History of Sex in Film:

Reference Introduction

What are the Criteria for the Greatest and Most Influential Sexual Films (and Scenes) of All Time?

In the context of the sexual revolution that has evolved in film-making, therefore, one must ask:

"What makes an influential, ground-breaking, and/or memorable erotic (or sexual) film?"

These are at least some of the ingredients for a great erotic film:

• the ground-breaking or controversial nature and influence of its film scenes
• the degree to which the sex is gratuitous or not
• the presence of a semi- or un-clothed celebrity or actor/actress
• the level of sensuality generated
• the build-up to the scene in question
• the revelation of character
• the unique use of nudity or non-nudity
• the lush photography
• the scene's degree of fantasy or realism
• the integration of the scene into the entire film's plot
• the passion or emotion of the relationship

Recent Surveys, Lists of Best/Top Films and/or Scenes with Links:

Many magazines, other publications, articles and websites have purported to have the definitive collection of the milestone sex scenes in cinema, in various numbers: the top 10, the hottest 25, the 10 most favorite, the best ever-filmed, the top 100, etc. Most lists do not include criteria or an explanation of any sort, except to say that the list includes favorites, 'hot' and 'steamy' scenes, controversial or ground-breaking scenes, memorable circumstances, sexy celebrities, or beautiful photography. However, it is clear that there are certain key scenes in films that are often invoked, noted, or influential in pushing back or extending the boundaries of sexual expression on the screen.

Here is a listing of the most recent surveys of erotic sex on-screen, from various websites that have purported to provide answers about the 'hottest', 'sexiest', or most influential films (or scenes). Many may drop off the Web quickly (this list updated June 2025):

• Cinemaholic's 25 Best Movie Sex Scenes of All Time
• Complex's The 25 Greatest Moments of Female Nudity in Hollywood Movies
• Complex's The 25 Most Important Full Frontal Nude Scenes In Movies
• Complex's The 40 Sexiest Movie Sex Scenes of All Time
• Cosmopolitan's 77 Best Sex Scenes in Movies for Your Ultimate Viewing Pleasure
• the E! Channel - Jenny McCarthy (YouTube video): What Hollywood Taught Us About Sex (2005)
• Esquire's The 68 Sexiest Movies of All Time
• Esquire's 70 of the Hottest Movie Sex Scenes Ever Filmed
• IndieLondon's (Empire's) Sexiest, Sex-Free Film Moments
  
  
• Filmsite's Sex in Cinema (by year)
  
• Filmsite's Sexiest Films of All Time (in three parts)
• Filmsite's Description of Sexual-Erotic Films Genre (history, multiple parts)
• Filmsite's Sexy Hollywood Bombshells
  
  
• Harper's Bazaar's 75 Best Movie Sex Scenes
• IndieWire's Unsimulated Sex Scenes in Film
• IndieWire's 10 Most Controversial Sex Scenes
• IndieWire's The Best Sex Scenes of the 21st Century (ranked)
• Marie Claire's The 50 Best Sexy Romantic Movies With Steamy Love Scenes
• Marie Claire's 40 Tasteful Nude Movies That Feel Like Art
• Mr. Skin.com Top 100 Celebrity Nude Scenes of All-Time
• Mr. Skin.com Top 150 Nude Scenes of All-Time (subscription required)
• Popsugar's The Best Movie Sex Scenes to Watch Right Now
• ScreenCrush's The 25 Best Sex Scenes of the Last 25 Years
• SF Gate's and Mick La Salle's The Great Sex Scenes in Cinema History
• Stylecaster's 37 Sexy Movie Scenes of All Time
• Thought Catalog's 6 Lesbian Films
• TimeOut's The 101 Best Sex Scenes in Movies of All Time

Recommended Videos, Books on Sex in Cinema: