Charisma is one of the most important weapons in any actor's arsenal, and it is vital to ensuring that they are both liked and remembered by audiences. Unfortunately, even charismatic actors can struggle to create chemistry on screen. The last ten years of filmmaking are littered with examples of great actors who were unable to make audiences invested in their characters' relationships.
Whether this was down to a bad script, off-screen drama, or just poor fortune, the end result is always the same: a disappointing lack of chemistry. Whilst none of these actors have had their careers derailed by these on-screen flops, it's unlikely anyone will look back on them fondly.
10 Chris Pratt & Zoe Saldana In Guardians of the Galaxy
Both Chris Pratt and Zoe Saldana have rightfully gained reputations as two of the most charismatic actors in Hollywood, but that talent failed to translate to their big-screen romance in Guardians of the Galaxy. Although their respective characters may be compelling and hilarious individually, the relationship between Star-Lord and Gamora felt forced.
The fact that it became a major plot point in Avengers: Infinity War only highlighted just how unconvincing the connection between the two was. The death of Gamora and the subsequent introduction of her past self in Avengers: Endgame means it's anyone's guess where they will go from there, but fans are hoping they've seen the last of this particular MCU couple.
9 Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly In Holmes & Watson
Not all on-screen pairings are romantic. Some, like the ones that appear in Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly's films, focus on friendships. The duo has made a number of films about their friendship, from Step Brothers to Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Yet bizarrely, their legendary chemistry failed them in their most recent film, Holmes and Watson.
Playing the famous detective duo should have been an easy score for these two comedians, but critics hated the film, and a major reason for that was the lack of chemistry between the leads.
8 Chris Hemsworth & Tessa Thompson In Men in Black: International
Another pair whose close friendship and history of working together failed to create cinematic magic, Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson flopped in this spin-off of the popular Men in Black franchise. Despite having been great together as Thor and Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, their pairing in Men In Black: International did not create the sparks they would have hoped.
Although they cannot be held solely responsible for the disappointing box office returns, a better rapport between the two main characters would have made the film much more watchable.
7 Tom Hardy & Reese Witherspoon In This Means War
Tom Hardy is widely considered one of the best actors of his generation, and Reese Witherspoon has won a place in the audience's hearts for her part in the seminal comedy Legally Blonde. As a result, pairing the two together in the romantic comedy/spy thriller This Means War should have been an inspired move.
Unfortunately, a lack of interest in the film on Hardy's part and a terrible script made the relationship between the two painful to watch, and the film ended up being savaged by critics. Whilst both have moved on to better things, neither will want to remember their roles in this flop.
6 Chris Pratt & Jennifer Lawrence In Passenger
At the time Passenger was released, Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence were two of the biggest movie stars in the world. Lawrence had just come off the back of the beloved The Hunger Games films, whilst Pratt had recently starred in the blockbuster hit Guardians of the Galaxy.
However, Passengers, a science fiction romance set in space, proved to be too ambitious for either of them, and both actors looked uncomfortable with the awkward dialogue and unlikable characters. Whilst Lawrence would eventually prove that she was ready for more serious dramas, Pratt returned to the big-budget franchises which made him a star.
5 Scarlett Johansson & Mark Ruffalo In Avengers: Age of Ultron
Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo had shown their acting chops, as Black Widow and Hulk respectively, in the record-breaking superhero team-up The Avengers. However, the decision to create romantic tension between the two in the sequel, Age of Ultron, was baffling to comic book fans.
When combined with Joss Whedon's other questionable decisions for Black Widow's character arc, the result was an awkward relationship that no one wanted, and which was quickly forgotten by Whedon's successors, the Russo brothers. Whilst both characters have gone on to do great things in the MCU, there has been little mention of this confusing romantic detour.
4 Daniel Craig & Monica Bellucci In Spectre
There was a huge amount of press interest when Monica Bellucci was cast in the most recent Bond film Spectre, with the actress becoming the first woman over 50 to play a Bond girl. However, she barely featured in the film, showing up only to dispense some information and sleep with 007.
Even worse, despite both her and Craig being amongst the most famously seductive actors of the 20th century, their brief tryst felt more like a formulaic requirement than a short but passionate affair, and both thespians appeared to be uncomfortable with the situation they found themselves in.
3 Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Emily Blunt In Looper
Looper may be a great science fiction film, but it's more interested in big ideas like time travel and morality than it is in portraying convincing romances. Levitt's assassin, Joe, and Blunt's no-nonsense farm-owner Sara are both incredibly intriguing characters, but the choice to have them sleep together seems unnecessary, as if it had been shoved in to appease audiences.
Neither character appears to be happy with the other, and the film quickly moves on from their love affair. Whilst both Blunt and Levitt have shown that they can excel at romantic roles, this particular partnership is a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent film.
2 Benedict Cumberbatch & Rachel McAdams In Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel McAdams both have huge fanbases, thanks primarily to their blinding charisma. Yet despite the fact McAdams had already sizzled on screen with another former Sherlock Holmes and fellow MCU star, Robert Downey Jr, the chemistry between her and Cumberbatch never felt authentic.
Cumberbatch was forced to act with a terrible American accent, and the long history between the two characters failed to translate into a believable relationship. With McAdams' character, Christine Palmer, returning for the sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there's still a chance for this dynamic to improve, but fans aren't holding their breath.
1 Emily Blunt & Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson In Jungle Cruise
The most recent entry on this list, Jungle Cruise, may have been fairly well-received for its fast-paced and lighthearted tone, but the relationship between the main characters falls flat. Whilst Blunt's explorer and Johnson's riverboat captain have fun subverting character archetypes, the romance between the two is unconvincing throughout, even though it plays a pivotal role in the film's plot.
With a mediocre box office showing meaning that a sequel is not inevitable, the lack of chemistry between the two stars could undermine Disney's plans to build another franchise on a theme park ride.