Films about sex often explore the complexities of human sexuality, relationships, and the psychological aspects that come with it. They can range from romantic dramas to explicit erotic features, and they often delve into topics such as sexual identity, desires, intimacy, and the social implications of sexual behaviors. While some of these films may be provocative or controversial, they often aim to open up conversations and offer perspectives on a fundamental aspect of human life.
Here is a list of films about sex, along with brief descriptions:
“Sex, Lies, and Videotape”, 1989
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Directed by Steven Soderbergh, this film revolves around the lives of four characters and how their stories interweave through themes of intimacy, communication, and personal videotapes revealing their sexual secrets.
Starring: James Spader, Andie MacDowell, Peter Gallagher, Laura San Giacomo, Ron Vawter, Steven Brill, Alexandra Root, Earl T. Taylor, David Foil;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Sex, Lies, and Videotape” on the website imdb.com
“Shortbus”, 2006
Director: John Cameron Mitchell
Directed by John Cameron Mitchell, this film follows a sexually diverse ensemble of characters as they navigate their intersecting lives in a post-9/11 New York City, exploring themes of sexual expression and connection.
Starring: Paul Dawson, Lindsay Beamish, Adam Hardman, Sook-Yin Lee, Raphael Barker, Peter Stickles, PJ DeBoy, David Pittu, Jeff Whitty, Mickey Cottrell;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
More information about the film “Shortbus” on the website imdb.com
“Basic Instinct”, 1992
Director: Paul Verhoeven
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, this erotic thriller stars Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone and became famous for its explicit sex scenes and the interrogation scene. It centers around a police detective who is seduced by the prime suspect of a murder case he is investigating.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Denis Arndt, Leilani Sarelle, Bruce A. Young, Chelcie Ross, Dorothy Malone, Wayne Knight;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“Boogie Nights”, 1997
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, this film is a chronicle of the lives of actors and filmmakers during the Golden Age of Porn in the 1970s. It explores the rise and fall of a young porn star played by Mark Wahlberg.
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynolds, Don Cheadle, John C. Reilly, William H. Macy, Heather Graham, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Luis Guzmán, Rico Bueno;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: biography, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 155 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Boogie Nights” on the website imdb.com
“Eyes Wide Shut”, 1999
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a Manhattan couple who explore the depths of their sexuality and the limits of their marriage, leading to a surreal nocturnal journey into an underground sexual society.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson, Rade Šerbedžija, Todd Field, Vinessa Shaw, Sky Dumont, Fay Masterson, Leelee Sobieski;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 159 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Eyes Wide Shut” on the website imdb.com
“The Sessions”, 2012
Director: Ben Lewin
Directed by Ben Lewin, this film is based on the true story of a paralyzed man who hires a sex surrogate to help him lose his virginity. It explores themes of physical limitations and the transformative power of human connection.
Starring: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy, Moon Bloodgood, Annika Marks, Rhea Perlman, Adam Arkin, W. Earl Brown, Robin Weigert, Blake Lindsley;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Sessions” on the website imdb.com
“Shame”, 2011
Director: Steve McQueen
Directed by Steve McQueen, this drama stars Michael Fassbender as a man living in New York City who struggles with sex addiction. The film delves into the impact of his addiction on his personal and professional life.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale, Nicole Beharie, Alex Manette, Lucy Walters, Mari-Ange Ramirez, Hannah Ware, Elizabeth Masucci, Rachel Farrar;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: nc17;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“Secretary”, 2001
Director: Steven Shainberg
Directed by Steven Shainberg, this film stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader and tells the story of a young woman who becomes involved in a sadomasochistic relationship with her boss, which becomes a journey of personal discovery.
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren, Stephen McHattie, Patrick Bauchau, Jessica Tuck, Oz Perkins, Amy Locane, Mary Joy;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Secretary” on the website imdb.com
“The Dreamers”, 2003
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, this film is set against the backdrop of the 1968 Paris student riots and follows an American university student who becomes entangled in a sexually charged relationship with a French brother and sister.
Starring: Michael Pitt, Eva Green, Louis Garrel, Anna Chancellor, Robin Renucci, Jean-Pierre Kalfon, Jean-Pierre Léaud, Florian Cadiou, Pierre Hancisse, Valentin Merlet;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: nc17;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Dreamers” on the website imdb.com
These films address the topic of sex with varying degrees of explicitness and thematic exploration, providing a glance into the multifaceted nature of human sexuality through cinema.
In conclusion, films about sex traverse the rich tapestry of human experience, from the raw and unflinching depictions of desire and its complexities to the profound exploration of intimacy and identity. These cinematic endeavors, while often controversial, hold a mirror to society's evolving understanding of sexuality. They challenge audiences to confront their own biases and stimulate conversation about the ethics, emotions, and expressions tied to one of our most fundamental drives. Whether through poignant dramas, dark comedies, or thought-provoking documentaries, movies dealing with sex continue to shape and reflect cultural attitudes, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and ensuring that the discussion remains as inexhaustible and multifaceted as the subject matter itself.
