Hollywood's Most Iconic Acting Duos Of All Time And What Made Them So Awesome

Hollywood is a land of make-believe, and one of the most critical aspects of creating believable film and television is casting. While many actors can convincingly portray their characters' emotions and motivations, there are some pairs that just have that extra "spark"—an intangible quality that makes them electric onscreen.

It's not always easy to pinpoint what makes onscreen chemistry work. Sometimes it's obvious—like when two actors have a history or are dating in real life—but often it's just a matter of two performers meshing well together.

The result is often magical and can elevate even the most mediocre project. You just can't imagine one of these pairs without the other—they need each other to create something special.

Why does Rachel McAdams need Ryan Gosling? How could you have Thelma without Louise? What would Moonlighting have been without Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd's will-they-won't-they tension?

Several classic films and TV shows would not exist without these essential partnerships. From searching for the Holy Grail to solving crimes in the city, we've compiled a list of the top 10 most iconic duos of all time.

What makes this list different from others is that it's based entirely on fan suggestions. We asked, and you answered!

1. Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio

Paramount Pictures / Paramount Pictures

Even though they've only appeared in two films together (Titanic [1997] and Revolutionary Road [2008]), Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio are one of the most well-known acting pairs in Hollywood.

There is no doubt that their on-screen chemistry is electric, and their 20-year-long camaraderie off-screen is just as enthralling to fans around the world.

2. Lupita Nyong'o & Winston Duke

@lupitanyongo / Universal Pictures / Via instagram.com

Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke met at the Yale School of Drama in New Haven, Connecticut, before working together on major films like Black Panther (2018) and Us (2019). Prior to Duke's acceptance into the school, Nyong'o was assigned to show him around.

They remained close friends during those years and even saw the first Avengers movie together before their big break in Hollywood.

We're in each other's lives beyond the screen, so getting to set together was very organic, Nyong'o explained in an interview with Fandango.

Duke also had nice things to say about his and Nyong'o's excellent working relationship;

I definitely felt comfortable doing my best work, which was to help her feel as though she could go in any direction she wanted. [She'd] have someone [to] catch her if necessary.

3. Viola Davis & Denzel Washington

Paramount Pictures / Jim Spellman / Getty Images / 20th Century Fox / Courtesy of Everett Collection

Although Viola Davis and Denzel Washington are best recognized for their work on the 2016 film Fences, they had actually collaborated on other projects earlier.

Denzel directed Davis in the movie Antwone Fisher (2002) before they both starred as Troy Maxon and Rose Maxon in Fences on Broadway (2010).

4. Meryl Streep & Stanley Tucci

20th Century Fox / Courtesy of Everett Collection / Sony Pictures Releasing

After working together on the 2006 comedy The Devil Wears Prada, Meryl Streep asked Stanley Tucci to play her husband in the Nora Ephron film Julie & Julia, which he gladly accepted.

On the set of this second movie, they felt free and comfortable enough with each other to improvise some scenes that ended up in the final cut of the film.

In Tucci's words;

I've always thought she was just one of the greatest actors ever. We met socially, then I ended up doing Devil Wears Prada, and soon after that [Julie & Julia]. We just got along very well—she's one of the greatest friends you could ever have.

5. Bill Hader & Kristen Wiig

NBC / Miramax / Courtesy of Everett Collection / Roadside Attractions

Comedic and dramatic projects like Adventureland (2009), Saturday Night Live, and Skeleton Twins (2014) have made Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig one of Hollywood's most versatile acting duos. In 2005, when they were cast members on SNL, they struck up a friendship that made working together look effortless.

In an interview with Peter Travers, Hader gave us insight into what working with Wiig on The Skeleton Twins was like;

We had a wonderful crew, but there's a lot of noise, and when you're trying to create these intimate moments, it's hard. So [when] they'd say 'Action!', we'd start improvising just to make it feel like it's a conversation. We'd do that sometimes for two to three minutes. It felt like a conversation—the cameras would just fade away, and I [was there] talking to my friend.

6. Chris Hemsworth & Tessa Thompson

Marvel / Sony Pictures Releasing

Chris and Tessa are quickly becoming a renowned acting combo among audiences worldwide, appearing in films like Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Men In Black: International (2019), and are presently working on Thor: Love and Thunder.

As a fan, I'd like to see more of their on-screen and off-screen connections explored in future movies.

7. Sarah Paulson & Cate Blanchett

The Weinstein Company / Warner Bros. Pictures / Courtesy of Everett Collection / FX / Hulu

These two first met on the set of Carol in 2015, where they quickly became friends. Paulson was somewhat apprehensive about working with the two-time Oscar winner, but Blanchett seemed more at ease, saying;

[Sarah's] one of those ladies in the industry that everyone loves, and [her] reputation really preceded [her].

Blanchett further reflected on her favorite moment from their time spent working together;

During Carol, there was a moment where we were having a martini together in a bar, and the wonderful props guy said: 'Do you wanna go hot?'. So, we went 'hot,' [and] we learned that the alcohol would be real alcohol. I was really—[there] was no acting required. [laughing] It was bad.

8. Queen Latifah & Jada Pinkett Smith

Universal Pictures / New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection

The friendship between Queen Latifah and Jada Pinkett dates back to 1987, long before they worked together on the classic 1996 film Set It Off.

Their first meeting was at Baltimore's Palladium club, where Latifah was scheduled to perform with her hip-hop group, Public Enemy. Jada, then 16, introduced Latifah (17) to the crowd as the opening act, and the two have remained close ever since.

9. Sebastian Stan & Anthony Mackie

MCU

Although Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie have only worked together in Marvel films, their chemistry as an acting duo is unmatched in the entertainment industry. Both performers have an amusing and unique friendship that's rare in Hollywood, frequently goofing around during important press engagements. Fans adore their connection so much that they've dubbed the pair "Stackie."

Mackie talked about how he and Stan first formed a close friendship while filming Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014);

[Sebastian] had this awful wig on, and literally in the middle of scenes, they'd have to cut because the wig would fall off. So, I'd make fun of his wig, and he'd make fun of my calves. Once I realized I could give him junk and he could give me junk and we were cool, it was great.

10. And Catherine O'Hara & Eugene Levy

SCTV / Warner Bros. / Courtesy of Everett Collection / Pop

Long before they played Johnny and Moira Rose on the popular Canadian television show Schitt's Creek, Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy collaborated on some projects together. A Chicago-based improv group called Second City in Toronto brought O'Hara and Levy together back in the early 1970s.

From Best in Show (2000) to A Mighty Wind (2003) to Schitt's Creek (2015–2020), they have starred and worked on a wide range of projects since then.

In the end, it's clear that fans love to see certain actors paired together on the big screen. When the chemistry between two stars is electric, it can result in box office gold.

These ten acting duos have proven time and again that they are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to delivering an entertaining movie experience.

Do you have a favorite duo? Let us know in the comments below!