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Sex Is Never Better than When It's On the Big Screen!
We love a sapphic sex scene! And while they are far rarer than we would prefer when comes along that showcases the beauty and passion of queer love, we can’t help but celebrate (and hit rewind a few times!).
From as far back as the mid-‘80s to 2017, we’ve carefully curated some of the most erotic, sensual, authentic love scenes between women that have ever graced the big screen. So let’s relive these steamy moments together.
30. The Carmilla Movie (2017)
This Sapphic vampire horror comedy from Canada — phew that's a mouthful — features one of the longest and steamiest scenes on our list.
Where to watch: Prime Video & Tubi
29. Disobedience (2017)
Courtesy of Bleeker Street Media
Set in London's Orthodox Jewish community, Ronit (Rachel Weisz) returns home to sit shiva following the death of her father. When she returns she also reconnects with her former lover Esti (Rachel McAdams) and sparks (and spit) fly again.
Where to watch: Max
28. Below Her Mouth (2016)
Courtesy of Gunpowder & Sky
Arguably one the most erotic lesbian films ever made Below Her Mouth follows the love affair between Jasmin and Dallas. When the two first meet Jasmin is engaged but the chemistry between them makes it impossible for her to get Dallas out of her head. You can guess what happens next… a lot. Not that we’re complaining!
Not currently streaming! The outrage!
27. The Handmaiden (2016)
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Park Chan-wook adapted this story from lesbian novelist Narah Waters’ Fingersmith. He moves the action from Victorian London to Korea, during the era of Japanese occupation, however, all of the other elements of the story remain intact including the twisting plot, dual perspectives, and of course the lesbian love scenes. You’ll never forget the first time you hear those bells ringing!
Where to watch: Prime Video
26. Loving Annabelle (2006)
Courtesy of Wolfe Releasing
Annabelle, the titular Buddhist badass, charms straightlaced Simone in all sorts of ways, including a public serenade session during a school dance. And we all know that no matter how unconventional the relationship may be, once someone gets up and sings you a song at the school dance, there’s a pretty good chance sex will soon be involved.
Where to watch: Prime Video & Netflix
25. Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007)
Courtesy of Pocket Releasing
If you haven’t heard of this movie, you’ve definitely at some point stopped to study the title on a few must-see queer films lists. And in that case, you’ve probably turned on the movie. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, there’s a super hot/super loud hotel sex scene that definitely earns it a spot here.
Not currently stream
24. I Can’t Think Straight (2007)
Courtesy of Enlightenment Films
I Can’t Think Straight certainly isn’t about to win any awards for subtly in a title, but it does win the award for most upbeat sex scene montage! This film is adorable, if not exactly a masterpiece, with a bubbly ending that will leave you smiling unless you hate happiness.
Where to watch: Tubi
23. Drive-Away Dolls (2024)
Drive-Away Dolls suprised and delighted us with its super sexy and hilarious approach to Sapphic sexuality. Yes, lesbians GET IT ON. We are horny AF and this felt like proper representation at last. Especially when it came (pun intended) to the friends turned lovers moments between its leads. Things got steamy, literally.
Where to watch: Prime Video
22. Black Swan (2010)
Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures
Did this sex scene between Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman happen in the film's actual reality? No. Did it happen onscreen? It definitely did. Celebrate.
Where to watch: Max
21. Concussion (2013)
Corutesy of RADiUS-TWC
Concussion teaches us that sometimes getting hit in the head with a baseball can really open you up to an entirely new lifestyle. Specifically for somewhat average lesbian housewife Abby, this involves becoming a sex worker whose unexpected but familiar client brings out some of the film’s sexiest moments.
20. Lost and Delirious (2001)
Courtesy of Lionsgate Etertainment
Lost and Delirious tells the tragic tale of two girls in boarding school whose affair goes terribly wrong, but it's also a cult classic that features many sexy scenes between leads Piper Perabo and Jessica Paré. If only things had gone well for these two.
Not currently streaming and that is homophobic!!
19. Mulholland Drive (2001)
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Naomi Watts and Laura Elena Harring pause for a love affair amidst attempting to unravel a Lynchian mystery. It’s quite the lengthy detour, but we're here for every moment of this sexy, slightly funny scene.
Where to watch: The Criterion Channel
18. Girltrash: All Night Long (2014)
Courtesy of POWER UP
Girltrash: All Night Long is a musical that basically leads up to a much-anticipated sex scene, so when it happens it's pretty awesome and adorable. Even moreso because it's between characters played by Gabrielle Christian and Mandy Musgrave, who you definitely remember as the iconic couple 'Spashley' on South of Nowhere.
Where to watch: Tubi
17. Duck Butter (2018)
Courtesy of Netfix
Lesbian bed death be damned! This film sees two women engaging in a passionate 24 hours together, where they swear to have sex once every hour. Of course, not everything goes to plan but that one scene, you know the one, is one of the steamiest put to film.
Where to watch: Netflix
16. Room In Rome (2010)
Courtesy of IFC Films
Room in Rome definitely wins the most accurate title award, because it is literally an entire film about two women who have an affair in a hotel room in Rome. And that’s basically it. That's the movie.
15. My Animal (2023)
Courtesy of Paramount
Amanda Stenberg is and will forever be our crush so when we found out she was staring a lesbian werewolf film with Bobbi Salvör Menuez we were instantly seated. And this dreamy, erotic, and bittersweet film did not let us down. Plus, we'll never see eggs the same way again.
Where to watch: Prime Video for rent
14. Heavenly Creatures (1994)
Courtesy of Miramax
Kate Winslet and Melanie Lynskey made their film debuts in Heavenly Creatures, playing two young girls who get into some gruesome business. Eventually, the girls consumate their relationship in a scene that involves just as much "Fourth World" weirdness as it does sex.
Not currently streaming and this is crime against lesbians everywhere.
13. Benedetta (2021)
Courtesy of IFC
Blasphemy has never better hotter — and thats saying something — than in Benedetta. Two lesbian nuns find passion in a 17th century convent in this steamy and controversial film from Paul Verhoeven.
Where to watch: Hulu
12. Henry & June (1990)
Courtesy of Universal Pictures
In Henry and June, Anais Nin (Maria de Medeiros) has affairs with both Henry Miller and his wife June (Uma Thurman), but the sex scene between the women in this historical first-ever NC-17 movie is truly breathtaking.
Not currently streaming and we won't stand for this Sapphic erasure!
11. Anatomy of a Love Seen (2014)
Courtesy of Soul Kill Films
This film is about two actresses who were once dating but have since broken up who must reunite to re-shoot a sex scene. Oh, the drama. Oh, the sex scenes.
10. Kill For Me (2013)
Courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Enertainment
TV stars Katie Cassidy (Arrow) and Tracy Spiridakos (Revolution) made one damn cute couple for a few minutes in the midst of a dastardly plan to get back at those who wronged them. These scene came out of nearly nowhere, but immediately went down in history as one of our all-time-favorites.
Where to watch: Prime Video
9. High Art (1998)
Courtesy of October Films
Written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko and starring Radha Mitchell and Ally Sheedy, High Art features a palpable depiction of a woman’s first time with an experienced lesbian. It's both erotic and emotional.
Not currently streaming and this is NOT OK!
8. The Hunger (1983)
Courtesy of MGM/UA
Catherine Deneuve as a vampire seducing a willing young scientist (Susan Sarandon), complete with gauzy lighting and billowing curtains. It's a total classic.
Where to watch: Prime Video for rent
7. The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love (1995)
Courtesy of New Line Cinema
The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love is a beautiful, touching, funny coming-of-age story with a heartfelt and honest 'first time' scene. It also gets bonus points for starring the ever-watchable Nicole Ari Parker and Laurel Holloman, who of course you may know now as Tina on The L Word.
Where to watch: Netflix
6. Bound (1996)
Courtesy of Summit Enertainment
Bound is a lesbian love story starring Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon wrapped in a mob/heist/revenge film and featuring a really hot sex scene. Do you need to know more? Probably not, but you definitely do need to see more.
Where to watch: Paramount+
5. Kiss Me (2011)
Courtesy of Wolfe Releasing
It’s Swedish! Everyone’s attractive! It’s about a girl falling in love with her future stepsister! Unfortunately, said girl is presently engaged to her male business partner, and therein lies the conflict. The girls first bond while on a trip together, and soon a sexy swimming session hook up becomes very long, very intimate, and very realistic.
Where to watch: Tubi
4. Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)
Courtesy of Sundance Selects
Yes, there was a lot of unfortunate gossip around how the actual, intensely graphic scene was made, but let’s put that aside for the sake of cinema and just applaud Léa Seydoux and Adele Exarchopoulos for their hard work and dedication. Hats off to you and this endless scene, ladies.
Where to watch: AMC+
3. Desert Hearts (1985)
Courtesy of The Samuel Goldwyn Company
It was iconic in 1985, and it's pretty much just as iconic today. This sexy, sensual scene between Vivian (Helen Shaver) and Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) is close to the our top prize, and Desert Hearts as a whole, will always remain a queer cinema fave in our hearts.
Where to watch: Max
2. Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Courtesy of A24
Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brian star as troubled and passionate lovers in this steamy, subversive crime drama set in the world of professional weight-lifting and gun-running. The chemistry between the leads is scorching and the sex has a kinky realism that blows us away.
Where to watch: Max
1. Carol (2015)
Courtesy of Studio Canal
Based on Patricia Highsmith's benchmark novel The Price of Salt, Todd Haynes' exquisite film adaptation made us wait a long time before Carol (Cate Blanchett) and Therese (Rooney Mara) consummated their love in that roadside motel in Waterloo, but when they finally let go, so did we in a way. And it was good! Carol marks the closest a lesbian-themed film has ever come to landing Oscars, and it will forever hold a place in our hearts. For us, there was no doubt that Carol's long-time-coming love scene had to be our #1.
Where to watch: Netflix
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