Perhaps the best way to gauge the importance of a kiss in our imaginations is the number of iconic kisses that have blazed across the screens of our movie theaters.

When asked, Kimberly Miller, an assistant professor of communication studies at Grove City College who teaches courses in film history and theory, screenwriting and journalism, and Bill Covey, associate professor at Slippery Rock University and coordinator of the university’s film and media studies minor, agreed on the top five all-time great screen kisses.

Both picked the beach kiss between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in 1953’s “From Here to Eternity.”

“This kiss on a romantic Hawaiian beach may be the most iconic film kiss of all time for film buffs and novices alike,” noted Miller.

Likewise, Miller and Covey agreed that the kiss between Clark Gable’s Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh’s Scarlett O’Hara in 1939’s “Gone with the Wind” will stand the test of time.

Both picked the moment in Disney’s animated “Lady and the Tramp” (1955) when two dogs sharing a plate of spaghetti also share a brief and unexpected kiss.

Both also pointed out the more recent “The Notebook” (2004) contained some world-class smooching.

“The rain-drenched kiss between Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) is enough to soften the hardest heart and should rank easily as one of the top 10 iconic film kisses,” in Miller’s opinion.

And Covey and Miller both pick the kiss of doomed lovers Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) in 1997’s “Titanic” as a modern classic.

The moment is bittersweet in light of later events.

According to Miller, “This story of two hopeful young people unaware of their doomed fate is a modern Romeo and Juliet tale that has enamored audiences since its release. This movie kiss is pure magic.”

But after that, consensus is hard to find.

Covey thinks the kiss between Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst “upside down in the rain” in 2002’s “Spiderman” is a worthy addition to the pantheon of cinematic kisses.

Miller makes a surprising pitch for 1993’s “The Sandlot,” a comedy about youngsters in pick-up baseball games.

“Although this film might not be on everyone’s list of iconic film kisses, it should get high marks for creativity,” according to Miller. “When the boys from the sandlot head to the local pool, Squints (Chauncey Leopardi) just can’t take being that close to lifeguard Wendy (Marley Shelton) without declaring his love.

“In a bold move, he pretends to drown in the deep end of the pool as he tries to get his much-older love’s attention. When Wendy saves him, Squints gives her his best — awkward — kiss. Any kid — or adult — who’s loved someone from afar will appreciate this innocent and funny kiss.”