Most Polarizing TV and Movie Couples: 'Star Wars,' 'Buffy' and More (2024)

From The Bear's Carmy and Claire to The Summer I Turned Pretty's Belly and Jeremiah, TV and movie fans have lots of opinions about which couples left the right impression.The Star Wars sequel trilogy introduced viewers to a new generation of characters — and relationships. The Force Awakens, which premiered in 2015, hinted at a potential romance between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) after they joined the Resistance in an effort to take down the First Order.In the next two films, Finn's story line was put on the back burner as Rey's unexplained connection with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) took center stage.Meanwhile, Ridley questioned what kind of future the pair could havetogether. “I do know about Reylo. I don’t know how I feel about it because everyone’s talking about the toxic thing of a relationship when it’s essentially emotional [abuse]. It’s a tricky road,” the actress told fans at Star Wars Celebration that same year.She added: “I do feel like, deep down, Kylo thinks what he’s doing is right and he doesn’t think he’s wrong, but he has also killed so many people. So I can’t really get behind in that, in a personal way. Maybe there’s redemption. Who knows? Maybe we explore that in the film.”In The Last Jedi, Rey and Kylo Ren shared a kiss before the villain's ultimate demise. The dynamic made headlines again when Boyega called out the way his character was ignored in favor of Rey and Kylo Ren's story.“You get yourself involved in projects and you’re not necessarily going to like everything,” he told GQ in September 2020 about his time with the franchise. “[But] what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It’s not good. I’ll say it straight up.”The U.K. native previously pointed out the difference between Finn's journey and the other leads.“Like, you guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver,” Boyega recalled during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter one year prior. “You knew what to do with these other people, but when it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f—k all. So, what do you want me to say?"The Woman King star continued: "What they want you to say is, ‘I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience.’ Nah, nah, nah. I’ll take that deal when it’s a great experience. They gave all the nuance to Adam Driver, all the nuance to Daisy Ridley. Let’s be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I’m not exposing anything.”Scroll down for more polarizing couples through TV and movie history:

From The Bear's Carmy and Claire to The Summer I Turned Pretty's Belly and Jeremiah, TV and movie fans have lots of opinions about which couples left the right impression.The Star Wars sequel trilogy introduced viewers to a new generation of characters — and relationships. The Force Awakens, which premiered in 2015, hinted at a potential romance between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) after they joined the Resistance in an effort to take down the First Order.In the next two films, Finn's story line was put on the back burner as Rey's unexplained connection with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) took center stage.Meanwhile, Ridley questioned what kind of future the pair could havetogether. “I do know about Reylo. I don’t know how I feel about it because everyone’s talking about the toxic thing of a relationship when it’s essentially emotional [abuse]. It’s a tricky road,” the actress told fans at Star Wars Celebration that same year.She added: “I do feel like, deep down, Kylo thinks what he’s doing is right and he doesn’t think he’s wrong, but he has also killed so many people. So I can’t really get behind in that, in a personal way. Maybe there’s redemption. Who knows? Maybe we explore that in the film.”In The Last Jedi, Rey and Kylo Ren shared a kiss before the villain's ultimate demise. The dynamic made headlines again when Boyega called out the way his character was ignored in favor of Rey and Kylo Ren's story.“You get yourself involved in projects and you’re not necessarily going to like everything,” he told GQ in September 2020 about his time with the franchise. “[But] what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It’s not good. I’ll say it straight up.”The U.K. native previously pointed out the difference between Finn's journey and the other leads.“Like, you guys knew what to do with Daisy Ridley, you knew what to do with Adam Driver,” Boyega recalled during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter one year prior. “You knew what to do with these other people, but when it came to Kelly Marie Tran, when it came to John Boyega, you know f—k all. So, what do you want me to say?"The Woman King star continued: "What they want you to say is, ‘I enjoyed being a part of it. It was a great experience.’ Nah, nah, nah. I’ll take that deal when it’s a great experience. They gave all the nuance to Adam Driver, all the nuance to Daisy Ridley. Let’s be honest. Daisy knows this. Adam knows this. Everybody knows. I’m not exposing anything.”Scroll down for more polarizing couples through TV and movie history:

Season 2 of The Bear tried to let Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) have a love life but his romance with Claire (Molly Gordon) seemed to do more harm than good. Not many were thrilled by the couple and then to make things worse, the show refused to give up on them which resulted in way too much focus on Carmy and Claire than necessary.

Fans were introduced to Kylo Ren and Rey as enemies in The Force Awakens — which is why the pair's kiss in The Last Jedi took so many people by surprise. Even though some viewers were expecting Rey and Finn to get together based on their initial introduction — other viewers felt like Kylo Ren and Rey's combative energy hinted at something more romantic.

Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Spike's (James Marsters) steamy chemistry was cut short after the vampire almost raped the slayer in season 6. The show's writers argued that the controversial moment was necessary to help motivate Spike's journey to gain a soul. While some fans still held out hope for a Spuffy happy ending, many turned their backs on the couple after the difficult scene.

After filming wrapped, Marsters called the scene one of the hardest he ever had to do.

Even though Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía) weren't presented as love interests in the Black Panther sequel, many viewers couldn't help but connect with their potential. For some, Namor's interactions with Shuri hinted at a devotion — which others slammed the villain for trying to kill their favorite characters in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The 100 left behind an infamous legacy, including the love triangle at the center of the CW show. Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) fans were proud of the representation that the couple were able to offer LGBTQIA+ viewers. Meanwhile, Bellamy (Bob Morley) and Clarke shippers were hoping to see an organic enemies to lovers story unfold on screen.

Unfortunately, neither side got their wish after Lexa and Bellamy were both killed off by bullets in separate seasons.

Blair's (Leighton Meester) romance with Chuck (Ed Westwick) came off as abusive and toxic for many fans. However, Dan (Penn Badgley) and Blair's progression from friends to lovers didn't read as authentic for every viewer.

Based on the Summer I Turned Pretty books, Belly (Lola Tung) and Conrad (Christopher Briney) are meant to be. However, the Prime Video show made some people root for Belly and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) even though they knew it might not be endgame.

Through the years, Betty's (Lili Reinhart) chemistry with Jughead (Cole Sprouse) and Archie (KJ Apa) left many fans at a loss. Since season 1, some viewers connected with Betty and Jughead's sweet love story and the potential it had down the line.

Meanwhile, Betty and Archie shippers patiently waited until the childhood best friends found their way back to each other.

The Vampire Diaries was all about love triangles — and Elena's (Nina Dobrev) bond with the Salvatore brothers was the ultimate will they, won't they? Elena eventually chose Damon (Ian Somerhalder) but some audience members questioned her decision due to how selfish the eldest brother was when it came to their relationship.

Team Ross or Team Joey is a conversation that has continued even after Friends wrapped up its time at NBC. Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and Ross (David Schwimmer) were each other's lobsters — but Joey (Matt LeBlanc) offered Rachel a connection based off years of friendship.

Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) are a perfect example of a couple whose time may be running out. After originally forming a bond in season 1, Nancy and Jonathan's relationship became a topic of discussion on screen and off.

Many fans felt as if the pair drifted away from one another — with Nancy potentially feeling something for Steve (Joe Keery) again — and needed to move on. Meanwhile, other viewers pointed out that Nancy and Jonathan's reunion in season 4 seemingly hinted at a proper reconciliation.

The age-old incest question took Game of Thrones fans by storm when Jon (Kit Harington) got together with his aunt, Daenerys (Emilia Clarke). Family members sleeping together isn't as taboo within the universe created by George R. R. Martin — but not everyone is on board.

In season 1 of Netflix's Wednesday, the main character (Jenna Ortega) found out that her love interest was at the center of the mysterious murders happening in town. For some fans, Tyler's (Hunter Doohan) actions came off as irredeemable. Meanwhile, other shippers were quick to point out that Tyler was controlled by Laurel (Christina Ricci) and that Wednesday and Tyler could eventually find their way back to one another.

Even though Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Ginny's (Bonnie Wright) romance was a sweet addition in the books, not every fan felt satisfied by the delivery in the films.

The Grease couple is considered a classic movie couple — but their love story didn't age well for everyone. Some viewers have questioned the decision to have Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) go through a makeover in order to appeal to Danny (John Travolta).

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