<P> Arnold has had two major crushes in the series : one with sixth - grader Ruth McDougal ( through most of season 1 ) , and one with a classmate named Lila Sawyer ( from season 2 onwards ) . However , his most catalytic relationship is with his classmate and frenemy Helga Pataki . Helga is secretly in love with him , though to keep these feelings secret she bullies Arnold . Arnold is completely unaware of this fact for most of the series , other than the occasional hint from Helga and other classmates . Helga revealed her secret to Arnold during Hey Arnold ! : The Movie , but Arnold gave Helga the opportunity to take back her confession , attributing it to `` the heat of the moment '' . In the made - for - TV sequel Hey Arnold ! : The Jungle Movie , Arnold returns Helga 's feelings with a kiss of his own , after thanking Helga for her help in finding his parents and using her locket to help activate the device that releases the cure to the sleeping sickness which his parents had contracted before they could release the cure . It 's also implied at the end of the movie that he and Helga become a couple , as Arnold holds hands with Helga ( although Helga continues to be hostile to Arnold in public ) . Arnold is friends with most of his fellow fourth - graders , with his best friend being Gerald Johanssen , whose friendship dates as far back as preschool . </P>
<P> Arnold has had two major crushes in the series : one with sixth - grader Ruth McDougal ( through most of season 1 ) , and one with a classmate named Lila Sawyer ( from season 2 onwards ) . However , his most catalytic relationship is with his classmate and frenemy Helga Pataki . Helga is secretly in love with him , though to keep these feelings secret she bullies Arnold . Arnold is completely unaware of this fact for most of the series , other than the occasional hint from Helga and other classmates . Helga revealed her secret to Arnold during Hey Arnold ! : The Movie , but Arnold gave Helga the opportunity to take back her confession , attributing it to `` the heat of the moment '' . In the made - for - TV sequel Hey Arnold ! : The Jungle Movie , Arnold returns Helga 's feelings with a kiss of his own , after thanking Helga for her help in finding his parents and using her locket to help activate the device that releases the cure to the sleeping sickness which his parents had contracted before they could release the cure . It 's also implied at the end of the movie that he and Helga become a couple , as Arnold holds hands with Helga ( although Helga continues to be hostile to Arnold in public ) . Arnold is friends with most of his fellow fourth - graders , with his best friend being Gerald Johanssen , whose friendship dates as far back as preschool . </P>
who did hey arnold have a crush on
who did hey arnold have a crush on
sixth - grader Ruth McDougal Lila Sawyer
sixth - grader Ruth McDougal Lila Sawyer