Vishnu Warrier
Movies are the biggest source of entertainment in our lives, and movie stars give us our daily dose of aspirations. Love and passion shown in movies have unconsciously become our tutorial for conducting our love and sex lives; we ape the mannerisms and ideas shown in the movies so wonderfully acted out by our favorite matinee idols. So, it is no surprise when couples many couples like to watch movies (no, we are not talking about porn here) to get in the mood. If you and your partner are looking for recommendations that will make you fall in love with (read: lust) each other, then you are at the right place. Here’s a list of sexy, erotic, and romantic movies for couples that are perfect for a date night to get you aroused. The list also includes erotic movies for same-sex couples — be it gays or lesbians.
21. Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
The Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson starrer ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ series works for one simple reason – sex. The intense display of physical chemistry makes up for the nonexistent cerebral maturity in their relationship. Despite being a hardcore erotic flick, the film maintains a sense of mainstream commercial feel, thanks to the high profile good looks and screen presence of the two leads. ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by no means remotely qualifies as a good piece of cinema, but you must credit it for reintroducing uninhibited sex in mainstream cinema. Naturally, the two protagonists in this tale of love, lust, pain, and suffering became modern-day sex symbols, even if on a superficial level. They are placed at the bottom of the list because their passionate love affair lacks any sense of purpose or novelty. You can watch the film here.
20. Carol (2015)
Todd Haynes’ ‘Carol’ is quite simply one of the most beautiful films about what it feels like to fall in love. These are two people dying to fall in each other’s arms, yearning for a sense of emotional liberation from the clutches of a cold society. Therese is a shy young girl who isn’t happy with her boyfriend. Carol is a wealthy, middle-aged mother on the verge of a divorce. These are two people in different phases of life, from different strata of society, but the world around them is cold and indifferent to their feelings and desires, and this is where they meet. With an amazing cast and a nuanced script, Haynes crafts a timeless story of love full of warmth and humanity. You can watch ‘Carol’ here.
19. Nymphomaniac (2013)
‘Nymphomaniac’ is the story of Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac who is discovered badly beaten in an alley by an older bachelor, Seligman (Stellan Skarsgård), who takes her into his home. As he tends to her wounds, she recounts the erotic story of her adolescence and young adulthood. Oddly funny and provocative, ‘Nymphomaniac’ may not be von Trier’s best work, but still, it is sufficiently good enough to hold your interest from start to finish of its nearly four-hour running. Nymphomaniac initially received an NC-17 from the MPAA in early 2014. The film, however, surrendered the rating and was released without any MPAA rating. You can watch it here.
18. Secretary (2002)
A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one. Sadomasochism provides the backdrop for a very unusual erotic romantic drama. The film isn’t for everyone but has some funny and weird moments in equal measure. Maggie Gyllenhaal shines in a bold performance. You can watch ‘Secretary’ here.
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17. Lust, Caution (2007)
‘Lust, Caution’ features some of the most beautifully crafted, realistic, and profoundly emotional sex scenes in cinema. Lee wanted to bring in as much realism as possible and demanded that the scenes be as realistic and visually explicit as possible, which caused a big censorship issue in his home country. It featured full frontal nudity, and there were 10-minute-long sex scenes, which reportedly took over four days to shoot. However, an uncut adult NC 17 rating was given to the film in the U.S., which made sense considering the extremely bold visual and thematic content of the film. You can watch it here.
16. 9½ Weeks (1986)
The title refers to the duration of the relationship between self-absorbed Wall Street banker John (Mickey Rourke) and divorced art gallery owner Elizabeth (Kim Basinger). It is an arresting, sexy, provocative, and compelling erotic drama about relationships, the dark sides of human beings, and exploring new sexual pleasures. It’s everything that Fifty Shades of Gray could have been. Even though ‘9½ Weeks’ flopped when it was first released, since then, it has acquired a cult following. You can watch ‘9½ Weeks’ here.
15. I am Love (2009)
To witness how a film grows under your skin as you watch it unfold, you will have to give ‘I Am Love’ a try. What begins as an innocuous family drama becomes a sordid, passionate thriller. There comes a moment somewhere in the middle of the film, which, despite being predictable, will hit you like a ton of bricks just due to the sheer manner in which it has been portrayed onscreen. Revealing anything about the story would be a dampener for those who go on to see it; therefore, to keep it short, the film is about a wealthy lady seeking freedom from her insipid family duties, which arrives in the form of a passionate love affair. The film’s ability to keep you guessing and its tremendous visual style will bowl you over. You can watch ‘I am Love’ here.
14. Kiss Me (2011)
It’s Mia’s father’s 60th birthday, and the time has come to announce her engagement to Tim. However, not only will they be getting married soon, but her father has also proposed to his girlfriend, Elizabeth. On a weekend in Denmark with Elizabeth and her daughter Frida, Mia slowly finds herself falling for her stepmother’s daughter and engages in a sexual and emotional affair with someone she might have never expected to fall in love with. This Swedish drama, originally called “Kyss Mig” but also known under the title “With Every Heartbeat,” portrays a beautiful love story through remarkable cinematography, and although the characters might not attain their full development and depth, great performances by the cast. The “cliché” theme and storyline don’t take away anything from the film’s quality. You can watch ‘Kiss Me’ here.
13. My Brother’s Wife [La Mujer de mi Hermano] (2006)
With an exciting story that will capture your attention from beginning to end, this dramatic movie stars Bárbara Mori, Christian Meier, and Manolo Cardono. Director Ricardo de Montreuil has given life to its characters in a deep and impressive way. Besides great acting and direction, it has a great script mainly because of its thought-provoking dialogues. “La Mujer de mi Hermano” follows a beautiful woman, Zoe, who is deeply unsatisfied with her marriage. Because of that, she seeks refuge and starts having an affair with her husband’s brother. This leads to a game of revenge, secret, and passion that will forever change that family. You can watch the film here.
12. A Perfect Ending (2012)
If you are looking for an erotic drama to rekindle some energy and excitement in your relationship, this is your film. The film follows Rebecca, a middle-aged woman who is stuck in a loveless, sexless marriage. After confiding in two friends that she’s never even had an orgasm, Rebecca is advised to seek out the services of a call-girl named Paris. The two women form a friendship that goes beyond their sexual relationship. With plenty of sex scenes and some healthy dose of drama thrown in, A Perfect Ending is a must-try. You can watch ‘A Perfect Ending’ here.
11. Heartbreaker (2010)
The main character in the movie is Alex Lippi. He is a handsome man whose looks and personality can get him any woman he wants. But he is not a man who does this because he wants it or is hardwired to have fun dating lots of girls. Alex has dated lots of women and has broken up with them, too, but that’s because he was hired to do so. Yes, our protagonist breaks up relationships that were not supposed to happen or at least his clients didn’t want them to. This time, Alex is given the job of sabotaging the relationship between an Englishman and another beautiful lady. But their love is strong. Will Alex manage to do his job this time? You can watch ‘Heartbreaker’ here.
10. Chicago (2002)
Catherine Zeta-Jones is a phenomenal actress. With the role of a sexy murderous diva, she shines in this movie. The movie is one of those sexy crime dramas where beautiful, hot women are murderers and are bent on doing anything to get fame and exoneration. Catherine plays the role of Velma Kelly, an enchanting Vaudeville dancer. She has been incarcerated for murdering her husband after she found him cheating on her with her sister. Roxie is another strong and beautiful character in this movie. She, too, has been incarcerated for murdering her lover after she understood that he wasn’t going to help her to become successful or famous. Now, both women want to be acquitted, and they do have a chance in the form of hotshot lawyer Billy Flynn, who is great at getting female wrongdoers exonerated and makes them celebrities. But he has only one spot, and he likes Roxie’s act of self-defense story better than Velma’s ‘can’t remember anything’ story. You can watch ‘Chicago’ here.
9. Basic Instinct (1992)
The famous leg-crossing scene of Sharon Stone has become an iconic moment in film. Although not the essence of the film, it is part of the character she portrays, a rebellious bisexual crime novelist and first suspect in the murder of a rock star, Johnny Boz. This murder is being investigated by Nick Curran (Michael Douglas), who quickly becomes entangled in the whole twisted and mysterious case as well as in a sizzling affair with the beautiful blonde woman. It’s worth watching for its excellent crime story and intense and torrid cat-and-mouse game that will leave you glued to the screen wanting more. You can watch ‘Basic Instinct’ here.
8. Pretty Woman (1990)
Much has been written about the onscreen chemistry of Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. One just needs to watch the films they did together to understand what the buzz around them is all over. There is an ease in their body language, making their chemistry so warm and palpable on screen. Also, they complement each other so perfectly. Richard Gere’s worldly wise nature is the perfect tool to calm Julia Roberts’ restless, overcharged personality. ‘Pretty Woman’ is one of the most loved romantic comedies, and it has established its position as having one of the most celebrated pairs of onscreen lovers of all time. You can watch the film here.
7. Mr and Mrs Smith (2005)
Together, they are the torchbearers of 21st-century pop culture. They are the epitome of living, walking, and talking sex symbols. ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ did its job of presenting its impossibly gorgeous leads in a manner that entertained the audiences while maintaining their sex appeal intact all throughout. Every frame of the film was an opportunity for ‘Brangelina’ to look good, kick some asses and make passionate love. It is also said that their romance blossomed on the sets of this film. You can watch the film here.
6. Unfaithful (2002)
With adultery as a subject matter, ‘Unfaithful’ turned up the heat to tell a tale of forbidden love. It turned out to be quite a crowd pleasure due to its explicit and no-holds-barred scenes of lovemaking. Olivier Martinez, as the ex-flame/seducer, oozed irresistible charm with his piercing looks and smile. It was, however, Diane Lane who stole the show with her vulnerable act as a woman torn between lust and loyalty. There was undeniable chemistry between the two, and they hardly left anything to the imagination in acting out their passion for each other. You can watch ‘Unfaithful’ here.
5. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
The list would be incomplete without mentioning the path-breaking romance between the two male leads in Ang Lee’s ‘Brokeback Mountain.’ The depiction of LGBT romance in cinema can be defined as pre- and post-the aforementioned film. It stands out for its no-frills depiction of feelings between two individuals who defy gender and societal norms. The actors – Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal – deserve all the accolades in the world for portraying two homosexual lovers because not many A-list actors would dare to do so. The testament to the actors’ dedication can be seen and felt in the way they portrayed the roles without a sense of preconceived notions. You can watch the film here.
4. The Apartment (1996)
The film’s leads, Monica Bellucci and Vincent Cassel, are primarily European film stars and are known for taking creative liberties and pushing the envelope when it comes to expressing emotions of any kind on screen. They first came together in the critically acclaimed French mystery-drama ‘The Apartment’ – a film that made the world take notice of their sparkling chemistry. They continued their onscreen collaboration in five more films, notably in the controversial ‘Irréversible’ (2002). The fact that they were real-life husband and wife adds to the magic of their reel appeal.
3. The Notebook (2004)
In the screen adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ ‘The Notebook,’ director Nick Cassavetes found the perfect cast in Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams to play two passionate lovers who overcome societal prejudices and the harshness of time to spend their life together. Critics felt the film fell short of the book, but the language of love overpowered a hit-and-miss screenplay and found acceptance among the viewers. The seamless chemistry between the leads played a huge part in the film’s success, including those all-embracing kisses shared between Gosling and McAdams. You can watch ‘The Notebook’ here.
2. Dirty Dancing (1987)
Some films are meant to be timeless, and ‘Dirty Dancing’ with its titillating dance moves and rebellious tone has rightfully earned its place in the timeless club. Jennifer Grey’s Baby, who was on the verge of sexual awakening, finds her paramour in Patrick Swayze’s light-footed but strict Johnny. They meet on a dance floor and eventually dance their way to each other’s hearts. Their spot-on physical chemistry and suggestive gyrations made them youth icons overnight. The effect of their popularity can be guessed from the fact that ‘Dirty Dancing’ became the first movie to sell more than one million copies on home video. You can watch the film here.
1. Out of Sight (1998)
What happens when two inherently sexy movie stars come together for a thrilling ride involving prison breaks, guns, cars, and perfectly toned bodies? Hell breaks loose, and the temperature goes up to the maximum. The electrifying chemistry that Clooney and Lopez displayed in ‘Out of Sight’ was lapped up by critics and audiences alike. Of course, Steven Soderbergh’s able direction helped. You can watch ‘Out of Sight’ here.
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