40 Onscreen Romances That Aren't As Dreamy As We Remember

We're all suckers for a good romance. That's why producers and movie studio execs spend a lot of money beefing up any relationship storyline in film and TV — they know we can't help fall in love with characters that are falling in love! But many of the pop culture couplings that we've most admired throughout movie, book, and music history are not the dream romances we all remember. In fact, on closer inspection, romantic moments from these iconic shows, movies, and songs are actually far darker in retrospect.

40. Friends

Plenty of people rooted for Ross and Rachel to get together, but this doesn't make the relationship any less toxic. Since the show came out, many have labeled Ross as emotionally abusive, manipulative, and even stalker-ish. He also dated his student...

39. Gone With The Wind

While often hailed as one of the best romances of all time, this judgement completely overlooks the fact that the star-crossed lovers in question are a plantation owner and a Confederate soldier in the middle of the Civil War.

38. Never Been Kissed

Drew Barrymore is iconic in this back-to-high-school rom-com, but the plot is much darker than most people remember. Sure, the romance between her and her teacher (who believed she was a minor) seemed cute enough at the time, but looking back it never should have happened.

37. The Breakfast Club

John Hughes' beloved teenage classic includes some pretty questionable scenes. Chief among these is the moment when Molly Ringwald's love interest essentially assaults her by peeking under her skirt and touching her without consent.