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.
8. Don Jon (2013)
Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Scarlett Johansson, and Julianne Moore, ‘Don Jon’ follows Jon Martello (Gordon-Levitt), whose addiction to porn is beyond physical sex. In other words, no matter how much sex he has with how many women, his real satisfaction comes from porn. However, this addiction is put to the test when he comes across the voluptuous Barbara Sugarman (Johansson).
Barbara plays hard-to-get, and Jon might have to sacrifice his addiction if he wants to be with her. Also, there is his middle-aged community college classmate Esther (Moore), who tries to help him tackle his addiction and might be his much-needed emotional window. Directed by Gordon-Levitt, ‘Don Jon’ ups the ante of a rom-com by incorporating sex addiction in a manner that takes a toll on intimacy. The film offers a unique watch and can be streamed here.
7. Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Nicholas Stoller’s ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ shows how Peter Bretter (Jason Segel) tries to get over the woman he loves, Sarah (Kristen Bell), who has just broken up with him. To get rid of her memories sooner, Peter goes on a trip to Oahu, Hawaii, but finds out that Sarah is there, too, with his new boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Thankfully, Peter gets a shoulder to cry on in the form of hotel concierge Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis). Things eventually take the shape of an R-rated I’m-better-off-than-you competition, which includes who, between Peter and Sarah, is having better sex. A cult-classic rom-com that counts as a legit sex comedy full of adult humor, ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ is a must-watch. It can be streamed here.
6. Good Luck Chuck (2007)
Starring Dane Cook and Jessica Alba, ‘Good Luck Chuck’ is directed by Mark Helfrich. It centers on Chuck (Cook), a successful dentist who starts taking seriously the curse that befell him as a kid. The curse allows women to find true love once they sleep with him. Naturally, his dispensary is filled with women he is more than happy to “treat.”
However, when he falls for Cam (Alba), a penguin scientist, he decides to break the curse because he cannot even think of sleeping with her as it would lead her to find someone else as her true love. Chuck’s subsequent exploits as he tries to break the curse are what make ‘Good Luck Chuck’ a true-to-form addition to this list. You can watch it here.
5. 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.
4. 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.
3. 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.
2. 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.
1. Trainwreck (2015)
SNL legends Amy Schumer and Bill Hader star in this romantic sex comedy directed by Judd Apatow. Men’s magazine writer Amy Townsend was brought up by her father with the theory that monogamy is unrealistic, so now, as a modern woman, she puts drinking and promiscuity to good use. While a trainwreck, she is enjoying her life free of commitment. However, when she is told to cover Aaron Conners, a sports doctor, she feels he is a first, but first of what? Is this what people call love? Aaron does like her, but if she wants to make herself like him back, something she somehow seems to want inadvertently, she has to change her game and reconsider her sex-infused credo. Can she? Is this Amy’s first chance at love? Both Schumer and Hader add charm to this sex comedy that makes it a lot more enjoyable. The film won 3 nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards, winning one (Schumer for Best Actress) and 2 Golden Globe nominations, along with many more nominations and awards. You can watch it here.
Read More: Best Sex Comedies of All Time
