It isn’t always about sex, but rather the tension, passion and heat oozing from the screen. These steamy romance movies have it all.
Steamy romance movies are not always as cheesy as steamy romance novels. They can actually have some amazing acting, wonderful plots, and of course, sexy scenes.
Whether you are stuck in a rut, in the mood for some loving, or just want to turn movie night into something a whole lot hotter, check out this undeniable list of steamy romance movies to get you in the mood. [Read: How to get in the mood]
The love of steamy romance movies
The love of steamy romance movies is nothing new. People have loved these films since film was created. And it isn’t just about the sex.
Steamy romance movies are about the chemistry between the characters, the music, the passion, and the tension.
These movies can get you in the mood, help you release any tension, or be a good prerequisite to some of your own steamy romance. [Read: Sexy questions for couples to keep their spark]
Steamy romance movies
Sure, action-packed, horror, and chick-flicks are all well and good to watch, but sometimes, you need to add some zest to your movie night. If you’re looking for something steamy to watch alone or with your partner, then gear up because we have some of the best steamy romance movies that you must see.
1. Nymphomaniac: Volume I and II
Lars Von Trier, without a doubt, has to be on this list of steamy romance movies. The Nymphomaniac movies tell the story of a sex addict. Okay, each movie is over two hours long, but it’s worth it. The films go into depth about the character and what made her do what she does. Is there nudity? Yes. Are there moments that make you squirm? Yes. It has it all – even some spanking. [Read: BDSM tips and tricks for curious first timers]
2. Blue Is the Warmest Color
This French film tells the story of a teenage girl exploring her sexuality with a blue-haired art student. It’s a passionate love story, and because it’s a French film, add another layer of passion on top.
Once you press play, you won’t be able to stop watching, so if you have any plans, cancel them because this movie is over three hours long. The scenes are extremely sexual and passionate. And there’s quite a bit of nudity, so don’t watch this with your parents—it won’t be fun for you.
3. I Am Love
Sex and drama, how can the two not go together? Most people think she looks like an alien, but Tilda Swinton plays quite the sex kitten in this film. Coming from a Russian-born matriarch of a rich Italian family who has an affair with the chef. Unfortunately, the affair threatens to completely ruin the life she has—Dun dun duuuuun.
4. Y Tu Mana Tambien
What do you get when you have two young teenage guys and a 28-year-old married woman on a road trip together? Well, you’ll have to watch this steamy romance movie to see. Trust me. This movie includes everything that’s probably going through your mind.
It covers a decent amount of fantasies you may be dreaming about. Alfonso Cuaron also directs it, and if you don’t know who he is, he directed Children of Men and Gravity—so it’s going to be good. [Read: 12 arousing sex fantasies to try in real life]
5. Fatal Attraction
Here’s the storyline: Man has an affair with a woman, man wants it to end, the woman doesn’t want to end it and goes insane. This is a classic storyline, but Fatal Attraction is the first “woman goes insane after affair” storyline. It’s heated, it’s passionate, it’s naughty. And it’s from the 80s, so they all have crazy hairdos.
6. Gloria
There aren’t too many movies out there that focus around middle-aged people and are also steamy. Usually, it’s always about young, hot people, but in this case, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. This Chilean film follows the story of a middle-aged, divorced woman looking for love by going to singles’ dance clubs. Does she find love? Of course. Does it come with its own drama? How could it not?
7. Basic Instinct
The movie created Sharon Stone and the interrogation scene, which made her into the sex symbol she is today. Stone’s character, a crime novelist, becomes a suspect in the death of a rock star.
The point is, she seduced the homicide detective into a steamy relationship. The classic situation I’m sure all of us have been in. Anyways, just watch it. You can’t go wrong with watching this movie.
8. Dirty Dancing
There’s just something about Patrick Swayze that will forever turn me on. I think it’s the arms. Anyways, this movie made Patrick a sex symbol. Plus, did you see his dance moves? That’s one graceful man. It’s pretty steamy. I mean, the way he lifts her… mmmm… so strong.
Oh, right, the movie. This rich family goes on summer holidays at a resort where Baby, Jennifer Grey, dancing with the dance instructor, Johnny, aka. Patrick Swayze. Yeah, now you got the wheels turning. [Read: 11 date night movies to get you both in the mood]
9. Cruel Intentions
Ah, Reese, innocent Reese. Basically, Reese Witherspoon’s character, Annette, writes an article in Seventeen Magazine about her wanting to have sex with her boyfriend until they get married. Well, as you can imagine—the challenge was accepted. Her boyfriend in the film was Ryan Phillippe. We all know they ended up getting married in real life, so you can only imagine how intense the scenes are between them.
10. Young & Beautiful
This movie tells the story of a teenage girl experimenting with her sexuality by secretly being a prostitute. It’s interesting to see what hides behind her innocent face. Is she hiding it from her friends and family? Yes. So, you can only imagine the buildup in this film.
It’s intense and oh-so-steamy. It’s in subtitles—oh, don’t you sigh! Reading is great, and trust me, and this movie is worth it.
11. Boogie Nights
This was when Marky Mark was just sprouting into the limelight. Mark Wahlberg stars as a young man in the 70s, getting into the porn industry. There is a prosthetic penis in the film, but you can pretend it’s the real deal. That’s what I did—it helps me sleep better at night.
If you think Boogie Nights is all about glamour, well, you’re half right, but it also depicts the darkness in the porn industry. [Read: Uncovered secrets about the female porn industry]
12. Sleeping Beauty
A young college student becomes a niche sex worker for a high-end brothel, where customers pay to touch her while she sleeps. It doesn’t sound creepy at all, eh? It’s an amazingly odd film. Emily Browning does an amazing job, and she’s basically nude for half of the film. Which kudos to her, that takes balls—figuratively speaking.
13. Fifty Shades of Grey
How could this movie not be on this list? This is the definition of steamy romance movie, and it has a few more in its saga. Based on the books that were originally fan fiction for Twilight, this is the adult version of a dark, brooding guy who falls for a simple yet unique lady.
Instead of vampires and werewolves, BDSM, stalkers, and revenge take their romance from PG-13 to R-rated.
14. Call Me By Your Name
The beauty of the Italian scenery, the romance, the ’80s attire, it is all stunning. The budding romance between a seventeen-year-old student and the man his father hired as his research assistant blossoms over an unforgettable summer.
15. Out of Sight
Jack Foley, played by the handsome George Clooney, is the most successful bank robber in the country. But, upon breaking out of prison, he meets Karen Sisco, played by Jennifer Lopez. Although she is everything he wants in a woman, she is also a federal marshal.
They have to choose between their jobs, the law, and their romance. [Read: How to have great sex]
16. Unfaithful
This erotic thriller stars Richard Gere and Diane Lane as a married couple, but things aren’t as good as they may seem. Gere’s character discovers his wife has been lying about an affair, but instead of fighting, counseling, or other methods, he confronts her lover. From there, the rage he experiences is like nothing he’s felt before.
17. Titanic
This is a classic among the classics. It has everything you want in a movie, especially a hot and steamy romance movie. The Romeo and Juliet type of passion and longing that is all going down during a crisis is heartbreaking, hot, and unforgettable.
18. How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Stella is a stockbroker who is less than unlucky in love. But, when her friend, played by Whoppi Goldberg, whisks her o to Jamaica, she engages in a sexy fling with a younger man. But, by the end of her vacation, she realizes it might be more than she bargained for. Can their relationship withstand their age difference and geographical distance? [Read: Hot sex ideas to blow your partner’s mind]
19. The Girl Next Door
High school senior, Matthew Kidman, played by Emile Hirsch, is an overachiever to the point of boredom. But, his dull life is uprooted when he falls for his new neighbor. His fantasies of her are spun out of control when he finds out she is a porn star. But his emotions are deep. He discovers his sheltered life was nothing compared to love and adventure.
20. Blue Valentine
Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams star in this understated romance. They play a couple living a seemingly simple life. But as you watch, you see their relationship slip away. What seemed to have so much potential is ruined by everyday problems.
21. Brokeback Mountain
Rodeo cowboy, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, and ranch hand, played by Heath Ledger, are hired as sheepherders in Wyoming. One night after a drunken move, they start an affair that spans marriages, children, and 20 years.
22. Ghost
This is not your classic steamy romance movie. One of the sexiest scenes in the film takes place between a woman and the ghost of her lover. Not only does the love and passion between these two outlive even death, but there is a crime to solve in the midst of this heartbreaking tale. [Read: 60 most romantic movies in the world]
23. After
In her first year of college, a young and inexperienced woman begins dating a bad boy with a poor attitude, violent outbursts, and secrets. Although he seems to respect her desire to slow things down physically, their passion overwhelms her, and they have sex. This seems to derail a lot of her plans for her life, and things become hazy.
24. Eyes Wide Shut
This erotic mystery stars former married couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Crusie’s character is shocked to discover that his wife has had fantasies about cheating on him. From there, he becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter, so much so that he finds himself in the middle of an orgy.
25. Black Swan
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis star in this dark, twisted yet steamy romance movie. They are rival ballerinas that form an erotic relationship. This connection and the overarching atmosphere of the ballet “Swan Lake” causes Portman’s character, Nina, to develop a dark side.
[Read: Get in the mood with these 15 movies with a lot of sex]
So, grab some popcorn, get snuggled underneath the sheets, and watch one of these steamy films. Who knows, maybe one of these movies will inspire you and your partner?
