Teen shows have some unforgettable couples. It makes sense, considering romance is such a prominent part of their stories. Teen love is also often a person's first love, meaning everything is heightened: happiness, pain, disappointment, and excitement are all at their most intense.
The teen show experienced a rebirth in the 21st century, giving audiences some of the best romances in modern television. Whether because of their intense and undeniable chemistry, the excellent writing in their respective shows, or a perfect combination of both, these couples made audiences fall instantly in love.
Otis & Ruby - Sex Education
Yes, Otis and Ruby are not the central couple in Sex Education; in fact, they are a detour meant to provide extra conflict for the show's true OTP, Otis and Maeve. However, Otis and Ruby were an unexpected hit with fans, mainly because of Asa Butterfield and Mimi Keene's electric chemistry.
Otis and Ruby are classic examples of opposites attracting, finding common ground thanks to their desire to be together. Their romance was short-lived because Otis was always going to end with Maeve, but it was incredible while it lasted. Most fans were sorry to see Otis and Ruby over because they were arguably the best couple in Sex Education.
Santana & Brittany - Glee
Despite its many flaws, Glee was one of the few shows of its time to feature more than one LGBTQ+ couple. Blaine and Kurt were cute together, but they were too toxic and problematic; indeed, every fan knows Santana and Brittany were the show's real stars.
The notoriously brutal Santana mellowed down with Brittany; for her part, Brittany received constant encouragement and support from Santana. These two brought out the best in each other, actively avoiding drama and focusing on strengthening their relationship. And even though they spent some time apart, everyone knew they'd get back together. They finally married in season 6, and there was no dry eye in the house.
Devi &... Paxton? Ben? - Never Have I Ever
Never Have I Ever is a jewel of a show. Complex in a way few other teen dramas are, the show is a watershed moment for South Asian representation. Devi is not a typical teen protagonist; she is often hard to root for thanks to her erratic behavior, but remains likable and compelling.
The show presents one of the best examples of the love triangle trope. Devi has feelings for her long-time crush, Paxton, and her rival-turned-love-interest Ben. Both relationships have pros and cons, and Devi herself seems divided about who she wants. Most fans seem to prefer Paxton, but others won't stand for the Ben erasure. Never Have I Ever has two seasons to go, giving Devi plenty of time to make up her mind.
Nate & Serena - Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl was the land of toxic couples. From Chuck and Blair to Dan and Serena, the romances on this show were as unhealthy as they come. However, there was one obvious exception: Nate and Serena. Nate and Serena made perfect sense as the two prettiest and least complex characters in the show. Furthermore, they were genuinely good together: Nate loved Serena from day one and went out of his way for her.
Because the writers had their goals set on Serena and Dan, the ship -- commonly known as Serenate -- never stood a chance, and it's a shame because Nate and Serena were perfect together. They were supportive, sweet, and equally inexperienced in the art of the scheme. Alas, in one of Gossip Girl's most cringeworthy moments, Serena went back to Dan even after learning he was Gossip Girl.
Nick & Charlie - Heartstopper
Netflix's most recent effort has arguably the sweetest and most wholesome couple in any modern teen show. Nick and Charlie are unbelievably cute together, perfectly capturing the thrill and innocence of first love in a way few other teen shows do. Showcasing the positive and hopeful side of an LGBTQ+ romance is a welcome change compared to the many shows that present it as a constant struggle.
LGBTQ+ representation is more important than ever, and Heartstopper adds to the increasing number of shows that advances it perfectly. Nick and Charlie are ridiculously endearing, and fans can't wait to see how their romance progresses in season two of Heartstopper.
Caleb & Hanna - Pretty Little Liars
Pretty Little Liars was drama to the tee. The show featured mystery, murder, betrayal, and a healthy dose of melodrama that turned it into an instant guilty pleasure. Romance was also a major part of the story, and while the show featured multiple romances, none was better than Caleb and Hanna's.
Hanna and Caleb experience a lot of firsts together, cementing their relationship as one of the show's best and most important. Like everything on the show, their romance is overly complicated, but they eventually get their happy ending. Indeed, the series finale shows them married and expecting, to the delight of millions of fans.
Stiles & Lydia - Teen Wolf
There are slow-burn romances, and then there's Stiles and Lydia. The unexpected breakout ship of Teen Wolf, Stiles and Lydia's romance was a mix of tropes that eventually led to their long-awaited reunion. Unlike other relationships in the show, the Teen Wolf writers showed great care for Stydia, developing them as friends before addressing their growing mutual feelings.
Stiles and Lydia's relationship grew season by season, eventually becoming the show's most popular ship. Fans waited for six seasons to see them together, but their efforts were rewarded. And even though their romance felt a tad rush near the end, it was still worth it.
Jess & Rory - Gilmore Girls
Rory Gilmore is one of the most divisive characters in television. Still, there's one thing most fans agree with, and it's that she was at her best with Jess. Dean couldn't keep up with her, and Logan was the worst. However, Jess went from prototypical bad boy to mature published writer, achieving far more than anyone thought he would.
Jess and Rory have a complicated relationship throughout Gilmore Girls, but their connection is undeniable. They are like-minded and have similar goals and interests. More importantly, they inspire each other to be better, bringing the best out of each other. A Year in the Life hints that Jess still has feelings for Rory, so if Gilmore Girls ever returns for another season, fans expect to finally see them get together for good.
Nathan & Haley - One Tree Hill
One Tree Hill was one of the shows responsible for the teen drama renaissance. The initial setup -- two feuding half-brothers living in a small North Carolina town -- instantly captured fans' attention, but the romances made them stay. OTH had several prominent love stories, but none came close to Nathan and Haley.
Starting as a typical bad-boy-good-girl romance, Nathan and Haley's relationship evolved into a surprisingly layered portrayal of love's struggles. They get married at sixteen, and the show pulls no punches in exploring the difficulties of teen marriage. Nathan and Haley experience multiple setbacks and obstacles over the years, and while their bond sometimes weakens, they always find a way to strengthen it.
Seth & Summer - The O.C.
Teen couples may come and go, but Seth and Summer will remain. They weren't the original "popular girl falls for nerdy boy" couple, but they might be the most memorable. Thanks to Adam Brody and Rachel Bilson's intense chemistry, Seth and Summer became The O.C.'s most popular couple, outranking the show's main ship, Ryan and Marissa.
Like most teen couples, Seth & Summer go through their fair share of trouble. Their relationship is all but easy, but they always find a way back to each other. Seth and Summer get married at the end of the show, providing the perfect closure for the best teen couple of the 21st century... so far, at least.