In popular media, love triangles are an incredibly common trope to the point, and there are many well-known love triangles in major blockbuster films. However, the truth is that love triangles that end with a monogamous relationship aren't the only option. It would be refreshing to see polyamorous relationships shown more often, in lieu of one relationship being chosen over the other.
Many of these love triangles could end in a polyamorous situation of some sort whether with a triad or with the center of the triangle having two relationships that are mutually accepted by all parties involved.
Julianne, Michael, and Kimberly
Perhaps one of the most well-known love triangles in really famous romantic comedies is the one from My Best Friend’s Wedding. Julianne and Michael have been best friends for years, and Julianne realized that she has romantic feelings for him when he’s about to marry Kimberly.
While there’s also something refreshing about the fact that Julianne doesn’t end up with Michael in this movie, this film could have found a happy ending in Michael dating both women as he clearly cared about them both.
Donna Sheridan, Sam, and Bill
The relationship situation in Mamma Mia! isn’t exactly a love triangle because it involves Donna having a relationship with three men, one of whom is the father of her child.
However, since Harry in the movie version turns out to be gay, he isn’t included here. Seeing as Mamma Mia! is a rather fun and free movie, there would be something nice about seeing a young or old Donna date more than one man, as it seems clear that all members of this found family really care about one another.
Carrie Bradshaw, Aiden, and Mr. Big
While this love triangle might have started on a television series, it becomes the center of the Sex and the City films at one point, too. The truth is that Mr. Big and Carrie aren’t always good to one another, and Carrie also doesn’t treat Aiden right when she cheats on him.
However, despite it being groundbreaking for the time in some ways, Sex and the City wasn’t always progressive when it came to sex and relationships. Instead of having Carrie have to choose and settle down, she could have been with them both.
Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and Harry Osborn
There are many different love triangle situations that arise in both superhero comics and in the movies, and perhaps one of the most known is between Spider-Man, Mary Jane, and Harry. Since Peter and Harry were best friends, it would have been nice to see them work this out instead of it coming between them.
Many fans would also like to see more LGBTQ+ representation in general, so either Harry and Peter could both just date Mary Jane, or they could all end up dating each other in a triad relationship. At one point, it's clear they all care very much for one another.
Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine
This is another movie and comic book love triangle that’s been going on in many different forms of the X-Men stories for years. However, the great thing about this trio is they are currently involved in a polyamorous relationship in the comics.
This is great to see as it’s so rare, and it would be even better if this would be shown on film at some point. While the exact situation these three are in hasn’t quite been pinned defined, they do seem to all be together in some fashion.
Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Viktor Krum
There are a few notable love triangles from the Harry Potter series that could be included here, but one of the most defining that involves main characters is between these three. While it’s true that they are quite young and immature, it would be nice if this love triangle hadn’t caused so much jealousy and fighting between Hermione and Ron.
Given that they were so young, it would have been nice if it was just portrayed that it was fine to date more than one person. It also can be noted that Ron was Krum's original biggest fan, so perhaps, sparks could have flown between all the members of this trio,
Peeta Mellark, Katniss Everdeen, and Gale Hawthorne
The love triangle from The Hunger Games is very well-known, and people have many strong opinions on who Katniss should have ended up with. But, at least until the end of the series when Gale might have been accidentally responsible for Prim’s death, it was clear that Katniss had strong feelings for both of them.
Katniss also didn’t seem to feel romantically in the same way that the two boys did about her, but she cared a lot about them both. It would have been better in some ways to let Katniss be able to explore both of these relationships and let them develop more naturally.
Aragorn, Arwen, and Eowyn
While this love triangle does exist somewhat in the book version of The Lord of the Rings, it’s played up even more in the movies. This might not have been the best move, but since it was included, it does open up the idea that a polyamorous relationship would have been great to see.
The series is an older one, at least the books are, so there isn’t much representation of different sexualities and relationships, but this doesn't mean that fans haven’t imagined many different, more representative setups.
Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and Peggy Carter
While Steve and Bucky were never confirmed to be romantic in the canon of the MCU, many fans felt they had a very strong connection with a lot of queer subtext.
Many fans wanted to see Steve and Bucky get together, but it’s also true that Steve had romantic feelings for Peggy. It would have been the perfect ending if the MCU had Steve be canonically bisexual and had shown confirmed relationships with both Bucky and Peggy.
Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black
If all the love triangles in popular media, the Twilight one is one of the most infamous and iconic. Team Edward versus Team Jacob was a huge deal amongst fans, and people still have strong feelings about these relationships.
Even if neither Edward nor Jacob was interested in exploring a relationship with one another, they could both have dated Bella, as she clearly had a love for each of them. But, many fans also like the idea of them all three being together in a triad. It would have been a beautiful relationship to explore.