Dhruv Sharma
Love can take many forms, and confining it to one shape would be very unfair. And that’s why we need to embrace every form of love and intimacy through cinema, regardless of sexual orientation. A lot of times, the lovemaking scenes that are filmed in LGBT movies may not necessarily involve actors who are actually homosexual. They have to pretend to be someone they are not, and that too in a situation where everyone is watching them. And that’s what acting is all about. Some pull it off so well on the screen it becomes hard for us to believe if they’re actually gay or not, while some really need to work on their chemistry and, at times, may even come off as hilarious.
There have been several memorable intimate moments in cinema involving heterosexual and homosexual characters. We have previously listed down the best lesbian movies and best movie sex scenes. Today, we are going to specifically look at the list of top lesbian sex scenes in movies. You can watch several of these lesbian scenes on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
30. Princess Cyd (2017)
‘Princess Cyd’ tells the story of a girl who moves to her Aunt’s place in Chicago to spend her summer there. In Chicago, she meets another girl and feels very attracted to her in a very different way but when her Aunt finds out about this, she starts to confront her to be more open about it and challenges her spirit and sex. The film doesn’t really have too many adult scenes — one is a rape attempt that could trigger PTSD in some viewers, so please be warned. The other one and, of course, the better one, because of which the film has made it to this list, is between Cyd and Katie. The movie slowly builds up to this scene and makes sure that the audience is well-connected with the two characters by the time it begins, and that’s what makes it so damn beautiful to watch, one you can experience on Prime.
29. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Megan Fox making out with Amanda Seyfried. How can these scenes not be on this list? The film is a horror-vampire story of a young woman who, inhabited by a demon, turns her back on patriarchal society, murdering men and taking herself away from them as a sexual object by reserving her sexuality for other women. Well, if you don’t care much about the plot, just stick with two hot women making out, and you won’t regret it. The film can be watched on Prime.
28. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)
Set in a time when people were not too open-minded and ostracized homosexuality, ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’ is the story of an all-American girl. She is suspected of being homosexual by pretty much everyone because even after having a boyfriend, she doesn’t seem too keen on him, and even her locker seems to be full of pictures of only women. Her parents feel threatened by her behavior and send her to a sexual redirection rehab. Here, she has to choose whether to walk on a path that everyone else expects her to be on or to embrace her love for another lesbian misfit she meets at the camp. The best scene in the movie is where the two girls have sex for the first time, and the camera captures it beautifully. Instead of showing what’s going on, the subtle camera work done here emphasizes the girls’ feelings and love towards each other. You can watch the movie on Tubi.
27. Desert Hearts (1985)
‘Desert Hearts’ is about a professor who always feels out of place in her marriage and demands a divorce. After this, she encounters a trashy, bold, and reckless ranch owner’s daughter named Cay, who is an open lesbian. She starts to feel something for her. What follows is a wave of intimacy and insecurities with a backdrop of some good old country music and rocky mountains. The sex scene between them is not all that graphic but it still manages to be very, very steamy and can be considered to be A-rated for that time. ‘Desert Hearts’ can be streamed on Max.
26. Becks (2017)
A Brooklyn-based musician goes through a very tough breakup after she finds her girlfriend cheating on her. This forces her to move back with her mother, who stays in the Midwest and is a strict Catholic. As she starts to get familiar with the new town around her, a very unexpected relationship takes shape, one that will change her life forever. The best part about this film is that it avoids overdoing romance’s cheesiness and highlights the complications of being in a relationship. That’s what makes the sex scenes here so real because the element of realism that the writers prompt from the beginning finally adds up to the raunchy yet subtle scenes that make you laugh and cry at the same time. There isn’t too much nudity but you do find subtle sensuality, which is enough to set the world on fire. ‘Becks’ can be watched on Prime.
25. The Carmilla Movie (2017)
‘The Carmilla Movie’ is more of a fantasy, and there is just one scene between the two protagonists, Laura and Carmilla, and that itself is enough to make this one a part of the list. The two vampire women stare into each other’s eyes as the dawn starts to break and darkness swirls around them. They look at each other in a way you would want to be looked at by your own lover. They kiss, and then it all goes down as they slowly love each other throughout the night. The way they connect throughout this scene will surely make you envy them and obviously turn you on. The film can be watched on Prime.
24. Gia (1997)
They say beauty is subjective, but undeniably, Angelina Jolie defines beauty with her sultry eyes, pouty lips, sharp jawline, and a body that has impossibly exaggerated features of a femme fatale anime character. So, imagine what a lesbian sex scene with her in it would be like. What starts as a raunchy nude photo shoot ends up in the bedroom and then a steamy shower. Unlike most others on this list, this one does get really graphic to an extent where it would almost qualify as porn. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best in the history of cinema. ‘Gia’ can be streamed on Max.
23. Saving Face (2005)
‘Saving Face’ is an Indie Drama about many taboos and traditional restrictions imposed on the Chinese. A lesbian Chinese American surgeon named Wil finds her widowed mother at her doorstep after her own father disowns her. The surgeon’s mother is a typical orthodox Chinese woman who creates complications in Wil’s relationship with a dancer who is the daughter of her boss at the hospital. While Wil struggles to keep up with her relationship with her mother being around, she also looks for a Chinese bachelor to marry her mom. The lesbian lovemaking scene in this one is rather weird and funny, where the two girls try to loosen up by literally falling over to the ground. You can watch ‘Saving Face’ here.
22. Carol (2015)
Therese and Carol’s love story in Todd Haynes’ ‘Carol’ is something that we’ll never forget, and Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchet make this one an amazing piece of art that it is. Throughout the movie, the two women play their roles with absolute perfection. One is a beautiful yet traumatized woman named Carol and the other one, Therese, a free-spirited, innocent and curious young woman. The two actors manage to perfect the body language and subtle nuances of these two characters with absolute ease. When they make love for the first time, they communicate with each other entirely through the body, making it look like a surreal experience. It’s understandable why people find themselves in tears when they watch this one because such a profound level of intimacy is rarely found in cinema. You can watch ‘Chloe’ on Netflix.
21. Disobedience (2018)
‘Disobedience’ is a beautifully crafted tale of two women that will surely give you heartache. It is the story of how the childhood passions of two women reignite when they meet each other after ages. They explore their boundaries of love and passion that go way beyond any confinements that had stopped them earlier. The one sex scene in this one is everything you can ask for. It’s emotional, tender, passionate, and lengthy, and it is one of those few films where a female has directed a lesbian sex scene, so what you see is purely from the eyes of a woman. ‘Disobedience’ can be streamed on Prime.
20. Chloe (2010)
‘Chloe’ is about a woman named Catherine who lives the perfect family life with her husband and her teenage son. But an incident makes her suspect her husband of infidelity, and she decides to hire an escort named Chloe to test the faithfulness of her husband. As Chloe’s meetings with Catherine and her husband increase, a strange tension between all three of them starts building up. With this slow build-up, the film leads you to a very sexy and intimate scene with Julianne Moore and Amanda Seyfried that really sets an example for how a hot lesbian sex scene should be shot in a film. It can be streamed on Prime.
19. Atomic Blonde (2017)
Charlize Theron’s versatility has always been impressive. She has played the most diverse roles, from being a goth assassin in Aeon Flux to a blonde badass spy in ‘Atomic Blonde.’ She cracks bones and pulps faces with absolute ease here, reminding you of her role in Aeon Flux. But apart from all the brutal brawls and martial arts scenes, there is one lesbian sex scene that will blow your mind. The sex scene almost did not make it to the film, and it also seems unnecessary but it’s still one of a kind and will have you squirming uncomfortably in your seat when you watch it. The film can be watched on Prime.
18. Summertime (2016)
‘Summertime’ is a surprisingly good film that takes a rather distinctive approach towards lesbian relationships and sex. Unlike most other French drama love affairs like ‘Blue is the Warmest Color,’ the actors present a very fierce and passionate eroticism without showing any clear hints of seduction from both sides. The realism that builds up to these scenes comes from the film’s ability to create a total anti-dramatic environment and relaxed storytelling. The characters remain a mystery to you all the way till the end of the movie, and so will their bond. But you connect to their bond and the passionate intentions that draw them to each other. The film can be streamed on Prime.
17. Stud Life (2012)
‘Stud Life’ comes from a UK-based director Campbell X and is set in contemporary London, where two fine-looking and really attractive queers come together to find their place in the world of love and sex. Most lesbian movies put revolve around white lesbians but ‘Stud Life’ goes out of the way and portrays a dark-skinned masculine queer figure that makes it more relatable. The first time the two characters think of having sex, the feminine character Elle lies in the bed, taking the initiative instead of JJ, who is the more masculine character. Again, by portraying the masculine character as the more vulnerable one, this film goes against everything that is shown in mainstream queer films. The bold honesty displayed all throughout the movie and even during the intimate scenes makes it absolutely gorgeous to watch.
16. I Can’t Think Straight (2008)
‘I Can’t Think Straight’ is another Indie film about a girl named Tala, an upper-class woman from Jordan who is about to marry the man of her dreams. But everything starts to change when she meets an attractive British Indian woman, Lelya, and feels an uncontrollable attraction towards her. She eventually falls in love with this woman but the complications that it leads to are chaotic. The sex in this movie is coy and shy without any elements of being graphic or bold. But sometimes, that’s all it takes to make them distinctive and memorable. Though the book of the movie has some real nitty-gritty sex, the movie keeps it subtle, and it leaves enough space for your own imagination. It can be streamed on Tubi.
15. Kiss Me (2011)
‘First Kiss’ is a great movie that can be watched more than once. The best part about it is that all of it is very, very authentic, with no signs of any phony lesbian intimacy. That’s probably because this one, too, has been directed by a woman and that perspective itself makes all the difference in the world. We all try to portray ourselves as nice people with good intentions when we first get into a relationship, which this movie portrays really well. When it comes to the intimate scenes, there is a whole lot of kissing and lovemaking throughout the film, but the best one happens when the two protagonists make love to each other for the first time. The scene is as real as it gets, with heavy breathing and a lurking tension in the air about the fact they know they’re screwed but are still having a good time. There’s no cheesy music or unnecessary build-up — it will take your breath away. The film can be streamed on Tubi.
14. Better Than Chocolate (1999)
With great production value and charm, ‘Better Than Chocolate’ has a solid storyline and some never-before-seen sex scenes. But before you judge the boldness of the film, let’s not forget that it came out during a time when being gay or lesbian was not dealt with easily, even in the United States. So what it offers is much more than what was expected from a film of that time. This is no LGBT film that breaks new ground or offers something unique but it sure is the kind of movie that will leave you feeling really good about yourself, no matter who you are or where you’re from. And well, as for the sex scenes, not just for the 90s but even by today’s standards, they are R-rated and one of the best out there. On the surface, ‘Better Than Chocolate’ may seem like another feel-good film but it’s certainly a lot more than that. The way it manages to explore sexuality makes it one of the most thematically strong, complex movies on this list. You can watch the film on Prime.
Read More: Most Disturbing Sex Scenes in Movies
13. Below Her Mouth (2017)
Those who have seen ‘Below Her Mouth’ will not deny that it is lesbian porn with a decent plot. The sex scenes — most of them — are so bold and were extremely hard to pull off and made everyone involved in the scenes really uncomfortable. While almost 70% of the film is filled with lesbian sex scenes, most of them are in the outdoors and some in a bedroom. The parts between those scenes are just filled with the past stories of the main characters’ relationships. Regarding the realism of sex in this film, it does check all the boxes, but the direction seems unclear throughout. This movie makes it clear that Lesbian sex scenes shot by a lesbian director are far more real and appealing to women than the ones shot by men. What remains a mystery, however, is what ‘Below Her Mouth’ actually means. They’ve left that out for you.
12. Room in Rome (2010)
Alba, a lesbian, somehow convinces Natasha to join her in her marvelous hotel room, which is right in the middle of Rome. After some awkwardness, the two end up in bed and spend the rest of the night together. The sex is followed by conversations wherein, initially, both of them lie about most things. Still, they soon start opening up and pouring out their insecurities in the haze of vulnerability.
The sex scenes in the film are all great, and an attempt has been made to use them as a form of communication between the two women. However, the problem is that the raw emotional intensity of the scenes gets overpowered by unnecessary soundtracks that do not even match up with the pace. You’ll adore this film if you’re not looking for too much of a plot and a lot of sex scenes for a span of 2 hours, but if you’re looking for a film that has sex scenes with a lot more connection and chemistry between the characters, then you might want to reconsider your decision of watching this. ‘Room in Rome’ can be streamed on Mubi.
11. Concussion (2013)
‘Concussion’ gives a refreshingly new look into lesbian movies by portraying the story of a rich woman who establishes herself as a high-class sex worker for other sex-starved queer women, which allows her to get rid of her sexual frustration. This is one of those few movies on this list that will stick with you even after you watch it. It will later make you think about it, and you’ll be able to relate to the dilemmas of the protagonist, who seeks fulfillment of her passions after her post-marriage love life gets caught up with the responsibilities of the world. Despite the steamy scenes, ‘Concussion’ manages to be a film that is not entirely about sex or even lesbians but about the subtle intricacies of human relationships. ‘Concussion’ can be streamed on Prime.
Read More: Best Nude Scenes in Movies
10. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Woody Allen is known for making romantic dramas. But with ‘Vicky Christina Barcelona’ he proved that he can make sensual films too. But is it Woody Allen, or is the presence of three super-hot actresses automatically creating an underlying implicit sexual energy? Well, I will leave that for you to decide. One scene, in particular, that’s extremely provocative in the film is when Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) and María Elena (Penélope Cruz) make love to each other in a photo-processing room that’s dimly lit in red; the scene is irresistibly provocative. What makes it even more darkly exciting is that both women are in love with the same man. You can stream the film here.
9. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Before Kate Winslet became wildly famous, she made her debut in Peter Jackson’s ‘Heavenly Creatures,’ a film about murder and unrequited lesbian love between teenage best friends. While the film is surely good on its own, the lesbian sex scene between Winslet and Melanie Lynskey makes it something else. Winslet has done a lot of sex scenes in her career, but this one truly stands out for its sensuality and vulnerability.
8. Black Swan (2010)
Darren Aronofsky is known for making dark films. He has this ability to craft such bizarrely creepy atmospheres in his films that make them so distinctively intriguing. ‘Black Swan’ has a frighteningly sensual scene between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman. The two ladies get intimate in an incredibly tense sequence that is bound to get you excited and scared simultaneously. Aronofsky keeps you on edge here as the tension builds up while managing to infuse a wildly sensual tone, further elevated by the venomous beauty of Kunis and Portman. You can watch ‘Black Swan’ on Max.
7. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Directed by Rose Glass, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is a neo-noir thriller that follows gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) and ambitious bodybuilder Jackie (Katy O’Brian) as they embark on a steamy affair while tackling the violence that results from Lou’s criminal family. The sex that the ladies have occurs right after their first encounter and is ecstatic and rather hardcore, given both ladies want to eat each other out but can’t seem to have enough. You can watch ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ on Max.
6. Duck Butter (2018)
Miguel Arteta’s independent drama shows two women, Nima (Alia Shawkat) and Sergio (Laia Costa), fed up with their list of unsuccessful relationships, deciding to spend 24 hours together and have sex on the hour. Their relationship experiment seems intriguing, but are they prepared for the consequences? There are multiple sex scenes in the film, all of which are intimate and carry a sensuality that is outré, thanks to the brilliant onscreen chemistry between Shawkat and Costa. You watch ‘Duck Butter’ on Netflix.
5. Bound (1996)
Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski of ‘The Matrix’ fame, ‘Bound’ explores the steamy affair of Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon). While they plan to go away and live the way they want, Violet’s violent gangster boyfriend, Caesar (Joe Pantoliano), poses a big threat. What makes escaping more risky is that the ladies also intend to take some of Caesar’s mob money. There is an iconic sex scene involving the leading ladies, filmed in one shot, which is tender and sexy and filmed long before the advent of intimacy coordinators. You can watch the film on Prime.
4. Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
‘Blue is the Warmest Colour‘ gained quite the hype not just for its sex scenes but also for how amazingly well crafted it is. However, one thing that gained publicity in a controversial way, mostly for the American audience, is the “French way” of depicting the extremely graphic sex scene between the two main characters, Adele and Emma. The twenty minutes of sex surely tops any of the movies on this list but even if you take that away from this one, it sure has a lot to offer. It is lovemaking portrayed in the most beautiful, affecting way. You can watch the film on Prime.
3. Mulholland Drive (2001)
‘Mulholland Drive’ is considered one of the greatest films of the 21st century. Yet, many remember it because of the irresistibly powerful lovemaking scene between Betty and Rita midway through the film. Emotions are locked, desires unfeigned, and souls intertwined. The sheer amount of grace, passion, and intimacy thrown into the scene here elevate the film to new heights as we get a peek into the characters, their frailties, and what makes them so vulnerable. You can watch the film on Prime.
2. Ammonite (2020)
Starring Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, and James McArdle, ‘Ammonite’ is a period romance directed by Francis Lee. Set in the 1840s, it follows paleontologist Mary Anning (Winslet), based loosely on the real person, who is hired by rich geologist Roderick Murchison (McArdle), to care for his depressed wife, Charlotte (Ronan), before he leaves for Europe. As time passes, an unlikely friendship between the ladies slowly takes the shape of a steamy love affair. There is an explicit erotic sex scene, including oral, between the two ladies in bed, which has been reportedly choreographed by Winslet and Ronan. Winner of the Best Screen Couple award at the Women Film Critics Circle Awards, ‘Ammonite’ can be streamed on Prime.
1. The Handmaiden (2016)
Based on Sarah Waters’ 2002 novel ‘Fingersmith,’ ‘The Handmaiden’ is directed by Park Chan-wook. Set in 1930s Korea (under Japanese rule), the film offers an erotic exploration of a forbidden affair set against the backdrop of a conspiracy. Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) is hired to infiltrate the estate of Lady Izumi Hideko (Kim Min-hee), an heiress, so that she can convince Izumi to marry a guy named Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo). Fujiwara intends to marry Izumi and then take over her fortune. However, things go sideways when Sook-hee and Izumi fall for each other and set off on a steamy and sensual affair.
The lesbian sex scene in question is wildly explicit, and we get to see the two women from multiple angles as they make love, including the 69 pose. Moments later, we see genital fluid dripping from Sook-Hee’s mouth as she raises her face from between Hideko’s legs. Aroused yet? You can watch the film on Vudu.
Read More: Best Sex Scenes on Netflix
