Among the world-saving battles, time-traveling adventures, and apocalyptic scenarios, some of our favorite superheroes have managed to find time for romance. Often times a romantic relationship or storyline in an action-packed superhero movie can feel forced or unnecessary, but if done well, there can be an art to romance in the superhero movie, and actually lend a significant amount to the overall story. Audience members want to be able to identify with their favorite heroes, and in order to do that they must see the crime fighters in scenarios they might find themselves in. So turn the lights down low, pour a glass of wine, and let’s take a look at the best romantic relationships in superhero movies.

10 Bruce Wayne & Rachel Dawes (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight)

The relationship between Bruce Wayne and Rachel Dawes is a central plot point of the first two films in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. In Batman Begins, we see Bruce Wayne being torn between his urges and desires to be Batman and avenge his parent’s death and his love for Rachel, seemingly the one thing keeping him grounded in his life. In The Dark Knight, Bruce and Rachel’s relationship is that of friends, despite Bruce’s love for her, it is Harvey Dent who has captured her affection. Feeling that it is time for him to step away from the cape and the cowl, Bruce prepares to tell Rachel this and profess his love. That is before she becomes a victim of the psychopathic Joker, sadly losing her life before Bruce can express his desires. A tragic relationship, Bruce and Rachel’s story throughout the two films helps both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight to achieve the success they have.

9 Bruce Wayne & Selina Kyle (Batman Returns)

Another Bruce Wayne relationship makes the list! This romance, however, is fueled by secrecy in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. In the film, Wayne and Selina Kyle begin courting one another, their secret identities unknown to each other. It is not until the films climactic third act that the two learn that their connection runs deeper than just Bruce and Selina, as Batman is now forced to fight the best Catwoman we have seen on film. This is a great romantic relationship because it matches Bruce Wayne with an equal in both his life as Batman and his life as the billionaire.

Related: Tim Burton Reflects on Past Criticism Over His Batman Films, Blasts Batman Forever’s Nipple-Suit

8 Wolverine & Jean Grey (X-Men: The Last Stand)

While the romantic relationship between Wolverine and Jean Grey never materializes into what you would think of as a traditional relationship, the two characters do share feelings and moments for one another throughout the franchise. It is in X-Men:The Last Stand that we see the true and tragic expression of love that Wolverine has for Jean as he is forced to kill her in order to stop her Dark Phoenix form. A tragic end to a fatally flawed and tumultuous relationship.

7 Loki & Slyvie (Loki)

A romantic relationship with a version of yourself from an alternate timeline is certainly an interesting direction to take in one’s life, but it is the vanity of Loki that allows for such an event to proceed. The characters of Slyvie and Loki start as foes in the Disney + series, Loki, but quickly find themselves facing down a shared enemy and on the path to achieving the same goal. We see the two grow close to one another on their journey as the early signs of romance begin to show. The relationship is sure to be expanded upon in season two of the series and the future of the MCU at large.

6 Peter Parker & MJ (Spider-Man: No Way Home)

A number of romantic relationships in superhero movies unfortunately end him tragedy or trauma, as is heavily represented in our next two entries. Starting with the relationship between Peter Parker and MJ in Spider-Man: No Way Home. After being exposed as Spider-Man, Peter Parker is struggling to live in a world that knows his secret identity. Staunchly standing by his side throughout this is MJ, Peter’s girlfriend. Following a tumultuous adventure caused in part by a botched Doctor Strange spell, the world is magically induced to forget that not only is Peter Parker not Spider-Man, but that he has never existed…MJ included. Peter now on his own at the conclusion of the film, must learn to traverse a new world without MJ by his side.

5 Peter Parker and Gwen Stacey (The Amazing Spider-Man & The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

Much of Peter Parker’s life as Spider-Man is a product of the loss and grief he has had to endure. In The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel, we see the relationship of Peter and Gwen Stacey explored, a secondary relationship to the more popular Peter and Mary Jane Watson. The on-screen chemistry between actors Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone lends to the authenticity of the relationship throughout the movies. This relationship too ends in tragedy, as Peter finds himself unable to save Gwen as she falls victim at the hands of the Green Goblin. A tragedy this version of Peter gets to avenge in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

4 Tony Stark & Pepper Potts (MCU)

Tony Sark and Pepper Potts have one of the longest romantic relationships we have seen throughout superhero movies. With love first blossoming in 2008’s Iron Man, fans got to see their relationship progress through ups and downs, marriage, and the birth of their daughter Morgan. Sadly, their relationship ended with the passing of Tony Stark as he made the ultimate sacrifice to defeat Thanos and save the universe. They surely loved one another 3000, making this one of the best romantic relationships in superhero movie history.

Related: Iron Man: 6 Actors Almost Cast as Tony Stark in the MCU

3 Steve Rogers & Peggy Carter (MCU)

Similar to Tony Stark and Pepper Potts, the romantic relationship between Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter is another that audiences were able to watch over the extended life of the MCU. From Peggy losing Steve to the ice in WWII, to Steve losing Peggy to old age in Captain America: Civil War. Their romance was one of tragedy, but one Steve was able to save and then savor with the use of the Infinity Stones. With the opportunity to grow old with the woman he loves, Steve left behind the shield of Captain America to his friend Sam Wilson and danced his way into a long and fruitful life with Peggy. The latter of which may have a future of her own in the MCU.

2 Wanda Maximoff & Vision (Avengers: Infinity War & WandaVision)

The romance between Wanda Maximoff and The Vision has produced some of the best comic book story runs Marvel has had to offer. Audiences were thrilled to see this relationship play out on the big screen, with the bulk of it happening in Avengers: Infinity War and the Disney + series WandaVision. The two find themselves enjoying life together, before the events of Infinity War pull them back into the world of The Avengers. After Vision’s death at the hands of the Mad Titan, Wanda loses all sense of reality in an attempt to live life with Vision once again, leading to the events of WandaVision and the potential tragic end of the Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

1 Lois Lane & Clark Kent (Superman 1978)

Perhaps the most well-known romantic relationship in superhero history, both in the comics and on screen, is the timeless love story of Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The most notable and best example of this relationship in the movies is in Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman. The chemistry between Christopher Reeves as Clark Kent and Margot Kidder’s definitive performance as Lois Lane helps to make this the blueprint for all the super heroic romantic relationships that followed it.