Tamal Kundu
If entertainment is the main purpose of cinema, then few genres do it better than sex comedies. Ideally, it should be a balance between romance, profanity, humor, and vulgarity. Even when these elements don’t particularly line up, the films can still be entertaining. Perhaps this is because they adhere to a fairly simplistic but effective filmmaking formula. The comedy is hardly ever subtle, and sex is ever-present in one form or another. A well-made sex comedy can be such a stress reliever. After a long work day, they can have almost the same effect as a night out with friends. The following movies on HBO Max are bound to do the trick for you.
9. Date and Switch (2014)
Feelings can be confusing, right? ‘Date and Switch’ takes a dig at this very fact. Directed by Chris Nelson, the movie follows best friends Matty (Hunter Cope) and Michael (Nicholas Braun), who shake on getting laid before high school prom. However, things get complicated when Matty reveals that he is gay. Michael tries to be supportive by joining Matty in his gay adventures. Things get even weirder when Michael falls for Matty’s ex-girlfriend Em (Dakota Johnson) while Matty starts dating a guy named Greg (Zach Cregger), whom Michael doesn’t like at all. Will the two best friends fall apart? Or will they figure out their feelings and strengthen their friendship? To find you, you can watch this sex comedy right here.
8. Booty Call (1997)
Starring Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Vivica A. Fox, Tamala Jones, and Bernie Mac, this over-the-top sex comedy follows two guys, Bunz and Rushon, setting off on a search for protection before getting laid with their respective dates, Lysterine and Nikki. But in the endeavor, the guys undergo all kinds of whacky experiences and meet different kinds of weirdos, including a Chinese medical store owner, a wannabe armed robber, a hypocritical judge, and even a killer. To join the duo in their late-night adventure, you can stream ‘Booty Call’ here.
7. Election (1999)
‘Election’ is a black comedy film directed by Alexander Payne, who co-penned the script with Jim Taylor based on Tom Perrotta’s 1998 novel of the same name. The film is set in Carver High, where Tracy Flick, an overachiever, aspires to become the Student Government’s President. As Student Elections are approaching, another teacher, Mr. McAllister, who dislikes Tracy, persuades the dimwitted football jock Paul to run against her. Tracy Flick is appalled by the fact that Paul is even trying to compete.
On the other hand, Tammy, Paul’s adopted lesbian sister, gets dumped by her girlfriend, who is now dating Paul. Tammy decides to seek revenge on her brother by running for President herself. The film’s cast includes Matthew Broderick as Jim McAllister, Reese Witherspoon as Tracy Enid Flick, Chris Klein as Paul Metzler, Jessica Campbell as Tammy Metzler, Phil Reeves as Principal Walter Hendricks, Molly Hagan as Diane McAllister, Colleen Camp as Judith Flick, and Nicholas D’Agosto as Lawrence “Larry” Fouch. You can stream the film here.
6. Road Trip (2000)
Directed by Todd Phillips of ‘The Hangover’ franchise fame, ‘Road Trip’ follows college students Josh (Breckin Meyer), E.L (Seann William Scott), Rubin Carver (Paulo Costanzo), and Kyle Edwards (DJ Qualls) on a road trip from their University of Ithaca to the University of Austin where Josh’s girlfriend Tiffany (Rachel Blanchard) studies. This is so that the group can intercept the videotape containing Josh’s raunchy nighttime adventure with Beth Wagner (Amy Smart), which was mistakenly sent to Tiffany instead of one containing a video of Josh talking about his college life. The misadventures of the four guys, underscored by college life and the road trip, are what make this movie a laughable riot. You can watch the movie here.
5. Scary Movie (2000)
‘Scary Movie’ is a parody horror film directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans. The film follows a group of dumb teenagers who, after disposing of the body of a man they accidentally killed in a car accident, are being stalked by a serial killer. The narrative flows as the friends try to escape from the annoying news reporter, Gail Hailstorm, and the serial killer. The film features Shannon Elizabeth, Anna Faris, Kurt Fuller, Jon Abrahams, Carmen Electra, Regina Hall, Lochlyn Munro, Dave Sheridan, and Cheri Oteri. You may watch it here.
4. Looking: The Movie (2016)
‘Looking: The Movie’ is a comedy-drama film directed by Andrew Haigh and serves as a sequel to the TV series ‘Looking,’ which is based on Michael Lannan’s short film Lorimer. The plot is centered around Patrick, who returns to San Francisco after moving to Denver for Agustin and Eddie’s wedding. At the wedding, he catches up with the old gang, including Dom. The film features Jonathan Groff as Patrick, Frankie J. Alvarez as Agustin, Murray Bartlett as Dom, Raúl Castillo, Lauren Weedman, and Russell Tovey. This sequel offers a sense of closure to the TV series and is full of sexy all-male interludes. You can watch ‘Looking: The Movie’ here.
3. She’s Out of My League (2010)
Directed by Jim Field Smith, ‘She’s Out of My League’ shows a meek and clumsy Kirk Kettner (Jay Baruchel), who works at the airport, trying to accept the fact that Molly (Alice Eve), a beautiful and successful woman he met at the airport, has started to like him. His overwhelming insecurities about himself take a toll on his eventual relationship with Molly who too has her secrets that she hasn’t told Kirk about. Even Kirk’s friends do not think that his relationship will stick. Will they be proven wrong? Kirk will have to “come clean” for that to happen. To find out if he does, you can watch ‘She’s Out of My League’ here.
2. Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989)
‘Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!’ is a delightfully dark sex comedy from Spain. It tells the story of Ricky (Antonio Banderas), a psychiatric patient in his early 20s. After his release from the mental institution, he begins looking for Marina Osorio, a former pornstar turned actress. Ricky is convinced that he is in love with her. They met and had sex during an escape attempt from the institution. After eventually locating Marina, Ricky turns her into his captive, professing his love for her. You may watch the film here.
1. Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023)
‘Magic Mike’s Last Dance,’ the third and final installment in the ‘Magic Mike’ trilogy, is a comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Mike Lane is forced to take up bartender gigs as he is broke after his furniture business tanked due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A former male stripper turned bartender, Mike is approached by the wealthy socialite Maxandra Mendoza for a private dance. After a passionate night, Maxandra offers Mike $60,000 to choreograph a dance production in London. The ensemble cast includes Channing Tatum as Magic Mike, Salma Hayek Pinault as Maxandra Mendoza, Ayub Khan Din, Jemelia George, Juliette Motamed, Vicki Pepperdine, Gavin Spokes, and Alan Cox as Roger Rattigan, Maxandra Mendoza’s estranged husband. You can watch the movie here.
Read More: Best Sex Comedies of All Time
