romeo & Juliet)

For starters, we need to address that the focus of the play Romeo and Juliet is tragedy, not love, but still– Shakespear could have written them a little less “pedophile-esque”, and toxic. The first major issue was that Romeo and Juliet met a total of two times before getting married, so any romantic connection they had was condensed into the period of just a few days. Also, Juliet was 13 when Romeo was 16… enough said. It can also be argued that Romeo’s strange, stalker like traits were more on the creepy side and less on the romantic. Not to mention, Romeo was in love with another girl when he met Juliet– making Juliet the rebound. In the end, it is safe to say that their “love ” grows from intimacy and forced connection, rather than true emotional connection. Finally, spoiler alert: many characters die in the book due to these two kids’ infatuation with one another… including the kids themselves!

Romeo: “Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight, For I ne’er saw true beauty till this   night.”

Romeo has finally decided he likes Juliet (after confessing his love for Rosaline several previous times in the book…), so is this relationship “To be, or not to be?” I say not to be.

Fictional couples that would stay together: 

#5 Cher & Josh (Clueless)

Clueless is one of my favorite movies, yet I still say this with a completely unbiased opinion– Cher and Josh from Clueless are one of the cutest fictional couples out there. Their sibling-esque bond only further proves that (also, for those who still believe they’re related, they’re not. Cher and Josh’s parents were once married, making them step siblings, not in any way shape or form biologically related). Both of these characters are so distinctively different that they balance each other out perfectly. They’re relationship also develops slowly, and over a long period of time– going from friendship to eventually relationship. They also have organic chemistry that prevents itself when Cher is talking and joking with Josh, or when Josh is sarcastically arguing with Cher. I know the enemy to lovers trope is cliche, the ways that they unknowingly supported and helped each other for the years they knew each other only proved their true love for each other.

Cher: “Then suddenly… ‘Oh, my God!’ I love Josh. I am majorly, totally, butt crazy in love with 

Josh!”

If anyone were to tell me this relationship isn’t the absolute cutest, I would say,“Ugh…as if!”

#4 Jane & Rafael (Jane the Virgin)

Jane and Rafael were always endgame. This next line might seem strange out of contest, but from the moment Jane was artificially inseminated with Rafael’s sperm, they were destined to be together. They’re relationship also began as a fun, and supportive friendship, which translated into an even healthier, and simple transition into a relationship. The idea of fate can seem undeniable, but the two strangers that shared a kiss, and then randomly got pregnant together (sort of), proves that they were destined in some way to find each other. Michael, one of Jane’s past boyfriends, must be given some credit though. Although he was definitely a strong contender because of his caring and genuine disposition, as well as the chemistry he had with Jane, he wasn’t as good as Rafael. Spoiler alert: he dies… and then he comes back to life, because apparently he wasn’t really dead! After this Michael is different– he treats Jane with little respect, and seems lost in life. Another spoiler: Michael then dies again… this time for real! This not only eliminated the possibility for that connection, but made Jane find her strength and individuality, and understand that she was more similar to Rafael than she had thought. 

Rafael: “Let’s bet on your dream now. Mine will come.”

Jane: [kisses Rafael]

Aww, Jane and Rafael just keep finding their way back to one another…almost like a telenovela?!

#3 Leslie & Ben (Parks and Recreation)

Parks and Recreation has some amazing, weird, and funny relationships, but out of  them all Leslie Knope and Ben Wyatt are definitely the best. The first reason being that it wasn’t an immediate connection. Both characters had different interests, faced different personal obstacles, and still managed to support one and others dreams. While they were different in these ways, they both shared the same sense of humor, a surprisingly important factor in healthy relationships. Finally, Leslie and Ben showed us that finding a balance between work and relationship can be difficult at first but ultimately leads to a happier, healthier couple.

Leslie: “The things that you have done for me, to help me, support me, surprise me, to make me happy go above and beyond what any person deserves. You’re all I need. I love you and I 

like you.”

Ben: “I love you and I like you.”

So, is Leslie and Ben’s relationship toxic? Knope!

#2 Rapunzel & Eugene (Tangled)

If I’m being completely honest, this is one of my favorite fictional couples of all time, and I dint even realize until I began writing about their relationship. Rapunzel: Spirited, determined, curious girl with a dream, and Flinn Rider or Eugene: selfless, bold, and not-threatened-by-a-strong-coinciding-female-role. Both of these characters are so well developed, and have a chemistry like no other. Although there’s a bit of an age gap (8 years), isn’t that what makes a Disney movie a Disney movie? More importantly though, their relationship has stayed strong and if anything grown from the obstacles they faced during their adventure outside of the castle. Eugene loved Rapunzel before he knew she was a princess, and didn’t care about the “magic powers” she had present in her long, golden hair. He proves this by cutting her hair off. Tangled is one of the few classic Disney movies that follows the idea that beauty attracts the eye, while personality attracts the heart. Rapunzel’s hair itself symbolizes imprisonment, and Eugene cutting it off seemingly frees her. During their relationship, Eugene never attempts to take advantage of her for her lack of knowledge of the outside world, or general confusion and curiosity surrounding life and nature. Both Eugene and Rapunzel balance each other out because of their contrasting views; Eugene is scared and mad at the world to begin with, and later becomes fearless, and caring. Rapunzel begins to be excited and curious to adventure outside, but later becomes wiser, and more careful. 

Rapunzel: “What if [life outside of the castle] it’s not everything I dreamed it would be?”

Eugene: “It will be.”

Rapunzel: “And what if it is? What do I do then?”

Eudene: “Well, that’s the good part I guess. You get to find a new dream.”

#healthyrelationship is all I can say. 

#1: Monica & Chandler (F.R.I.E.N.D.S.)

Monica and Chandler are so good for each other for one main reason; they are F.R.I.E.N.D.S. first. If both of them hadn’t had a long, and developed friendship over time, their relationship wouldn’t have been as successful as it was. This aspect also ensured that the basis of their relationship was strong. In their time together, Monica helps Chandler face his commitment and family issues, and Chandler shows adoration for all of Monica’s “clean freak kinks’, and perfectionism. This couple is also so amazing because of the way that they call each other out. Not by yelling at each other, but by  addressing when one has a problem or situation with the other, and they often work together to fix it. Another smaller influence of their positively healthy relationship is the fact that they were able to have a good, long distance relationship while Chandler was in Tulsa. In conclusion, both Monica and Chandler were emotionally and mentally there for each other’s needs, and their background of close friendship helped their relationship to flourish. 

Chandler: “So they can say that you’re high maintenance but it’s ok because I like maintaining 

      you.”

Monica and Chandler: from F.R.I.E.N.D.S. to lovers!