Getty Images/E!Shipping: The act or business of sending goods to people, stores, etc. Unless you're a millennial; then the term takes on a wholly different definition.
That's right, we're talking about the kind of shipping that belongs to the Internet: The phenomenon of daydreaming—nay, obsessing—about two celebrities or fictional characters that you desperately wish would fall in love, get married and have lots of sex and babies, to borrow from Love, Actually. It's a feeling that's impossible to escape. As silly as it seems, once you decided that two stars are meant for each other not even the most focused person can think of anything else.
And while the shipping trend is at the height of its popularity currently, it actually began way back in the 1970's with the widely accepted notion that Star Trek's Kirk and Spock were (or should be) secretly in love. The term hadn't been invented yet, but the feeling was as present as ever.
Fast-forward to the '90s, when The X-Files fandom spent years obsessing over the everlasting and unfulfilled passion between Special Agents Mulder and Scully. Since then the Internet has devoted untold amounts of energy to imagining the coupling of the likes of Harry Potter's Hermione and Harry, Captain America's Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes and of course One Direction's Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.
But today's discussion isn't about those fictional relationships of the past; it's time to fantasize about the real-life characters that we're dying to see together. Whether two celebrities have been flirting for years or we just think they could be a great match, we here at E! News have plenty of opinions about Hollywood's love potential. After all, who better to predict the romantic matches of the future than the experts who spend all day analyzing the breakups of the past?
Here are the 24 A-listers that we'd love to see together.
Jennifer Lawrence & Bradley Cooper
Now before you Bradley and Irina truthers get all up in arms, remember this is a fantasy. For fun! B-Coops may be drunk in love with his supermodel right now, but there's a part of us that believes he and JLaw will always be meant 2 b. They have amazing chemistry on-screen and off, and it's worth mentioning that their cinematic collaborations are always award-winning. So why couldn't their more, ahem, personal collaborations be just as successful? Plus we think that Jen could really hit it off with Brad's mom—she clearly has the last word on who he dates.
Zac Efron & Anna Kendrick
What to do when you're two young, attractive, funny, talented actors? Shack up, of course. In our shipping minds, this couple found love on the set of this summer's Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates; there's no better place to build a romantic base than beautiful Hawaii. Zac helped Anna overcome her fear of jungle ATV-ing, and Anna helped Zac step up his Instagram caption game. Cue the tears.
Drake & Rihanna
Just make it official already, you guys! The talented musicians have been toying with the hearts and minds of America for far too long, and it's time to put aside whatever excuses they've been making and let love happen. Think of the duet album.
Emma Watson & Daniel Radcliffe
We found love in a Hogwarts place. Their first wedding dance song writes itself. But in all seriousness, Emma and Daniel grew up together and now they're both mature, intelligent and successful adults. Two mature, intelligent, successful adults who should be getting it on. We call dibs on the Gryffindor table at the reception.
Kate Hudson & Prince Harry
Here us out, here. Kate loves younger men, Harry needs someone older and wiser to keep him on the right path. Kate has two adorable sons, Harry is amazing with kids. Kate throws a dress-up party for her birthday every year, Harry never misses a theme party. Need we say more?
Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas
The stars have finally aligned to allow these lovebirds to, well, align. Demi is single, Nick is single, and they're about to embark on a months-long summer tour. The overnight bus is calling their name.
Emma Stone & Jonah Hill
Funnyman, meet funnywoman. Nothing keeps the love alive like laughter, and Jonah and Emily have jokes for days. We loved watching them together in Superbad, and they'll be partnering up again for Netflix's series Maniac. We smell a reunion!
Dakota Johnson & Damon Wayans, Jr.
We totally fell in love with this couple while watching this winter's How to Be Single. Although their onscreen relationship was unsuccessful, their chemistry and mutual goofiness was undeniable. As somebody who's recently single, it seems as though Dakota could find a bit of comfort in this lovable bro.
Taylor Swift & Ed Sheeran
Platonic friends, smlatonic friends. It's already incredibly clear that this relationship has built all the foundations of lasting love: They have a deep mutual respect for one another, they push each other to be the best that they can be, and Ed gets along great with Taylor's cats. It's a match made in heaven, no matter what they're constantly insisting to the press. (Something tells us there's a bit of overcompensation going on there, no?)
Jake Gyllenhaal & Amy Schumer
Have you seen their Inside Amy Schumer skit? It's obviously ripped straight from the inside details of their own lives—the part where Jake has been secretly in love with Amy for years, of course. Sure, dating Jake Gyllenhaal would be a bit of a step down for Schumer, but we think she can slum it in the name of chemistry.
Joe Jonas & Hailee Steinfeld
One needs to only imagine the beauty and musical talent of this imaginary couple's imaginary offspring to become convinced at their potential for true love. But even if they decide not to procreate right this second (although we don't really understand why; they heard what we said about the beauty and musical talent, right?), they could have a blast getting to know each other. So many sing-a-longs! So many dance-offs! So many who-has-the-most-beautiful-hair contests!
Jamie Foxx & Katie Holmes
There's an old wive's tale that if you put something out in the Universe, it's bound to come true. Well, this is us putting Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes out into the Universe. We've had enough of the are-they-or-aren't-they back and forth of their mysterious relationship, and are now completely invested in the two of them finding true love together. Do it for Suri, guys.