The Ultimate Romantic Movie Survey: Who Would You Snog, Marry or Avoid?
If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about a movie character, you’re not alone. A recent survey by the Freeview channel Great Romance has revealed which iconic film characters fans would snog, marry or avoid in real life. From heartthrobs to tragic lovers, the results offer a fascinating insight into our cinematic crushes.
The Top Choices for Snogging, Marrying and Avoiding
The survey asked both men and women to choose from some of the most beloved romantic characters in film history. For women, the top choice for a kiss was Jack Dawson, played by Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic. Meanwhile, they were most interested in marrying Mr Darcy, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen in Pride and Prejudice. On the other hand, the character they wanted to avoid the most was Johnny Castle from Dirty Dancing, played by Patrick Swayze.
Men, on the other hand, had different preferences. They were most interested in marrying Rose DeWitt Bukater, played by Kate Winslet in Titanic, and kissing Elizabeth Bennet, played by Keira Knightley in Pride and Prejudice. Their least desirable choice was Kat Stratford from 10 Things I Hate About You, played by Julia Stiles.
Generational Differences in Preferences
Interestingly, there were slight variations in preferences depending on the generation of the respondents. Gen Z, millennials, Gen X and baby boomers each had their own unique take on which characters they found most appealing or unappealing. These differences highlight how our tastes in romance films can evolve over time.
Kate Gartland, Marketing Director at Great, commented on the findings, saying: “We’ve all dreamed of that certain character from a movie. Romance films are just the perfect place for escapism and a harmless bit of fantasising, and that’s the beauty of Great Romance.”
The Weepiest Movies of All Time
In a separate survey, film fans were asked to name the most tear-jerking movies of all time. Surprisingly, Titanic came out on top, beating classic films like The Notebook and Ghost. The 1997 film, starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, tells the story of a doomed love affair between a wealthy aristocrat and an artist.
According to the research, 41% of moviegoers said the film made them cry, with 47% of women and 34% of men admitting to shedding tears during the emotional scenes. The film’s iconic ending, where an elderly Rose recounts her tragic love story, is widely regarded as one of the most heartbreaking moments in cinema history.
Other Emotional Classics
Coming in second place was The Notebook, which was voted as a tear-jerker by 20% of viewers. Women found the film more emotional than men, with 26% of women and 15% of men admitting to crying during the movie.
Other notable entries on the list included Ghost, with over 10% of Brits saying it made them reach for the tissues. Hollywood classics like Gone With The Wind and Casablanca scored 10% and 9% respectively, while modern classics like Love Actually also landed at 9%.
The rest of the list featured films such as Pretty Woman (8%), Notting Hill (6%), Dirty Dancing (6%) and PS I Love You (6%).
Gender Differences in Emotional Responses
The research also found that women were twice as likely to cry at a film compared to men. This trend was consistent across all age groups, highlighting the emotional impact that romantic films can have on audiences.
Whether it’s a passionate kiss, a heartfelt proposal or a tragic ending, these films continue to capture our imaginations and evoke strong emotions. So next time you’re looking for something to watch, consider revisiting one of these classic romances – you might just find yourself reaching for the tissues.
