It doesn’t matter what your relationship status is: single. Coupled. Throupled. Complicated. Sometimes you just want to sit on your couch with a big bowl of popcorn and a generous pour of your favorite sipping drink and watch a sexy romance. There’s no shame in admitting when you want something so juicy that it’ll make you hit the rewind button or drop exclamation marks into the group chat. But what makes a good sex scene? What tips the scale into steamy? It’s much more than beautiful people kissing set to a lush soundtrack or a full-nude romp in the sack. No, no. The desire is in the details. Here are a few sensuous scenes that can meet you at your preferred steam level.

Really Love

The movie: Isaiah (Kofi Siriboe) is a struggling painter from humble beginnings living in D.C. and looking for his big break. Stevie (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing) is an upper-class law student with big plans for her future. The two meet at an art exhibit and begin a passionate relationship before they realize their individual ambitions and different backgrounds may not be enough to keep them together. 

The scene: On the night of a friend’s art show, Isaiah introduces Stevie as his girlfriend, signifying a major shift in their relationship. They go back to her place, where they make love. Isaiah is seated on the bed, waiting patiently as Stevie undresses. The lighting makes the rich hues of their skin glow. Stevie is in control of the moment. More erotic than her naked breasts is the reveal of her waist beads — a chain that sits low around her midsection — which have cultural significance across the African diaspora and can be found depicted in ancient hieroglyphics. In most cultures, only your spouse is allowed to see your waist beads, so when Stevie presents herself to Isaiah, it’s a testament to their level of intimacy and how much of herself she’s sharing with him. It’s a beautiful scene that elevates the closeness between them.

What makes it steamy: The scene continues with a slow, deliberate pacing, guided sumptuously by Wong-Loi-Sing. There’s a healthy appreciation for Siriboe’s beautiful backside, giving us equal-opportunity nudity. It’s clear Stevie and Isaiah both feel like they have all the time in the world. We also get to see Stevie’s power and the intensity of Isaiah’s focus in the way he raises his body to meet hers. Stevie and Isaiah keep their eyes on each other. It creates a blooming, erotic scene, perfect for those moments when you want to watch quiet sensuality. 

Really Love

1h 35m   TV-MA   2020

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Summertime

The series: In the tourist town of Cesenatico, Italy, teenager Summer Bennati (Coco Rebecca Edogamhe) begins working at a hotel where she meets Ale Alba (Ludovico Tersigni), a well-known motorcycle racer whose mother owns the hotel. Summer and Ale clash immediately but cannot deny their attraction. The two must deal with changing friendships, family troubles, jealous exes and figuring out what they really want from their lives, but it doesn’t stop them from forming a romantic attachment. 

The scene: Summer has been dealing with the fallout from an argument with Ale, awkwardness with her two best friends and the absence of her father. Although she doesn’t like to make a big fuss about herself, Ale plans a grand romantic gesture for Summer’s 18th birthday as a way to apologize while also celebrating her. He takes the copy of Moby-Dick she’s been reading from her workplace locker and sends her on a scavenger hunt to find it. She finally arrives at the lake where the two first realized there was something between them. With flamingos squawking and the sun setting, Summer slowly moves closer to Ale. They stand quietly, breathing each other in, before she kisses him. Then Summer discovers Ale has set up a small boat filled with candles. Soon they are in the dinghy, tearing each other’s clothes off between heartfelt kisses. 

What makes it steamy: It’s not a very explicit moment. In fact, there is no nudity beyond Ale’s bare chest, so this isn’t the spiciest of love scenes. But sometimes it’s thoughtfulness that gets the blood flowing. Ale knows Summer doesn’t like to be the center of attention and enjoys quiet, so he sets up a private moment and gives her room to accept his offer. Who can deny sad eyes and candlelight on the water? Watch this when you need to be reminded that care, consideration and big gestures go a long way. 

Summertime

3 Seasons   TV-MA   2020

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The Lucky One

The movie: While serving in Iraq, Logan Thibault (Zac Efron) finds a picture of a woman, which acts as a lucky charm for him. After returning home to the States, Logan discovers her name is Beth (Taylor Schilling), finds her and gets a job at her kennel in an effort to get to know her. He struggles to tell her he found her picture and has been looking for her, but eventually the secret comes out. Beth isn’t sure she can trust him but also can’t help falling for the hunky Marine. Between her jealous ex-husband and Logan hiding the truth, the two of them have significant obstacles to overcome. 

The scene: Beth lets her guard down and starts dating Logan, which irritates her ex Keith (Jay R. Ferguson), who threatens to take custody of their child. Beth refuses to let Keith bully her any longer and tells him off, lighting a fire in her. She drives to Logan’s house, where he is using an outside shower to clean up after a hard day of manual labor. Beth barges in, joins Logan under the shower spray and, without saying a word, begins to work off the rush of adrenaline from owning her power. Still fully clothed, Logan gives her everything she needs, and it’s smoking hot.

What makes it steamy: A woman needs a little treat after standing up for herself, and sometimes that treat is a hottie like Zac Efron. Kissing in the rain is a romance staple, but here it gets a little twist with the outdoor shower. Not only does Logan tacitly understand what Beth needs physically, but they take turns being in control. Logan bites Beth’s lips. He grips the walls then Beth, to hold them both in place. Beth rips open his jeans and presses him against a wall. It’s intense and urgent. After the first rush, the two go inside and slowly undress each other, sometimes laughing as they stumble in their wet clothes then slowing down to take in each other more fully. This scene epitomizes confidence, the power of communicating without words and celebrates a woman asserting her agency. 

The Lucky One

1h 40m   TV-14   2012

Remind Me

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The series: Ryan O’Connell stars in this semi-autobiographical dramedy about a gay man with cerebral palsy. In the series, Ryan Hayes has attempted to take control of his life and be more than his medical diagnosis as he navigates relationships, friendships and independence. 

The scene: After learning that Ryan has never had sex before, his best friend Kim (Punam Patel) convinces him to see a sex worker named Shay (Brian Jordan Alvarez). When Ryan arrives for his appointment, he’s very nervous and tries not to disclose he has CP or that it’s his first time having sex. Shay is matter-of-fact in his seduction, moving through the motions quickly but sweetly and carefully. He lets Ryan know each step he’s about to take, gives him compliments and kisses him. Shay and Ryan laugh through any awkward moments and Ryan’s amazement as he experiences sensual touch. It’s all very charming and delightful.

What makes it steamy: Humor is an important part of our lives and can have a rewarding presence in the bedroom as well. It’s also important to see sex workers as human beings capable of kindness and affection. Ryan’s constant astonishment and Shay’s joy at being a part of that moment is a lovely reminder that sweet and steamy are perfect combinations. 

If you want more hardcore steaminess without heading into Incognito mode on your browser, you can check out series like Easy, Sex/Life or Dark Desire, plus the film 365 Days. There’s a little something for everyone in need of silver-screen seduction.

Special

2 Seasons   TV-MA   2019

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