Do Co-Star Romances Equal Box Office Success?

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez (Bauer Griffin), Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart (Getty Images), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (FlynetPictures)

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (Bauer Griffin) In 2008, Twilight was already a worldwide book phenomenon with a devoted fan base of teenagers and Twimoms. But when Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart's onscreen love became an offscreen romance, the Twilight hype machine kicked into high gear, rocketing the franchise and its stars to stratospheric levels of fame. It seemed almost impossible, but Rob and Kristen's off-screen romance served to intensify the already fanatical Twilight fervor that was sweeping the world.

Rather than dying down, the hunger for Twilight and the desire to know more about Rob and Kristen's hush-hush romance seemed to grow bigger and bigger with every movie. So far the films have grossed $1.8 billion worldwide and with the first part of Breaking Dawn hitting theaters on November 18, it seems like fans are just as ravenous for all things Twilight (and all things Robsten) as they were three years ago.

Which got us wondering, is hooking up with your co-star the perfect recipe for box office domination? Let's take a look at some high profile co-star romances and see whether offscreen smooching always lea! ds to on screen success.

Awkward... Taylor Lautner and Lily Collins

Perpetually shirtless Twilight hottie Taylor Lautner saw what a little offscreen romance could do for a film's box office and tried to recreate the Robsten affect by dating his Abduction co-star Lily Collins. The plan didn't work though; Abduction was panned by critics and Lautner's first leading man vehicle only managed to bring in $11 million in its opening weekend. Adding insult to injury? Tay Tay and Lily broke up right before Abduction opened.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Rumors of a Brangelina romance (and by extension, a Brad/Jen break-up) during the filming of Mr. and Mrs. Smith drove the tabloids into a frenzy. Though they didn't confirm their illicit romance until 2006, fans were eager to get a glimpse of the smokin' hot chemistry between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie they flocked to the theater in droves to watch the stars shoot their way to love. Mr. and Mrs. Smith grossed $478 million worldwide and Brangelina have amassed a similarly gargantuan family in the years since.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck

Bennifer had the same hype and the sa! me type of awkwardly mashed together moniker as Brangelina, but the box office results weren't quite so sweet. The offscreen romance between Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who later became engaged, garnered significant media attention and fan interest prior to the release of Gigli. But when the film opened it tanked epically. Gigli grossed just $4 million in its opening weekend (it reportedly cost $75 mil to make) and critics called it the worst movie of 2003. Bennifer eventually crashed and burned in similar fashion.

Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck

Another co-star, another Ben Affleck girlfriend. Only this time the results were far better in both the romance and the box office departments. Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck met on the set of Daredevil and began quietly dating in 2004. Though there were only whispered rumors of a romance between the co-stars, Daredevil enjoyed a profitable theatrical run that eventually led to an Elektra sequel. As for Bennifer 2.0? They are happily married with two daughters and a baby boy on the way.

Just admit you like each other... Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds

They've never fully admitted that they had an offscreen romance, but rumors of canoodling have surrounded Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds since they worked on The Proposal ! together . Critics and fans definitely took note of the "chemical energy" between the two stars The Proposal grossed $317 million worldwide and became a huge hit for the duo. Just imagine what kind of box office numbers Sandy and Ryan could pull in if they actually admitted to dating.


Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn

When Jennifer Aniston started dating co-star Vince Vaughn while they were shooting The Break-Up, it seemed like she was pretty much out to prove that she could hook up with a co-star just like her ex-hubby. She even admitted as much when she said that The Break-Up helped her get over Brad Pitt. Despite poor reviews, The Break-Up was a hit at the box office and though it didn't earn Aniston any Oscars to match Angelina Jolie's, she did nab a Teen Choice Award for "Choice Movie Actress," along with another one for "Choice Movie Chemistry." Vaughniston eventually split, but at least their coupling made for a little box office magic.

The verdict? Dating your co-star won't necessarily boost your box office, but it can do wonders for your tabloid presence, which is almost as good in the end. Check out our full list of kissing co-stars and let us know if we missed any of your favorite on-set romances: