-
(#1) Fifty Shades of Grey
- Book
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Christian totally takes advantage of Ana, who is young and inexperienced. He low-key stalks her until she’s hooked, then proceeds to tell Ana what she can eat, how to dress and even how to groom her pubic hair. As if that isn’t enough, Christian buys the publishing firm that Ana works for because he needs to control every aspect of her life. He’s more than just a control-freak; he’s abusive. -
(#2) Orange Is the New Black
- TV Program
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Piper and Alex can’t stop screwing each other over. Alex throws Piper under the bus to get out of jail; Piper is the reason that Alex lands back in jail. They both put themselves first with no regard for how their actions will affect the other. -
(#3) Pretty Little Liars
- TV Program
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Except…Ezra is Aria’s high school English teacher. No matter how cute or perfect it is, this relationship is 100% illegal and falls under the umbrella of statutory rape. Plus, Ezra basically lied to Aria throughout their whole relationship—and two wrongs do not make a right. -
(#4) Sex and the City
- TV Program
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Big is Carrie’s perfect man in every way: he’s funny, rich and good in bed. One problem: he’s completely emotionally unavailable. Carrie chases him for years until he finally proposes, only to leave her at the altar! Theirs is not a relationship to idolize; in real life, if a man is that distant, you need to run. -
(#5) Love Actually
- Film
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Mark’s behavior throughout the film is predatory, stalker-ish, and cray cray. First, he ruins Juliet’s wedding video by creepily zooming in on her face—and her face only—for the whole ceremony. Rude. Then, he treats her like shit to mask his true affection, like a six-year-old in the schoolyard (not that that’s acceptable behavior for six-year-olds, either). Finally, he goes behind his best friend’s back to share his feelings with Juliet, tempting her to cheat on her husband. Keep it to yourself, Mark! -
(#6) The Breakfast Club
- Film
Why We Swooned: When the popular girl and the alternative outcast kiss at the end of The Breakfast Club, worlds collide. We love that their love crosses the riskiest of lines: high school social castes.
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: John verbally and physically assaults Claire, calling her a bitch and even wedging his head between her legs. He is condescending and mean and still gets the girl. Huh? -
(#7) Grease
- Film
Why We Swooned: At the movie’s end, bad-boy Danny Zuko puts his heart first and risks looking like a dork to win over Sandy. Danny and Sandy’s story gives us hope that a summer fling can turn into a long-term thing.
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Throughout the film, Danny humiliates Sandy in order to uphold his reputation. They eventually get together by changing who they are completely: good girl Sandy ditches her saddle shoes for cigarettes and Danny trades in his leather jacket for a letterman’s sweater. That’s not how love should work, is it?! -
(#8) Beauty and the Beast
- Film
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: The Beast captures Belle and holds her prisoner. He abuses her by shouting, throwing things at her and locking her up. Belle essentially develops Stockholm syndrome to “fall in love” with the Beast. When you think of it that way, the whole thing seems a little less romantic. -
(#9) The Notebook
- Film
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: The beginning is where this classic love story is f’ed up. Allie tells Noah, “No” so many times. Instead of respecting her wishes and leaving her alone, he essentially threatens to kill himself by jumping off of a Ferris wheel if Allie doesn’t accept his date invitation. In real life, that would be beyond creepy. -
(#10) Dawson's Creek
- TV Program
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Joey’s speech to Pacey as they are about to have sex for the first time is actually 100% creepy. She says, “This is because you carried my bag of the bus. This is because you taught me how to drive.” Joey makes it seem like she thinks she owes Pacey sex—not OK. -
(#11) Ghost
- Film
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Sam never told Molly that he loved her while he was alive. When she said those three little words to him, his response was always, “Ditto.” It was so out of character for Sam to say, “I love you” that Molly doesn’t believe that his ghost is really with her until he says, “Ditto” instead of, “I love you.” That’s just sad. -
(#12) Titanic
- Film
Why It Was Actually F'ed Up: Alright, maybe “f’ed up” is a bit of a strong term—but let’s not forget that Jack and Rose only knew each other for a couple of days. How many times have you sworn you were falling in love after an amazing first date, only to have that flame burn out days, weeks, months later? Who knows if Jack and Rose’s love would’ve stood the test of time had they both survived?
New Random Displays Display All By Ranking
About This Tool
Love stories on the big screen or in books are very fascinating. But it is clear that many of the shortcomings in these romantic stories are often overlooked, leaving only the sweet relationship that we should appreciate. Popular culture influences our perceptions of love and relationships in both beneficial and harmful ways. In fact, some fictitious relationships are developing in an unhealthy way, which is not remembered by the audience.
It may be fun to watch fictional couples on the screen, but now is the time to start questioning your favorite fictional relationships in movies and TV shows. The random tool lists 12 celebrated fictional relationships that are unhealthy.
Our data comes from Ranker, If you want to participate in the ranking of items displayed on this page, please click here.