10 Subtle Romantic Gestures That Sealed The Deal For These Movie Couples

In movies, the grand romantic gestures always get all the credit – whether it’s flying across the country to creep on someone you heard on the radio (a la Sleepless in Seattle), or performing with your school’s jazz band to impress the girl (as seen in 10 Things I Hate About You).

However, what many viewers overlook are the small acts of kindness, attentiveness, and genuine interest that transform into lasting romantic love. So many characters fall for each other in the moments in-between the first kiss, big fight, and life-changing “I love you’s.” So, here’s to the subtle moments when these couples knew they’d found the one (even if they weren’t ready to admit it quite yet).

Millie & Keys – Free Guy (2021)

In Free Guy, Keys has been in love with Millie since they began creating the code for their video game, but Mille didn’t see him romantically, calling them just friends in an interview. When Millie enters the game using an avatar, she meets Guy, who also has a thing for bubble gum ice cream and the song “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey.

These subtle romantic details draw Millie to Guy but her affection was misplaced. Guy later explains to Millie that Keys’ codes were inspired by small details about her, and that’s why she and Guy are so compatible. Though there is a sweeping romantic connection at the end of the film, these subtle gestures end up sealing the deal for Millie and Keys.

Ron & Hermione – Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince (2009)

This Harry Potter film is arguably the most hormonal, with tons of new couples to keep track of and plenty of interpersonal drama. Ron even has a new girlfriend, and their make-outs are front and center throughout most of the film. That is until Ron is struck with a love potion and accidentally drink’s Professor Slughorn’s poisoned wine.

While in the hospital wing, Ron’s girlfriend Lavender sits at his bedside, calling him “Won Won” and holding his hand. But when he says Hermione’s name in his poison-induced sleep, there was clearly no way to keep their growing connection from blossoming into something more.

Pat & Tiffany – Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

After a stay in a mental health facility, Pat is desperate to win back his estranged wife in Silver Linings Playbook. Meanwhile, his best friend’s sister-in-law, Tiffany, takes an immediate interest in Pat after crossing paths in one of the best rom-com meet-cutes. When Tiffany convinces Pat that she will help him find a way to move forward in his marriage and appear to be working on himself, he agrees to enter a dance competition.

However, Tiffany realizes that Pat will never accept his situation, so forges a letter from his ex, Nikki, to encourage him to stay on a positive path. Pat soon realizes that the letter was a fake, but doesn’t confront Tiffany; instead, he hands her a letter after the competition confessing that he knew she tricked him. But he also says he’s loved her since they met, and only just realized it. This sweet written exchange is definitely one of the subtler undercurrents in an extremely unsubtle film.

Harold & Ana – Stranger Than Fiction (2006)

Harold Crick is an auditor for the IRS sent to review Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character, Ana, who owns a bakery. Though Ana initially has no respect for Harold’s work and tries to make the audit as difficult as possible for him, he eventually grows on her. She hands him a cookie to make up for it, saying “It was a really awful day, I know. I made sure of it.”

But things go south since it could be construed as a “gift” which the IRS does not allow. But when Harold realizes that she made the batch of cookies for him, he feels instant regret for rejecting her kind offer, saying, “You’re just trying to be nice and I totally blew it.” Fortunately, the couple comes back from their hurt feelings, and this sweet interaction is the catalyst for both becoming vulnerable in their future romantic relationship.

Jackson & Ally – A Star Is Born (2018)

A Star Is Born is full of big romantic moments, like the first time Jackson sees Ally singing “La Vie En Rose” in the club, but for some reason, one tiny moment feels bigger than the rest. As Ally takes off her stage makeup, he asks to take off her fake eyebrow, which is taped on. He does, and she hides her face behind her hand. When he asks why, he follows up with, “the whole point is that I can see your face.”

Jackson brings out an authenticity in Ally that doesn’t exist with her stage persona. Though the viewer sees them struggle as Ally’s career takes off and her costumes and makeup become even more elaborate, this early moment demonstrates his desire for their mutual vulnerability.

Anna & Kristoff – Frozen II (2019)

Even though Kristoff and Anna get together in Frozen, he proves that he is the ultimate Disney boyfriend in the sequel. Anna is distracted by her sister Elsa, who is putting herself in danger in the search for the source of her magic powers.

Though Kristoff expresses confusion at the distance he feels, he does not let their current situation deter him from supporting her wholeheartedly. When Anna apologizes for being distracted and absent from their relationship, Kristoff says, “My love is not fragile.” Though he saves Anna while she’s running from Earth Giants, which is one big romantic gesture and swoon-worthy Kristoff quote in Frozen II, it is his small reassurances that solidify and maintain their relationship in spite of obstacles.

Nick & Liz – The Parent Trap (1998)

As one of the funniest romantic films of the late ’90s, The Parent Trap still holds up today. Viewers might assume that the girls bringing their parents back together, or Nick and Hallie Parker flying to London to win back her mom would be the shining moments in the whirlwind journey. But a quieter moment actually solidifies what the viewer has known all along, and what is only hinted at through subtext when the pair is first reunited after 11 years.

Nick takes Liz to the cellar of his vineyard (already an incredibly romantic setup) and they peruse his favorite and rarest wines. He then reveals that he tracked down the wine they drank on their wedding night, and now owns every bottle ever made. This secret gesture confirms that he never stopped loving her, despite their divorce and time apart.

Margaret & Andrew – The Proposal (2009)

The Proposal is an incredible example of the enemies-to-lovers trope. The main characters get “engaged” in order to avoid Margaret’s deportation, and as his boss, she blackmails Andrew with damaging his career. So, they fly to his family home in Alaska and play lovebirds.

But when they have a late-night talk, the couple delves into their personal histories for the first time. She tells him, “My first concert was Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock.” When he asks who they are, she sings a brief bit of their song “It Takes Two.” That is, until he admits he already knew the song and just wanted to hear her sing it. Then, sweetly, he sings it himself, hitting painful falsetto notes and instantly cementing their romantic connection.

Bridget & Mark – Bridget Jones’ Diary (2001)

One of Colin Firth’s strengths in Bridget Jones Diary is the subtlety with which he plays his character Mark’s feelings. Though it’s clear he has feelings for Bridget, it seems he is ready to move on from their relationship when he accepts a job offer in New York. However, at the end of the movie, he shows up at Bridget’s apartment to win her back. Unfortunately, he happens upon a diary entry in which she criticizes him, and he leaves.

Though the grand romantic gesture was showing up at her door in the first place, the deal is sealed when Mark purchases a new diary for Bridget so that they can create a new narrative for their relationship. This gesture confirms that he is the consistent and patient partner who will wade through their future together, mistakes and all.

Joel & Clementine – Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the relationship between Joel and Clementine is the guiding light that brings the non-chronological plot into its own perfect, fractured reality. When Clementine and Joel meet for the real first time, Joel goes for a drink at Clementine’s apartment. Her fiery spirit appears to be in direct contrast with Joel’s low-key presence and it is unclear how he feels about her at first.

He then calls her from his apartment that same night. She asks him playfully, “What took you so long?” He responds, “I just walked in.” Through this gesture, Joel put aside his shy, nice guy tactics and followed his gut, reassuring Clementine of his interest after leaving a potentially ambiguous impression.