Romance is often a genre that doesn’t get nearly the amount of respect it deserves. Whether it’s dramatic or a fun rom-com, romance explores the intimacies found in relationships. What gives this genre variety is found through the various tropes found in love stories. Some of our favorites include enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love, and friends-to-lovers. However, one of the tropes that can cause quite a stir is a love triangle.

When done well, a love triangle can highlight the facets and nuances found between different relationships; you might even start rooting for any option of the pairings. However, when thrown in there for the sake of drama, a love triangle can seem unnecessary and, frankly, lazy. With Materialists right around the corner– which features a love triangle between Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans– now is the right time to look back at the love triangles that missed the mark. Whether it was due to poor chemistry, the problematic nature of it, or just its pointless nature, these cinematic triangles should’ve stayed in the drafts.

10

‘My Super Ex-Girlfriend’ (2006)

Directed by Ivan Reitman

Before the dawn of the superhero boom, there was My Super Ex-Girlfriend, a rom-com starring Luke Wilson and Uma Thurman. Unbeknownst to Matthew Saunders (Luke Wilson), he begins dating Jennifer Johnson AKA G-Girl, a superhero who makes for a neurotic girlfriend. When he amicably breaks up with her, she makes it her personal mission to make his life miserable, especially once he starts getting closer to his coworker, Hannah (Anna Faris).

My Super Ex-Girlfriend isn’t as terrible as a superhero movie or a rom-com. It’s refreshing to see this type of fun with heroes and villains. However, the love triangle between Matthew, Hannah, and G-Girl leaves a lot to be desired. Even though it was the mid 2000s, making Jennifer aggressive and unhinged at times comes across as one-dimensional. Plus, having Jennifer lash out against Hannah out of jealousy doesn’t scream female empowerment and sisterhood.

9

‘To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You’ (2020)

Directed by Michael Fimognari

Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) and Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) are enjoying new couple bliss when we pick up in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. As they begin to navigate their real relationship, no longer faking it, one of the recipients of Lara Jean’s love letters re-enters her life– John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fisher). Lara Jean starts to bond with John Ambrose more as her mounting insecurities with Peter begin to grow.

Lara Jean may have written five letters to her crushes, but there was no question in the audience’s minds that Peter Kavinsky was always going to be the one for her. John Ambrose really didn’t stand a chance, which is unfair considering Fisher brought so much earnestness to him. Even though the love triangle was central to the plot, the movie didn’t need it, especially considering she and Peter are still together by the end of it.

8

‘The Notebook’ (2004)

Directed by Nick Cassavetes

One of the most beloved romances of the 2000s, The Notebook explores the love between Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams). After falling head over-heels in love one summer, disapproving parents and a world war separate the couple. Despite the distance, Noah and Allie find their way back to each other, an inspiring story kept alive in a nursing home.

As beloved as James Marsden is, his Lon Hammond Jr. didn’t stand a chance next to Noah. Once Allie faints after seeing Noah’s picture in the newspaper, her engagement was as good as dead. Yet the movie still tried to convince audiences that Lon was a viable option for Allie. At least Marsden actually wins the love triangle against Edward Burns in 27 Dresses!

7

‘Gone With the Wind’ (1939)

Directed by Victor Fleming

The sweeping epic Gone With the Wind centers on Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) as she lives through the American Civil War. Throughout its nearly four-hour runtime, Scarlett remains obsessed with Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) even though she’s pursued by and eventually marries the dashing Rhett Butler (Clark Gable).

Gone With the Wind has enough controversy surrounding perpetuating Confederacy sympathy and racial stereotypes. However, there wasn’t enough on the love triangle at the center of the film. Scarlett is an unlikable female protagonist, and if Rhett really gave a damn, he would’ve cut his losses with her by the second hour of the film.

Gone with the Wind

Release Date

December 15, 1939

Runtime

233 minutes

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  Vivien Leigh

  Scarlett O’Hara

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6

‘Sierra Burgess Is a Loser’ (2018)

Directed by Ian Samuels

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser stars Shannon Purser as a smart, yet unpopular student with dreams of attending Stanford. After she begins exchanging text messages with a football player, Jamey (Noah Centineo), she asks one of the popular girls, Veronica (Kristine Froseth), to pretend to be her in-person.

In this teen version of Cyrano de Bergerac, major Netflix stars lend their talents, but unfortunately it does not work. The arrangement between Veronica and Sierra gets complicated when Veronica develops her own feelings for Jamey after initially dismissing him. Plus, there’s an uncomfortable moment where Jamey thinks he’s kissing Veronica, but it’s actually Sierra; what’s meant to be romantic actually comes across as a lack of consent. Sierra may be a self-proclaimed loser, but it’s hard to root for her when she’s playing both Veronica and Jamey.

5

‘Pearl Harbor’ (2001)

Directed by Michael Bay

Pearl Harbor depicts America’s entry into World War II following the bombing of the US naval base in Hawaii. The Michael Bay war epic stars Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett as best friends who both become pilots during the war.

Arguably one of the worst World War II movies ever made, this three-hour epic has time for a love triangle between Rafe (Affleck), Danny (Hartnett), and Evelyn (Kate Beckinsale). In the wake of Titanic’s “love in the midst of disaster” success, the love story in Pearl Harbor feels tacked on to add to the emotional stakes of the film, and as a result, it just falls flat. Despite the efforts made by these talented, charismatic actors, they fail to sell the romance, and that’s a tragedy.

4

‘The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug’ (2013)

Directed by Peter Jackson

The second in the Hobbit trilogy, The Desolation of Smaug, follows Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he continues on his quest with the dwarves to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the titular dragon (Benedict Cumberbatch). Meanwhile, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) investigates the emergence of an evil force and discovers that Sauron has returned.

There are many issues with the Hobbit trilogy, but one of the glaring problems in The Desolation of Smaug is the love triangle between Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Kili (Aidan Turner), and Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly). Out of seemingly nowhere, Tauriel develops deep feelings for the dwarf and leaves the elves in order to help Kili. Apparently, Legolas has feelings for Tauriel, but it’s hard to tell based on his stoic nature here and in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It’s a shame that Peter Jackson couldn’t make this love story work when the Lord of the Rings trilogy succeeded with the love triangle between Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Arwen (Liv Tyler), and Eowyn (Miranda Otto).

3

‘Pretty in Pink’ (1986)

Directed by Howard Deutch

Social outcast Andie (Molly Ringwald) is pulled out of obscurity when the popular, rich boy Blane (Andrew McCarthy) asks her out. As they start to fall for each other, the young couple have to navigate their disapproving friends and their socioeconomic divides.

Pretty in Pink is one of the quintessential John Hughes “Brat Pack” movies of the 1980s. While Pretty in Pink is a big improvement from Sixteen Candles, the love triangle between Andie, Blane, and Andie’s best friend Ducky (Jon Cryer) doesn’t work. This mainly comes down to the weak relationship between Andie and Blane. Meanwhile, it’s so much easier to root for Duckie, who has an unrequited crush on his best friend. When they walk into prom together after reconciling, they should’ve ended the night as a couple instead of Andie and Blane.

2

‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’ (2006)

Directed by Gore Verbinski

Following Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the sequel picks up on Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) getting arrested on their wedding day for helping the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) escape. In exchange for their freedom, the couple make a deal with Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) to recover Jack’s compass. Meanwhile, Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) has come to collect Jack’s debt to him, and Jack will do everything it takes to prevent his fate.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest introduces a love triangle between Elizabeth, Will, and Jack. Considering the movie starts at Will and Elizabeth’s wedding and their primary drive to be together, the strength of their commitment is too strong. Although the movie tries to convince you there’s a world where Elizabeth would be romantically attracted to Jack, including a double-crossed kiss, the chemistry between Elizabeth and Jack is completely lacking. The nearly two-decade age gap between the actors certainly didn’t help.

1

‘The Graduate’ (1967)

Directed by Mike Nichols

Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) has recently graduated from college and has zero clue what the future holds for him. As he tries to avoid next steps, he falls into an unlikely affair with a friend of the family, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). Things get even more complicated for the recent grad when he starts to fall for her daughter, Elaine (Katharine Ross).

Yes, this is one of the most influential films coming out of New Hollywood. From the Simon & Garfunkel soundtrack to the iconic cinematography of Robert Surtees, The Graduate has earned its rank among the best of American filmmaking. However, it doesn’t change the fact that the convoluted love triangle between Benjamin, Elaine, and Mrs. Robinson is a mess. Getting involved with a mother and her daughter is enough to question the validity of Benjamin’s college diploma. It certainly doesn’t help the final shot of the film reveals the regret of breaking up Elaine’s wedding for the sake of an impulsive decision. These relationships were doomed from the start, and it would’ve been better for Benjamin to have spent his time poolside.

The Graduate

Release Date

December 21, 1967

Runtime

106 minutes

NEXT: I’m Sorry, but These 10 Rom-Com Couples Absolutely Broke Up After the Movie Ended