Every Buffy the Vampire Slayer Love Interest, Ranked from Worst to Best

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The romantic relationships in Buffy the Vampire Slayer were nearly as important to the show’s success as the supernatural creatures Buffy fought. The series followed Buffy, a teenage girl destined to fight vampires and demons, as she navigated high school and college while saving the world. Being a young adult fantasy show, it also explored themes of friendship, betrayal, and romance among the characters. While there were several potential love interests for Buffy, not all of them were fan favorites.

Let’s take a look at the most memorable romantic partners for Buffy, Willow, Xander, Giles, and everyone else in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

10) Buffy and Riley

During the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Riley Finn became Buffy’s main love interest. They met on her first day at UC Sunnydale, and their relationship developed over time. However, a significant issue arose: Riley was secretly a government agent working for an organization called the Initiative, which captured and experimented on monsters. He didn’t initially realize the unethical nature of his agency’s work, and this created tension with Buffy. Ultimately, the pairing wasn’t popular with viewers, and many fans were relieved when Riley left the show.

9) Willow and Xander

Willow and Xander weren’t a likely couple, but the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer hinted at a possible romance between them, especially in the early seasons. They worked best as friends, though one episode explored what they’d be like as a couple. This episode, a Buffy take on It’s a Wonderful Life, showed a particularly strong connection between them – they were both vampires in it! Ultimately, Willow found happiness with Tara, and Xander moved on to Anya after Cordelia, and those relationships proved to be a better fit for both of them.

8) Buffy and Spike

Most fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer hoped she’d end up with either Angel or Spike, both vampires. While Angel was initially seen as her ultimate love interest, after he left, many shifted their support to Spike, especially after he gained a soul. However, their relationship was deeply flawed and problematic, particularly because of Spike’s sexual assault of Buffy – an act that should have been a definitive end, though the show didn’t treat it that way. Ultimately, it was positive that Buffy didn’t end up with either vampire, as she didn’t need a romantic partner to feel fulfilled.

7) Willow and Oz

Many fans considered Oz to be Willow’s best boyfriend, far more compatible than Xander, even though they were friends. This changed when Willow met and fell in love with Tara after coming out, but before that, Willow and Oz had a nearly ideal relationship. The only real issue was Oz being a werewolf, which created problems, especially since he kept it a secret for so long. When a former werewolf love interest reappeared, things became even more difficult, and Oz ultimately decided to leave Sunnydale, ending their relationship for good.

6) Spike and Drusilla

While Buffy the Vampire Slayer is known for its heroes’ love stories, one of the show’s most compelling romances was between two villains. Spike quickly became a fan favorite when he appeared in Season 2; creator Joss Whedon hadn’t intended for him to stay, but strong audience response led to him becoming a regular character. His relationship with Drusilla, his partner for many years, was a highlight – she was arguably even more wicked than Spike himself.

5) Xander and Cordelia

Xander was often seen as the ‘nerd’ of Buffy’s friend group, and many fans thought he’d end up with Willow, who also felt like an outsider. But the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, surprised everyone by pairing him with Cordelia, who initially came across as a stereotypical popular girl. It was unexpected, but their relationship worked because they were so different. After Cordelia left, Xander eventually found lasting love with someone who was right for him.

4) Giles and Jenny

Honestly, I think Jenny Calendar is one of the most underrated characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When she first appeared, she seemed like just a normal high school computer teacher, but she quickly became so much more complex. She wasn’t a witch exactly, but she had a background in technopaganism and understood the darker side of things. And it’s fascinating to learn she was part of the Kalderash Romani, the group responsible for lifting Angel’s curse! She was sent to Sunnydale to keep an eye on him, and her relationship with Giles was really sweet – it added a whole new layer to his character. When Angel accidentally killed her, it was genuinely heartbreaking and completely changed Giles. It’s a moment that still sticks with me, even after all these years.

3) Xander and Anya

Xander’s relationship with Anya on Buffy the Vampire Slayer is considered one of the show’s strongest. Anya wasn’t just any love interest – she was a former vengeance demon over a thousand years old, trying to rediscover her humanity while with Xander. Their connection was full of memorable, often funny, moments, largely due to Xander’s endearing clumsiness. A perfect example is when Anya showed up to a Halloween party dressed as a bunny after Xander asked her to wear a scary costume – it perfectly captured their dynamic. Many fans consider Anya’s death in the series finale to be one of the most heartbreaking and overlooked moments of the show.

2) Buffy and Angel

Buffy Summers and Angel are often considered the most compelling couple on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While unexpected at first, a romance between Buffy and a vampire eventually felt fitting within the fantasy genre. Their connection was special – Angel’s soul and dedication to protecting Buffy balanced with her strength and willingness to protect him in return. After Angel left the show, no other love interest ever quite measured up to him as a match for Buffy.

1) Willow and Tara

Willow’s best romantic partner on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was undoubtedly Tara. While some fans hoped she’d end up with Xander or enjoyed her relationship with Oz, Willow truly came into her own when she began dating Tara. This relationship was a landmark moment on television – a major character in a popular show having a genuine, respectful same-sex romance. It was simply a beautiful love story. Tara’s tragic death deeply affected Willow and resonated with fans more powerfully than any other loss on the show.

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2026-01-07 21:17