Valentine’s Day is upon us and while there are several romance movies out there to stream, sometimes it’s fun to spice things up.
The recent release of the popular Nicole Kidman movie Babygirl proved two key things, Kidman really knows how to drink a glass of milk, and audiences love a lusty movie.
In fact, audiences always have loved a little bit of raunchiness on screen.
The Fifty Shades of Grey franchise was a huge success a decade ago, and time and time again box office sales have proved that racy storylines sell.
Whether it’s a workplace affair, a BDSM love story, or a masked orgy, sometimes risqué simply is the order of the day.
So if you’re sick of streaming true love on screen and fancy watching something a little more racy, give these seven films a go…
Fatal Attraction (1987)
When this film came out it redefined the genre of psychological thriller, sparking a string of copycat films in subsequent years.
Directed by Adrian Lyne and written by James Dearden, the anti-Valentine’s movie stars Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, and Anne Archer.
The plot follows Dan Gallagher (Douglas), a philandering lawyer whose one night of indiscretion with Alex Forrest (Close) leads to deadly consequences.
When Dan calls things off with Alex in an attempt to save his marriage to Beth (Archer), Alex begins to exhibit increasingly disturbing behaviour that sends Dan spiralling into paranoia.
As disturbing as the film is at times, it’s also decidedly steamy, with the chemistry between Close and Douglas sizzling all the way to the closing credits.
Where to watch: Netflix
Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Eyes Wide Shut is a Stanley Kubrick classic starring Nicole Kidman.
This 1999 erotic mystery psychological drama film is almost as famous for the drama behind the scenes as it is for its rollercoaster plot.
Starring Kidman alongside her then-husband Tom Cruise, the film centres on a doctor (Tom Cruise) who is tormented by his wife’s (Kidman) revelation that she was previously interested in being sexually unfaithful.
His angst leads him into a masked orgy and he soon finds himself entangled in the dark and dangerous games of a mysterious secret society.
Kidman and Cruise are electric in their own right, with plenty of other steamy details throughout the film to hold the viewer’s attention.
Where to watch: Netflix
Lady Chatterley’s Lover (2022)
Based on the scandalous 1928 classic novel, this adaptation is dripping in sex appeal.
A historical romantic drama film directed by Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre from a screenplay by David Magee, stars Emma Corrin and Jack O’Connell as forbidden lovers.
The film follows Constance ‘Connie’ Reid (Corrin) as she moves from London to the impressive Chatterley estate with her new husband Sir Clifford Chatterley.
But after he’s left impotent by a war wound, Connie strikes up a heated affair with the ruggedly handsome groundskeeper (O’Connell).
If you like weird power dynamics and seeing people get down and dirty in groves of ferns, this film is definitely for you.
Where to watch: Netflix
Duck Butter (2018)
Directed by Miguel Arteta, from a screenplay by Arteta and Alia Shawkat, Duck Butter is a touchstone film in lesbian and queer women’s circles.
It stars Shawkat, Laia Costa, Mae Whitman, Hong Chau, and Kate Berlant and is definitely not the kind of film you want to watch on family movie night or in mixed company.
The plot follows actress Nima (Shawkat) as she struggles to connect with a role she has in an upcoming film. After she’s told she lacks vulnerability, she ends up going home with a woman named Sergio (Costa) after a night out.
The pair discuss spending 24 hours with a person – including having sex once per hour – in order to ‘fast forward’ a relationship.
After initially rejecting the idea, Nima decides she wants to do it after she loses the role in the film, hoping it will help her learn to be more vulnerable.
What follows an extremely intimate and erotic portrait of female desire.
Where to watch: Netflix
Basic Instinct (1992)
Once again starring the king of erotic thrillers, Michael Douglas, Basic Instinct is a steamy and psychologically gripping film ranked among the greats of the genre.
Directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas, the hit film stars Douglas opposite Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Wayne Knight.
The plot follows San Francisco police detective Nick Curran (Douglas) as he investigates the brutal murder of a wealthy rock star.
Soon, he embarks on an addictive but tumultuous affair with Catherine Tramell (Stone) who is also the prime suspect in the case.
As tense as it is sexy, Basic Instinct is a must-see for anyone.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)
Based on the best-selling 2011 book by E. L. James that brought BDSM into the mainstream upon its publication, Fifty Shades of Grey is a blush-worthy watch.
Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson from a screenplay by Kelly Marcel, the film stars Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle, and Marcia Gay Harden.
The story is one of sexual possession and obsession and follows Anastasia Steele (Johnson), as she begins a sadomasochistic relationship with a powerful businessman named Christian Grey (Dornan).
As Anastasia learns more about her sexuality and sense of self through the affair, she also slowly begins to uncover secrets about Christian.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Unfaithful
From the director of Fatal Attraction and an Indecent Proposal, Unfaithful is an Oscar-nominated erotic thriller about a thrilling affair.
Edward Summer (Richard Gere) and his wife Connie (Diane Lane) are perfectly happy with their suburban life until one day Connie meets a dashing young man named Paul who comes to her aid in a time of need.
Paul and Connie then begin to have an affair as her husband Edward becomes more and more suspicious about his wife’s new demeanour.
The movie was a huge box office hit when it was released in 2002 and earned Lane a nomination for the best actress academy award.
Where to watch: Prime Video
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