Whether you stand on the ‘art reflects life’ side of the argument or believe ‘life reflects art’, both pretty much seem acceptable– even a little exciting– with reference to the sex scenes in cinema. Now, don’t pretend like you haven’t noticed the hierarchy of sexual teasers within the realm of mass movie media. There are the PG-13 scenes that tug on your heart-strings and make you giggle with the suggestion of sexual tension, there are the R-Rated full throttle, leave-you-throttled scenes dripping with explicit sexual content, and then there is everything delightfully in between. Without much suspense (because that’s what the scenes are for) here are HCHarvard’s favorite movie sex scenes:
[Warning: Explicit material may follow]
- Love and Other Drugs (2010)
Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway make their audiences blush and even squirm in the movie theater with this sexy hit. This top rom/com/dram really set a high standard for co-star sexual chemistry. There’s a kitchen sex scene that’ll really get you, but the true winner here is their oh-so-loving sex scene.
Plot pun: Gyllenhall’s character is a Viagra rep. Gotta love Hollywood… #TeamJake
- Sleeping with Other People (2015)
This movie is a real hidden gem. There’s a lot to love about this movie beyond its sex or sex-related scenes, but given the movie title, I’m sure you already know these scenes are above and beyond the average rom/com. Worth a watch—heck! I even recommend taking notes!
#DirtyDJ (You’ll understand later, just thank me now)
- The First Time (2012)
For a first-time tale, Dylan O’Brien and Britt Robertson really take you there. The tension and awkward heat is so relatable and leaves audiences reminiscing of forbidden teen heat. We’ve all been there: that oh no, its probably about to happen, what do i do!? moment.
All I know is, damn I wish I wore an outfit like that my first time. So subtle, so hot.
Scene also features a oh-so-hot body slide. Thank you Dylan, we appreciate the move.
- Two Night Stand (2014)
GUYS GUYS GUYS (and girls, it’s just a colloquial term) this movie includes a full-on sex tutorial!! Two strangers post- one night stand get snowed in together and hilariousness ensues. Miles Teller and Analeigh Tipton get together for some steamy and funny winter-time sexy-time equipped with clogged toilets, breaking and entering, and a pretty damn good strip-tease.
Look at that face of utter appreciation for Tipton’s striptease.
- Step Brothers (2008)
I wouldn’t say the sex scene is really “great” persay, but hilarious honorable mention for Stepbrothers and that die-laughing bathroom sex scene.
No comment.
- The Notebook (2004)
The slow piece by piece undressing in their first time scene is enough to make anyone squirm, but damn does Gosling get you with those jaw clenches. Holding himself back…!! *swoon* The real award-winning scene, however, is when Noah and Allie finally unite after years of being apart. This movie really established Gosling as a Romance god. No wonder he’s the face of the ‘Hey Babe’ memes.
Horizontally? Yes, please!
- Blue Valentine (2010)
Yet another golden Gosling romance flick. This guy spells romance with the curve of his lips and the movement of his hips, I swear! When he’s leaning over Michelle Williams, necklace dangling down, mouthing the words to You and Me—that’ll getcha.
- Titanic (1997)
Hand on steamy window….iconic.
I-C-O-N-I-C
- Dirty Dancing (1987)
Much less explicit than the more recent cinematic sex scenes, but still damn worthy of making the list. Baby teaches audience members to take control of the situation and go after what they want. The hips…the lips… rhythm and caress…and all the camera focus on the neck—I don’t get it, but boy does it work!
See what I mean?
- Cruel Intentions (1999)
I don’t know what I like more, Sarah Michelle Gellar’s sex manipulation and downright evil sex-fiend spirit or innocent, young Reese Witherspoon’s touching first-time scene. This movie ranks amongst the best for both its posed, teasing ‘almost’ scenes and its steamy, low-lit true sex scene. You get the best of both worlds–from the sex vixen to the angelic virgin–all in one film!
- Deadpool (2016)
1. Ryan Reynolds, 2. Absolutely out-of-this-world hilarious. F*cking a whole year round??? WHO IS THE BRILLIANT HUMAN WHO THOUGHT OF THIS SCENE? Two thumbs up and an oscar to this movie’s epic sex scene.
Round of applause
- 8 Mile (2002)
This movie really shows the true art of a quicky. “Rabbit” really, apparently knew what he was doing–no wonder they named a vibrator after him!
RIP Brittany Murphy. You’re missed.
- The Atonement (2007)
Dripping with sexual tension and a sense of forbidden love, this epic library sex scene really makes any and all Widener quickies look so poorly sub-par. Sorry your library sex couldn’t live up to this golden hollywood standard, but at least you can watch a scene like this!
- The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Margot Robbie. Bed of money. Need I say more?
But really, this movie makes just about everything sexy. Props to the producer, director, actors, lighting manager, makeup artists, anyone and everyone on set or a part of its making. Well done, all around.
- Black Swan (2010)
Wildly ravenous, forbidden and dark af. Natalie Portmanand Mila Kunis really spice up this dark, twisted drama and add heat in this oral sex scene. Wild twist, but the visuals are far worth the watch—as is the rest of the movie, of course.
- Gone Girl (2014)
No, the scene referenced here is not the wild, murder/sex scene (RIP NPH). The scene we feel really makes audiences ~feel~ is the scene where Ben Affleck goes down on his to-be BATSH*T CRAZY wife. The scene is incredibly epic and totally fits within the epic, twisting suspenseful plotline of the movie. Only complaint I have about about Gone Girl is that it makes Harvard girls look wildly unstable.
Great lighting, don’t you think?
- Fear (1996)
Not really a sex scene, but a sexy scene that’s for sure. Fear really sparks the teenager in all of us–making hormones race with an incredible, first-base rollercoaster scene. Young Marky Mark and Reese Witherspoon make teen love and its sexual conquests look so damn good (even though we all know it only gets better from there). Leaving out the awkward, first time vibe, this scene makes viewers want to hop on the nearest rollercoaster and get all handsy themselves!
Look at that young, beautiful face!
And now for the honorable mentions!
- Grey’s Anatomy
- Gossip Girl
- Vampire Diaries
And of course,
- Crazy, Stupid, Love (2012)’s almost sex scene with Ryan Gosling (yet again) and Emma Stone