TV Romance
The 15 Most Romantic Moments in ‘Pretty Little Liars’ History, Ranked
When it comes to messy, heart-thumping, scream-into-your-pillow romance, Pretty Little Liars delivered by the shovel. Between the murder mysteries, anonymous text threats, and questionable life choices, there were so many moments of pure, honest-to-A swoon.
Whether it was forbidden kisses, whispered confessions, or tent hookups (a surprising amount of those, actually), these were the scenes that made us believe in love—even if we also suspected one of them was “A” at some point.
In honor of the show’s 15th anniversary, here are the most romantic moments in Pretty Little Liars history, ranked. You might not agree with all of them (we see you, Ezria defenders), but these are the ones that made us FEEL something. Now, let’s kiss in the rain, cry in a hospital corridor, and maybe sneak into a tent or two…
Did we miss your favorite Pretty Little Liars romantic moment? Drop it in the comments below!
15. The beginning of Spoby (Season 1 Episode 19)
Scrabble talk, pressed against the car, and a kiss that birthed a movement—that is Spoby’s origin story. Spencer (Troian Bellisario) is expecting that kiss with Toby (Keegan Allen) — in all honesty, neither were we — but we’re here for it. The slow walk away as his fingers trail hers? Goosebumps.
14. Ezra and Aria's rain kiss (Season 2 Episode 17)
We have many issues with this inappropriate student-teacher relationship, but even we can admit: This moment was beautiful. Who doesn’t want to be kissed in the rain? Ezra (Ian Harding) literally stops traffic to kiss her. Aria (Lucy Hale) whispers, “I didn’t know if you’d come,” and Ezra replies, “I didn’t know either.” Movie magic. Problematic, yes. But magic. Also, where are the car horns and yelled profanities from everyone waiting behind his car?
13. Hanna & Caleb in the shower (Season 1 Episode 18)
Hanna (Ashley Benson) hides Caleb (Tyler Blackburn) from her mom and has to hop into the shower with him to keep him out of sight. Standing silently, drenched, her hand over his mouth… chills. We know it’s not traditionally romantic, but it’s intimate, electric, and the beginning of one of PLL’s most enduring love stories. Plus, we all noticed her checking out his backside…and, erm, front parts. Combine that with Caleb’s cheeky little lip bite, and we are positively swooning!
12. Spencer comforts Toby (Season 7 Episode 13)
This is not a scene between two lovers, and that’s okay. Spencer visits Toby in the hospital after his wife, Yvonne, dies (literally minutes after the wedding), and he breaks down in her arms.
Romance isn’t always kisses and fireworks. Sometimes it is the lingering love that you can’t shake, the comfort in another’s arms, and the commitment to always be there when they need you.
11. Byron & Ella tie the knot... again (Season 6 Episode 17)
We love to see mature couples on this list of romantic moments in Pretty Little Liars, and unsurprisingly, there are very few examples on this teenage show—how peculiar! But we have one very special moment through Byron (Chad Lowe) and Ella (Holly Marie Combs), aka Aria’s parents. The pair split early on when Aria’s dad had an affair with one of his college graduate students. Then in Season 6, they reunite and decide to get married again. Aria officiates the beautiful outdoor ceremony and delivers a poetic speech about the lovers: “As individuals, each of them is loving, wise, and sensitive. Together, they’re more. They’re inspiring.”
10. Ezra's candlelit proposal (Season 7 Episode 6)
Once again, let the record show we don’t ship Ezra and Aria. But we had to share the first engagement of the show, especially when it was giving MerDer and the house of candles. She doesn’t accept until she shares her worst truths with him, and even with that knowledge, Ezra proposes again. Aria kisses and him and gushes, “Yes, Ezra. Completely, absolutely, yes.”
9. Emily & Paige play mermaids (Season 3 Episode 8)
Okay, they don’t actually play mermaids in this scene, but we have no doubt the two swimmers would on a couple’s holiday somewhere sunny. We know two things about Emily (Shay Mitchell) and Paige (Lindsey Shaw): They fight a lot and always make up beside a pool. The sweet things they’re saying to each other by the blue reflection of the pool is just next-level cute, sealed with a kiss and some…laps? (Can’t relate to that last part.)
8. Spencer chooses Toby (Season 1 Episode 21)
Alright, now we won’t pretend this couple was always the healthiest (put down your pitchforks, we have our reasons), but even we can’t deny the magic of this moment. Spencer was just attacked by A, and her mom has made it very clear that Toby is a no-go, especially as people still think he might’ve murdered Alison—yikes. But Spencer chooses to disobey her mom and run to him, holding him close and then kissing him passionately—PDA alert. It’s giving Romeo and Juliet in skinny jeans.
7. Caleb & Hanna's first time (Season 1 Episode 19)
So Hanna’s mom won’t let her teenage daughter’s boyfriend live with them anymore—ugh, MOM!! He’s now living in a tent instead, and Hanna sneaks out to go see him. After a bit of chat by the campfire, Hanna and Caleb head into his humble abode to do the deed. It’s her first time, and Caleb is so careful and gentle with her. The neck kisses, the pauses, the nervous excitement in her eyes. Replace the tent with a four-poster bed, and we want it.
6. The first kiss, Alison and Emily edition (Season 5 Episode 5)
It’s giving sapphic sleepover, and we’re here for it. Alison (Sasha Pieterse) is back from the dead, and the sexual tension between her and Emily keeps growing. Emily asks if she’s asleep, and rather than respond, Alison turns over, and they start kissing. No words are needed. This is the culmination of years of longing. It doesn’t last, but this moment and the subsequent grinding in the sheets were worth the wait.
5. Hanna never stopped loving Caleb (Season 7 Episode 10)
Rationally speaking, this is bad, very, very bad. Caleb is now with Spencer, even though we’re all still at the restaurant with him and Hanna. While they set up a trap for AD together, Hanna admits she’s still in love with him, and Caleb kisses her. It’s a raw moment between two old lovers, and the connection leaps off the screen between them. Why can’t these two crazy kids just work things out?!
4. Toby & Spencer's one last kiss (Season 7 Episode 10)
Toby is leaving Rosewood and hopes to skip a difficult goodbye, but Spencer won’t give him that satisfaction. She waltzes over and requests one last kiss. It starts hesitant and awkward, but quickly turns into something deeper and too familiar to ignore. Spencer breaks the kiss and leaves without another word, cementing Spoby in our hearts forever.
3. Caleb & Hanna elope in a tent (Season 7 Episode 17)
A callback to their first time: Hanna and Caleb elope in a tent with cigars, plastic champagne flutes, and dollar-store wedding bands. Not legal, but infinitely more romantic than a courthouse. Married in our hearts.
2. Caleb's love confession (Season 6 Episode 20)
Once again, Hanna has narrowly escaped danger, and Caleb wants to rescue her. She rebuffs his protective nature, and Caleb gets angry with her, listing all the things that piss him off about her. It’s giving 10 Things I Hate About You, and we are so here for it. He even accidentally rhymes: “You don’t do dishes until they mold. You eat french fries in bed cold.” But of all things, the one most infuriating is that she won’t admit they’re meant to spend their lives together!! “I never want to spend another day without you, ever, for the rest of my life.” We’re crying in French fry crumbs.
1. Emily & Maya in the photo booth (Season 1 Episode 3)
We are absolutely WEAK for queer girlies working out their sexuality, so it should come as no surprise that this first kiss dominates our list of romantic Pretty Little Liars moments. Emily is still hiding her sexuality and feeling confused, and likely wondering if Maya (Bianca Lawson) is a friend or more. Meanwhile, Maya is sending out VIBES, calling Emily “beautiful.” They go for some classic Y2K poses in a photo booth, and before they know it, they’re kissing as the camera flashes. It’s Emily’s first girl-on-girl kiss, and we can’t think of a cuter place for it to happen. This moment is all the more poignant in the face of her storyline, and this on-off relationship fueled Emily’s character growth throughout the show.
