The Best Teen TV Couples, Ranked

Ah, young love!

There's nothing quite like the drama, tears and romance that comes with teen relationships, so TVLine has rounded up 30 memorable couples who captured our hearts during their foremost years.

Below, you'll find our ranking of the best pairs from teen-centric TV comedies and dramas such as Dawson's Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, That '70s Show and Saved By the Bell. In addition to those classics, we've also included romantic duos from more recent shows like Heartstopper, Stranger Things and Outer Banks, which prove that teen romance is still going strong on the small screen.

No relationship or person is perfect, as evident by some of the following couples who went through rocky times and made questionable decisions. While we're not giving out passes, this is TV, not real life. And before you ask, yes, there are some college-set series featured because, let's face it, while the characters might be legal adults, they're hardly out of teenagehood.

Scroll down to review TVLine's ranking of the best teen TV couples and to find out which actor had the honor of making our list twice, then hit the comments with your picks!

Déja and Malik didn't have an easy start: The fact that he was a dad before he'd graduated high school proved a sticking point for a concerned Randall and Beth. But there was an undeniable connection between the teens that not even parental interference could kill. So, despite their breakup after Malik went to Boston for college, the pair eventually got back together: In a flash-forward in the NBC drama's final season, we learned that Malik and Déja had reunited and were expecting a baby.

Sorry, Rory, Dean and Jess! Our Gilmore entry is reserved for Lane Kim and first love Dave Rygalski (Adam Brody), the sweetest teen couple in Stars Hollow. Dave gamely went along with every tactic Lane used to hide her nascent romance from her mother — and once the beans were spilled, Dave impressed even the unflappable Mrs. Kim by reading the entire Bible in one night just for a shot at taking Lane to the prom. Sadly, Brody got pulled away to star on Fox's The O.C.; Lane and Dave's relationship, in turn, petered out after Season 3, but it was delightful while it lasted.

As legend has it, it was love at first sight for Eric. For Donna? Not so much. (Apparently she punched him in the stomach for looking at her funny!) But these next-door neighbors were a perfect pairing. If only Eric hadn't broken up with Donna when she gave back his promise ring. Or if he hadn't broken off their engagement. Or if he hadn't ditched her and gone to Africa. (On second thought, maybe Donna deserved better?)

The Queen of Christmas and the King of Eating Sandwiches have been TV royalty for decades. Sure, we were happy for Michelle when she got her memory back in Full House's series finale, but the real happy ending was DJ and Steve's surprise reunion (pictured above). The two even proved that their chemistry didn't fizzle out in high school, dating again — and ultimately getting married — on Netflix's Fuller House, more than 20 years later.

It's hard to believe that Blair was hung up on Nate when the CW series premiered, because it was Chuck who truly got her hot and bothered — and vice versa, for better and, sometimes, for very worse. There's no denying that the "Chair" storyline took its fair share of problematic turns. In the end, though, Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester's chemistry overshadowed the relationship's less-than-healthy qualities as Chuck and Blair tied the knot in the series ender to the delight of unwavering 'shippers.

In keeping with the show's title, there was something wonderfully innocent about Fred Savage and Danica McKellar's authentic portrayal of two lovestruck teens in the 1970s. Though we're glad they stayed in touch through adulthood, it's a little soul-crushing that their characters didn't end up together in the end.

Kurt and Blaine weren't the first same-sex couple on teen TV, but there's no denying the impact that "Klaine" had on the genre. No matter what obstacles were thrown their way, these two constantly beat the odds, eventually swapping vows in the Fox comedy's final season. And those harmonies? Tight.

Readers of the original Archie comics might have been shocked to see this mismatched pair find love together, but in the hands of Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse, we couldn't help but root for the brainy girl next door and the sarcastic loner. They made a dynamite crime-solving duo, they had intensely good chemistry, and they supported each other when things got tough. (Like, when her dad turned out to be a serial killer, for example.)

Steve and Laura's was a tale as old as time: Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy manipulates his genetic makeup to impress girl, boy clones himself so that girl can at least date a version of him, clone becomes a model and moves to Paris, girl decides to settle for boy.

Don't think too hard about how long it took these two to get together, despite the fact that they were clearly into each other since Season 1. And also don't focus on JJ's untimely, violent death in the Season 4 finale, a loss that Kiara undoubtedly will avenge in the Netflix series' upcoming fifth and final season. Instead, remember how sweet these two were during their precious, brief time together — including that epic rescue from the tough-love camp in Season 3.

Moesha's dad may not have wanted her to date Q, but we couldn't get enough of their forbidden romance back in the day, nor could we possibly fault good-girl Moesha for being drawn to the rebellious rule breaker. It was a perfect case of opposites attracting as they challenged one another, both emotionally and intellectually, even if their relationship ultimately wasn't meant to last.

"I am, you know." "What?" "Yours." With those six words, Willow and Tara kicked off their witchy and wonderful romance, a time in which both their mystical powers and their love blossomed and grew. Though they broke up when Willow had a little too much fun playing god(dess), the pair eventually reunited... which is why it was so tragic when a rogue bullet ended Tara's life soon after.   

Whether fighting to save the world or just to overcome adolescent misunderstandings, the young couple has always given us endgame vibes. And if we had any doubts, however teensy, they were erased by the simple but profound Season 4 scene in which Mike reached into El's mind to touch her heart. "I love you on your good days, I love you on your bad days," he declared. "I love you with your powers, I love you without your powers... I love you for exactly who you are. You're my superhero!"

She was a flinty, teenage private investigator. He was the school's obligatory psychotic jackass. Oh, and they hated each other. But when that coin flipped (at the Camelot Motel, as you'll recall), the heat coming off these two rivaled a supernova. We won't address their ups and downs, nor the revival's heartbreaking twist, except to say: spanning years and continents, lives ruined, blood shed — turns out their story was epic, after all. 

There are two things every straight teenage girl wants: magical powers and a boyfriend like Harvey Kinkle. Sabrina got to check off both boxes, and even though magic often proved detrimental to their relationship, it also revealed that they're literally soulmates. (True Sabrina stans can't hear No Doubt's "Running" without shedding a single tear.)

Heather Morris (aka Brittany) put it best in her message to Glee fans following the tragic passing of Naya Rivera (Santana): "Most of you felt like [their relationship] was your gateway into your current life. Most of you felt like it was an inspiration to become your best self."

She was the smart, introspective girl who yearned for more. He was the aloof, older heartthrob who leaned against lockers oh-so-wonderfully. And yet, despite being worlds apart in the high school eco system, he still took her hand in the hallway in front of everyone. Sigh.

The C-word (as in "chemistry") gets thrown around a lot in Hollywood but wowza, Gregory Smith and Emily VanCamp had it in spades. It didn't hurt that the duo possessed unheard-of-for-their-age acting chops. They didn't just raise TV's teen romance bar — they set a new one. 

Long before Nick joyfully exclaimed, "I like Charlie Spring in a romantic way!" and carried his classmate into the waves to confirm that they were really, truly boyfriends, our hearts leapt for the couple. Their budding romance was so swoon-inducing, it set animated leaves fluttering! And, as their relationship solidified over Seasons 2 and 3 of the Netflix series, we fell ever harder for them as they showed up for one another time and again, always with a tight embrace, a tender kiss or — why scrimp? — both.

The trope of the shy nerd who longs for the popular girl certainly isn't new, but the feisty banter and surprising depth that stars Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson brought to the romance made it feel fresh. In fact, Seth and Summer were so lovable, they were still going strong — and getting hitched! — in the series finale's flash-forward.

Emily and Alison harbored secret feelings for years before ever making things official — partially because Ali was presumed dead for the first four seasons — but once they finally did, it was game on. Watching this dynamic evolve from an unrequited love to a committed, functioning relationship wasn't just satisfying, it was vindicating. Sure, the show's short-lived spinoff opened with Alison signing divorce papers, but we're choosing to forget that ever happened... just like everything else about Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists.

Zack Morris may have been kind of a dog, but when it came to his relationship with Kelly, he was a total puppy. Let's never forget the time Kelly couldn't afford a prom dress because her dad lost his job, so Zack threw her a private prom for two just outside the walls of Bayside. That's certified '90s dreamboat behavior right there. It was love at first sight when they crossed paths in 1989, and even though it wasn't always smooth sailing (curse you, Patrick Muldoon!), the iconic couple eventually tied the knot in 1994.

We don't recommend getting married and having a baby before graduating high school (it seems very stressful!), but these two made it look easy — and good. From car crashes and crazy nannies to international assassins (oh, Season 9...), there was no obstacle their love couldn't overcome. Heck, their relationship was so compelling, it almost made us care about basketball.

It doesn't get much more star-crossed than a vampire hunter, the centuries-old creature of the night she loves and the gypsy curse that kept them apart. These two fought together until their desire for each other nearly killed them (and, in Angel's case, actually killed him). When your vamp boyfriend leaves town because you love each other too much? That really sucks.  

Sorry, Team Noel loyalists, but Felicity made her choice, and we're standing behind it. The up and down romance between Keri Russell's titular coed and Scott Speedman's dreamy-eyed Ben was the romantic engine that powered the series for four swoon-worthy years. 

The fact that we were unable to decide which Salvatore brother to include here is proof enough that this epic love triangle will never die. Those who recall the Great 'Shipping Wars of the 2010s know the equal-yet-formidable power of "Delena" and "Stelena," thanks in large part to Nina Dobrev's chemistry with both Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley.

The bickering chemistry between Dawson's best friend and his ex-girlfriend was so strong that even the show's writers couldn't deny it and completely rejiggered the series' central romance. Dawson and Joey may have initially captured viewers' hearts as each other's first loves, but Pacey and Joey shared the kind of enduring true love that fans still talk about. 

The chemistry! The tears! The drama! Brenda and Dylan's relationship may have only lasted for two seasons — a girl can't go to Paris for the summer without being cheated on, apparently — but Shannen Doherty and Luke Perry made excellent use of their time on screen, practically creating the teen-couple blueprint for good girls and brooding loners for years to come. (You're welcome, "Bughead.")

Come on, who else were you expecting to find at the top of this list? From their first kiss (1993) to their wedding (1999), Cory and Topanga's aspirational relationship progressed — and occasionally stumbled, thanks to the likes of Linda Cardellini — in real time before viewers' eyes. The fact that we also got to watch them process their own teenage daughter's love life on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World (2014–2017) was just the icing on the cake.