Some characters are written as friends. Some are written as rivals. And then there are the pairings that accidentally create enough romantic tension to fuel decades of fanfiction.
For as long as film and television have existed, audiences have looked at certain duos and thought the same thing: Are we sure they’re just friends?
Whether it was lingering glances, unwavering devotion, dramatic declarations of loyalty, or chemistry that completely overshadowed the actual love interests, some on-screen relationships felt like they were only one script revision away from becoming canon.
While LGBTQ+ representation has come a long way, there are still plenty of iconic pairings that fans continue to argue should have ended up together. Here are some of the biggest examples.
Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes (Captain America)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe gave audiences countless superheroes, but few relationships inspired as much passion as Steve and Bucky.
Steve spent multiple films refusing to give up on his childhood best friend, crossing continents, defying governments, and quite literally risking the fate of the world to save him. Fans coined the term “Stucky” for a reason.
Regina Mills and Emma Swan (Once Upon a Time)
Known online as “Swan Queen,” Regina and Emma became one of the most popular non-canon ships of the 2010s.
The former enemies-turned-co-parents shared a complicated, emotional relationship that evolved over multiple seasons. For many viewers, their chemistry felt stronger than several of the show’s official romances.
Jennifer Check and Needy Lesnicki (Jennifer’s Body)
The cult classic eventually earned recognition as a queer horror staple, but many fans still wish the film had pushed even further.
Jennifer and Needy’s intense friendship, jealousy, obsession, and famous kiss created a dynamic that continues to resonate with LGBTQ+ audiences more than 15 years later.
Dean Winchester and Castiel (Supernatural)
One of the most talked-about examples of queer fandom in television history.
The chemistry between Dean and Castiel fueled more than a decade of speculation, fan campaigns, and online discourse. While Castiel eventually confessed his love for Dean (making it canon), many fans still argue the series dropped the ball on fully embracing the relationship viewers had invested in for years.
Here’s a video if you want to sob today.
Will Byers and Mike Wheeler (Stranger Things)
This one comes with an asterisk.
Similar to the one above, the feelings here were canon. Stranger Things confirmed that Will was in love with Mike in the final season. The complication is that those feelings were never reciprocated, leaving many fans wondering what the story might have looked like if the series had allowed the relationship to build.
Alex Russo and Stevie Nichols (Wizards of Waverly Place)
Disney Channel may have intended Alex and Stevie to be rivals, but audiences saw something else entirely.
Their banter, chemistry, and quick emotional connection turned the pair into one of the most enduring queer ships of the Disney era.
Years later, fans learned they weren’t imagining things. During an episode of Wizards of Waverly Pod, showrunner Peter Murrieta revealed that he wished the series could have explored Alex and Stevie’s relationship further. While the writers “weren’t able to” take the pair’s relationship to the next level, Murrieta said “it was pretty clear to us what that relationship was” and that the creative team got “as close as we could.”
Combined with Hayley Kiyoko’s own acknowledgment of the pairing over the years, Alex and Stevie remain one of Disney Channel’s most beloved almost-couples.
Stiles Stilinski and Derek Hale (Teen Wolf)
“Sterek” wasn’t just a ship. It was a cultural phenomenon.
What began as a handful of scenes between sarcastic human Stiles Stilinski and brooding werewolf Derek Hale quickly grew into one of the biggest fandom pairings of the 2010s. Their constant bickering, reluctant teamwork, and undeniable chemistry gave fans plenty to work with, even though the relationship never came close to becoming canon.
Xena and Gabrielle (Xena: Warrior Princess)
Let’s be honest: this one barely belongs on the list.
While the series never explicitly confirmed a romantic relationship, the bond between Xena and Gabrielle became one of television’s most famous examples of queer subtext. Decades later, many fans still view them as one of TV’s greatest love stories, regardless of what the scripts officially said.
In an extensive oral history published by Entertainment Weekly, executive producer and writer R.J. Stewart reflected on years of being asked about the iconic duo’s relationship.
“In the olden days, when people asked me if Xena and Gabrielle were gay, I used to say, ‘I’ll leave that up to the fans,’” Stewart said. “But 30 years later, the fans have spoken. They’re definitely gay now.”
Finn and Poe Dameron (Star Wars)
When The Force Awakens premiered, many viewers immediately latched onto the chemistry between Finn ( ohn Boyega)and Poe (Oscar Isaac)
Their loyalty, affection, and natural rapport sparked years of campaigning from fans who believed the sequel trilogy missed an opportunity to tell a groundbreaking queer love story in a galaxy far, far away.
“Personally, I kind of hoped and wished that maybe that would’ve been taken further in the other films, but I don’t have control,” Isaac told Variety. “It seemed like a natural progression, but sadly enough it’s a time when people are too afraid, I think, of…I don’t know what. But if they would’ve been boyfriends, that would have been fun.”
Shawn Spencer and Burton “Gus” Guster (Psych)
Shawn and Gus spent eight seasons proving they would do absolutely anything for each other.
Their friendship was the heart of Psych, but their unwavering loyalty, constant devotion, and old-married-couple energy led many viewers to imagine an alternate version of the series where the pair ended up together.
Jackie Taylor and Shauna Shipman (Yellowjackets)
Few relationships on television are as complicated, messy, and emotionally loaded as Jackie and Shauna’s.
The pair’s codependency, jealousy, heartbreak, and lingering obsession have fueled endless discussions among viewers about whether romantic feelings were hiding beneath the surface all along.
Unfortunately, we’ll never get to see what could have been. Maybe things would have turned out differently if Shauna hadn’t eaten her best friend. Who knows?
Velma Dinkley and Daphne Blake (Scooby-Doo)
Long before recent adaptations leaned into Velma’s queerness, fans were already looking at Velma and Daphne.
Their contrasting personalities and close bond inspired decades of fan art, fanfiction, and speculation that Mystery Inc. may have contained an iconic queer romance waiting to happen.
Also, the kiss between Sarah Michelle Gellar’s Daphne and Linda Cardellini’s Velma that got cut and is just floating around out there? I’m gonna need it stat.
Elle Woods and Vivian Kensington (Legally Blonde)
The real enemies-to-lovers story was sitting right there.
What begins as a rivalry over Warner eventually transforms into mutual respect and support, with Vivian becoming one of Elle’s biggest champions. Many fans have joked that Legally Blonde accidentally made a stronger case for Elle ending up with Vivian than with any of the men in the movie. And we agree.
Ryan Evans and Chad Danforth (High School Musical)
Ryan and Chad’s friendship became one of the most beloved parts of the franchise.
Their chemistry exploded during “I Don’t Dance,” a musical number that many fans still consider one of Disney’s most unintentionally queer moments. The outfit swap at the baseball game? We saw it. The lingering looks? We saw those too.
While we’re thrilled Ryan was later confirmed to be queer in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a generation of fans is still waiting for closure on whatever was going on between him and Chad. We have questions, and after all these years, we’d still like answers.
Thomas and Newt (The Maze Runner)
The emotional connection between Thomas and Newt resonated deeply with audiences throughout the franchise.
Newt’s unwavering faith in Thomas and their heartbreaking storyline led many fans to view them as one of the biggest missed romantic opportunities in young adult fiction. Is anyone noticing a pattern here with the fate of one of these characters? Just me?
Elphaba and Glinda (Wicked)
We don’t even have that much to say here because it feels so obvious.
These two were in love. And Fiyero was there, too.
Did Elphaba not crash Glinda’s wedding? Did they not repeatedly risk everything for one another? Is the emotional core of Wicked not their relationship? Whether you’re talking about the stage musical, the novel, or the film adaptation, their story is built on devotion, heartbreak, forgiveness, and a bond that outlasts nearly everything else in their lives.
And if we’re bringing the movie into this discussion, we can’t ignore Glinda saying “I love you” while hidden away in a closet.
Merlin and Arthur Pendragon (Merlin)
Fantasy television has rarely produced a relationship as emotionally charged as Merlin and Arthur.
The series centered on their growing bond, mutual devotion, and willingness to sacrifice everything for one another. By the time the finale aired, many fans were convinced the show’s greatest love story had never officially become a romance. Sorry Guinevere.
Patrick Zweig and Art Donaldson (Challengers)
Sure, Challengers gave audiences plenty to dissect, but many viewers walked away thinking the most compelling relationship was that of Patrick and Art.
Patrick and Art’s years-long obsession, rivalry, and emotional dependence on one another often felt just as intense as either man’s relationship with Tashi. Moral of the story: this movie could have been a lot gayer than that churro scene, and we would have liked to see it.
Wednesday Addams and Enid Sinclair (Wednesday)
Few recent pairings have generated as much fan enthusiasm. Their sunshine-and-goth dynamic, emotional bond, and undeniable chemistry quickly made “Wenclair” one of Netflix’s biggest fan ships.
However, we totally agree that Wednesday does not need a romance in the series and are happy she is exploring other relationships and feelings.
The creators of the show said its unlikely anything will ever come of the two, even as the show heads into season 3.
“It’s a show about female friendship, and people can read into it whatever they want, which is great. I mean, that’s the beauty of television, is people can take ownership, but they’re very much friends,” said co-creator Alfred Gough.
Why These Ships Still Matter
Before LGBTQ+ representation became more common, viewers often connected with subtext, coded relationships, and emotional bonds that felt deeper than friendship. Sometimes creators intended it. Sometimes they didn’t. Either way, these relationships became cultural touchstones for generations of fans.
And honestly? Some of them still have more chemistry than the canon couples. Canon may have let us down, but fanfiction never will.