Entertainment
20 Greatest Erotic Movies of All Time, Ranked
Erotic cinema has always existed in the uneasy space between art and desire. It’s where sensuality becomes fuel for the narrative, and filmmakers explore the psychological terrain between pleasure and power. Because of this, erotic movies are underrated or often considered akin to trashy cinema and realizing their power becomes futile in the prudent landscape.
Yet, there are numerous films out there that use erotica and erotic plots to tell a very human story. Sensualism, sensation, power plays, and love are capable of telling a story like no other plot device could; the following 20 movies represent some of the highest achievements of the genre across cultures and decades. Whether they’re surreal erotic odysseys, tender coming-of-age romances, or provocative boundary pushers, these are the 20 best erotic movies of all time.
20
‘9 1/2 Weeks’ (1986)
9 1⁄2 Weeks captures that signature, iconic ’80s heat and erotic obsession. The movie was based on the memoir of the same name penned by Ingeborg Day under the pseudonym Elizabeth McNeill. It’s a film about control, sadomasochism, and power plays, and it’s not the easiest thing to endure—but it depicts these types of relationship dynamics and the escalation of force, when one partner is more dominant than the other. Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke star, and Adrian Lyne directed the film; the three were, apparently, constantly at odds, which Rourke considered essential for the film’s uneasy atmosphere.
9 1⁄2 Weeks follows gallery assistant, Elizabeth (Basinger), who meets John (Rourke), a mysterious Wall Street broker and begins an affair with him. Their relationship turns into a BDSM power play, with John becoming increasingly controlling and violent; Elizabeth, at first, leans into it but her psyche suffers. The book has a darker ending than the film, but both are quite similar in tone and message. 9 1⁄2 Weeks is a hypnotic erotic thriller that’s probably the most famous and mainstream of the bunch.
19
‘Last Tango in Paris’ (1972)
Bernardo Bertolucci‘s uncomfortable and uncompromising erotic drama is one of the best in the game, but it is highly controversial due to Maria Schneider’s recounting of behind the scenes events and the sexually graphic scenes. The scene where Marlon Brando’s character sexually violates Schneider’s character is fake, but the approach to it wasn’t disclosed to Schneider and she still felt violated and disturbed. The scene itself is graphic and unsettling, with the film portraying a power play, the need for control, and a liberation of a woman from a relationship built on her victimhood.
Last Tango in Paris follows an American in Paris, widower Paul (Brando), who meets 20-year-old Jeanne (Schneider) while they’re both looking to buy the same apartment. Agreeing not to name names or give out personal information, Paul and Jeanne begin a sexual relationship defined by grief and anger; with Jeanne losing sight of herself and Paul losing control, the emotional warfare makes the movie and the sentiment behind it feel a lot more vulnerable than seductive.
18
‘Wild Things’ (1998)
Wild Things is one of the most commercially known erotic thrillers, and while it’s not a critically acclaimed masterpiece, it doesn’t really have to be to earn a spot among the best. Sometimes, it’s all about the campiness and the wild twists and turns, which take lust as the ultimate weapon of manipulation and turn Wild Things into a highly rewatchable erotic thriller. Some critics and analysts found it to have similar themes to several Greek tragedies, which is cool, as we can now defend Wild Things as a serious film.
Wild Things follows Kelly (Denise Richards) and Suzie (Neve Campbell), two high school friends who accuse their school’s guidance counselor Sam (Matt Dillon) of sexually assaulting them. Sam hires a lawyer to defend himself from the allegations, while detective Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon) suspects foul play in the situation. The scheming, the secrets, and the sexual tension are unmatched; Wild Things is a quintessential ’90s thriller that wields sex as the greatest tool for deception.
17
‘Stranger by the Lake’ (2013)
An incredibly interesting erotic thriller, Stranger by the Lake combines thrills, sensuality, and mystery; it’s danger and desire weaving together in a story that asks its protagonist to reconsider his own boundaries, leaving viewers to wonder whether they’d be any better in a situation like that. Stranger by the Lake is widely acclaimed and has won the Queer Palm; critics found it to be a sexy, elegant thriller, and though chances are high it’s not a widely known film, it’s still one of the best erotic movies ever made.
Stranger by the Lake follows Franck (Pierre Deladonchamps), a man who visits a stunning nude beach and meets Henri (Patrick d’Assumçao), an older man trying to get over a breakup, and Michel (Christophe Paou), a handsome younger man he immediately finds attractive. Franck and Michel develop a relationship, but Henri notices Michel’s behavior to be a lot more aggressive than he shows it. He warns Franck, but it seems Franck isn’t willing to just switch and give up on Michel. Stranger by the Lake has been called “Hitchcockian” in suspense, and it’s a simple story with a beautifully tuned atmosphere, just enough to be quietly ominous.
16
‘Secretary’ (2002)
Maggie Gyllenhaal‘s Secretary is a tender, kinky moment of empowerment and joy, and it’s among the few erotic films that allow sexual reinvention and awakening to feel positive. Many movies that use erotica, sex, and lust as their drivers often depict them as tools for power and manipulation; in Secretary, these things pave the way to emotional freedom and self-definition. Director Steven Shainberg and his associates worked on making the set feel cozy, using natural materials for decor, and treading lightly with themes of BDSM. They wanted to make a point of such relationships’ potential to end happily, too.
Secretary follows the shy and socially awkward Lee (Gyllenhaal) getting a job as a secretary for an eccentric lawyer, E. Edward Grey (James Spader). After some time, their relationship evolves into a power play between boss and secretary, and they discover romance through a mutually enjoyed BDSM relationship. Secretary is an erotic romantic comedy, and Gyllenhaal carries the film with her comedic flair, versatility, and talent; Spader, too, has never looked more appealing than here.
15
‘The Dreamers’ (2003)
Another Bertolucci on the list, again one that was fueled by some personal fantasies like Last Tango, although The Dreamers was based on a novel called The Holy Innocents by Gilbert Adair (who also wrote the movie’s script). It’s an homage to the French New Wave and cinema, wrapped in a story about sexual and political liberation, desire, and the gripes of youth. Eva Green stuns in one of her first major film roles; she’s joined by Louis Garrell and Michael Pitt, forming a hypnotizing trio of beautiful people.
The Dreamers is set in 1968 and follows an American student, Matthew (Pitt), who travels to Paris to study French; soon, he meets twins Théo (Garrell) and Isabelle (Green), free-spirited children of artistic parents, inclined to participate in the protests happening around town. With Matthew, Théo, and Isabelle growing closer, Matthew notices their relationship to be unlike anything he’s seen. The movie very obviously loves cinema; the dialogues between the characters often revolve around film. Green was shocked when she saw the final cut, feeling like the movie shows a lot more than she anticipated; The Dreamers is, in that nature, very Bertolucci-like (though he refused to include scenes between Matthew and Théo that the book features).
14
‘In the Realm of the Senses’ (1976)
A film that pushes erotic obsession further than most is In the Realm of the Senses. It’s a fearless exploration of eroticism by Nagisa Ōshima, and a retelling of a true story of prostitute Sada Abe, who killed her lover, severed his private parts, and carried them around with her so he could “be with her forever.” Abe was arrested and charged, even writing a memoir after her release from prison. In the Realm of the Senses tells the story slightly differently, but it’s very sexual, and even romantic in some ways.
In the Realm of the Senses follows Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda), a former prostitute now working at a hotel. The hotel’s owner, Ishida (Tatsuya Fuji), visits one day, meets Sada, and becomes instantly attracted to her. Their slow-burn bond turns into a full-blown sexual relationship in which they experiment with and pleasure each other in numerous ways. Sada gradually falls in love with Ishida so desperately that she wants him near her at all times; her obsession turns her into a dangerous woman who’d do anything for love. In the Realm of Senses is visually stunning, and is often considered a true example of art-house films.
13
‘Belle de Jour’ (1967)
Belle de Jour is a Luis Bunuel film based on a 1928 book of the same name, and Bunuel even said he hated the book, considering it too “soapy.” He took on the challenge of adapting it, wishing to turn something he disliked into something he liked. Catherine Deneuve was 22 when she starred in Belle de Jour, and she mentioned being unhappy with the filming, Bunuel, and the experience altogether; she and Bunuel had mutual dislike for each other, but the movie turned out well, gaining widespread critical approval. Roger Ebert added it to his Great Movies list.
Belle de Jour follows Severine (Deneuve), a seemingly perfect housewife who isn’t physically intimate with her husband. She has fantasies that are often surreal and erotic, and begins working at a brothel, which helps her sexuality come to life. Severine meets some complex people along the way, and though it all helps her set herself free, she can’t control the actions of everyone around her. Belle de Jour is stylish, visually gorgeous, and surreal in a very Bunuel-like style. Bonus: Deneuve’s costumes were designed almost entirely by Yves Saint Laurent.
12
‘Call Me by Your Name’ (2017)
Call Me by Your Name is a gentle erotic film without too much explicit content. Yet, it introduces a yearning so deep and entwined in its DNA that it can hurt to watch at certain moments. The eroticism is often mostly implied, though there are scenes of nudity and sex, but Luca Guadagnino preferred Call Me by Your Name to be a coming-of-age romance that focuses on the development of emotions; the emotional journey and longing become overwhelming to the protagonist, so much so that we feel his ache with every moment of desire. It’s a beautiful, sun-kissed summer romance with a melancholic undertone.
Call Me by Your Name follows a professor’s son, Elio (Timothee Chalamet), who goes with his family to their summer home in Italy; Elio’s father invites his assistant, Oliver (Armie Hammer) to join them, and Elio begins developing a crush on Oliver. When the feeling turns out to be mutual, their slow-blooming romance embodies feelings of desire and unfulfilled wishes. This may not be the most explicitly erotic story, but it’s a stunning movie that leaves some parts to the imagination and cracks you wide open, making you remember your first love.
11
‘Bound’ (1996)
The Wachowskis are more than The Matrix, and Bound is proof that their creative versatility knows no genre limitation. Bound is the feature film debut for the Wachowskis, and it’s a sharp, sexy, and stylish erotic thriller that quickly turns into a twisted caper-ish film. The erotic scenes breathe with a sensual energy that feels safe, as opposed to the energy present when the protagonist is facing her stifled life and its boundaries. Jennifer Tilly, Gina Gershon, and Joe Pantoliano star and all three have praised the filming process and their respective roles (Pantoliano said this is a favorite film of his).
Bound follows a mobster’s girlfriend, Violet (Tilly), who, after meeting Corky (Gershon), realizes she must leave her life as a gun moll and her criminal boyfriend, Caesar (Pantoliano). Violet and Corky plan a scheme to set up Caesar and run away, but things don’t go as well as they expect. This twisty queer noir is a brilliant intro into the Wachowskis’ talent and film prowess, and it’s one of the best erotic films of all time.
