Thrice as nice: 20 films with iconic love triangles

One of the most steamy and compelling modern love triangles is in the 2024 tennis drama Challengers. Zendaya plays Tashi, a tennis prodigy-turned-coach, after an injury ends her career. Her husband, Art, who she has transformed into a champion, must face his former friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend, Patrick, on the court. Across a thirteen-year timeline, Art and Patrick compete for Tashi’s affection, as the trio learn that tennis is much more than just a game. 

The Oscar-nominated film Past Lives tells the story of childhood friends Nora and Hae Sung, who are separated when Nora emigrates from South Korea to New York. Twenty years later, Hae Sung visits Nora in New York, where she is married to an American man named Arthur. While Nora is happily married, she also has a deep connection with Hae Sung and comes to terms with the fact that he might be her soulmate despite their lives taking them in different directions.

Set in the dystopian world of Panem, The Hunger Games sees teenagers chosen from war-torn districts to fight to the death on live television. Heroine Katniss Everdeen, who is the face of the rebellion against the Capitol, is at the center of a love triangle involving old friend Gale and fellow tribute Peeta. Katniss and Gale have been close for years, while Peeta has loved her from afar, with the games bringing them together. Katniss’s loyalty to each other is pivotal in her character development. 

In Brooklyn , Saoirse Ronan plays Ellis, a young Irish woman who moves to Brooklyn in the U.S. during the 1950s. There, she settles down and gets a job as a bookkeeper while falling in love with Tony and marrying him. When her sister dies, she is forced to go back home, and her past catches up to her. She must choose between her life in Brooklyn and Ireland, which means choosing between Tony and well-off bachelor Jim, whom she is set up with upon her return.

Team Edward or Team Jacob? It is the question that had teenagers everywhere in a frenzy during the popularity of the Twilight movies. Twilight sees Bella, a regular girl, fall in love with vampire Edward. As the series progresses, she becomes close to werewolf Jacob, who also falls in love with her. Bella is forced to choose between Edward and Jacob, and while this isn’t one of cinema’s best love triangles, its cultural impact and buzz cannot be denied.

Love Actually is one of the most iconic rom-coms and Christmas movies of all time, which follows several different romances around the holiday period. One storyline follows Mark, whose best friend, Peter, is getting married to Juliet. However, Mark is secretly in love with her. In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Mark shows up at Juliet’s doorstep and confesses his love for her through large cue cards. Juliet does kiss Mark but ends up choosing Peter.

My Best Friend’s Wedding is a rom-com favorite with an entertaining love triangle at its core. Julia Roberts plays Julianne, whose best friend Michael is getting married. When she realizes she is in love with him, she tries to sabotage the wedding. This scenario brings out a lot of complicated actions and toxic character decisions, which is a delight to watch unfold. The film is utterly bittersweet, with the perfect mix of drama and comedy, and as always, Roberts shines.

In Bridget Jones’s Diary, which is loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice , Renée Zellweger plays the hilarious and relatable Bridget, who keeps a diary to take control of her life. Bridget is an average woman who wants a change for herself when things start to take an eventful turn. She becomes the subject of two men’s affection: the shy and hard-to-read Mark Darcy and her womanizing boss, Daniel Cleaver, portrayed by Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. 

Titanic is one of the biggest movies of all time and features an equally epic love story. The film is set on the ill-fated ship, where Rose, a young upper-class passenger, is forced to marry Cal, a wealthy but obnoxious man. When Rose meets Jack, a kind-hearted lower-class passenger, the two fall in love, but their romance is not accepted due to their different social statuses. As viewers root for Rose and Jack, Cal becomes a despicable villain in the way of their happiness.

Casablanca is a cinematic masterpiece and features one of the most famous love triangles ever. Set during World War II, the story follows Rick, who has built a life for himself and owns a nightclub in Casablanca. He agrees to help his former lover Ilsa and her husband Victor escape the Nazis, and seeing Rick again reignites Ilsa’s feelings for him. There is something still there between the two, but he must let her go to save her. They’ll always have Paris, that’s for sure.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic story about wealth and power was colorfully adapted for the screen in 2013 by Baz Luhrmann. The Great Gatsby focuses on the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby, played by Leonardo DiCaprio. He is known for his excess and for throwing lavish parties, which he hopes only one person will attend. Gatsby is in love with Daisy Buchanan, who is married to the domineering Tom. The pair's former relationship is rekindled but ends in tragedy. 

The Notebook is in the top tier of romance films, featuring a timeless love story between Allie and Noah. Allie comes from wealth, while Noah is poor. Allie is engaged to World War II veteran Lon and must hide her relationship with Noah due to family pressure and societal differences. While viewers are obviously rooting for Allie and Noah, Lon is a gentle and caring man, making it hard to dislike him. This makes it all the more difficult for audiences to pick a side. 

Jean Gray, Cyclops, and Wolverine form a classic love triangle in the X-Men movies. The films, based on the Marvel comics, follow the powerful mutants led by Professor X, who must stop Magneto from destroying humanity. The love triangle is a notable subplot in the series, with Logan/Wolverine quietly longing for Jean, who is with Scott/Cyclops. There is plenty of tension between Logan and Jean, as he feels understood by her due to her telepathic powers. 

“Mrs. Robinson, you’re trying to seduce me!” is the famous line that starts the complicated love triangle in The Graduate. Benjamin has just graduated from college when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, an older woman and the wife of his father’s partner. The pair start a secret relationship until Benjamin meets Mrs. Robin’s daughter, Elaine. Benjamin falls for Elaine and is torn between mother and daughter, even though Elaine wants nothing to do with him after learning of the affair. 

The Half of It is a modern teen romance that puts a fresh spin on love triangles. The film follows academic teen Ellie, who helps Paul, her neighbor, and the school jock, write a love letter to his crush Aster. However, Ellie discovers that she desires Aster. While this love triangle is at the center of the film’s conflict, viewers discover that the film isn’t too focused on the romance but instead on the friendship and connection that grows between Ellie and Paul. Not your typical love story.

Audrey Hepburn plays the titular character in Sabrina, who returns from France an elegant woman after spending most of her life as the awkward daughter of a chauffeur who wouldn’t be given a second look. David, whose family Sabrina’s father works for, falls in love with her, but Sabrina falls for his older brother Linus instead. Sabrina must choose between these two men she has known her entire life and figure out who is really interested in her as a person and not a trophy.

Y tu mamá también is a sexually charged road trip movie from acclaimed director Alfonso Cuarón. Set in Mexico, the film sees Tenoch and Julio, two teenage boys, end up on a road trip with Luisa, a married woman in her late twenties. The pair fall for their older companion, which tests their friendship. The trio goes on a journey of self-discovery and coming-of-age, and the unconventional dynamic between the characters is used to explore themes of youth and adventure.  

Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos gives audiences a layered, amusing love triangle in The Favourite . Olivia Colman plays Queen Anne, who is frail and being taken care of by Lady Sarah, who governs the country. Sarah’s cousin, Abigail, is a servant who starts serving the Queen with the intention of rising in the ranks and returning to her aristocratic roots. Anne takes a liking to Abigail, and the two fight for the Queen’s affection to maintain power and status.

John Hughes' classic Pretty in Pink, starring ‘80s queen Molly Ringwald, is a quintessential teen film. Ringwald plays Andie, an unpopular girl who doesn’t know her friend Duckie has a crush on her. However, Andie falls for Blaine, a popular rich boy who is surprisingly sensitive. Andie must choose between Duckie and Blaine, and the decision is even more difficult for the audience than for her. Duckie and Blaine are played by Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy.

The Worst Person in the World is a quirky Nordic rom-com with a protagonist who often makes questionable decisions. Julie is a young woman trying to navigate love and her career and is forced to take a look at who she really is. Romantically, she is torn between an older cartoonist named Askel and a barista named Elvind. Julie goes back and forth between the two men as the film explores themes of finding love and yourself and the possibility of a third option without Askel or Elvind.