Learning about sexuality is never a bad thing—it might even help you to explore your own in more detail. These films about sexuality will open your mind.
Movies aren’t just designed to entertain, they’re also there to educate and help people explore different themes. Similarly, films about sexuality aren’t only there for the thrill, they can also help people who are struggling with their own sexuality and need a broader view.
The movie suggestions below explore certain very specific themes of sex and sexuality. Although several are quite steamy, they are considered true classics, not only in the genre but in cinema in general.
One only has to look at the names of the directors of masterpieces, such as Kubrick, Bunuel, Bogdanovich, and Malle, to see how important this theme has been to movie makers across generations. [Read: List of sexualities – 15 gender orientations you need to know about]
The best movies about sexuality
You might have heard of some of these movies about sexuality or you might not have. Either way, add them to your watch list and enjoy them at your leisure.
1. Belle de Jour
Katherine Deneuve’s protagonist is a frigid, cold, and unapproachable figure to her husband, having grown dissatisfied with her “vanilla” sex life.
To compensate, she begins to prostitute herself during his absence to explore her so-far unexplored sordid side. [Read: Married sex – 38 sex ideas and naughty tips to spice it up and stay passionate]
2. The Graduate
Not only containing one of cinema’s most famous quotes—”Why, Mrs. Robinson… are you trying to seduce me?”—it also explores the age-old theme of the mature seductress and the young, confused male object of her desires. See Dustin Hoffman in an early and truly memorable performance.
3. Boogie Nights
This movie is a little more tongue-in-cheek than most and provides many a laugh along the way. But it also explores the rise to success of porn star Dirk Diggler, as well as exploring the sexual and emotional relationships he develops along the way.
4. Lolita
This story of one man’s obsession with a teenage girl so famously encapsulates the theme that its title is now used to describe the younger half of such a relationship. This is great cinema done exceedingly tastefully. [Read: Age gap in relationships and the truths to date someone younger or older]
5. The Last Picture Show
Nowhere and at no time in one’s life is sex and sexuality more important than in the years surrounding the transition to adulthood.
In a small American town, a group of young layabouts come to terms with their own desires and passions.
6. American Beauty
A man is passing through a mid-life crisis and his daughter acquires a beautiful friend; it’s always going to be a recipe for disaster.
This is especially the case when he finally realizes how far off the mark he was in believing that she was attracted to him, too. There’s also a surprise dabble with the issues of homosexuality and homophobia.
7. Last Tango in Paris
After meeting, two people decide to avoid the complications of a normal relationship by hiding their identities from each other. Warning: this film is also notorious for a violent sexual scene. [Read: Toxic relationships – what it is, 107 signs, causes, and types of love that hurt you]
8. Blue is The Warmest Color
A beautifully made film about sexuality which sensitively and sensually explores the issue of sexual identity as two high school girls fall in love.
It’s the nearest thing to a recent masterpiece, so definitely add it to your to-watch list.
9. Heavenly Creatures
The darker side of a lesbian relationship is explored in this film, with a young Kate Winslet playing the seductress to a neighbor. Deep obsession and extant cultural values lead to a disastrous end. [Read: 18 empowering reasons to love being a lesbian!]
10. Fifty Shades of Gray
Although slightly out of place in terms of the superior quality that most other films on this list seem to possess, it would be remiss to leave out the film that took the world by storm. This one deals with the dominant/submissive relationship between billionaire Christian Gray and a young reporter.
11. Brokeback Mountain
Showing that homosexuality isn’t just confined to city-slickers, the burgeoning relationship between two hardened cowboys is truly heart-warming. [Read: 35 signs to tell if a guy is gay and what to do if your boyfriend is bisexual]
12. The Crying Game
Although this movie about sexuality is a thriller revolving around the IRA and a planned assault upon London, it is the protagonist’s relationship with a young lady that provides the eye-opener. And we really do mean an eye-opener. Watch it and see for yourself!
13. Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
Looking back at the golden age of free love, this film very sensibly explores the dedicated foursome and the emotional issues that may arise as a result of a couple spreading their sexual wings. [Read: Swingers lifestyle – 61 secrets and tips to enter the erotic world of swinging]
14. The Seven Year Itch
A Marilyn Monroe classic, this a more light-hearted look at the theme of sexual obsession and how it can lead to adultery. Great performances all round.
15. Turn Me On, Dammit!
If you’re really in need of a break from films about sexuality that seem a little too patriarchal in their handling of the subject, then check out this film all about female empowerment—a true breath of fresh air.
16. Kids
An intriguing look at how young lives are being affected by HIV. The camera follows the protagonist around the city as she attempts to locate her only sexual partner. [Read: 17 condom types, their secrets, and ways to spice up your sex life with them]
17. Sex & The City
Although not everyone’s cup of tea, the familiar ensemble of four ladies living in New York City provides its own take on modern city sex and sexuality.
18. My Own Private Idaho
One of Keanu Reeves’ early films, this film is a great romp of a sexual road trip. Two homosexual friends are riding on the back of a motorcycle all the way across the U.S. on a quest to find a family member.
19. Murmur of The Heart
This film is the quirky story of a 14-year-old boy experiencing sexuality for the first time vicariously through the experiences of his older brothers, as well as a rather too comfortably developed oedipal complex. [Read: Teenage love stories – A reunion of teenage love]
20. Shadows
Shot amid the color and energy of the 50s Jazz era, Cassavetes’ gritty masterpiece is a wonderful piece of cinema, exploring romance, sex, and interracial relationships. [Read: Movie date – how to build sexual chemistry and create the perfect date]
21. Blue Jean
Set in 1980s England, Blue Jean is the story of Jean, who desperately tries to hide her sexuality to keep her job, but feels conflicted and wants to shout it out to the world. Gritty and extremely realistic, this film isn’t one to miss.
22. Rule 34
This film about sexuality centers around Simone, a law student and women’s rights advocate. During the evening hours, she is a sex cam performer with a desire to explore the darker sides of her sexuality.
23. How to Please a Woman
This comedy explores the lighter side of sexuality. Gina’s friends gift her a male escort for her 50th birthday, who helps her to explore different sides of herself. Although she does ask him to clean the house at first! [Read: 30 ways to please a woman and get her addicted sexually and emotionally]
24. Black Narcissus (Passion of The Swamp)
This is a slightly different type of film compared to the others on our list. In it, a former pornography director is the commentator.
The movie is about a porn start who endures a doomed romance with the woman of his dreams.
25. Paloma
Here, we follow the story of Paloma, a transgender woman who dreams of marrying the man of her dreams in a church. However, their relationship is not recognized by the Catholic Church. A sad and poignant story, but one brought to life by the amazing imagery in the film.
26. My Policeman
Firstly, fans of Harry Styles will want to watch this movie. But aside from that, it’s a wonderful story of a relationship in the 1950s that is affected by the arrival of a dark stranger and how his presence forces them to deal with their previous issues. [Read: Being sex positive – why this matters and why you need to get on board]
27. Orgasm Inc: The Story of One Taste
More of a documentary than a film, Orgasm Inc explores the history of OneTaste, a former organization dedicated to slow sex and orgasmic meditation.
28. Firebird
Firebird is a heartbreaking movie, based on real-life events. We follow Sergey, a soldier in the Soviet army and his fighter pilot love. The story takes place during the Cold War and it’s extremely realistic.
29. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande
Nancy Stokes has never had an orgasm, despite years of marriage. When her husband dies, she decides to throw caution to the wind and hires a male prostitute.
From there, we follow the budding relationship between the two as Nancy discovers new sides of herself. [Read: 21 secrets to be more sexual and fall in love with the sexy side of you]
30. 99 Moons
When love is so obsessively strong and desire takes hold, what happens? In this film about sexuality, we find out, as we follow a couple with a need for one another so strong, it almost destroys everything.
31. Crash
Sex and danger have always been carefully linked, and in this film we follow couples who turn the extreme sexual energy generated by their car accidents to push their sex lives to new extremes.
32. I’m a Girl, I’m a Princess
This film is based on a true story that takes place in Argentina. It follows the story of Luana, a twin born male who never connected with her gender assigned at birth.
The story follows their parents as they learn to deal with the realization and Luana’s journey to be her true self. [Read: The different types of gender and why you really need to know them]
33. Tucked
Tucked is a sometimes lighthearted and sometimes heartbreaking story that follows two drag queens: one 80 years old and one just beginning his journey in drag.
Both struggle with their personal identities and life’s challenges, but they find solace in one another and learn to come to terms with who they truly are.
34. Our Bodies Are Your Battlefields
This hard-hitting film about sexuality follows two transgender women named Violeta and Claudia and their fight against the patriarchy in their home country of Argentina.
35. X
If you’re into old-fashioned slasher/horror movies, X is for you. A group of actors rent a house with the intention to film an adult movie. However, the two elderly owners of the house have other ideas and plan a massacre. [Read: Porn for women – why do we like it and where can we find it?]
36. The Unicorn
All too often, a couple’s decision to spice up their sex life with a threesome turns complicated, and The Unicorn shows why.
Caleb and Malory head to Palm Springs for a wedding and have a threesome. Yet, the reality of the situation is far from ideal and it forces them to address major issues in their relationship.
37. Nudo Mixteco
This film about sexuality follows three women as they explore their sexuality in a conservative and patriarchal society. Set in a rural part of Mexico, the landscapes are as breathtaking as the acting. [Read: Sexually fluid – what it means, how it feels, and how to make sense of it]
38. Tremors
Life doesn’t always lead us down the path we envisage, and that’s exactly what this film is about. An evangelical man is married and lives a conservative and traditional life. However, he falls in love with another man and everything he knew falls to pieces.
39. Matar a la Bestia
On a journey to find her missing brother, a girl searches the dangerous border area between Brazil and Argentina.
Here, she struggles against an identity crisis, a deeply religious environment, and a mysterious beast roaming the area. [Read: The 15 books every woman should read in their lifetime]
40. One Fine Morning
The hard-hitting One Fine Morning follows a mother with a young daughter who is also caring for her sick father. We explore life through her eyes, as she tries to fit love into her life, already packed with so many responsibilities.
41. Death of a Virgin And The Sin of Not Living
This gentle yet impactful film follows the lives of a group of friends as they navigate the pitfalls, highs and lows that life throws our way. [Read: 36 life lessons to instantly transform your life and draw in happiness]
42. Sex Appeal
Nerdy Avery is desperately trying to plan her first time with her long-term boyfriend, but she has no clue what to do.
Sex Appeal is a sometimes comedic, sometimes heartfelt look at life through the eyes of a teenager and their first foray into the sexual world.
43. Fantasies
Fantasies is a mixture of different individuals and couples who like to explore their personal fantasies and try to understand more about how they impact upon their relationships with others. From celibacy to group sex, all fantasies are covered. [Read: Arousing sex fantasies to try in real life]
44. Colors of Tobi
This heart-warming yet hard-hitting movie about sexuality follows a mother and her son as they navigate gender transition and the attitudes of others toward them. As they go on a journey of realization toward their new identity, they learn who they truly are.
45. Love And Leashes
Kinks and fetishes run amok in this comedy about a supposedly shy office worker’s secret fantasies. When their secret is exposed it leads to a contract with a colleague, allowing them both to explore their sexualities. [Read: Couples kinks list – 52 freaky and weird sexual fetishes many people indulge in]
46. Heaven Reaches Down to Earth
Tear-jerking and extremely impactful, Heaven Reaches Down to Earth follows the stories of two men from South Africa as they learn more about their sexual orientations and the desire they have for one another. All of this is set amongst some of the most stunning landscapes you’ll ever see.
47. Clouds of Sils Maria
A famous and experienced actress is forced to face up to her insecurities and the jealousy she has toward fellow actors, taking her on a journey of self-discovery.
Along the way, she meets a younger, less experienced actress and sexual tension sets their lives on fire. [Read: Am I gay? Signs and secrets you’re not straight and into the same gender]
48. More The Merrier
Not all films about sexuality have to be deep and tear-jerking! This comedy is about a woman who is desperately trying to find a balance between her budding career and her love life. She experiences quite a few hilarious hurdles along the way.
49. Superbad
Superbad is an extremely famous comedy that follows the typical lives of teenagers trying to find their way in the world. From mishaps to disasters, you’ll laugh along as the characters learn their lessons. [Read: Lessons you need to survive on your own]
50. A Tale of Love And Desire
A Tale of Love And Desire is tear-jerking and extremely impactful. We follow the story of a French-Algerian young boy who lives in a Muslim area of France and actively practices his religion. However, he falls in love with a Tunisian girl and desperately tries to fight his feelings.
51. Cobalt Blue
A traditional Indian family is ripped apart when both a sister and brother fall in love with exactly the same guy. Based on a book, this story follows hard-hitting themes of sexuality and forbidden love. [Read: 15 lessons you can learn from your own breakups]
Which of these films about sexuality will you watch first?
These films about sexuality cover a huge range of themes and will certainly make you stop and think after watching them. You’ll laugh, cry, and question many things about society and perhaps your own life.
But the question is: which will you watch first?
[Read: Happy sex life – What a good sex life should look like in real life]
Even if you aren’t seeking any particular questions on the theme of sexuality, there is some great viewing to be had from any of these films about sexuality. Just don’t expect to walk away without having a few new questions of your own!
The post 51 Best Films About Sexuality to Explore the Sexual Layers of Desires & Curiosity is the original content of LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships.