Real-life relationships are nice, sure, but is there anything quite like the feeling of yearning for a fictional man? Whether he’s brooding, charming, or devastatingly unavailable, fictional boyfriends have a way of capturing our hearts in ways reality rarely does. From the pages of novels to the screens of film and TV, these characters make us blush, giddy, and sometimes even cry — all from the comfort of our couches. Here, we’ve rounded up our pick of the best fictional boyfriends in pop culture history.
TV
Anthony Bridgerton — Bridgerton
Season two of Bridgerton was arguably our favourite, and it's all thanks to Anthony. Impossibly good looking, a little tormented, always charming, watching him and Kate finally come together was nothing short of electric. And in the show since, he's graduated from A-grade fictional boyfriend, to excellent fictional husband (and father).
Conrad Fisher — The Summer I Turned Pretty
2025 will go down in history as the year we collectively fell in love with Conrad Fisher. He'd always been on our radar, but season three of TSITP is when he really stepped into a new league of fictional men. Sadly, we're yet to find a man who matches his conflicted, magnetic, and heartbreaking humanity IRL.
Ryan Atwood — The O.C.
Cool, misunderstood, and occasionally infuriating, Ryan is the archetypal bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold. Despite his flaws, once he fell for Marissa, you can't argue he wasn't impossibly loyal.
Jim Halpert — The Office
Jim Halpert gave us all unrealistic standards when it comes to office romances, and for good reason. From taking a back seat while Pam was engaged to someone else, to the most heartbreakingly earnest confession of his true feelings, this is one couple we will ride for until the end of time.
Chandler Bing — Friends
Chandler wasn't an obvious choice for this list when Friends first aired, but we'd argue that he proved himself over time. Witty, awkward, and self-deprecating, yes, but also caring, thoughtful and kind as a partner. The best of both worlds, no?
Ben Wyatt — Parks and Rec
We want what Ben and Leslie have. From shared quirks to unwavering support, his calm, thoughtful presence balances Leslie’s energy (which is intense at the best of times), delivering one of the sweetest on-screen romances in recent times.
Derek Shepherd — Grey's Anatomy
There's a reason he got the name McDreamy, obviously. Derek is confident, great at his job, and not to mention devastatingly attractive... Truly, we can't blame Meredith for falling for him.
Connell Waldron — Normal People
Ah, Connell. Was he a good boy boyfriend? Up for debate. But was he pensive, sensitive, and well meaning? 100%.
Connell embodies the tension of first love and the pain of growing up. He’s the kind of boyfriend who lingers in your mind long after the story ends.
Noah Roklov — Nobody Wants This
If you need proof that opposites attract, look no further. Noah is a Jewish rabbi who meets Joanne, an agnostic, unlucky-in-love 30-something, and they unexpectedly click. Despite their many (many) differences, he’s gentle, charming, and refreshingly sincere.
Dylan — I Love LA
A newer character, but no less worthy, Dylan is akin to a saint for the things he's put up with in I Love LA. From revenge-seeking influencers to insufferable bosses, he's got Maia's needs down-pat at all time.
Film
Mark Darcy — Bridget Jones' Diary
Obviously. His love story with Bridget might not be entirely smooth sailing, but once it gets going, they're onto something good. Reserved, awkward, and sincere, Darcy is proof that you don't have to be the loudest in the room, to love the loudest.
Noah Calhoun — The Notebook
At the other end of the spectrum, if intensity were a love language, it’d be Noah Calhoun. No stranger to grand gestures or playing the long game, Noah is the filmic embodiment of “if he wanted to, he would."
Murray Duvall — Clueless
Teenage relationships are far from perfect, and Murray and Dionne's is no exception. But despite his flaws, you really can't deny that Murray cares for Dionne... He's also incredibly patient when it comes to her bad driving.
Ben Barry — How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Yes, this romance might have started as a bet, but it's pretty easy to see straight through this and realise that Ben's feelings are genuine He’s smooth, thoughtful and just as stubborn as Andy — which makes them the perfect pairing, we'd say?
Graham Simpkins — The Holiday
Give us Jude Law in a tiny British cottage any day of the week. Throw in the single dad trope and we're basically melting. He's attentive and emotionally literate — proof that vulnerability is, in fact, the hottest trait of all.
Derek Reynolds — Save The Last Dance
Derek shows up when Sara needs him most. When she moves to Chicago after losing her mum, he becomes her steady point of support, helping her find her confidence again and believe she still deserves her dreams. The makings of a dream fictional boyfriend.
Hae Sung — Past Lives
Past Lives is arguably one of the most heartbreaking watches in recent cinematic history, but that doesn't mean it didn't deliver some solid examples of real romance. When Nora and Hae Sung reconnect, he doesn't pressure their paths to continue to cross, but rather gives her his blessing to continue living without him.
Cedric Diggory — Harry Potter
Arguably Robert Patterson's peak. Cedric’s brief romance with Cho Chang — from the Yule Ball to the Triwizard Tournament — was charming, tender, and tragically short-lived. His death left a lasting impact on Hogwarts and hearts alike, making him the ultimate swoon-worthy “what could have been” boyfriend.
Peter Parker — Spiderman
While a real man might complain he's too busy with work, Peter always balances the chaos of superhero life with being a genuinely good guy. His relationship with MJ is just genuinely sweet, and full of those moments where you just want him to catch her — literally and metaphorically.
Books
Mr Darcy — Pride and Prejudice
The OG fictional heartthrob, Mr Darcy is the archetype for the brooding, and devastatingly sincere man. He (thanks to Jane Austen) makes awkward confessions and subtle gestures feel like the most romantic thing ever written.
Tate — Where The Crawdads Sing
Tate's inclusion on this list is somewhat up for debate, but despite his brief abandonment of Kya, we'd argue he was always patient, gentle, and deeply loyal. Unlike so many others, he never judged her... particularly when he's given reason to at the end of the book.
Peeta Mallark — The Hunger Games
Sorry team Gale, but we're all about Peeta here at RUSSH. Sweet and selfless, he proves that love can survive even the harshest circumstances (like being brainwashed by the Capitol). Is it too much to ask for something like this in the real world?
Augustus “Waters — The Fault in Our Stars
This whole story is about cherishing the moment, and Gus knows how to make every second feel important. Complicated, sweet, devoted, and romantic, he creates a relationship with Hazel that's unforgettable.
