History HeldGaze / LiveActionFilms

* The ''Film/MissionImpossible'' film series has Ethan Hunt and Ilsa Faust, sometimes-rival superspies and secret agents who nevertheless have crackling {{UST}} and a clear, deep affection -- at the least -- for each other. Ilsa's second film appearance, ''Film/MissionImpossibleFallout'', features a HospitalEpilogue which pretty much consists of Ethan and Ilsa gently touching each other's faces while drinking in the sight of each other like they've been separated for decades.

* Doc Brown and Clara share one in ''Film/BackToTheFuturePartIII''.

* ''Film/OurMissBrooks'': Just before, and after, Miss Brooks and Mr. Boynton share a kiss in the [[TheMovie cinematic]] [[GrandFinale series finale]] of the series of the same name.
* Parodied in ''Film/{{Soapdish}}'', as the characters in the ShowWithinAShow soap opera do this to a ridiculous extent.
* In the ''Literature/LittleWomen 1994'' adaptation starring Creator/WinonaRyder and Creator/ChristianBale, Jo and Laurie share one before Laurie's AnguishedDeclarationOfLove and TheBigDamnKiss.
* ''Franchise/PiratesOfTheCaribbean'':
** Will and Elizabeth have this quite regularly between them as their romance blossoms in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanTheCurseOfTheBlackPearl''.
** Philip and Syrena have a lot of gaze-holding going on in ''Film/PiratesOfTheCaribbeanOnStrangerTides''.

* ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' consists of Edward and Bella doing this for two straight hours.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gugBiEkLwU As noted here.]]
* RomanticComedy will ''often'' employ this trope, as it's very effective for {{UST}} and creating a [[RuleofRomantic moment]] between the two LoveInterests.
* ''Film/{{Enchanted}}'' has Robert and Giselle doing this at the ball during their DanceOfRomance.
* In Creator/PeterJackson's ''Film/KingKong2005'', Ann and Kong find themselves gazing into each other's eyes often during her captivity and their reunion in New York features a very meaningful one. Heck, even the ''poster'' for the film has them doing this!

* In ''Film/NationalTreasure'', the first variant occurs twice between Ben and Abigail twice. First, when they are arguing about her coming along with them to keep the Declaration safe: they gaze deeply into each other's eyes and Ben gives in to Abigail, with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. The second time it happens is when the adventurers are down in the tunnel beneath Trinity Church; Ben grabs Abigail, and they look deeply into each other's eyes soulfully before they [[TheBigDamnKiss kiss]].

* A platonic version happens between Adam Stanheight and Lawrence Gordon of ''Film/SawI''. After [[spoiler: Larry cuts off his own foot and Adam kills Zepp]], the doctor comforts the wounded and chained voyeur that he will come back with help. They hold it for a few seconds.
* ''Franchise/StarWars'' has a few:
** ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/AttackOfTheClones'': This happens between Anakin and Padme twice: once as a gentle lover's gaze into each other's eyes, and then later as an indicator they are about to have TheBigDamnKiss- and they do.
** ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' has multiple variations:
*** The antagonistic variation occurs twice between [[TheDragon Kylo Ren]] and [[TheHero Rey]]. The first time happens as he's looking through her mind against her will and she pushes him back and looks into his. The second time occurs during a standstill in their lightsaber duel and Kylo offers to teach her the ways of the Force. The two hold a very long stare as Rey attempts to rally that power to fight back.
*** Poe Dameron and Finn lock eyes multiple times: after Finn rescues Poe and they agree to escape together, when they see each other has survived and are reunited at the Resistance base, and pre-battle walking past each other without breaking eye contact.
*** A platonic example happens between [[spoiler:Luke Skywalker and Rey]] at the end, while [[spoiler: she is holding out his father's lightsaber for him to take. Rey]] in particular looks to be on the verge of tears.
** ''Film/TheLastJedi'' offers ''multiple'' ones between [[FoeRomanceSubtext Kylo and Rey]] again, usually in light casting it as ShipTease. [[spoiler:Their Force Bond conversations are held exclusively while staring into each other's eyes, meeting or travelling in person is accompanied by intense gazes, and they keep their eyes locked when he asks her to rule by his side.]]
** ''Film/RogueOne'': A possibly romantic though still ambiguous one takes place between Jyn and Cassian, in which they spend an entire elevator ride gazing intently into each other's eyes.
* A very sweet example in ''Film/TheSecretGarden1993'' where Dickon and Mary, both children yet, sit together on the swing in the garden and for a moment seem to forget anything around them as they look at each other - causing Colin, who feels ignored, to snap them out of it in jealousy.
* In ''Film/TheSoundOfMusic'', Captain Von Trapp and Maria are doing this for most of the time they're [[DanceOfRomance dancing the Laendler]], but by the time Maria stops dancing it's become so intense that they're practically [[AlmostKiss making out]].

* A platonic version is used at the end of ''Film/GoodbyeSolo'', when William and Solo part ways for the last time. It's particularly effective because [[spoiler:William is leaving to commit suicide, something that Solo has spent the entire film trying to prevent him from doing. And they both know that Solo has failed.]]
* In ''Film/WhenInRome'', lead protagonists Nick and Beth share two extremely passionate {{Held Gaze}}s, one right after they meet and one that ultimately leads to TheBigDamnKiss while at the museum.
* In ''Film/TheVow'', a very blatant HeldGaze - employed when the two meet each other in a line waiting for permits - kicks off the romance between Paige and Leo, the two protagonists.
* In ''Film/TheWeddingPlanner'', this happens in a MeetCute that combines LiterallyFallingInLove with HeldGaze when the eponymous wedding planner, played by Music/JenniferLopez is saved by Creator/MatthewMcConaughey. Actually, this trope is a prime motivator for the sparking {{UST}} the engaged doctor ([=McConaughey=]) and Lopez's character display towards each other in the film.
* Katniss and Peeta do their fair share of this in ''Film/TheHungerGames''. Especially when they're in the cave.

* In ''Film/PacificRim'', Raleigh Beckett and Mako Mori share several long gazes with each other. The film doesn't really elaborate on their growing feelings for each other, but the unspoken words in the stares they give each other says enough.

* ''Film/CirqueDuSoleilWorldsAway'': Between Mia and the Aerialist at the beginning, which causes him to miss a trapeze and fall DownTheRabbitHole.

* Film/BeyondTheLights: Kaz and Noni share a particularly long gaze after he saves her from jumping off a balcony (in fact, the only reason they break it when they do is because [[spoiler: Macy comes along and FORCES them to by literally dragging her daughter away from her rescuer]]). And thus their relationship begins.
* In ''Film/TheDuff'', one happens between Wes and Bianca on the think rock which leads to TheBigDamnKiss, but it's brief.
* Bender and Claire have a lot of these in ''Film/TheBreakfastClub.'' Allison and Andy also share a few after her [[TheMakeover makeover,]] a sign of their growing feelings towards one another.
* Jack in ''Film/ApartmentZero'' does this with half the characters and a cat.

* ''Film/ExMachina''. [[FemBot Ava]] lampshades this trope when asking if Caleb is attracted to her. [[spoiler:At the end of the movie Ava gives a LongLastLook at the body of her fellow FemBot Kyoko, barely glancing at Caleb as she leaves him trapped in a room where he's probably going to starve to death. This shows she's been faking her attraction to Caleb all this time.]]
* The ''Film/MissionImpossible'' film series has Ethan Hunt and Ilsa Faust, sometimes-rival superspies and secret agents who nevertheless have crackling {{UST}} and a clear, deep affection -- at the least -- for each other. Ilsa's second film appearance, ''Film/MissionImpossibleFallout'', features a HospitalEpilogue which pretty much consists of Ethan and Ilsa gently touching each other's faces while drinking in the sight of each other like they've been separated for decades.
* ''Film/TheBatman2022'' has several instances between Batman and Catwoman, but the first is a comedic moment--[[spoiler: he's checking if the contact lenses he uses for recording video fit her eyes, since he's lending them to her for reconnoisance]].

* Parodied in ''Film/{{Soapdish}}'', as the characters in the ShowWithinAShow do this UpToEleven.

* ''Film/TheBatman'' has several instances between Batman and Catwoman, but the first is a comedic moment--[[spoiler: he's checking if the contact lenses he uses for recording video fit her eyes, since he's lending them to her for reconnoisance]].

** ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' has two variations:
*** The (possibly) romantic variation occurs twice between [[TheDragon Kylo Ren]] and [[TheHero Rey]]. The first time happens as he's looking through her mind and she pushes him back and looks into his. The second time occurs during a standstill in their lightsaber duel and Kylo offers to teach her the ways of the Force. The two hold a very long stare as Rey attempts to rally that power to fight back.
*** The non-romantic example happens between [[spoiler: Luke Skywalker and Rey]] at the end, while [[spoiler: she is holding out his father's lightsaber for him to take. Rey]] in particular looks to be on the verge of tears.

* The "long distance love-scene" from Creator/LaurenceOlivier's film version of ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'', where Hamlet and Ophelia hold each others' gaze from opposite ends of a corridor.

* Film/BeyondTheLights: Kaz and Noni share a particularly long gaze after he saves her from jumping off a balcony (in fact, they break it only when [[spoiler: Macy comes along and FORCES them to by literally dragging her daughter away from her rescuer]]). And thus their relationship begins.

* Film/BeyondTheLights: Kaz and Noni share a particularly long gaze after he saves her from jumping off a balcony. And thus their relationship begins.

* In the ''Literature/LittleWomen 1994'' adaptation starring Creator/WinonaRyder and Creator/ChristianBale, Jo and Laurie share one before Laurie's AnguishedDeclarationOfLove and their BigDamnKiss.

* In ''Film/NationalTreasure'', the first variant occurs twice between Ben and Abigail twice. First, when they are arguing about her coming along with them to keep the Declaration safe: they gaze deeply into each other's eyes and Ben gives in to Abigail, with the Jefferson Memorial in the background. The second time it happens is when the adventurers are down in the tunnel beneath Trinity Church; Ben grabs Abigail, and they look deeply into each other's eyes soulfully before they [[BigDamnKiss kiss]].

** ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/AttackOfTheClones'': This happens between Anakin and Padme twice: once as a gentle lover's gaze into each other's eyes, and then later as an indicator they are about to BigDamnKiss- and they do.

* In ''Film/WhenInRome'', lead protagonists Nick and Beth share two extremely passionate {{Held Gaze}}s, one right after they meet and one that ultimately leads to a BigDamnKiss while at the museum.

* In ''Film/TheDuff'', one happens between Wes and Bianca on the think rock which leads to a brief BigDamnKiss.

* In ''Film/TheWeddingPlanner'', this happens in a MeetCute that combines LiterallyFallingInLove with HeldGaze when the eponymous wedding planner, played by Music/JenniferLopez is saved by MatthewMcConaughey. Actually, this trope is a prime motivator for the sparking {{UST}} the engaged doctor ([=McConaughey=]) and Lopez's character display towards each other in the film.

* In the ''Literature/LittleWomen 1994'' adaptation starring WinonaRyder and Creator/ChristianBale, Jo and Laurie share one before Laurie's AnguishedDeclarationOfLove and their BigDamnKiss.

* A very sweet example in ''Film/TheSecretGarden1993'' where Dickon and Mary who are both children yet sit together on the swing in the garden and for a moment seem to forget anything around them as they look at each other - causing Colin, who feels ignored, to snap them out of it in jealousy.

* In ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/AttackOfTheClones'' this happens between Anakin and Padme twice: once as a gentle lover's gaze into each other's eyes, and then later as an indicator they are about to BigDamnKiss - and they do.

* A non-romantic example in ''Film/TheForceAwakens'' between [[spoiler: Luke Skywalker and Rey]] at the end, while [[spoiler: she is holding out his father's lightsaber for him to take. Rey]] in particular looks to be on the verge of tears.
* A possibly romantic though still ambiguous one takes place between Jyn and Cassian in ''Film/RogueOne'', in which they spend an entire elevator ride gazing intently into each other's eyes.

HeldGaze: Magnus and Alec have one when they first meet. Cue the squeals of fangirls everywhere.