The 20 cutest meet-cutes in TV history

Ryan and Marissa seeing each other at the end of the Cohen family’s driveway at the end of the pilot episode of The O.C. is television history. The two have a connection from the beginning, and it’s such a good flashback that it’s played again multiple times throughout the series. 

When Cece and Schmidt first meet on New Girl, it’s an accurate indication of how their relationship will go. Schmidt is instantly smitten while Cece has no time for his shenanigans. Thankfully, as time goes on, Cece softens, and Schmidt becomes more secure in his relationship with Cece. 

Rory has a trio of memorable meet-cutes to go with her trio of memorable men. Far and away, the best meet-cute of Rory’s is with Dean. She goes from being irritated to immediately being interested in Dean, all thanks to a common interest in Rosemary’s Baby. 

Ben and Leslie have a great enemies-to-lovers arc on Parks and Recreation. Upon their first meeting, Leslie is unhappy with Ben after he tells her the budget of every department needs to be cut. They quickly realize they’re very well-suited for each other, and their first meeting is a cute anecdote in their long love story. 

Ted Lasso features a fantastic meet-cute between Rebecca Welton and her Dutch romancer. He calls to her from his houseboat, and she falls into the water. In need of some dry clothes, their time together continues. It’s an underrated episode in the series. 

Schitt’s Creek blessed the world with two great meet-cutes. One of them was between Ted and Alexis, which happened at the Café Tropical when Ted warned Alexis not to order a smoothie. Their relationship only got sweeter from there. 

Another great meet-cute in Schitt’s Creek was between David and Patrick. Patrick is called to help David incorporate his new business, and the duo go on to run said business together. Their dynamic is established from the very beginning. 

Of course, Fleabag had a great meet-cute. The scene when she first meets Hot Priest is everything. TV needs more shows like Fleabag. 

Nobody Wants This hasn’t been out for long, but it’s already got one of the best meet-cutes in TV history. Joanne and Noah meet at a party, and Joanne is unwittingly unclear about Noah’s identity, making for a darling interaction when it’s cleared up. 

Jane and Rafael’s first meeting isn’t shown right away in the series, but when it is shown, it’s clear that there was chemistry from the start. While Jane knew who Rafael was for a while, he had no idea who she was, and their first time speaking with each other included lots of sweet giggles and a romantic kiss. 

Diane and Sam have one of the greatest enemies-to-lovers arcs in all of pop culture history. And it all begins when Diane walks into the bar with her fiance and, for some strange reason, answers the bar's phone for Sam. 

Carrie and Big have a classic meet-cute on the streets of New York City. She runs into someone and drops her purse, and he stops to pick up her ... personal effects. The issues of their relationship aside, it's a great meet-cute.  

When Michael Scott first lays eyes on Holly, he’s convinced they’re to be sworn enemies thanks to her replacing his archnemesis, Toby. But after one conversation, Michael is taken with Holly, and their chemistry is apparent. 

Most of the characters in Gossip Girl know each other from the start of the series, but we do eventually get to see the first interaction between Dan and Serena. The two first speak at a party, and it’s a reminder that underneath all their indiscretions, they’re just two people who get along great. 

Say what you want about the end of How I Met Your Mother, but the beginning is pretty sweet. Ted and Robin have a charming meet-cute at MacLaren's Pub, which leads to their first date and all sorts of hijinks so that Ted can tell Robin how he feels about her. 

The main characters of Friends also have well-established relationships with each other by the time the series starts, so there aren’t many notable character meetings. The best one, however, is between Phoebe and Mike, who meet on a date after Joey yells at Central Perk in search of anyone named Mike. 

Kurt and Blaine, arguably the most unstable couple on Glee, had a rocky romance, but it started off in an impossibly adorable way. The two meet at Blaine’s school while Kurt is spying, and they run hand-in-hand through the halls to watch the Warblers perform. 

Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky’s meeting on Full House is too cheesy and cute for words, just like all meetings on sitcoms should be. Becky is at the Tanner household on business, and Jesse walks in to see her, immediately finding her beautiful and saying his catchphrase, “Have mercy.” 

Eleanor and Chidi’s meet-cute is all the more adorable after knowing how their relationship unfolds. The two are introduced as soulmates when the intention is really that they’re going to torture each other. Love prevails, and Eleanor and Chidi really do end up as soulmates. 

Fran and Mr. Sheffield’s meet-cute isn’t quite as described in The Nanny’s theme song, but it’s still pretty sweet. Fran sits in the entryway of the Sheffield home as she waits for her soon-to-be boss to look over her resume, which she’s just filled out with lipstick. Sparks fly between the two.