TV Romance
23 Best Sitcom Kisses of All Time, Ranked
Sitcoms may not be the most dramatic form of TV, but that doesn’t mean they’re lacking in romance — or some truly excellent kisses. More often than not, said kisses come about after a truly stellar slow burn, à la Jim and Pam in The Office. As a result, sitcoms are responsible for some of our favorite onscreen lip locks of all time.
In honor of The Paper, which recently debuted its first season, we’re taking a trip down memory lane and ranking the sitcom smooches that still live rent-free in our brains. There are game-changing first kisses, goodbye smooches, and passionate lip locks that made you wonder how they were allowed on broadcast TV.
From New Girl to How I Met Your Mother to The Good Place, find out which kisses made us swoon the most below. Let us know if you agree or disagree with our picks in the comments!
23. Eric & Buddy, That '70s Show
Did you know this was the first-ever kiss between two men on North American primetime TV? For that alone, this That ’70s Show moment deserved a spot on our list! Buddy (Joseph Gordon Levitt) was such a cutie patootie, and Eric (Topher Grace) was adorably oblivious to his new friend’s obvious feelings. He rejected Buddy’s advances, but they decided to stay friends. Though it was a quick (and unreciprocated) kiss, it was still a sweet and silly moment — not to mention technically historic. — Leah Williams
22. Annie & Jeff, Community
When it came to NBC‘s former sitcom Community, Season 1’s finale kiss between Jeff (Joel McHale) and Annie (Alison Brie) really stood out as a moment. While the Greendale students who became friends through their study group may have had an occasionally romantic vibe, this kiss came out of left field following a dance for individuals considering transferring from the community college. Originally torn between a teacher and fellow study group member Britta (Gillian Jacobs), Jeff’s moment with Annie opened a whole new can of worms for the show and launched one of its most divisive and popular ships. And 15 years later, we still love it. — Meaghan Darwish
21. Haley & Andy, Modern Family
Haley (Sarah Hyland) and Andy (Adam DeVine), we still think you should’ve been endgame. It was a perfect opposites attract situation when they met in Season 5, and the fact that they couldn’t be together — Andy had a long-distance girlfriend at the time — made their undeniable chemistry even more interesting. As much as I loved their first kiss, their first one in Season 7 is my favorite. In “Phil’s Sexy, Sexy House,” Andy and Haley tried to blame the obvious tension between them on the house (hence the episode name), and Haley walked out the door. However, she ran back inside, leapt into Andy’s arms, and initiated a steamy kiss. It was a turning point in their relationship, and not to mention, one of their hottest moments. Honorable mention to their rain kiss a few episodes later. — Morgan Pryor
20. Jake & Amy, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Obviously, we can’t forget about Jake (Andy Samberg) and Amy (Melissa Fumero) in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, with their perfect rivals to friends to lovers arc. Technically, this wasn’t their first kiss since they locked lips to maintain their cover as an engaged couple, but that’s in part what made their real one so great. At this point, Jake and Amy had acknowledged their feelings for each other, but they decided to keep their relationship professional. But they finally gave in and shared their first real kiss in the evidence locker room. (Fun fact: In Season 5 Episode 4, Jake proposed to Amy in the same spot. Swoon.) — Morgan Pryor
19. Erin & James, Derry Girls
There’s nothing like a wee English fella’s brush with death when it comes to inciting two best friends to share their first kiss. During Season 3, Episode 4 of Derry Girls, Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson) and James (Dylan Llewellyn) took an adorkable step in their relationship as James declared, “I like me, Erin—you! Sh*t! You. I like you, Erin. I think I’ve liked you for a long time.” While James’s cousin Michelle (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell) was quick to break up the teens’ moment, a kiss like that is one that no one could soon forget. — Rebecca Perlmutter
18. Ned & Mare, The Paper
It was clear from the start of The Office‘s spinoff, The Paper, that the Toledo Truth Teller‘s new editor in chief, Ned (Domhnall Gleeson), was destined to romantically collide with writer Mare (Chelsea Frei). As the season played out, though, Ned was led to believe that Mare was asexual by meddling colleague Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore), which stunted any advances on his end. When Ned learned the truth, his position of power at the paper still held him back from owning his feelings, especially when Mare showed up with a date to the Ohio Journalism Awards. Thank goodness the unspoken feelings were addressed in Season 1’s final moments, leading to a rather steamy kiss that quickly shot up in the ranks of sitcom smooches. As the duo put it, they’re journalists, and research was necessary to see if something works. Can their sizzling chemistry carry them through to Season 2? Here’s to hoping. — Meaghan Darwish
17. Fran & Maxwell, The Nanny
This kiss is so special because Fran (Fran Drescher) was caught entirely off guard. Maxwell (Charles Shaughnessy) and C.C. (Lauren Lane) waited in anticipation for their play’s review from theater critic Frank Bradley. When he got food poisoning, attention was turned to the people. Fran stepped in and raved over the play. Never forget Max’s sweet wave to the TV. As soon as the play was declared a hit, Maxwell turned around and thanked Fran before kissing her – on the lips! The innocent, stunned look on her face was everything. And that dress? Iconic. — Avery Thompson
16. Daphne & Niles, Frasier
Who doesn’t love a forbidden balcony kiss? You could cut the tension with a knife as Daphne (Jane Leeves) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) stood side-by-side as the party raged on inside. Daphne finally decided to do something about the feelings bubbling up inside her and wrapped her arms around Niles for a passionate kiss. “You can call me Niles now,” he muttered before kissing Daphne again. She eventually pulled away because they were both in relationships with other people and taking this kind of a leap was beyond risky. “Daphne, take it from someone who knows, you don’t want to spend half your life thinking about a chance you didn’t take,” Niles said. (Ugh, Gut-wrenching.) A moment of passion turned to heartbreak, but that kiss shifted these two into a new orbit. – Avery Thompson
15. Barney & Robin, How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother was full of romantic highs and lows, leading to quite a few kisses throughout the nine seasons. However, no HIMYM kiss was more memorable than the indecisive moment between Barney (Neil Patrick Harris) and Robin (Cobie Smulders) in the hospital scene during Season 24 of Season 4 when then can’t decide if they love each other, hate each other, or just want to stay friends. At the height of their quick-witted back and forth, wild enough to give anyone whiplash, the two ran into each other’s arms and sharing an incredibly passionate kiss before declaring, “You know what? We can sort this out later.” — Rebecca Perlmutter
14. Jesse & Becky, Full House
Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos) in a cozy sweater under the mistletoe? We get it, Becky (Lori Loughlin). The beloved Full House supercouple shared their first kiss in Episode 9 of Season 2. They were stuck at the airport on Christmas, but these two found a way to pass the time. And this wasn’t just a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it first kiss. This was a passionate smooch that changed everything. Have mercy is right… — Avery Thompson
13. Mindy & Danny, The Mindy Project
Before Danny (Chris Messina) was possessed by a demon that made him legitimately evil, Castellahiri had us on the edge of our seats every episode. After a season and a half of bickering, heart eyes, and, yes, even some dancing, Danny and Mindy’s (Mindy Kaling) electric chemistry came to a head in Season 2’s “The Desert.” Kaling, in true rom-com aficionado fashion, crafted the perfect scenario for Mindy and Danny’s first lip lock. A sudden bout of turbulence made Danny instinctually reach for Mindy’s hand, and we witnessed the exact moment he knew he had to act on his feelings, now or never. Danny grabbed her and kissed her with a passion that still makes us swoon all these years later. If you ask me, they’re honorary members of the mile high club. — Isabel Begun
12. Eric & Jennifer Love Fefferman, Boy Meets World
ABC’s TGIF turned up the heat with Season 5’s “And Then There Was Shawn” episode. While this Boy Meets World episode was entirely a dream, it remains one of the best episodes of the entire series. When Eric (Will Friedle) crossed paths with Jennifer Love “Feffie” Fefferman (Jennifer Love Hewitt) in the hallways of the school, the chemistry was more intense than anything going on in the science classroom. Even as they searched for the killer on the loose, Eric and Feffie couldn’t resist a quick makeout session against a locker. (Hewitt and Friedle were dating at the time.) When it comes to sitcom kisses, this onscreen smooch is by far one of the steamiest. — Avery Thompson
11. Diane & Sam, Cheers
Cheers’ Sam (Ted Danson) and Diane (Shelley Long) were a will-they-won’t-they for the ages. They have many kisses throughout the series —passionate kisses, angry kisses, sweet kisses, sad kisses. Our favorite was their farewell kiss in Season 3. Diane was leaving Boston with Frasier. Saying goodbye in the bar, Sam and Diane once again couldn’t fight their near-painful attraction to each other. Neither wanted to end their farewell hug, leading to a fiery “last” kiss. Could they be getting back together? Not this time, but it was never over when it came to these two. —Leah Williams
10. David & Patrick, Schitt's Creek
David Rose (Dan Levy) took a leap of faith when he initiated a kiss with Patrick Brewer (Noah Reid) in his car, and it paid off in the sweetest ways. After Stevie (Emily Hampshire) read the room correctly during his birthday dinner when she suspected that Patrick wanted to be alone with David, the two had a flirty moment, and David went for it. Afterward, Patrick thanked him for “making that happen” for them, since he was new to these feelings, and the two became inseparable from then on, with many swoony moments to follow. — Amanda Bell
9. Whitley & Dwayne, A Different World
Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) was so gone for Whitley (Jasmine Guy) it was almost pathetic. And here at Swooon, we love a pining, pathetic man. Though their most iconic moment is, of course, “Baby, please!” at Whitley’s wedding, we’re suckers for their first kiss. Dwayne was getting desperate to tell his friend how he felt. When Whitley said, “Looks like we’re all done!” and Dwayne said, “No we’re not,” and kissed her? Butterflies, fireworks, sparks — we felt it all! And so did Whitley, who nearly fainted because she swooned so hard. One of the hottest sitcom kisses of all time, hands down. — Leah Williams
8. Jim & Pam, The Office
Talk about a sitcom slow burn at its finest. Jim (John Krasinski) and Pam’s (Jenna Fischer) relationship was the beating heart of The Office, and their “Casino Night” kiss just about made me combust when I watched it for the first time. Jim confessed his love for his best friend in the office parking lot, only for Pam (who was engaged at that point) to shoot him down. Pam went up to her desk to give her mom a call, debriefing her on the situation, only for him to come into the room and plant a kiss on her lips. It was undoubtedly one of their most romantic moments. — Morgan Pryor
7. Rachel & Ross, Friends
Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Ross (David Schwimmer) had a number of memorable kisses on Friends, which is why I struggled to pick just one. Though it wasn’t their first, their smooch in Season 2 Episode 14 is a standout because it was the first time I really started loving them as a couple. Rachel had just discovered Ross’ pros-and-cons list about her and his ex-girlfriend, so she gave up on him. But when the gang started watching Monica’s old prom video, Rachel found out that Ross got all dressed up to take Rachel to the dance, thinking he’d save the day when her date had abandoned her. However, Rachel’s date did come, and in the video, Ross was obviously heartbroken. In the present day, Rachel finally understood that Ross had been in love with her for a long time, and she realized how much she loved him. She planted a game-changing kiss on his lips that made me see stars. At that point, I started rooting for them to be an endgame couple. — Morgan Pryor
6. Amy & Jonah, Superstore
As a tornado wreaked havoc on Cloud 9, the merchandise wasn’t the only thing flying. We’re talking about the sparks between Amy (America Ferrera) and Jonah (Ben Feldman), who found themselves sheltered together during the chaos. The Season 2 finale asked the question: If the world came crumbling down, what would you do in your last moments? For Amy, that would be kissing Jonah. It was a moment driven not only by adrenaline and fear, but the longing and affection that had been looming over the pair since Jonah first walked into the store looking for a snack. Although the finale ended with Amy going home with her (future ex) husband and daughter, leaving Jonah behind, they both knew that kiss had changed their “friendship” forever. Talk about a seismic shift. — Isabel Begun
5. Chidi & Eleanor, The Good Place
Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper) and Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) spent a long, long, looong time together before their first kiss, thanks to the many times their memories were zapped by Michael (Ted Danson). When they found themselves trapped in the void, though, all seemed lost until Chidi — by way of Janet (D’Arcy Carden) — brought Eleanor back into reality with a kiss … and another one. At that, they went from fake soulmates to real ones, and it was the good place. — Amanda Bell
4. Janine & Gregory, Abbott Elementary
Workplace sitcom kisses just hit differently, don’t they? Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams)’s Season 3 finale kiss is one for the books, even though it’s not their first. That one happened in Season 2, after which they decide to keep things platonic. That’s why when the tension breaks in the Season 3 finale, it’s so satisfying. Their will-they-won’t-they dynamic ends when Janine hosts a back-to-school bash at her apartment. Gregory almost went home at the end of the night, but he returns to fix Janine’s porch light. When she opens the door, he doesn’t hesitate, planting a kiss on her lips. Yes, I did cheer out loud. — Morgan Pryor
3. Leslie & Ben, Parks and Recreation
When it came to Parks and Recreation‘s number one couple, Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott), there was nothing better than their enemies to friends to lovers arc. Both do-gooders who were determined to do what’s best for their community, Leslie and Ben’s shared interests were the foundation of their sweet bond, and their workplace hierarchy was what tied their hands from pursuing the budding romantic feelings between them. But it was Ben’s bold move to kiss Leslie after they’d finally admitted their feelings for one another that continues to stand out. As avid rule followers, his decision to break from the mold only made us swoon harder for this duo, and Leslie’s reaction of “uh oh” only proved the chemistry was just as palpable in person as it was onscreen. — Meaghan Darwish
2. Monica & Chandler, Friends
Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) spent many, many years comforting each other over their myriad of failed past relationships, and there was always a hint of flirtiness beneath their friendship. Consider how many times he pitched a hypothetical relationship with her and she playfully shot it down. Still, when Chandler — in fluffy jammies, no less — gave a pep talk to a bummed-out Mon after she was mistake for Ross’ (David Schwimmer) mother, and she answered it with a kiss, it was a total surprise … and a welcome one, too. After all, he said exactly the right thing at the right time (“You were the most beautiful woman in the room… You’re the most beautiful woman in most rooms.”) to lift her confidence, and, well, they were just plain cute together. — Amanda Bell
1. Jess & Nick, New Girl
While not much needs to be said about sitcom television’s greatest kiss, we could still talk about Nick (Jake Johnson) and Jess’ (Zooey Deschanel) epic New Girl smooch ad nauseam — and sort of did when analyzing Johnson’s superior onscreen skill. The romantic tension between the roommates came bubbling to the surface after a dare to kiss during a game led Nick to address his unspoken crush on Jess, but then he accidentally blurted, “Not like this.” When the pair found themselves in the hall alone later that evening in the episode “Cooler,” Nick bid Jess goodnight before reaching out and pulling her in for a kiss. Jess summed up the earth-shattering kiss in the follow-up episode, when she told bestie Cece (Hannah Simone), “He just, like, grabbed me. And he just took me. He was a man, and I was a woman. It was firm but tender… Yeah, I mean, I saw through space and time for a minute.” We believe it. — Meaghan Darwish
