Confessions of love can be corny, cheesy, cringy and whatnot. But they rarely fail to bring a smile to your face and tears to your eyes. That’s the beauty of love. Some love confession scenes from pop culture have become so iconic that they have come to define the movies and TV shows in which they appear.
In movies and TV shows, confessions of love represent many things — love, obviously, but also hope, happiness, fear, vulnerability and regret. It is a risk to bare your heart to someone without knowing how they will respond. In essence, confessions of love are acts of bravery and courage. For instance, in Notting Hill (1999), when Anna (played by Julia Roberts) says, “I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her,” it is a risk. In Grey’s Anatomy (2005–), when Meredith (played by Ellen Pompeo) asks Derek (played by Patrick Dempsey) to choose her, it feels desperate, because love can make you that way. And in Pretty Woman (1990), when Edward (played by Richard Gere) climbs the fire escape despite his fear, it is an act of courage, because love gives you strength.
Notably, over time, confessions of love have evolved with changing cultural tastes. In the medieval era, for instance, the art of serenade usually involved suitors singing to their lovers from under their windows. In Say Anything… (1989), this familiar romantic trope is cleverly reworked for a more modern age: Lloyd Dobler (played by John Cusack) stands outside Diane’s (played by Ione Skye) window holding a boombox above his head through which Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” plays.
So, if you are an old school, hopeless romantic in this situationship era where everyone is nonchalant, this is the perfect article for you. Read on and experience what true love is.
21 best confessions of love in movies and TV shows
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“I’m also just a girl...” — Notting Hill (1999)“I’m also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her.”
One of the most iconic declarations of love from one of the most beloved romcoms of all time, Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, is a true classic. The movie tells the story of a famous actress who falls in love with an ordinary bookshop owner. In this scene, a tearful Anna bares her heart to William (played by Grant), revealing her vulnerability, courage and hope that, despite everything, he might choose love above all her other identities. The film’s cultural impact has been so enduring that, to this day, people still visit its shooting location, Notting Hill in London.
2 /21
Boombox serenading with “In Your Eyes” — Say Anything... (1989)The boombox scene is as tender as it is romantic. Featuring Peter Gabriel’s husky voice singing the ballad, the scene adds a modern twist to the classic trope of courtly love, in which a knight would traditionally serenade a lady as a confession of his love. It is, in fact, this modern reworking of the trope that has made the scene so iconic and relatable to young people. Lloyd Dobler’s posture as he stands outside Diane’s window, wearing an expression of yearning and longing, is beautifully juxtaposed with Diane’s conflicted thoughts as she twists and turns in her bed.
3 /21
“But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you...” — 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)“I hate the way you talk to me, and the way you cut your hair.
I hate the way you drive my car. I hate it when you stare.
I hate your big dumb combat boots, and the way you read my mind.
I hate you so much it makes me sick; it even makes me rhyme.
I hate it, I hate the way you’re always right. I hate it when you lie.
I hate it when you make me laugh, even worse when you make me cry.
I hate it when you’re not around, and the fact that you didn’t call.
But mostly I hate the way I don’t hate you.
Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.”
10 Things I Hate About You, a modern-day retelling of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew (1623), starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles, features one of the most poignant declarations of love in pop culture. A classic ’90s film, it is often considered a blueprint for many teen romcoms. The film also includes another iconic romantic gesture, when Ledger’s character sings Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” to Stiles’ character, Kat. However, the declaration of love mentioned above is far more moving. It comes towards the end of the film, when Stiles’ character recites her poem, teary-eyed, in front of the whole class, full of love and vulnerability. Then again, what else would you expect from Kat?
Image: Courtesy IMDb
4 /21
Edward climbs the fire escape — Pretty Woman (1990)A typical modern-day Cinderella story, Pretty Woman is another classic romcom starring Roberts. The film establishes Edward’s (played by Richard Gere) fear of heights early on, which is why, when he climbs the fire escape to confess his love for Vivian (played by Julia Roberts), it hits you right in the heart. The sweeping music as Edward climbs up to meet her makes the scene all the more enchanting. However, the cherry on top is when he asks her, “So, what happened after he climbed up the tower and rescued her?” and she replies, “She rescues him right back.”
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5 /21
“You have bewitched me body and soul...” — Pride & Prejudice (2005)“You have bewitched me body and soul. And I love… I love… I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”
There are many reasons why everyone loves Pride & Prejudice (2005). The most important, however, is Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr Darcy walking through a vast field and confessing his love for Elizabeth (played by Keira Knightley) in a breathless voice, his eyes full of longing. Yes, Jane Austen’s writing does most of the work here, but it is Macfadyen’s delivery that makes this scene so memorable.
Additionally, there is the bonus scene in which Mr Darcy calls Elizabeth “Mrs Darcy”, and that gives the field scene some serious competition.
6 /21
“If I loved you less then I might be able to talk about it more.” — Emma. (2020)“My dearest Emma, for dearest you will always be, my dearest, most beloved — tell me at once. I cannot make speeches. if I loved you less then I might be able to talk about it more.”
No one writes confessions of love like Jane Austen. This one is among her best because it highlights how overcome Mr Knightley (played by Johnny Flynn) is by the intensity of his feelings for Emma that he can hardly express himself. However, the best part of the scene is what happens immediately afterwards: Emma (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), overwhelmed by his confession, gets a nosebleed.
7 /21
Dean builds a car for Rory — Gilmore Girls (2000-2007)Out of all the leading men on Gilmore Girls, Jess (played by Milo Ventimiglia) and Dean (played by Jared Padalecki) are compared most often. We think Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) is most compatible with Jess because he treated her well. However, it is undeniable that Dean’s love confession was extraordinary. He built a car for Rory from scratch and confessed his love to her. However, the ending was a little anticlimactic because Rory didn’t say, “I love you,” back to him, and that caused a rift between them.
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8 /21
“Pick me. Choose Me. Love Me.” — Grey’s Anatomy (2005-)“I lied. I’m not out of this relationship. I’m in. I’m so in, it’s humiliating because here I am begging… Ok here it is: Your choice? It’s simple: her or me. And I’m sure she’s really great… But Derek, I love you. In a really really big, pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, hold a radio over my head outside your window! Unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you. So pick me. Choose me. Love me.”
One of the most memeable confessions of love is this one from Grey’s Anatomy season 2, in which Meredith (played by Ellen Pompeo) asks Derek (played by Patrick Dempsey) to choose her over his wife. Although it is cringy and, frankly, desperate, the confession remains iconic because, well, why not be cringe and desperate in love?
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9 /21
“I wish I knew how to quit you.” — Brokeback Mountain (2005)“You are too much for me, Ennis, you sonofawh*reson b*tch! I wish I knew how to quit you.”
With every rewatch, Brokeback Mountain will make you cry. It is tragic, heartbreaking and haunting. It is also one of the most beautiful films ever made. Jack’s (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) confession of love is filled with regret over what he and Ennis (played by Heath Ledger) could have had. The anger he feels towards Ennis quickly gives way to heartbreak as the two embrace, sink to the ground and hold on to each other as if their lives depend on it.
10 /21
"I have loved you ever since I’ve known you, Jo."— Little Women (2019)“It’s no use, Jo. Jo, we’ve got to have it out. I have loved you ever since I’ve known you, Jo. I couldn’t help it, and… and I tried to show you and you wouldn’t let me, which is fine, but I must make you hear now and give me an answer because I cannot go on like this any longer. I gave up billiards, I gave up everything you didn’t like; I’m happy I did it’s fine and I waited and I never complained because I… You know I figured you’d love me, Jo, and I’ve realised I’m not half good enough and I’m not this great man and…”
If Timothée Chalamet is remembered for one monologue, it has to be this. He poured his soul into Louisa May Alcott’s words.
11 /21
“You complete me.” — Jerry Maguire (1996)“Our little project, our company had a very big night — a very, very big night. But it wasn’t complete, wasn’t nearly close to being in the same vicinity as complete, because I couldn’t share it with you. I couldn’t hear your voice or laugh about it with you. I miss my — I miss my wife. We live in a cynical world, a cynical world, and we work in a business of tough competitors. I love you. You complete me.”
There are several reasons why this love confession is iconic. First, it is a callback to the lift scene in which Dorothy (played by Renée Zellweger) is translating the ASL declaration of love for Jerry (played by Tom Cruise). Second, after he makes that whole speech, she tells him to shut up, saying, “You had me at hello,” which is perhaps even more famous than the confession itself.
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“I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out...” — When Harry Met Sally... (1989)“I love that you get cold when it’s 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes, and I love that you are the last person I wanna talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”
When Harry Met Sally is a classic friends-to-lovers film that is heartwarming, festive and culturally resonant. Its slow-burn romantic plot encourages the audience to invest in the friendship between the two characters, rooting for them to end up together. Harry’s (played by Billy Crystal) confession of love takes place at a New Year’s Eve party as he pours his heart out to Sally (played by Meg Ryan). Her response only adds to the magic of the scene as she says, “You see? That is just like you, Harry. You say things like that and you make it impossible for me to hate you. And I hate you, Harry. I really hate you.”
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13 /21
Daffodils — Big Fish (2003)This confession of love by Edward Bloom (played by Ewan McGregor) is one of the sweetest moments in Tim Burton’s Big Fish. To woo the love of his life, Sandra (played by Alison Lohman), who already has a boyfriend, Edward plants thousands of daffodils for her, as they are her favourite flowers. In fact, when her boyfriend at the time tries to attack Edward, he does not retaliate or resort to violence, which also helps Sandra realise that he is the better man.
14 /21
“Kiss me as if it were the last time.” — Casablanca (1942)“I love you so much. And I hate this war so much. Oh, it’s a crazy world. Anything can happen. If you shouldn’t get away, I mean, if something should keep us apart, wherever they put you and wherever I’ll be, I want you to know that I… Kiss me, kiss me as if it were the last time.”
One of the greatest romantic films of all time, Casablanca does not have a happy ending, as Ilsa (played by Ingrid Bergman) and Rick (played by Humphrey Bogart) are separated by the war. As the Germans invade Paris, Ilsa and her husband must escape. When she and Rick meet for the last time, she expresses her love for him and asks for one final kiss, as they will never see each other again.
15 /21
“I’m always gonna love you.” — La La Land (2016)“I’m always gonna love you.”
“I’m always gonna love you too.”
La La Land is a tragedy because of the way it ends, with the montage of the life Mia (played by Emma Stone) and Sebastian (played by Ryan Gosling) could have had. However, the worst part of this confession of love is that it happens as an act of letting go, when Mia and Seb decide to part ways to pursue their dreams.
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16 /21
“I would marry you...” — Before Sunrise (1995)“Listen, if somebody gave me the choice right now, of to never see you again or to marry you, alright, I would marry you, alright. And maybe that’s a lot of romantic bullshit, but people have gotten married for a lot less.”
Before Sunrise is one of those films that reinstates your faith in genuine human connection. Two people meet on a train by chance and spend the entire day (and night) together, walking around Venice. There is something very tender yet brave about Jesse’s (played by Ethan Hawke) confession. He has only just met Celine (played by Julie Delpy), but he knows the intensity of his feelings and isn’t afraid to voice them. He allows himself to be fearless and take the risk of confessing his love.
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17 /21
“So it's not gonna be easy...” — The Notebook (2004)“So, it’s not gonna be easy. It’s going to be really hard; we’re gonna have to work at this everyday, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever. You and me… everyday.”
Who can forget The Notebook’s famous rain scene? It’s one of the most iconic scenes in pop culture. In fact, the entire film is iconic, including this love confession by Noah (played by Ryan Gosling) when he asks Allie (played by Rachel McAdams) what she wants. The scene offers a glimpse into Allie’s internal turmoil – how, as a woman, she has so many things to consider, unlike Noah, who can love unabashedly. And his love truly shows in the way Gosling delivers this line, with a wavering voice and teary eyes.
18 /21
Flash card confession — Love Actually (2003)When Love Actually was released, Mark’s (played by Andrew Lincoln) flash-card confession took the world by storm. In love with his best friend’s wife, Juliet (played by Keira Knightley), he confesses his feelings to her on Christmas Eve while pretending to be one of the carol singers.
He drops card after card as he tells her, “To me, you’re perfect,” and in the end, leaves after kissing her once. While the scene has since been criticised as stalkerish, it also highlights that the final act of loving truly is letting go. Mark confesses his love for Juliet for his own peace of mind, but he doesn’t stay to disrupt her married life, as her happiness matters more to him.
19 /21
“I’m in love with you.” — The Office (2005-2013)“I’m in love with you. I’m really sorry if that’s weird for you to hear, but I needed you to hear it. Probably not good timing, I know that. I just… needed you to know. Once.”
The Office featured some great couples and some unforgettable declarations of love, and the best has to be in season 2, when Jim (played by John Krasinski) confesses his feelings to Pam (played by Jenna Fischer) during Casino Night at the office. Even though Pam is still engaged to Roy (played by David Denman), Jim is so overwhelmed by his feelings for her that he has to tell her. The scene is incredibly tender, as the two share a kiss before Pam realises what she has done.
20 /21
“It's because I love you that I can't be selfish with you.” — The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017)“I love you, Elena. And it’s because I love you that I can’t be selfish with you. Why you can’t know this. I don’t deserve you, but my brother does. God, I wish you didn’t have to forget this. But you do.”
One of television’s most toxic couples, Damon (played by Ian Somerhalder) and Elena (played by Nina Dobrev) also went through a period of unrequited love in the early seasons. Damon was in love with her, but she was dating his brother. However, in season 2, when Elena loses her necklace, leaving her vulnerable to compulsion, Damon confesses his love to her. Soon afterwards, though, he compels her to forget everything he has said and returns the necklace to her. The scene is particularly moving because, up to that point in the series, Damon had been portrayed as a villainous anti-hero who cared only for himself. The teardrop that falls from his eyes as he tells Elena to forget his words humanises him and reveals the depth of his feelings. He may be selfish, but when it comes to love, he puts her first.
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“I love you”/ “It’ll pass” — Fleabag (2016-2019)“I love you.”
“It’ll pass.”
A beat.
“I love you too.”
We’ve saved the most gut-wrenching confession of love for last. At the end of Fleabag, when the titular character confesses her love for the Priest after he chooses his love for God over hers, he tells her, “It’ll pass” — that the intensity of her feelings will lessen over time and that she’ll move on from him. The phrase is equal parts despairing and hopeless because, while Fleabag and the viewer are assured that things do not last forever, it also means she will have to suffer through the pain of separation. Before he leaves, however, he says, “I love you too,” as they both hold back tears. It’s a painful scene to witness because of its realism — even though they love each other deeply, life does not always end in fulfilment.
Hero and featured image: Courtesy IMDb/Fleabag (2016-2019)Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.