Who doesn’t like a classic Hollywood romance? These love stories are perfect for the big screen and feature dashing actors who ride off with equally beautiful co-stars. “Titanic,” “Gone with the Wind,” and “When Harry Met Sally” are just a few of the many movies that feature such romantic stories. These dramatic images are so appealing that audiences will spend millions of hard-earned money to watch their favorite stars fight for true love, sometimes in the face of overwhelming odds.
Although most of these films are innocent, a few get attention for being slick. On-screen romances can be between actors from different generations. This means that one actor is older than the other, which can make the steak a bit more tender. The age gap can sometimes serve a purpose, but most often, young women are paired up with older men (or vice versa on rare occasions) because that’s just how Hollywood works. Plus, the creep factor is amplified by the fact that actors in these films often lock their lips at one point or another. Some disturbing movie kiss scenes can make even the most romantic people cringe. We’ve warned you.
Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort (52 years)
Although it is not for everyone, “Harold and Maude,” a 1971 dark comedy, has been a cult favorite. This is due to its big heart and deep explorations of life and death. It’s mostly about death. The story of Harold (Bud Cort), an unhappy 20-year-old who attends funerals and searches for new ways to die, is told in the film. He meets Maude (Ruth Gordon), a free-spirited, eccentric older woman prone to removing trees from the city and restoring them to the forest. You see, she’s his opposite.
They form an odd couple that is strong enough to get them through the daily grind of life. When Harold and Maude fall in love, this union becomes bizarre. Although a young man can befriend an older woman, seeing a 20-year-old boy marry a woman 52 years, his senior is not the happy ending we expected.
Drew Barrymore and Tom Skerritt (41 years)
Drew Barrymore was 17 when she spit on Tom Skerritt, a 58-year-old erotic thriller called “PoisonIvy.” Ivy (Barrymore), a psychopath, seduces Darryl Skerritt (Skerritt), who is the father of Sylvie (Sara Gilbert), to be a part of their family. Ivy must kill Sylvie’s mother (Cheryl Ladd), but an omelet is incomplete without eggs.
Darryl falls for Ivy’s charms and encounters the young girl under his car hood in the middle of a storm. Context aside, seeing a teenager coupling with a 60-year-old man is not exactly thrilling. Although the scene is meant to make viewers uncomfortable, it doesn’t change that Barrymore and Skerritt jumped headfirst into murky territory in the name of superficial entertainment.
Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones (39 years)
Sean Connery lived a long life and was able to continue playing the lead role in many action movies well into his 60s. These genre films require a young lead lady to play alongside the “aged hero,” Hollywood was happy to oblige Hollywood’s iconic star. The 1999 film “Entrapment” saw a 68-year-old actor team up with 29-year-old Catherine Zeta-Jones, resulting in an awkward, absurd relationship.
Connery’s 60-year-old Robert MacDougal climbs high-rises to break into vaults with the best, actions that make it necessary for audiences to swallow their doubts under 50 tons of popcorn. It’s one absurd plot point to see James Bond and Zeta-Jones in a passionate on-screen romance with Zeta Jones’ young, eager-to-please thief. Yes, there is a lot of on-screen chemistry between them, and it’s not hard to see why any man would succumb to Zeta Jones’ charm. But this was an actor who needed a reality check.
Jack Nicholson and Amanda Peet (35 years)
Like Sean Connery’s case, Jack Nicholson had a long and successful career as a leading actor until his age forced him to retire. The Academy Award-winning actor still squeezed every drop of his star power. He enjoyed many top roles with younger women in films like “Wolf” (“As Good as It Gets”) and “Something’s Gotta Give.” The latter features Nicholson as Harry, a man who has a relationship with half his age to keep his youth. This aspect of Nicholson’s character is reflected in Nancy Meyers’ script.
Harry finally gives up his old ways to live with Diane Keaton’s younger Erica. Keanu Reeves, a younger man, also has a relationship with Harry. It’s all good and ends well, except that audiences are forced to watch Nicholson’s brief romance with Amanda Peet (31 years old at the time) — 35 years older than Nicholson. The film opens with the couple enjoying an early morning romance on top of a bed. This scene is playful but long enough for audiences to wish Keaton would step in to bring Nicholson back to reality.
Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson (35 years)
Scarlett Johansson and Bill Murray shine on the screen in Sofia Coppola’s “Lost in Translation,” a film about two wandering souls who become friends and eventually help each other during a trip through Tokyo. The film, brilliantly directed and acted beautifully, was a huge success with critics and audiences when released in 2003.
We are not going to criticize a film of this caliber. But were we not a bit scared by the final scene, where a 52-year-old Murray kisses ScarJo, 17 years? Coppola claims that Murray improvised the moment on the spot. Coppola stated that it was always intended to be a tender farewell where they knew they had touched one another somehow. “Sometimes he would throw things at her, and it was great to see her reaction.” The director felt Murray’s innocence kept the relationship from drifting into creepy territory.
Jeremy Irons and Dominique Swain (34 years)
Adrian Lyne is back. The creator of erotic thrillers such as “9 1/2 weeks,” “Fatal Attraction,” and “Indecent Proposal,” Adrian Lyne, explores the problematic relationship between a middle-aged man (Jeremy Irons) and a 14-year-old girl (Dominique Swain) during 1997’s controversial film “Lolita.” Stanley Kubrick famously adapted “Lolita,” based on Vladimir Nabokov’s book. He paired Sue Lyon, a 14-year-old, with James Mason, a 53-year-old.
Kubrick’s version was, however, much more explicit. Lyne’s film leaves little to the imagination about Irons’ relationship with Swain. According to The Globe and Mail, Swain was just 14 years old. Body doubles were required for explicit scenes and moments that involved nudity. Cushions were placed between actors during sequences that required bodily contact. Lyne’s goal is to make viewers squirm. The director extracts tension from Irons, 49, and his young co-star. The results in this instance are disturbing and revelatory.
Michael Caine and Michelle Johnson (33 years)
The popular British actor Michael Caine was in his 50s when he starred in “Blame it On Rio” in 1984. He had long since reached his career’s “Get Carter” stage. He still had a passionate affair with Michelle Johnson, a young actress who was just 17 when the darkly charged comedy was shot. The film’s 100-minute runtime is filled with flirting, kissing, and coupling. These deplorable acts are treated as funny bits of old-fashioned comedy, which is worse. It’s okay not to overthink it; enjoy the old man joking around on the beach with the teenage girl.
Roger Ebert stated in his review that “Blame it On Rio”… had the mind and heart of a 1940s bongo comedy but the soul of a porno movie. Seeing how casually this movie treats a problematic situation is quite disturbing. Stanley Donen, the director, uses his absurd premise for cheap laughs. Nobody has ever spoken about this movie since it was released.
Liam Neeson and Olivia Wilde (32 years)
When they appeared in Paul Haggis’s 2013 drama “Third Person,” Liam Neeson had 32 years more experience than Olivia Wilde. Even at 60, Neeson still looks like a healthy man in his 50s. The actor’s wrinkled features, visible alongside Olivia Wilde (who was only 29 then), make it difficult to see their romance on screen.
However, “Third Person” was not well received by critics. Only 25% of Rotten Tomatoes users gave the film a favorable review. This mediocre effort by the always reliable Haggis also led to a $2 million worldwide box-office gross. This may be a rare case of poor box office performance helping the creative talent involved. Move on, folks. There is nothing to see.
Emma Stone and Colin Firth (26 years)
Emma Stone had a variety of roles before she was able to win an Oscar for her performance in “La La Land,” which featured Ryan Gosling. One of these roles was in the Woody Allen comedy-drama, “Magic in the Moonlight,” in 2014. Although Allen’s acting was once a badge of honor, it became a problem over the years because the female lead would always be older than her male counterpart.
In this instance, Stone, 26, chases Colin Firth, 54, in a plot centered around clairvoyance. It’s a charming little film, and the actors have great chemistry. We are led to believe that a young woman would sacrifice everything for a man twice her age. The final kiss feels forced and unnecessary, mainly because Firth views Stone as a friend, before a sudden, superficial third act changes. We like Firth, but Stone should continue to star opposite older actors.
Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn (28 years)
Age discrepancies don’t exist as a modern tool to appeal to actors older than 25. The trope is a common one in classic Hollywood. In the classic “Rio Bravo,” John Wayne was 24 years younger than Angie Dickinson, and Cary Grant retired after realizing he couldn’t be a suave leading man anymore.
However, the iconic star Gary Cooper was not humble enough to appear in Billy Wilder’s “Love in the Afternoon,” where his character coupled with Audrey Hepburn at 28 years old. Cooper was almost 60 years old and looked much older than he was on-screen. This led to poor box office receipts and a mixed reaction from critics. Wilder also pointed out the discrepancy in age between Cooper and his stars as the reason behind the film’s poor performances.
Harrison Ford and Anne Heche (26 years)
Harrison Ford and Anne Heche were a big hit when they appeared together in Ivan Reitman’s romantic comedy, “Six Days, Seven Nights.” Quinn Harris (Ford) is left stranded on an isolated island with Robin Harris (Heche) after a plane crashes; Quinn Harris (Heche) is the pilot. Although the film is light on substance, Reitman’s movie has enough adventure and heartwarming humor to be worth a few minutes. However, viewers must get past the notion of Ford and Heche at 55 years old. There is much to do if you overlook the vast age gap.
This was just one of many controversies that surrounded the picture. It was released when Heche’s public relationship with Ellen DeGeneres made waves in pop culture. Heche said Ford ignored all the noise and focused on creating a great romantic comedy. This prompted the late star to tell Vanity Fair, “That’s why Harrison Ford is my hero.” It was a great honor to have you stand by me when I could have lost the strength of what I stood up for.”
Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt (26 years)
“As Good as It Gets” is the story of Melvin Udall, a cantankerous germaphobe (Jack Nicholson), and the friendship that he forges with Simon (Greg Kinnear) and Carol (Helen Hunt). The Academy Award-winning picture, written by James L. Brooks, has a lot of heart and laughs. It evolves from a funny tale about three people learning to respect one another’s quirks into a routine love story.
This romance isn’t fireworks-worthy since it occurs between Nicholson (60) and Hunt (34). This leads to a climactic kiss that feels out of place in the context of the movie. It is also a bit off-putting, given the vast age gap. Brooks opts to be safe and delivers an untypical “happily “ever after when Carol’s efforts to find Melvin a retirement home should have been the third act. Roger Ebert’s review stated that it was almost painful to see the screenplay try and fit these characters into a formula. They are dragged toward the happy ending screaming and kicking.
Robert Redford and Demi Moore (26 years)
“Indecent Proposal” was a hilarious, yet ultimately funny, ’90s erotic drama that generated as much humor as it did comedy. A 1993 smash movie about a young couple played by Demi Moore (and Woody Harrelson) who are approached by Robert Redford, a billionaire, with a bizarre request: He will spend one night with Moore’s character for one million dollars.
Adrian Lyne directed “Indecent Proposal,” which received scathing reviews after its release. However, it still managed to sell over $266 million in worldwide tickets. This was despite the awkward pairing of Moore and Redford, who have a lot of heat despite their 26-year age difference. Redford was 55 years old then, and Moore was only 29. However, that didn’t stop them from locking their lips. The plot is designed to make maximum awkwardness. Redford is paying for a woman.
Nicole Kidman and Cameron Bright (26 years)
“Birth” has a reputation for being an unconventional movie that defies conventions in all the wrong places. The film is directed by Jonathan Glazer and tells the story of Anna (Nicole Kidman), who believes Sean (Cameron Bright), her deceased husband, is reincarnated. The boy seems to know everything about Anna, including her activities with her husband. This is all she needs to jump into her elaborate fantasy.
Although similar concepts have been explored in other films, many with hilarious results, “Birth,” on the other hand, goes the extra mile and has Kidman, 36, kiss her 10-year co-star. Although the scene is intended to be less disturbing than it is stimulating, such moments often feel like an artistic mastermind creating a ridiculous premise to generate controversy. It didn’t matter. The audience avoided Birth like the plague. It earned a paltry $14 million worldwide, and most critics dismissed it as nothing more than a questionable exercise.
Ben Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen (42 years)
The movie “The Wackness” features a controversial age gap between Sir Ben Kingsley and Mary-Kate Olsen in a kissing scene. Despite the 42-year age difference, both actors stated that the scene was professional and comfortable. Kingsley respected Olsen’s boundaries and allowed her to lead the scene.
However, Kingsley acknowledged that the scene may still generate controversy due to societal norms and expectations around age differences in romantic relationships. The article raises questions about portraying such relationships in the entertainment industry and their potential ethical consequences.
Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider (29 years)
The 1972 film “Last Tango in Paris,” starring Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider, is noted for its disturbing age gap and non-consensual coupling scene. Brando, who was 48 then, came up with the idea for the scene involving Schneider, who was only 19. Decades later, Schneider revealed that the role and the scene had traumatized her, causing her to cry real tears and feel humiliated.
She also felt a little raped, both by Brando and director Bernardo Bertolucci. Although there were rumors that they had an actual coupling in the film, Schneider denied it, stating there was no attraction between them and that Brando was more like a father figure to her. The film is frequently mentioned on lists of inappropriate and awkward scenes.
Woody Allen and Juliette Lewis (40 years)
Woody Allen’s 1979 film “Manhattan” featured a middle-aged protagonist having an affair with a 17-year-old girl, played by Mariel Hemingway, who was only 16 at the time of filming. In a 2010 interview, Hemingway admitted to being terrified about kissing Allen and alleged that he attacked her like she was a linebacker.
Adding to the unease, Hemingway claimed that Allen attempted to seduce her a few years later. The age gap between Allen and his on-screen partners became even more disturbing when it was revealed that Allen had a real-life eight-year affair with a 16-year-old girl named Babi Christina Engelhardt. Allen’s 1992 film “Husbands and Wives” also features his obsession with his 20-year-old student, played by Juliette Lewis, who is nearly 40 years younger than Allen.
Nick Nolte and Julia Roberts (26 years)
The 1994 romantic comedy “I Love Trouble” starred Nick Nolte, in his mid-50s, opposite Julia Roberts, who was in her 20s. The 26-year age gap was not the only issue, as the co-stars reportedly hated each other on set. Their steamy love scenes were difficult to film due to their lack of chemistry, with sources claiming that they played more to stand-ins than to each other.
Roberts and Nolte insulted each other in interviews, with Roberts calling Nolte “completely disgusting” and Nolte stating that she was “not a nice person.” The article highlights the challenges of filming intimate scenes with actors who do not get along and how this can affect the portrayal of age-gap relationships on screen.
Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart (30 years)
The 1954 romantic comedy “Sabrina” stars Audrey Hepburn as the titular character in a love triangle with two men, played by William Holden and Humphrey Bogart. Bogart was 30 years older than Hepburn, who was only 24 then. According to author Edward Z. Epstein, Bogart was insecure about his age and physical appearance during the production, with some crew members noting that Hepburn looked like she could be his granddaughter.
To create the illusion of attraction between the two actors, filming Bogart required careful lighting and camera angles. The article highlights the challenges of creating believable age gap relationships on screen and the lengths filmmakers go to achieve the desired effect.
Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal (28 years)
The 2009 drama “Crazy Heart” features an age gap between its leads, with Jeff Bridges playing an alcoholic country singer Otis “Bad” Blake, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as a young reporter assigned to interview him. Gyllenhaal acknowledged the age difference but argued that it reflected the unusual bond between the characters.
She noted that people are often attracted to others who are not good for them and that the film captures the reality of such relationships. The article offers a contrasting perspective to the other entries, highlighting that while age gaps in romantic relationships on screen can be disturbing, they can also be used to explore complex human emotions and experiences.
Aidan Gillen and Sophie Turner (28 years)
The TV series “Game of Thrones” featured an age gap between characters Petyr Baelish, played by Aidan Gillen, and Sansa Stark, played by Sophie Turner. Despite the 28-year age difference, some fans hoped for a romantic relationship between the characters. Turner, however, found it “weird” and noted that her Twitter exploded with fans expressing disgust after a kissing scene between the characters.
She also pointed out that Gillen has a daughter who is only a year younger than her. The article raises questions about the portrayal of age-gap relationships on screen and audiences’ responses to such relationships.
Charlie Tahan and Lisa Emery (46 years)
In the Netflix thriller “Ozark,” an unexpected romance develops between characters Wyatt Langmore, played by Charlie Tahan, and Darlene Snell, played by Lisa Emery, 46 years older than Tahan. Showrunner Chris Mundy revealed that the idea to have the characters hook up was first introduced by one of the show’s writers but was initially dismissed.
However, the twist in the storyline became Mundy’s favorite thing of the season. Tahan was shocked and laughed for three minutes when he learned of the romantic plotline. The article highlights how age gaps in romantic relationships can be used to create surprise and shock value in storytelling.
Taylor Momsen (15) and Chace Crawford (23)
In the hit TV show “Gossip Girl,” the characters played by Taylor Momsen and Chace Crawford had a significant age gap when their characters first became romantically involved. Momsen was only 15 years old then, while Crawford was 23. The age gap was noticeable and raised questions about the appropriateness of their on-screen relationship.
While the actors were not responsible for the show’s writing, they faced criticism for portraying the characters’ relationship. This example raises concerns about how age gaps are depicted in media and the potential impact on viewers, particularly younger audiences.
Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor (15 years)
The 2003 romantic comedy “Love Actually” features Keira Knightley as a young bride caught in a love triangle between her husband’s best friend, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, and his best friend’s brother, played by Andrew Lincoln. Knightley was only 18 when the film was shot, while Ejiofor and Lincoln were both in their mid-30s.
The age gap between Knightley and her co-stars raised eyebrows among some viewers, who criticized the portrayal of a young woman being pursued by much older men. While the film was generally well-received and has become a holiday classic, it’s handling of age gaps in romantic relationships has been the subject of debate.
Hilary Duff (15) and Chad Michael Murray (22)
In the 2004 teen romantic comedy “A Cinderella Story,” Hilary Duff played Sam Montgomery, a high school student who falls for a popular jock, Austin Ames, played by Chad Michael Murray. However, the actors’ age difference caused controversy, with Duff being just 15 years old and Murray 22 at the time of filming.
The on-screen kiss between the two raised eyebrows among some viewers who criticized the portrayal of an underage girl in a romantic relationship with a significantly older man. While the film was a commercial success, grossing over $70 million worldwide, it has been cited as an example of Hollywood’s problematic tendency to pair underage actresses with much older male co-stars.
Selena Gomez (15) and Brian Kubach (24)
Selena Gomez was only 15 years old when she played the girlfriend of Brian Kubach, who was 24, in the popular Disney Channel series, Wizards of Waverly Place. The on-screen age gap between the actors caused some controversy, with many viewers questioning the appropriateness of the relationship depicted in the show.
Despite this, Gomez’s portrayal of Alex Russo and Kubach’s portrayal of Dean Moriarty became a beloved couple among fans. Gomez became a Disney starlet, while Kubach continued to work in the entertainment industry.
Sasha Pieterse and Ryan Merriman (12 years)
Sasha Pieterse, who played Alison in Pretty Little Liars, not only acted alongside older co-stars but also had to engage in romantic scenes with them. In one of the show’s most disturbing storylines, her character had a fling with Ian Thomas, played by Ryan Merriman, who was 26 at the time of filming. Conversely, Pieterse was just 14, making for a 12-year age gap.
While it’s common for actors to portray characters that are not their real age, the wide age gap, in this case, is unsettling. Furthermore, the storyline was quite controversial, as it involved a high school girl having a romantic relationship with a man. Pretty Little Liars faced criticism for romanticizing such a disturbing dynamic between the characters.
Emmy Rossum and Gerard Butler (16 years)
Movie kiss scenes are meant to be romantic and captivating, but some age gaps between the actors involved can be pretty disturbing. One of the most talked-about instances is the kiss scene in Phantom of the Opera, where Emmy Rossum, only 17 years old, shares a passionate kiss with Gerard Butler, who was 33, and Patrick Wilson, who was 30.
While the age difference between the actors is not illegal, the fact that Rossum was still a minor during filming raises some ethical concerns. The scene was uncomfortable to watch for many viewers and sparked a debate on the appropriateness of romantic scenes involving age-gaped actors.
Madison Reyes (16) and Charles Gillespie (22)
Movies and TV shows often feature romantic scenes meant to be enchanting and evoke emotions in the audience. However, some on-screen age gaps between actors can be disturbing, raising questions about the appropriateness of the content.
One such instance is in Julie and the Phantoms, where Madison Reyes, who is just 16 years old, shares a romantic scene with Charles Gillespie, who is 22.
Selena Gomez and Drew Seeley (10 years)
Lights, camera, action! Movie kiss scenes are often the highlight of any film, but what happens when there’s a significant age gap between the actors? Let’s look at Selena Gomez and Drew Seeley’s steamy scene in Another Cinderella Story.
While filming, Gomez was only 16 years old, while Seeley was 26. Despite their age difference, the pair shared an electrifying on-screen chemistry that captivated audiences. The scene may have been controversial, but there’s no denying the excitement it generated among viewers.
Mila Kunis Lied About Her Age
Get ready to travel back to the groovy era of That ’70s Show! Did you know that Mila Kunis, who played Jackie on the show, lied about her age to get the role? Kunis was 14 years old then, but she told the casting directors she was already 18.
Fast forward to the show’s first episode, and Kunis was just 15 years old, while her on-screen love interest, Ashton Kutcher, was 20. The pair shared plenty of steamy scenes throughout the series, leaving audiences spellbound.
Jared Leto (22) and Claire Danes (15)
Get ready to relive the nostalgic days of My So-Called Life, where love and drama were always in the air! But did you know that Jared Leto and Claire Danes’ on-screen romance was a topic of discussion because of their significant age gap?
Leto, who played the brooding Jordan Catalano, was around 22 when the show aired, while Danes were only 15. Despite the age difference, the pair shared some of the most iconic on-screen moments of the ’90s, leaving audiences swooning.
First Time That The Actress is The Older One
Get ready to cringe and feel uncomfortable as we delve into the age gap in Everything Sucks! Sydney Sweeney, who played Emaline on the show, was nearly 20 years old when she shared a steamy kiss with her co-star Peyton Kennedy, who was just 13 years old.
The scene was controversial and raised questions about the appropriateness of romantic scenes involving actors with significant age differences. It’s essential to acknowledge that these scenes are fictional.
Kirsten Dunst and Brad Pitt (11 years)
Interview with the Vampire, based on Anne Rice’s popular novel of the same name, was released in 1994 and quickly became a classic vampire movie. One of the most controversial scenes in the movie was the kiss between Kirsten Dunst’s character Claudia and Brad Pitt’s character Louis.
Dunst was just 11 years old, while Pitt was 30. Despite the significant age difference, the two actors shared a memorable on-screen moment that had viewers talking for years.