List of Films That Actually Portray Happy Married Couples

By Jacinta

10/12/2024 • View profile

List of Films That Actually Portray Happy Married Couples

Photo by The National Library of Norway on Unsplash

Somewhat like my past article, "A List of Films That Portray Priests as Priests, Not Buffoons," I decided to write a list of films that actually portray a happily married husband and wife. Personally, I always love and appreciate it when a married couple in a movie or tv show aren't constantly at each other's throat (aka trying to one-up the other). This mindset that is being depicted in films today is of course, is the result of the cancer of feminism that we've had in society for over a hundred years. Even some of the oldest films to date portray the husband being a lame pushover and the wife a naggy tyrant. These days we are lucky to see a married couple at all, never mind happy ones. It seems like most films, especially for children, divorced parents or single parents are the norm. If the parents are married, they are usually unhappily so. It is an old tired song that honestly I am sick of hearing. Obviously, for the sake of a story, it's fine to have married couples go through trials, but it have miserable, feminist-laced relationships with no hope of recovery in EVERY FILM, it gets old fast.

So if I ever come across a married couple in a film that actually exemplifies traditional gender roles and builds each other up, at least once (at LEAST in the end) I'm a happy chickie. Because the portrayal of strong married couples is so rare onscreen, I figured a list of some of my favorite ones would make a good subject for an article post.

Example of "Strong" women in movies lol

....and the men, ha!

Okay, here's the list... in no particular order:

1. Pacha & Chicha (The Emperors New Groove - 2000)

I adore these two! My favorite part is when Chicha gets all worked up and then says, "I gotta go wash something." I love how she is a devoted housewife and momma and she isn't ashamed, nor is she pining for something "more", something outside the home. Also, she isn't portrayed as trying to steal the spotlight in the film like too many films portray women today... especially remakes!

2. George & Mary Bailey (It's A Wonderful Life - 1946)

3. Sam & Nona Tucker (The Southerner - 1945)

I especially love the end where, when it looks like all hope was lost, and all was for naught, Nona gets right up and begins again, supporting her husband and their future in any way she could. Now THAT is a real wife! The relationship between the couple throughout the movie is very sweet.

4. Albert & Katie Dooley (The Million Dollar Duck - 1971)

Disney films usually have a knack for making a really annoying, naggy wife and a constantly kicked around, frustrated husband whose misfortunes we're supposed to laugh at. Another Dean Jones film Disney made in 1966, "The Ugly Dachshund" is one example. I couldn't stand it! The wife was such a pain in the butt I wanted to throw the movie out the window.

But I was actually pleasantly surprised at these two in this film. The wife is a little dumb, but she is very sweet and loving towards her husband throughout the film. Plus I didn't really mind her dumbness, it made me feel a bit better about myself ha! And in the end, they (mostly the husband) figure out what is really important: family.

5. Cpt. Georg & Maria von Trappe (the Sound of Music - 1965)

Even though for most of the film they aren't married, they are still one of my favorites!

6. P.T. & Charity Barnum (The Greatest Showman - 2017)

I'm always extremely surprised when I come across a "modern" couple that are 1: Actually married, not divorced, not shacked up, and 2: The wife isn't a pain in the butt, whiney feminist who goes into a grumpy rage if her husband dares to reprimand their kid(s).

7. Nick & Nora Charles (The Thin Man Movies 1934 - 1947)

I mean, can you name a more powerful crime-solving married couple? (well you probably can but... )

8. Lee & Evelyn Abbot (A Quiet Place - 2018)

I LOVE these two! I love that she is pregnant and still does her wifey-stuff (like laundry lol), yet knew how to protect her kids. I hated the ending though but that's another story ha.

9. Adam & Millie Pontipee (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - 1954)

One of my all-time favorite films. Probably rated the most "sexist" film of all time today but that's exactly why I love it so much. People can't take a joke anymore can they?

10. Sir Percy & Marguerite Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel - 1982, 1934)

I mean... who couldn't love these two!? What a great story!

11. "Rev." Peter & Catherine Marshall (A Man Called Peter - 1955)

Even though they are not Catholics, I love how their mutual love of God and speaking the truth brought them together and kept them together. So sweet!

12. Rocky & Adrian Balboa (Rocky II - VI)

Again, one of the most powerful couples onscreen. I think Adrian's adorable in the first film; I love how shy she is.

13. William & Barbara Wilberforce (Amazing Grace - 2006)

Another example of the wife being so supportive of her husband's work. I really love that. And this is really such a beautiful movie, based on a true story. I wonder what feminists hate so much about portrayals of supportive wives? One can see in so many of these portrayals how her support not only helped the man be the best man he could be, but also, because of her, he's able to make a great change for the good. This vital, positive, beautiful impact that women have on not only their husbands, but also their children (in forming them to be amazing people) is something that no radical feminist will ever truly understand. Okay rant over.

14. Emperor Franz & Elizabeth "Sissi"(The Sissi Films 1955 - 1957)

Really sad movies but I love Sissi! I love how sweet she is, yet she can get things done without pushing her husband aside, donning Knight's armor and punching the bad guy in the face.

15. Glenn & Hellen Miller (The Glenn Miller Story - 1954)

Another film that shows a lovely example of a supportive wife, and the love and honor that the husband in turn gives her because of it.

16. Guido & Dora (Life is Beautiful - 1997)

Very sad, but very sweet story.

17. Gomez & Morticia Adams (The Addams Family 1964-1966)

I have to admit, I couldn't stand watching this show - I found it really dumb, but Gomez and Morticia belong on this list.

18. Caleb & Catherine Holt (Fireproof 2008)

A cringey-Christian-Hallmark-y film that I just had to include. Did you know that the actor kissed his own wife at the last scene, instead of the actress playing his wife? Gah! So cute!

19. Javier and Carmen Martinez (Courageous 2011)
I love their banter, it's adorable.

20. Johnny & Celia Foote (The Help 2011)

The cutest couple in the whole film, for real. Another modern film that actually portrayed a husband and a wife devoted to each other, where the husband isn't an idiot and the wife isn't a feminist! Woohoo!

21. Robert & Emma Timmins (Lark Rise to Candleford 2008-2011)

I love their relationship. I love how he calls her "woman"

22. Clark & Marty Davis (the Love Comes Softly series)

Derpy movie, derpy guy, but of course I had to add it here!

23. Willie & Missy LaHaye (the Love Comes Softly Series)

Another derpy film, but again, it belongs here too.

24. Elliot & Alma Moore (The Happening 2008)
Two of my favorite actors, not my favorite movie but, I think they're relationship is wicked cute, and I love their ending!

25. Prince Albert & Queen Victoria (The Young Victoria 2009)

Of course I had to include this on the list!

26. Frank & Lillian Gilbreth (Cheaper by the Dozen 1950)

A true story about a family of 14!? Yassssss! My favorite part is when Mrs. Gilbreth takes on the Birth Control woman.

27. Mr & Mrs. Biddle (The Happiest Millionaire 1967)

Mr. Biddle is pretty clueless sometimes but I lovee this movie.

28. Mr. Chips & Katherine (Goodbye Mr. Chips 1939)

29. Enrique & Tulita Gorotieta (For Greater Glory 2012)

This is the best movie ever made. I will die on this hill.

30. Roger & Anita (101 Dalmations 1961)

31. Priam & Alice Farll // Holy Matrimony 1943

32. Gilbert & Lana Martin // Drums Along the Mohawk 1939

33. Tom & Goldberry Bombadil // The Fellowship of the Ring J.R.R. Tolkien

34. Sam & Rosie Gamgee // The Return of the King J.R.R. Tolkien

They had 13 kids together!

“In one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s letters from 1951, Tolkien elaborated on the love between Sam and Rosie, “I think the simple ‘rustic’ love of Sam and his Rosie (nowhere elaborated) is absolutely essential to the study of his (the chief hero’s) character, and to the theme of the relation of ordinary life (breathing, eating, working, begetting) and quests, sacrifice, causes, and the ‘longing for Elves’, and sheer beauty.“”

35. John & Jane Mason // Made For Each Other 1939