Hi, Enjoy These 70 Super-Hot Movie Sex Scenes
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
Assuming one doesn’t sneak up on you in the middle of a chill family movie night with the parents, sex scenes are basically the best part of any movie they’re in. In addition to being steamy as hell, a well-done sex scene often ends up being the hottest, most memorable part of the entire film—the one everyone talks about, remembers, and fast-forwards to/googles when they’re in need of a little sexy streaming material. (Which, ahem, is probably what brought you here. Hi, you’ve come to the right place.)
But while a sex scene is a sex scene, there are some that go above and beyond your average onscreen romp—ones that are as integral to the cinematic canon as the films they appear in. These are what we might call your classic movie sex scenes, the ones you know about even if you haven’t seen them yourself. They’re instant, timeless classics, and whether they made their debut three weeks or three decades ago, they’re just as hot today as they were when they first hit the big screen.
Consider this your official guide to this elite category of sex scenes, the crème de la crème of horny mainstream cinema. From old-school Hollywood icons (see: the Pretty Woman piano scene) to modern masterpieces brought to you by your favorite streaming services (literally who needs porn when you have Netflix?), these are the very best movie sex scenes of all time. Dim the lights, maybe grab your favorite vibrator, and prepare to enjoy some of the horniest moments Hollywood has to offer. You’re so very welcome.
1.The United States vs. Billie Holiday
This Billie Holiday biopic starring Andra Day and Trevante Rhodes is infused with tragedy, history, and a lot of hot sex. The leads team up for a prolonged love scene in a hotel that’s a little rough and a little fast, then soft and sensuous and sweet. Plus, you know any film about the great Ms. Holiday is required by law to feature some excellent jazzy tunes.
2. The Voyeurs
Can’t get enough of Sydney Sweeney, no matter how much Euphoria and The White Lotus you consume? Enter: The Voyeurs, the endlessly sexy erotic thriller from writer/director Michael Mahon, starring Sweeney alongside Justice Smith and Ben Hardy. No spoilers, but the film, released in September 2021, is all about what happens when you think no one’s watching. Peeping-Toms and peeping-Theresas welcome.
3. Jolt
Two words: Kate. Beckinsale. This slightly bizarro movie is a little supernatural and very, very steamy. Beckinsale plays Lindy, a woman (a very hot woman, at that) whose violent fits of rage give her superpowers. The film really picks up when Lindy spends the night with Justin (Jai Courtney) and the two of them trade their clothes for, well, nothing at all.
4. Ride
Kiko Mizuhara and Hona Ikoka star in Ride or Die, a Japanese psychological thriller that follows the love story between two women who commit *gasp!* murder. The film is chock full of tenderness, empowerment, and, of course, a lot of spice.
5. Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Shop Now
If you’ve ever wanted to see a threesome between Kristen Wiig, her Bridesmaids writing partner Annie Mumolo, and, of all people, Jamie Dornan of 50 Shades fame, then look no further than Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar! This kooky comedy really… goes there. And it’s nothing short of a gift.
6. Black Swan
In arguably one of the most important onscreen cunnilingus displays of our time, Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman share an extremely heated exchange—and yes, it’s every bit as hot as it sounds.
7. Titanic
Is the whole hand on the fogged-up window bit a teensy bit corny? Yes, yes it is. But it is also freaking ICONIC and I shudder to think where we, as a society, would be without this masterpiece.
8. Dirty Dancing
One of those iconic films whose reputation precedes it, it’s no secret nor surprise that Dirty Dancing is filled with all kinds of risquè behavior. In this scene, Baby’s confession of her feelings for Johnny leads to some (you guessed it) dirty dancing, which culminates in some pretty sensual lovemaking.
9. Bound
This 1996 cult classic is an underrated romantic-thriller complete with violent gangsters, ex-cons, and of course, a very sensual scene between Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon). Not only is the simulated sex totally delicious, but the film had a massive influence on lesbian fashion for decades to come. Painter pants and lacy black slips? Yes please.
10. Carol
A lesbian period drama replete with drawn-out desire and knowing looks? Why, yes! Carol is a love story that takes place in 1950s New York. The film, starring Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett, is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's seminal novel The Price of Salt, and follows an aspiring photographer (Mara) who falls for an older woman (Blanchett). It’s a soft-spoken romance with a tender (but oh-so sexy) scene where the two women finally get physical with one another after plenty of hedging.
11. Disobedience
Orthodox Judaism and steamy sex aren’t usually two concepts that go hand-in-hand. But in Disobedience, a British film by director Sebastián Lelio, two women (played by Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams—yes I am sweating) fall for each other and push the boundaries of their faith and their community. The most famous scene from this film involves Weisz’s character spitting into McAdams’ character’s mouth. If that’s not enough to send you flying to the TV remote, I don’t know what is.
12. Do The Right Thing
The ice cube scene in Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing has become somewhat controversial in recent years, since Rosie Perez gave an interview about feeling uncomfortable with the nudity. But it’s a moment that went down in New York cinema history as a sweetly erotic exchange between two young people looking to distract themselves from life in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn in 1989.
13. Ghost
Whether or not you’ve even seen the movie, everyone knows about the pottery scene from Ghost—and trust, it’s a classic for a damn reason. Who knew pottery throwing could be so erotic? Whoever wrote this scene, that’s who. And thanks to them, now so does every other human on the planet.
14. Wild Things
The pool scene. Need I say more? FWIW, I asked a bunch of my male friends to tell me their favorite movie sex scenes, and this one came up almost every single time. And, hi, I can see why.
15. Chloe
This sexual thriller from 2009 is largely considered Amanda Seyfried’s breakout role. She starred opposite Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore, playing a prostitute that Moore’s character hires to see if her husband, played by Neeson, is cheating on her. One Rotten Tomato reviewer wrote, “If you're after a stylish, sexy B-movie, Chloe is a guilty pleasure of the highest order,” and I couldn’t agree more. Seyfried’s character has a *lot* of sex throughout the film, including a very steamy exchange with Moore’s.
16. Basic Instinct
Another classic erotic thriller with another controversial sex scene, Basic Instinct follows crime novelist Catherine Tramell, played by Sharon Stone, who becomes a suspect in a murder of a rock star. She’s investigated by homicide detective Nick Curran, played by Michael Douglas, and the two of them develop an attraction to one another that culminates in one of the most famous (and titillating) on-screen romances of all time.
17. Body Heat
The femme fatale trope of the ’80s and ’90s was strong with this film. If anything, the title really gives this one away: Expect blisteringly hot sex between a young William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. If you need more reason to check out this classic scene, just know it’s one of Charlize Theron’s faves of all time.
18. My Beautiful Laundrette
This film—about an interracial gay male couple in a rough neighborhood in London—broke so many boundaries when it was released in 1986. Similarly, watching a young Daniel Day-Lewis’ muscular back glisten in the light as he kissed Gordon Warnecke all over just about broke my brain (and my vibrator).
19. 9 1/2 Weeks
As writer David Ehrlich wrote for TimeOut, this film was a pioneer in the world of “sploshing,” or incorporating food and/or wet substances into your sex life. Picture Kim Basinger slurping strawberries out of Mickey Rourke’s hand. The movie, which came out in 1986, follows Wall Street trader John (Rourke) and art gallery assistant Elizabeth (Basinger), who strike up a sexual relationship that gets real kinky real fast. As Ehrlich wrote, “Featuring the sex scene that launched a thousand imitators, 9 1/2 Weeks did for food what Marilyn Monroe did for blondes.” Amen.
20. Boogie Nights
One of Paul Thomas Anderson’s first movies, Boogie Nights, is a rollercoaster ride of a watch. It follows a teenage porn star named Dirk Diggler, played by Mark Wahlberg, who finds massive success because of his unusually large penis. There’s a lot of sex in this film, but the hottest exchange is between Diggler and Amber Waves, played by Julianne Moore, who gives him his first sexual experience in front of a camera and initiates the young stud into his new life as a porn star.
21. Newness
Newness is literally a modern-day fairytale. Boy meets girl after swiping right on a dating app, they meet up, they have hot steamy sex, they decide to give their relationship a shot, they delete their apps, and call it a day. However, much like modern romances, the two millennials do plenty of sexual exploring: They bring in a third for a fun threesome and even engage in voyeurism as they watch each other with other romantic partners.
22. Yes God Yes
This quirky coming of age movie features a young girl who is learning to explore her body with her hands... and her phone... and a body massager. However, she’s sent off to Jesus camp where she is sexually awakened after meeting a dark and handsome camp counselor and watching two others hookup behind some bushes. But instead of turning away to give them some privacy, she does what anyone else would do: She masturbates against a mop stick before being caught.
23. After We Collided
Do you ever just start kissing someone in a public place and can’t seem to stop yourself from going further? Yeah, neither can Tessa (Josephine Langford) and Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin). There are plenty of other scenes to get you going, like them hooking up in the shower, in various parts of each other’s home, and when Tessa even gets to see what’s under Dylan Sprouse’s suits.
24. MILF
What happens when three single moms in their 40s go off on a vacation? Why, they hook up with much younger men, of course. MILF shows that things only get better the older we get, especially if we run away to a beach house in France. This movie has plenty of grinding on dance floors, wet kisses, and a sex scene by the beach. Doesn’t get any better than that.
25. An Easy Girl
Two cousins go off for the summer and explore the ~luxurious lifestyle~ of yachts and champagne whenever, wherever. However, one of them (Zahia Dehar) is much more daring and sneaks off to have yacht sex with older men.
26. Amar
This Spanish movie = exactly what you would expect to get when you search for "romantic porn between a married couple." Though there are plenty of hot sex scenes, which go from them doing it in a red-lit backroom to going at it viciously in bed, this is the perfect movie to watch with your long-term person.
27. Someone Great
We all know the iconic scene when Jenny (Gina Rodriguez) and Erin (DaWanda Wise) bust a few moves to Lizzo’s "Truth Hurts" as they get ready to have the greatest day of their lives as best friends, but can we take a moment to talk about the super hot sex scenes between Blair (Britanny Snow) and Matt (Peter Vack)? They go from hooking up in his office to hooking up in the bathroom of a club. Don’t you just miss being so passionately desired by your sworn enemy? Le sigh.
28. Elisa and Marcela
This is more than just an overall sexy movie—it’s a beautiful piece of art. These women become the first lesbian couple to get married by the church back in the early 1900s, but only because one of them pretends to be a man. Aside from being overly emotional, this movie contains plenty of sex scenes between the two women. One particular scene goes on for more than three minutes and I can’t tell what’s hotter: Them taking off each other’s corsets or the finger-licking scene before they go downtown.
29. Flower
This one is about two step-siblings, Erica (Zoey Deutch) and Luke (Joey Morgan), who are on a mission to uncover a teacher who sexually assaulted Luke when he was younger. There's lots, and lots, and lots of drama, but as for the sex part: The two end a police chase by crashing into a tree and then going at it right there.
30. Ammonite
If you haven't heard that Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan play lesbian lovers in a period movie, well, this is it. And trust me, the scenes are just as much as you’d think. My favorite one has to be when Charlotte (Saoirse) interrupts Mary (Kate) as she works, and they immediately go at it. The director even graces you with a scene where Mary goes down south on Charlotte, who is sitting atop a desk.
31. Premature
Premature is the kind of movie you want to watch with your girls if your girls are like the Sex and the City ladies who sit together to watch Carrie’s neighbor have sex with multiple women. It’s about a couple who meets before Ayanna (Zora Howard) goes off to college, and during that very passionate summer, they go through the ups and downs of a new love. However, despite the multiple sad scenes in the movie, you and your girls will be treated to some very intense and hot sex scenes. Like, hi, they go at it on a rooftop at one point.
Get Access to *All* of Cosmo
$20.00
Hearst Owned32. Moonlight
Moonlight might not be the kind of movie you think about when it comes to sensual sex scenes, but one particular scene is guaranteed to get your pulse running: When childhood best friends Kevin and Chiron reunite at the beach after years apart. Things definitely escalate when Kevin holds Chiron close to him and helps him rub one out, right there at the beach.
33. The Photograph
We all knew The Photograph was going to be your typical romance movie of a couple who gets to know each other before realizing they’re meant to be. But just because their feelings are sweet, doesn’t mean they don’t get down and dirty in the sheets. One particular scene features Michael (LaKeith Stanfield) and Mae (Issa Rae) actually making love. Like the shit we all dream will happen for when we find ~ the one ~.
34. Portrait of a Lady On Fire
Trust me, you haven’t seen a movie like Portrait of a Lady On Fire. The plot is a bit... different. A painter has been ordered to make a portrait of a woman without her knowing that she’s being painted, and that portrait will then be sent off to a man in Milan who will decide if he wants to marry her or not. But, of course, the two women fall in love. And in my opinion, the building sexual tension is way better than the actual sex.
35. Duck Butter
Two women agree to spend 24 hours together as they get to know each other and have sex at least once every hour. (Talk about a dream come true.) Sergio (Laia Costa) and Naima (Alia Shawkat) planned to create a bond like no other, but the opposite happens towards the end. However, with 24 hours of pure sex, the movie gives us some of the hottest sex scenes I’ve ever seen. Scissoring followed by mutual masturbation? Yes please.
36. 365 DNI
365 DNI quickly climbed the horny ranks when its shower sex scenes started circulating all over TikTok. And TBH, I’m not sure if the lead male character in here could do anything that won’t make your jaw drop. That said, you can prep yourself for a boat sex scene that literally lasts like four minutes. But Major! Red! Flag! Alert! This movie romanticizes an extremely toxic relationship, so only watch it for the sex scene that starts at 1:08:38.
37. All the Bright Places
If you want a horny, young love drama that also has a bout of sexual tension, All the Bright Places is for you. Plus, Justice Smith is the lead who tries to woo Elle Fanning, and these two’s chemistry is just straight fire. It’s quite honestly a YA *chefs kiss*.
38. Below Her Mouth
Below her Mouth also made the TikTok rounds for its hot lesbian scenes. Centered around an affair between two women—one who’s ironically engaged to a straight man—Below Her Mouth is very nearly porn, just with more plot development. What to expect: loads of oral sex scenes, artful porn, and a stream of water being used to masturbate.
39. Tyler Perry's Temptation
So yes, this movie does romanticize cheating (...until it doesn't—you'll see what I mean by that) but there are some seriously sexy scenes to fill up the plot. Judice (Candice Coke) quickly becomes enamored with a wealthy entrepreneur (Robbie Jones) who unleashes a whole new side of her.
40. Beyond the Lights
Put these two things together: A hot new artist who has an overbearing momager and desperate need to escape the public eye + a young police officer who she hires to keep her away from cameras and fame. I mean, totally a modern love story, right? With the horny sex scenes to match—trust me.
41. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
Rooney Mara's character, Lisbeth Salander, hops right on top of Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig) and it'll for sure get you feelin' some type of way. Make sure your boo is in close proximity because you'll be wanting to pounce on them after watching this steamy sex scene.
42. Call Me By Your Name
So we don't exactly get to see Elio and Oliver (Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer) do the deed, but the intimate foreplay is just as sexy. Also, that peach scene!
43. The Lucky One
This love story just seems too good to be true, I mean, it's based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, so it's a total tear-jerker. But the sex scene in this film is...great. Zac Efron and Taylor Schilling get real hot and literally wet.
44. Cruel Intentions
IMO, this movie is a classic. Ryan Philippe, Reese Witherspoon, and Sarah Michelle Gellar star in it. What more do I need to say? And if you ever miss Ryan and Reese together as a real-life couple, watch their love scene in this movie. It'll bring back allllll the feels.
45. Pretty Woman
Uh, hi, can I get a guy to just plop me on a piano and show me how much he wants to love me?? The infamous Richard Gere and Julia Roberts play love interests in this must-watch-before-you-die rom-com. Might I add, this is one of multiple sensual lurve scenes in the film.
46. Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2
Pls soak in the nostalgia of Bella and Edward's love story that we all hold near and dear to our hearts. And enjoy every moment of this naked, passionate, and ~vampire-esque~ sex scene. (No furniture was harmed).
47. Blue Valentine
Although the film is about a couple whose relationship is hitting a downward spiral, Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams make sure to make the sexy scenes they do have very hot.
48. Mulholland Drive
This award-winning film received a lot of praise back when it first came out. And one of the scenes that probably lent to its ~artsy~ appeal was a tender love scene between its two female leads, Rita (Laura Harring) and Betty (Naomi Watts).
49. Cabin Fever
Cabin Fever (2002) is a horror movie about a flesh-eating disease that kills a group of college students vacationing in the mountains. And because Marcy (Cerina Vincent) abandons all hope, she resorts to YOLO and decides to have one last ride with Paul (Rider Strong).
50. The Notebook
This scene from The Notebook was the culmination of all Allie (Rachel McAdams) and Noah's (Ryan Gosling) frustrations with each other, and all the tension that built up between them over the years. So, naturally, this resulted in a really wet (well, because of the rain), really intense, and really hot sex scene.
51. Munich
This short, but super hot and sweaty scene between Avner (Eric Bana) and his pregnant wife Daphna (Ayelet Zurer) is so raw and real.
52. Gone Girl
As part of an elaborate plan, Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) seduces Desi Collings (Neil Patrick Harris) into having sex with her. It gets hot real quick—that is, until she decides to slit his throat and blood gushes everywhere.
53. The Shape of Water
You wouldn't expect to get turned on by an ancient fish man alien creature—but, hey, a number of people do. This scene led to so many fish man penis jokes, which ultimately led to the creation of a fish man dildo.
54. Watchmen
This scene definitely solidifies a spot for Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" on your sexy time playlist. Superheroes Night Owl II (Patrick Wilson) and Silk Spectre (Malin Åkerman) get it on in their spaceship after a hard day's work of saving the world.
55. The Paperboy
The Paperboy (2012) is full of steamy scenes—including one between Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron's characters. But the hottest by far is when Charlotte Bless (Nicole Kidman) and the love of her life, convict Hillary Van Wetter (John Cusak), have really rough sex in a laundry room.
56. Atonement
Young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy) passionately make love against a stack of books in a library—that is, until Cecilia's little sister Briony (Saorsie Ronan) catches them in the act.
57. Swimfan
Swimfan (2002) features a good old fashioned pool sex scene. And while Madison Bell (Erika Christensen) is kinda crazy—like, literally deranged—that doesn't make this scene any less...well, wet.
58. Wet Hot American Summer
The title of this movie says it all. And the hottest scene for this summer fling flick happens in an old tool shed, between Ben ( a v young Bradley Cooper) and McKinley (Michael Ian Black). Ah! Young love.
59. Unfaithful
In this scene from Unfaithful (2002), Connie Sumner (Diane Lane) excuses herself from her table for a bathroom break. Little did her friends know that she was having a quickie in one of the stalls with her young lover Paul Martel (Oliver Martinez).
60. Monster's Ball
This scene is all about Leticia Musgrove's (Halle Berry) pleasure, as Hank Grotowski (Billy Bob Thornton) goes down on her. And the sexiest part? He asks, "Can I touch you?" Nothing is sexier than consent, people!
61. Brokeback Mountain
You've probably seen this iconic love scene. If not—have you been hiding under a rock all these years?! In this unforgettable Ang Lee film, ranch hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) meet and fall in love, and have a tumultuous forbidden love affair.
62. Blue Is the Warmest Color
Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) is one of the most controversial films of its time. The lesbian love story includes a graphic, seven-minute-long sex scene. Watching it will definitely *warm* you up.
63. No Strings Attached
Adam (Ashton Kutcher) cuts straight to the chase. He and Emma (Natalie Portman) try to have sex as quietly as they can so her roommates don't hear them. Emma, being the sensible person that she is, doesn't forget the condom.
64. Fifty Shades Darker
One of the hottest scenes in all of the Fifty Shades trilogy is this elevator scene where Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) couldn't wait to see Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) squirm as he put his hand up her skirt.
65. Fifty Shades Freed
Okay so obviously this entire franchise that literally defined a decade of sexy movies is chock full of sultry sex scenes, but this erotic ice cream moment from the third installment is def top five, IMO.
66. Love & Other Drugs
Many things fall, break and get ripped as womanizing drug rep Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) couldn't wait to get into Maddie Murdock's (Anne Hathaway) pants. Needless to say, things escalate really quickly.
67. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
This movie is where Brangelina began. And it's no wonder they fell in love on set! This scene is seriously rough—like, violent—which makes it trés hot.
68. 300: Rise of an Empire
No, this is not the Gerard Butler 300 (2006) movie. This sequel is a continuation of the epic saga. And in this rough sex scene between Artemisia (Eva Green) and Themistocles (Sullivan Stapleton), it's obvious where this soldier wants to plant his sword. (Sorry, not sorry!)
69. Anna Karenina
This steamy scene is like a beautifully choreographed, graceful dance between two lovers. Keira Knightley and Aaron Taylor Johnson look as pretty as a 19th century painting.
70. Revolutionary Road
IRL, Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet have been platonic BFFs since their Titanic (1997) days. But this scene from Revolutionary Road (2008) shows the two award-winning actors in a very non-platonic situation.
You Might Also Like
