35+ Celebrity Who Hated Kissing Their Co-Stars On Screen

Being a Hollywood actor might seem like the ultimate dream job—glamorous red carpets, massive paychecks, and steamy kissing scenes with A-list celebrities. But the truth behind those on-screen make-out sessions isn’t always so picture-perfect. In fact, many actors have confessed that filming kissing scenes can be downright uncomfortable, awkward, and even cringe-worthy. Whether it’s due to a total lack of chemistry, bad breath horror stories, or off-screen feuds, these intimate moments often come with serious behind-the-scenes drama. If you’re obsessed with celebrity gossip, love Hollywood scandals, or just want the truth about those too-close-for-comfort movie scenes, you’re in for a revealing look into the not-so-romantic world of famous actors.

Spider-Man – A memorable kiss

The unforgettable upside-down kiss between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in Spider-Man remains one of the most iconic on-screen kisses in movie history. Set in the rain with Spider-Man dangling mid-air and Mary Jane pulling down his mask, the scene is pure cinematic magic—and still tops lists of the most memorable celebrity movie moments. But behind the scenes? Not so romantic. Maguire later revealed the kiss was anything but enjoyable, thanks to water rushing up his nose and the awkward angle. Just goes to show—even the most famous kissing scenes in Hollywood can be downright miserable to film.

But according to celebrity interviews, the reality behind the iconic kiss wasn’t nearly as steamy as it looked. Tobey Maguire later confessed that filming the scene was incredibly uncomfortable—he had rainwater flooding his nose, his sinuses were blocked, and the blood rushing to his head made it tough to breathe, let alone act. Despite being praised in countless Hollywood romance roundups and often topping lists of the most unforgettable movie kisses, Tobey revealed it was actually one of the most awkward and challenging movie moments of his career.

Harry Potter – After all those years

Fans had been eagerly waiting for Ron and Hermione’s kiss throughout the entire Harry Potter franchise. With years of slow-burn tension and emotional buildup, their romantic moment in The Deathly Hallows felt like the ultimate magical payoff. When it finally happened, the kiss didn’t just melt hearts—it instantly became one of the most celebrated fan-favorite scenes in blockbuster movie history. But while audiences were swooning, the actors behind the kiss had a very different experience—one that wasn’t exactly as enchanting as it seemed on screen.

But behind the scenes, the magic fizzled. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint—the beloved stars behind Hermione and Ron—have both opened up in various celebrity interviews about how incredibly awkward the kiss actually was. Despite spending years together on set, their off-camera bond felt more like siblings than soulmates. That lack of real-life chemistry made the moment far from romantic. It’s a prime example of how on-screen chemistry can be completely different from real-life celebrity relationships, proving that not every swoon-worthy scene reflects reality.

The Spectacular Now – Not happy with the herbs

The Spectacular Now might not be the most mainstream romantic teen movie, but since its 2013 release, it has quietly built a loyal cult following. Starring Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller—two rising stars known for their collaborations—the film had all the ingredients for sizzling on-screen chemistry. With a heartfelt storyline and emotionally charged scenes, audiences expected sparks to fly. But behind the scenes, things weren’t exactly smooth sailing—especially when it came to their celebrity kissing scenes.

But when it came time to film one of their big kissing scenes, the reality was far from romantic. According to celebrity behind-the-scenes interviews, Miles Teller was taking Chinese herbal supplements—one of those trending Hollywood health hacks—to keep his immune system strong during filming. Unfortunately, Shailene Woodley wasn’t impressed. She later admitted that the strong, earthy smell of the herbs was downright off-putting, making her dread the intimate moment. So, while their kiss looked sweet and effortless on screen, it was actually one of those hilariously awkward celebrity moments in real life.

How I Met Your Mother – Co-star’s bad habits

How I Met Your Mother remains one of the most iconic sitcoms in TV history, known for its sharp humor, heartwarming moments, and unforgettable TV couples. Among the fan favorites were Lily and Marshall, the adorably quirky duo played by Alyson Hannigan and Jason Segel. Over the course of the show’s nine-season run, the two shared plenty of romantic and affectionate scenes, making them one of the most beloved sitcom relationships ever. But behind the scenes, things weren’t always picture-perfect—especially when one of the actors brought a bad habit to set that made those love scenes less than ideal.

But what fans didn’t see behind the scenes is that those kisses weren’t always so pleasant. In several celebrity interviews, Alyson Hannigan admitted that kissing Jason Segel was difficult at first due to one particular celebrity habit—smoking. As a non-smoker, Alyson struggled with the lingering smell during their many romantic scenes, which made the experience far less enjoyable. Fortunately, Jason eventually gave up the habit, improving both his health and their overall on-screen dynamic. It’s a classic reminder that even the sweetest TV show moments often hide some unexpected behind-the-scenes secrets.

Mission: Impossible – Heartthrob slobber

In one of the high-stakes, adrenaline-filled films from the Mission: Impossible franchise, Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton shared what was meant to be a steamy, romantic pause amidst the chaos. Cruise, often hailed as a Hollywood heartthrob, seemed like the perfect co-star for a passionate celebrity kissing scene. But according to Thandie Newton, the moment was far from dreamy. In fact, she later revealed that the kiss was “a little wet,” leaving her less than impressed. What was meant to be sizzling on screen turned into one of those classic awkward movie moments that proves even A-listers don’t always bring the magic when the cameras roll.

In fact, Thandie Newton later revealed that filming those intimate scenes was anything but glamorous. According to her, Tom Cruise was “a little too liberal” with his kisses—so much so that they had to reshoot the scene multiple times because of what she described as “slobbery kisses.” This surprising bit of Hollywood behind-the-scenes drama proves that even locking lips with a top-tier A-lister isn’t always the fairytale fans imagine. It’s a standout example of those unforgettable awkward on-set moments that leave a lasting impression—and not always for the right reasons.

My Best Friend’s Girl – Pranking her co-star

Romantic comedies are supposed to be sweet and swoon-worthy, but behind the scenes, things can get hilariously uncomfortable. In My Best Friend’s Girl, Kate Hudson and Dane Cook shared a few romantic moments on screen—though one kiss, in particular, became infamous for all the wrong reasons.

Known for her playful and bubbly off-screen personality, Kate Hudson couldn’t resist pulling a prank on her co-star. Right before their big kissing scene, she ate a pile of onions—just to mess with Dane Cook. The result? Let’s just say it didn’t smell like romance. Dane later confessed in a celebrity interview that it was “the worst onscreen kiss ever.” Talk about a major romantic comedy fail. The moment quickly earned its place in the hall of fame for actors with bad kissing stories, and it’s still making waves in celebrity gossip 2025.

Interview with the Vampire – Disgusted by her first kiss

Not all Hollywood kissing scenes are glamorous—especially when they involve a child actor. In Interview with the Vampire, a then 11-year-old Kirsten Dunst shared an on-screen kiss with Brad Pitt, who was already a major rising star. While the moment was meant to be artistic and dramatic, it quickly became one of the more controversial celebrity moments in movie history. What might have looked subtle and emotional on screen actually left young Kirsten feeling confused and uncomfortable behind the scenes.

Kirsten Dunst was just 11 years old when she filmed that scene—making it her first-ever kiss. In later celebrity interviews, she didn’t hold back, calling the experience “disgusting” and admitting it was anything but romantic. The moment has since become a topic of conversation in ongoing discussions about child actor experiences in Hollywood, raising questions about boundaries, consent, and how young performers are treated on set. It’s a powerful example of how seemingly artistic scenes can feel incredibly awkward and uncomfortable behind the curtain—especially when you’re a kid kissing a grown-up co-star.

Spring Breakers – Not thrilled about kissing him

In the edgy, neon-soaked crime drama Spring Breakers, Vanessa Hudgens took a daring leap from her Disney roots to embrace a more provocative, grown-up role. As part of that transformation, she shared an intimate kissing scene with James Franco—but according to Vanessa, it was far from a steamy Hollywood moment. In behind-the-scenes interviews, she admitted that the experience was anything but enjoyable, highlighting yet another case of awkward celebrity kisses that don’t live up to the on-screen hype. It’s a classic example of how Disney star transformations often come with unexpected discomfort.

In a post-release celebrity gossip revelation, Vanessa Hudgens didn’t hold back—she admitted she would’ve “rather kissed a girl” than go through another on-screen kiss with James Franco. Her blunt honesty offered fans a rare peek into the not-so-glamorous reality of behind-the-scenes movie moments, where steamy scenes are often more stressful than sensual. It’s just one more example of how awkward on-screen kisses can leave a lasting impression—just not the kind Hollywood usually promotes.

The Beach – A bit bland

Leonardo DiCaprio may be a certified Hollywood heartthrob, with legions of fans swooning over his every move, but not every one of his romantic movie moments has been a hit. In The Beach, a film packed with tropical tension and wild adventure, the anticipated kiss between Leo and co-star Virginie Ledoyen ended up being surprisingly underwhelming. Despite the exotic setting and dramatic build-up, even the actors admitted the chemistry just wasn’t there—making it one of the more disappointing on-screen kisses in Leo’s otherwise steamy filmography.

In The Beach, Leonardo DiCaprio shared a much-anticipated kiss with co-star Virginie Ledoyen, but the moment didn’t exactly leave a lasting impression—at least not for her. In later interviews, Virginie admitted she could “barely remember” the kiss and felt there was no real chemistry between them. Her blunt honesty quickly sparked buzz across celebrity gossip blogs, reinforcing the idea that even the most iconic actors aren’t immune to bland on-screen romances. Sometimes, not even a tropical backdrop and an A-list heartthrob can manufacture movie magic.

The Hunger Games – Not as smitten as his character was

In the blockbuster Hunger Games trilogy, Josh Hutcherson brought Peeta to life as the hopeless romantic head over heels for Katniss Everdeen, played by Jennifer Lawrence. Their chemistry had fans shipping the pair hard—but behind the scenes, the romance wasn’t nearly as electric. In a candid celebrity interview confession, Josh admitted he didn’t feel the same spark in real life. While the two were great friends off-screen, he revealed that their kissing scenes felt awkward and lacked true connection from his perspective. It’s another reminder that on-screen chemistry issues can pop up even between the most beloved movie couples.

He even went a step further, revealing that Jennifer Lawrence’s kissing technique left much to be desired—making the experience less than enjoyable. It’s one of those unexpected Hollywood confessions that fans never saw coming. Despite the franchise’s massive success and emotional depth, The Hunger Games still hid its fair share of awkward celebrity kisses behind all the action, tension, and dystopian drama. Just goes to show—not every on-screen romance is as steamy as it looks.