35+ Actors Who Hated Kissing Their Co-Stars On Screen

Sometimes, being an actor might seem like a dream—especially when it involves kissing superstars and getting hot and heavy with some of the most desirable celebrities in Hollywood. But in reality, those steamy scenes aren’t always as glamorous as they appear. Filming an on-screen kiss in front of the entire cast and crew can feel incredibly awkward. In fact, many actors have opened up about uncomfortable kissing scenes that were anything but romantic. From lack of on-screen chemistry to behind-the-scenes drama, these moments reveal the not-so-glamorous side of celebrity life. If you love juicy celebrity gossip and Hollywood secrets, you’re in for a wild ride!

Spider-Man – A memorable kiss

The upside-down rain kissing scene between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man is often listed among the most famous movie kisses of all time. With Spider-Man (Maguire) dangling upside-down in the pouring rain and Mary Jane (Dunst) pulling down his mask to kiss him, it created a visually iconic moment that still trends in celebrity movie countdowns.

But according to celebrity interviews, the reality wasn’t nearly as steamy. Tobey later revealed that filming the kiss was incredibly uncomfortable—he had rainwater streaming into his nose and all the blood rushing to his head while trying to stay in character. In fact, this scene, praised in countless Hollywood romance roundups, was one of the most awkward movie moments for him to film.

Harry Potter – After all those years

Fans waited years for Ron and Hermione’s kiss in the Harry Potter franchise. The tension between the two characters had been brewing since day one, so when the moment finally came, it felt like a magical payoff. The kiss instantly became one of the most celebrated scenes in blockbuster movie history.

But behind the scenes, it was a different story. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint—the actors behind Hermione and Ron—have both admitted in celebrity interviews that the moment felt incredibly awkward. Despite years of working together, their off-camera relationship was more like a sibling rivalry. That lack of real-life chemistry made the kiss anything but romantic. It’s a classic example of how on-screen chemistry doesn’t always reflect celebrity relationships in real life.

The Spectacular Now – Not happy with the herbs

While The Spectacular Now may not be the most well-known romantic teen drama, it quietly gained a cult following after its 2013 release. Starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller, two actors who’ve shared the screen multiple times, the movie seemed to promise some real on-screen chemistry.

But when it came to filming one of their kissing scenes, things didn’t go so smoothly. As revealed in celebrity behind-the-scenes interviews, Miles was taking Chinese herbal supplements at the time to boost his immune system—one of those popular Hollywood health trends. Unfortunately, Shailene wasn’t a fan. She confessed that the smell of the herbs was overwhelming, and she definitely wasn’t looking forward to that particular moment. So, while the romance looked sweet on screen, it was one of those classic awkward celebrity moments in reality.

How I Met Your Mother – Co-star’s bad habits

How I Met Your Mother is easily one of the most beloved sitcoms in TV history, with its quirky humor, relatable characters, and of course, unforgettable love stories. One fan-favorite couple, Lily and Marshall, portrayed by Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel, had tons of affectionate scenes over the show’s nine-season run.

But what fans didn’t know was that those kisses weren’t always so enjoyable. Alyson has shared in celebrity interviews that kissing Jason was tough at first due to one particular celebrity habit—smoking. As a non-smoker, she found it hard to deal with the lingering smell during intimate scenes. Thankfully, Jason eventually quit smoking, improving not only his health but their on-screen dynamic as well. It’s a perfect example of how TV show secrets don’t always match the perfect picture shown to viewers.

Mission: Impossible – Heartthrob slobber

In one of the intense action-packed installments of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise teamed up with Thandie Newton for what was supposed to be a steamy romantic moment. While Cruise is often labeled a Hollywood heartthrob, Thandie wasn’t exactly thrilled about their celebrity kissing scene.

In fact, she later revealed that filming those intimate moments was far from glamorous. According to her, Tom was “a little too liberal” with his kisses—so much so that they had to reshoot the scene multiple times due to what she called “slobbery kisses.” This bit of Hollywood behind-the-scenes drama proves that even kissing an A-lister isn’t always as dreamy as fans might imagine. Definitely one of those awkward on-set moments that sticks with you.

My Best Friend’s Girl – Pranking her co-star

Romantic comedies are supposed to be sweet and swoon-worthy, but behind the scenes, things can get hilariously uncomfortable. In My Best Friend’s Girl, Kate Hudson and Dane Cook shared a few romantic moments on screen—though one kiss, in particular, became infamous for all the wrong reasons.

Known for her playful and bubbly off-screen personality, Kate decided to prank her co-star by eating a pile of onions right before their kissing scene. The result? Dane later admitted in a celebrity interview that it was “the worst onscreen kiss ever.” Talk about a romantic comedy fail! This moment quickly became one of those actors with bad kissing stories that fans can’t get enough of in celebrity gossip 2025.

Interview with the Vampire – Disgusted by her first kiss

Not all Hollywood kissing scenes are filled with sparks—especially when one of the actors is still a child. In Interview with the Vampire, a very young Kirsten Dunst shared an on-screen kiss with Brad Pitt, who was already a rising star at the time.

Kirsten was only 11 years old, and this moment turned out to be her first-ever kiss. In later celebrity interviews, she candidly revealed that the experience was “disgusting” and far from romantic. This moment has often been discussed in debates about child actor experiences in Hollywood, highlighting how awkward and uncomfortable some scenes can be, especially for younger performers.

Spring Breakers – Not thrilled about kissing him

In the edgy crime drama Spring Breakers, Vanessa Hudgens made a bold move to shed her Disney image and take on a more mature role. One of the film’s more intimate moments included a kissing scene with James Franco, but according to Vanessa, it was far from enjoyable.

In a post-release celebrity gossip revelation, Vanessa shared that she would have “rather kissed a girl” on-screen than kiss Franco again. Her honesty gave fans a rare glimpse into the less glamorous side of behind-the-scenes movie moments, proving that not every steamy scene is as fun as it looks on camera.

The Beach – A bit bland

Leonardo DiCaprio has long been one of Hollywood’s most sought-after heartthrobs, with countless fans swooning over his every role. But not all his romantic movie moments have lived up to the hype.

In The Beach, Leo starred opposite Virginie Ledoyen, and although the film featured a kiss between them, Virginie later admitted she could “barely remember” the kiss and felt there was no real chemistry between them. This surprising comment became a hot topic in celebrity gossip blogs, reinforcing the idea that even the most iconic stars can have bland on-screen romances.

The Hunger Games – Not as smitten as his character was

In the mega-hit trilogy The Hunger Games, Josh Hutcherson played the hopelessly devoted Peeta, madly in love with Katniss, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence. While the romance had fans swooning, things weren’t nearly as romantic behind the scenes. In a candid celebrity interview, Josh admitted that he didn’t feel the same spark in real life. Although the two were close friends off-screen, there was little on-screen chemistry from his perspective—especially during their kissing scenes.

He even shared that Jennifer’s kissing technique left much to be desired, calling it less than enjoyable. It’s one of those surprising cases where a wildly successful franchise hides some seriously awkward celebrity kisses underneath all the action and drama.

Sliver – Not the passion we witnessed

The steamy thriller Sliver gave audiences plenty of sultry scenes between Sharon Stone and William Baldwin, but the reality behind the camera was far less seductive. Although their on-screen romance sizzled, behind-the-scenes drama made filming uncomfortable for both actors.

Sharon Stone revealed in later interviews that the passion was purely performative. She recalled one scene where Baldwin actually bit her tongue—ouch!—and that she always had to rinse with mouthwash after kissing him. It’s a classic example of movie romance gone wrong, where what looks passionate on-screen is actually filled with tension and discomfort off-camera.

Romeo and Juliet – Opposites don’t attract

Leonardo DiCaprio makes yet another appearance on this list—and for good reason. He’s played countless romantic leads, and with that comes more than a few celebrity kissing stories. In Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, Leo starred opposite Claire Danes in one of the most stylized adaptations of Shakespeare’s tragic love story.

However, the chemistry was reportedly lacking once the cameras stopped rolling. According to various reports and celebrity gossip, the two had very different energies on set—Leo being overly playful and Claire being more serious and reserved. Their clashing personalities made for an off-screen dynamic that didn’t quite match the fiery romance they portrayed on screen.

Water For Elephants – Spreading the sickness

Water for Elephants brought a touching love story to life, starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. The film was praised for its emotional depth and the on-screen chemistry between its leads. But once again, real life didn’t quite measure up to the cinematic romance.

In a celebrity interview, Reese revealed that during many of their kissing scenes, Robert had a bad cold—and it made the experience far from enjoyable. Despite the romantic setting and sweeping cinematography, kissing a co-star with the sniffles definitely lands this one on the list of uncomfortable kissing scenes in Hollywood.

Jennifer’s Body – They knew it’d be ‘used’

In the cult classic Jennifer’s Body, Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox shared one of the film’s most talked-about moments—a steamy kiss that became central to the movie’s promotional campaign. While both actresses were completely comfortable with filming the celebrity kiss scene, their issue wasn’t with the kiss itself.

In later celebrity interviews, they revealed their frustration with how heavily the scene was used for marketing. They felt it was a shallow attempt to attract attention, especially considering the film’s deeper themes. It’s a prime example of how Hollywood movie promotion tactics can sometimes feel exploitative, even to the stars involved.

The Hunger Games – “Gross” breath

Another awkward moment from The Hunger Games set comes courtesy of Liam Hemsworth and Jennifer Lawrence, whose characters shared a few emotionally charged kisses during the trilogy. While the love triangle between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale kept fans hooked, things were less romantic behind the scenes.

In a humorous (and slightly brutal) behind-the-scenes confession, Liam once said that Jennifer would eat garlic or tuna before their kissing scenes—allegedly on purpose. He even called the experience “gross.” While it may have been said jokingly, this moment became one of those awkward on-screen moments that still lives on in celebrity gossip circles.

Wanted – A clinical kiss

In the action-packed thriller Wanted, Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy teamed up for some serious stunt work—and one memorable kiss. Given Angelina’s status as one of Hollywood’s most iconic sex symbols, you’d expect sparks to fly. But according to James, it was anything but romantic.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, James described the on-screen kiss as feeling “clinical” and lacking any real chemistry. It’s a classic case of celebrity chemistry rumors not living up to the hype, despite what audiences saw in the final cut. Sometimes, it just goes to show how much acting is really involved in making a kiss look passionate on-screen.

Australia – Kissing with an audience

In Baz Luhrmann’s sweeping epic Australia, Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman shared plenty of passionate moments on-screen. Their characters were entangled in a romance that was both rugged and romantic, reflective of life in the outback. But despite their on-screen chemistry, Hugh later revealed that the kissing scenes were uncomfortable—not because of Nicole, but because of the audience.

In celebrity interviews, Jackman shared that kissing in front of a large cast and crew while both were married in real life added a layer of pressure. It’s one of those classic Hollywood kissing scene disasters where professionalism met personal discomfort.

The Tourist – Take some mouthwash, please

The Tourist paired two of Hollywood’s biggest names: Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. With multiple kissing scenes built into the script, fans expected undeniable sparks. But off-screen, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Angelina admitted in interviews that she requested Depp use mouthwash before filming their kissing scenes—a not-so-subtle sign of on-set awkwardness.

Johnny Depp, always the joker, said that the only way to get through kissing scenes is to laugh. And while their chemistry looked natural on-screen, this quirky bit of celebrity gossip proves that even the biggest stars face unexpected challenges during filming.

Silver Linings Playbook – A little too wet

Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper shared undeniable chemistry in Silver Linings Playbook, a film that earned critical acclaim and numerous award nominations. But even with their magnetic performances, the kissing scenes weren’t exactly perfect.

Jennifer, known for her no-filter honesty in celebrity interviews, told Bradley after one take that he was a “wet kisser.” That bit of Hollywood behind-the-scenes drama adds another story to Jennifer’s growing list of co-stars who’ve had something to say about kissing her—or vice versa.

30 Rock – How do they do it?

In 30 Rock, Alec Baldwin and Jennifer Aniston shared several romantic scenes together. But Baldwin was surprisingly candid when he revealed that kissing Jennifer Aniston wasn’t the dreamy experience people would expect. In an interview with New York Magazine, he flat-out said he didn’t “know how anyone does it,” describing the kissing scenes as “painful.”

While Aniston has been praised for her many on-screen romances, this remark remains one of the more bizarre and awkward celebrity kiss confessions floating around in the tabloids.

Mighty Aphrodite – Kissing a wall

In Woody Allen’s comedy Mighty Aphrodite, he starred opposite Helena Bonham Carter, portraying a couple with a less-than-happy marriage. That coldness carried over off-screen too. According to Helena, Woody was very particular about how the kissing scenes were shot, forbidding any “exchange of liquid.”

Later, Helena described the experience as “like kissing the Berlin Wall”—a harsh comparison that paints a vivid picture of just how lifeless those scenes felt. It’s a perfect example of actor chemistry issues turning a romantic moment into something robotic.

Twilight – A legit love-triangle

The Twilight saga didn’t just spark an international fandom—it also stirred up real-life drama. While Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were dating off-screen, Kristen also had intimate scenes with co-star Taylor Lautner, who played the third angle in the iconic love triangle.

Filming those scenes brought about some serious on-set awkwardness, not because of jealousy, but because it felt so unnatural. Luckily, the cast had a good sense of humor, and Kristen and Taylor reportedly laughed their way through the weirdness. It’s one of those rare cases where real-life romance created more tension than the actual script did.

Public Enemies – Nervousness stole the scene

In the gritty crime drama Public Enemies, Johnny Depp and Carey Mulligan were supposed to share a powerful romantic moment. But things didn’t go as planned. Carey was reportedly so nervous about kissing Johnny that the scene had to be reshot 16 times—and still never made it to the final cut.

According to insiders, the chemistry just never clicked. Mulligan’s nervous energy made the entire scene feel forced, and the filmmakers eventually decided to cut the kissing scene altogether. It’s a prime case of how lack of actor chemistry can impact even the most anticipated moments on film.

I Love Trouble – They couldn’t even do it for real

The romantic tension in I Love Trouble between Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte might have looked real on screen, but behind the scenes, it was a total disaster. Their off-screen feud was so intense that they reportedly couldn’t even complete the kissing scenes themselves—body doubles were used instead.

Julia allegedly said some harsh things about Nick in a New York Times interview, which didn’t go unnoticed. Nick responded publicly, saying, “She’s not a nice person.” This case of celebrity drama shows how Hollywood tension can spill far beyond the movie set.

Passenger – Kissing a married man

When Jennifer Lawrence starred opposite Chris Pratt in the sci-fi romance Passengers, their on-screen chemistry made headlines. But Jennifer later revealed in a celebrity interview that kissing Chris wasn’t easy for her—not because of him, but because he was married to Anna Faris at the time.

Jennifer admitted she was overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety, calling it one of the most uncomfortable things she had to do as an actress. It’s a classic example of moral dilemmas in Hollywood, where celebrity kissing scenes can come with unexpected emotional weight.

Blade Runner – The ‘hate scene’

The 1982 sci-fi masterpiece Blade Runner gave us a moody, futuristic romance between Harrison Ford and Sean Young, but off-screen, the story was far less romantic. Their tension was so obvious that their love scene was jokingly renamed the “hate scene” by those on set.

Despite their characters sharing intense moments, the two actors reportedly disliked each other deeply, which made filming intimate scenes difficult. It’s a classic case of on-screen vs. off-screen tension, where acting masks what was really happening behind the camera.

Scary Movie – Signing a waiver

Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen teamed up for Scary Movie 5, and their scene together involved sharing a bed—and a kiss. But things got weird when Lindsay reportedly demanded script changes, which were denied. What followed was even stranger.

Before filming, both stars reportedly signed a legal waiver stating they were free of cold sores. This odd behind-the-scenes requirement became one of the most bizarre examples of Hollywood kissing scene precautions, and one of the most unusual entries in celebrity gossip headlines.

The Pelican Brief – Taking a stand

In The Pelican Brief, Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts shared the screen as leads in a high-stakes political thriller. While fans may have expected a kiss, it never happened—and that was intentional. Denzel declined to film a romantic scene with Julia, but not out of personal distaste.

In interviews, Denzel explained his reasoning: he wanted to avoid alienating his core audience—Black women, who were often overlooked in romantic lead roles. This bold move made a powerful statement about representation in Hollywood, and stands out as one of the most talked-about moments in celebrity film ethics.

Martin – Filing a lawsuit

The hit sitcom Martin featured Tisha Campbell and Martin Lawrence as a married couple full of comedic and romantic energy. But off-screen, their relationship took a darker turn. Tisha eventually filed a lawsuit against Martin Lawrence, accusing him of inappropriate behavior and harassment.

According to reports, she alleged that Martin forced himself on her for an unscripted kiss during filming. The situation escalated so seriously that she left the show for a time. This became one of the most disturbing cases of celebrity lawsuits involving co-stars, and a stark reminder that not all on-screen romance reflects reality.

Modern Family – Was it because of Eric?

In the beloved, long-running sitcom Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet portrayed the lovable couple Mitchell and Cameron. While they delivered a heartfelt and humorous depiction of a same-sex relationship, fans eventually began to notice something missing: a lack of kissing scenes.

Despite their strong on-screen chemistry, the show faced criticism for avoiding more intimate moments between the two, leading to discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream television. While no clear reason was ever confirmed, many wondered if it was because Eric Stonestreet, unlike Jesse, is not gay in real life. Whatever the cause, the absence of physical affection became a surprising point of contention in an otherwise progressive show.

The Mosquito Coast – Opening up about the past

In the 1986 dramatic film The Mosquito Coast, Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford shared some intense moments on screen. As two major Hollywood stars, their romantic scenes were highly anticipated. However, Helen later revealed in a candid BBC interview that Harrison wasn’t exactly the world’s greatest kisser.

Though she praised Ford as a kind and lovely person, she added that his kisses, both on and off screen, left much to be desired. This honest confession stands as one of the more surprising Hollywood kissing scene critiques in recent memory—and one of many cases where celebrity chemistry didn’t translate into real-life passion.

Camille – Call the dentist

The quirky romantic comedy Camille featured James Franco and Sienna Miller as newlyweds, but oddly enough, the film included only one kissing scene. When asked about it in a celebrity interview, Franco shrugged it off, saying the moment “wasn’t all that intense.”

As it turns out, Sienna was battling tooth pain during filming and had even reached out to a dentist before shooting the scene. That detail may explain the missing spark and is a reminder that even the most basic Hollywood romantic scenes can be derailed by real-life problems.

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody – Not yet practiced

On Disney Channel’s hit teen sitcom The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Selena Gomez made a guest appearance that would end up being a major milestone in her young career—and life. In one episode, Selena shared a first on-screen kiss with Dylan Sprouse, but it didn’t go as planned.

Years later, Selena laughed about the moment during a celebrity interview, admitting she “missed half of his face” during the kiss. It was her first, after all! This sweet and slightly awkward moment ranks high among celebrity first kiss stories, showing that even future pop stars have cringey teen memories.

Pirates of the Caribbean – Choosing her favorite

In the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, Keira Knightley shared passionate on-screen kisses with both Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp, igniting fan debates over who had more on-screen chemistry with her. Years later, Keira gave a cheeky but telling answer in an InStyle interview, hinting at who her favorite kissing co-star really was.

While trying not to play favorites, she coyly said, “Johnny Depp certainly wasn’t bad.” Ouch, sorry Orlando! When it comes to celebrity kiss rankings, it looks like Depp walked away with the win in this epic Hollywood triangle.

Some Like It Hot – Wasn’t actually very hot

Some Like It Hot remains a rom-com classic, starring the iconic Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis. With all its glam and glitz, you’d expect some steamy on-screen magic—but according to Tony, kissing Marilyn wasn’t everything people imagine.

In a now infamous celebrity interview, Tony was quoted saying that kissing Monroe was “like kissing Hitler.” He later denied the comment, but the damage was done. This unforgettable line ranks high on the list of awkward Hollywood kiss confessions, and it’s still talked about in romantic movie trivia today.

No Strings Attached – It’s all awkward

Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman turned up the heat in No Strings Attached, a rom-com built entirely around steamy encounters between two “friends with benefits.” But according to Natalie, filming those intimate scenes was far from enjoyable.

In an interview with E! News, she admitted that kissing scenes—regardless of who they’re with—are just awkward. With the entire crew watching and multiple takes required, she said it feels anything but romantic. A relatable entry in the world of behind-the-scenes kiss confessions, proving even Oscar winners get uncomfortable.

An Officer and a Gentleman – Negative comments all round

This 1982 romantic drama paired Debra Winger with Richard Gere in one of cinema’s most iconic love stories. But behind the scenes? Not so romantic. Debra later opened up with some brutally honest opinions, calling Gere “a brick wall” when it came to kissing and chemistry.

And that’s not all—she also called the director “an animal,” adding to the tension. These remarks earned her a spot in celebrity gossip history as one of the most brutally honest actresses in the business, and left many wondering how the film managed to look so romantic with that kind of off-screen animosity.

American Hustle – Crushing her dream

Here comes Jennifer Lawrence again, proving she’s had more awkward celebrity kisses than most stars her age. In American Hustle, she starred alongside Christian Bale, an actor she once dreamed of kissing—until reality hit.

In the film, Bale had to gain a significant amount of weight for his character, and Jennifer later admitted that it made their kissing scenes a little less exciting. While Bale remains a heartthrob to millions, this moment goes down as a case of expectation vs. reality in Hollywood, reminding us that even dream co-stars can disappoint under the wrong conditions.

Mallrats – Not a lovely co-star

In the cult comedy classic Mallrats, Jason Lee and Shannen Doherty played love interests with plenty of sarcastic back-and-forth on screen. But off-screen, things weren’t quite as comedic. In later celebrity interviews, Jason didn’t hold back when describing his experience working with Shannen, calling her “abrasive and brattish.”

He went so far as to say he didn’t enjoy working with her at all, hinting at real on-set tension that clearly contrasted with their playful dynamic in the film. It’s one of those instances where actor chemistry issues behind the scenes made filming a challenge, even if audiences never noticed.

Multiple movies – Numerous invitations

Kevin Hart has become a household name thanks to his standout roles in hit comedies like Ride Along, Night School, and Central Intelligence. With his natural comedic timing and massive box-office draw, he’s one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. But there’s one thing he’s made clear in multiple celebrity interviews—he draws a line when it comes to certain roles.

Hart revealed that he’s been offered roles involving kissing scenes with men, but has consistently turned them down, stating that he has “insecurities about myself trying to play that part.” While this has sparked plenty of Hollywood casting conversations, Hart has stood firm on his personal boundaries, showing that not every actor is comfortable with every role—regardless of the paycheck.