15 Best Movies Like Sex Positive (2024)

Best Movies Like Sex Positive

In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards sex positivity in film – portraying female sexuality and sexual exploration in an empowering, shame-free light. Gone are the days where a woman enjoying sex was seen as taboo.

These 15 bold movies span multiple genres, from tender coming-of-age stories to raunchy comedies to erotic thrillers. What they have in common is strong female characters unapologetically owning their desires and sexual agency. Get ready to have your perspective shifted and be inspired to embrace your own sexuality.

1. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)

This French indie film took the world by storm with its raw, intimate portrayal of first love and sexual awakening between two young women. Adèle, a high school student, falls for blue-haired art student Emma and begins an intense relationship.

The movie boldly depicts lesbian sexuality and doesn’t shy away from lengthy, graphic sex scenes that feel authentic rather than glamorized. More than just an erotic drama, it’s a heartfelt coming-of-age story of identity, class differences, and the euphoria and heartbreak of first love. Lead actresses Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux deservedly shared the Palme d’Or with director Abdellatif Kechiche at the Cannes Film Festival. While very explicit, Blue Is the Warmest Color is ultimately a tender, relatable film about the universality of love and self-discovery.

2. The Handmaiden (2016)

This sumptuous erotic thriller from visionary Korean director Park Chan-wook transposes the Victorian novel Fingersmith to 1930s colonial Korea and Japan. Sook-hee, a young Korean pickpocket, is hired to work as a maid for wealthy Japanese heiress Lady Hideko and swindle her out of her fortune.

But a forbidden romance develops between the two women amid a web of deception and ulterior motives. The Handmaiden is a twisty, stylized tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. The chemistry between the two leads is palpable and their explicit sex scenes are as beautiful as they are sensual. Underneath the pulpy plot, it’s a scathing critique of the male gaze and a rousing celebration of female sexuality, cunning, and solidarity in the face of oppression.

3. The Favourite (2018)

Set in 18th century England, this deliciously bawdy period piece depicts the real-life love triangle between Queen Anne and her two female confidantes and lovers, Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill. Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone are wickedly funny as they scheme, seduce, and jockey for power and the Queen’s affections.

The Favourite gleefully subverts typical historical drama and gender roles. These complex women are ambitious, determined, and sexually empowered. The raunchy humor pokes fun at the stuffiness of the royal court and the absurdity of polite society. Amidst the palace intrigue and stinging one-liners, it’s a poignant look at the precarious positions of women, how they must rely on their wits and wiles to gain influence in a male-dominated world. Clever, sexy, and refreshingly bold, The Favourite is a delightful romp that will leave you giggling and wanting to smash the patriarchy.

4. Professor Marston and the Wonder Women (2017)

This underrated biographical drama tells the fascinating true story behind the creation of the Wonder Woman comic. Psychology professor William Moulton Marston and his wife Elizabeth have an unconventional relationship with their teaching assistant Olive Byrne in the 1940s.

Their polyamorous romance and exploration of BDSM and role-play directly inspire Marston’s famous Amazonian superhero. Rebecca Hall, Luke Evans, and Bella Heathcote have incredible chemistry in their tender, empathetic portrayals of this real-life triad as they face judgment from their conservative society. The film normalizes their loving relationship and how it fuels their creativity, feminism, and push for female representation in comics. Heartfelt and wonderfully acted, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women is an important look at the progressive origins of an iconic character and a touching portrait of a misunderstood romance ahead of its time.

5. The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)

Based on Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel, this bold coming-of-age dramedy follows 15-year-old aspiring cartoonist Minnie as she pursues an affair with her mother’s boyfriend in 1970s San Francisco. Bel Powley is outstanding as Minnie, capturing the awkwardness, insecurity, and burgeoning sexual curiosity of adolescence with humor and vulnerability.

The film doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable realities and power dynamics of the central relationship, but crucially never judges or shames Minnie. Her unapologetic ownership of her sexuality and candid discussions of desire and pleasure are revolutionary for a teen girl character. With dreamy animation woven throughout, The Diary of a Teenage Girl is an honest, sex-positive look at a young woman’s messy journey of self-discovery and first love. It’s a rare film that lets a teenage girl be an authentic, flawed, hormonal human being.

6. The To Do List (2013)

This hilarious sex comedy stars Aubrey Plaza as Brandy, a studious, sexually inexperienced teen who feels pressure to gain more experience before college. She makes a to-do list of sexual acts to check off and embarks on a quest to master her sexuality.

The To Do List is as raunchy and awkward as it is sweet and earnest. It’s refreshing to see a teen girl character so unabashedly horny and taking charge of her sexual education. The film is casually sex-positive, normalizing female masturbation and sexual curiosity. Plaza shines in a rare lead role, bringing her signature deadpan snark while also showing Brandy’s vulnerable side as she experiences the ups and downs of sexual exploration. With a stacked supporting cast, a nostalgic 90s setting, and plenty of hilariously cringe-y moments, The To Do List is a fun, empowering romp that lets its young heroine be unapologetically lustful.

7. The Duke of Burgundy (2014)

This lush, surreal drama from British director Peter Strickland explores the sadomasochistic relationship between two women. Evelyn is the submissive partner to Cynthia, her stern butterfly professor lover, engaging in elaborate dominant/submissive role-play.

But as their encounters intensify, the power dynamics begin to shift in unexpected ways. The Duke of Burgundy is a mesmerizing sensory experience, with dreamy visuals, hypnotic music, and pitch-perfect 1970s Euro horror atmosphere. It’s light on dialogue, letting the sumptuous cinematography and sound design unspool the psychological layers. What sets it apart is its refreshing lack of exploitation or male gaze, rare for a film about lesbian BDSM. It normalizes their kinky relationship while exploring the intimate negotiations, insecurities, and bittersweet realities that come with it. Haunting and deeply erotic, The Duke of Burgundy is a singular film about the delicate intricacies of desire, control, and compromise.

8. Yes, God, Yes (2020)

This charming coming-of-age comedy stars Natalia Dyer as Alice, a naive Catholic school girl in the early 2000s discovering masturbation and her burgeoning sexuality. After an innocent AOL chat turns racy, Alice attends a religious retreat while grappling with guilt, confusion, and raging hormones.

Yes, God, Yes is a breath of fresh air in its frank, funny, and nonjudgmental approach to teen female desire and sexual shame. It balances raunchy humor with grounded authenticity, capturing the specific adolescent milieu of the dial-up era with affectionate specificity. Dyer is endearing as Alice navigates her sexual awakening and the hypocritical puritanism around her. The film is critical of how religious institutions stigmatize and repress healthy sexual development, particularly for girls. With a light touch and big heart, Yes, God, Yes is a sweet, relatable film about learning to ignore the noise and listen to your own body.

9. The Overnight (2015)

This quirky sex comedy follows a thirty-something couple, Alex and Emily, who have recently moved to LA with their young son. Eager to make new friends, they accept a dinner invitation from the eccentric Kurt and Charlotte. As the evening progresses, the couples engage in hilariously awkward conversations and unexpected sexual situations that test the boundaries of their relationship.

The Overnight is a witty, provocative exploration of adult sexuality, marriage, and friendship. It’s frank and nonchalant about taboo topics like nudity, sexual insecurities and kinks. The characters are flawed and vulnerable, grappling with the realities of long-term commitment, parenting and aging. Taylor Schilling and Adam Scott have fantastic chemistry as the central couple, both uptight but curious. It’s a refreshingly sex-positive film that finds the humor and humanity in the messy realities of modern relationships. The Overnight is a funny, surprising, and ultimately poignant look at the challenges of sustaining intimacy and desire in a long-term partnership.

10. The Incredible Jessica James (2017)

This effervescent indie rom-com stars Jessica Williams as Jessica James, a confident, passionate aspiring playwright getting over a breakup in New York City. She begins dating recently divorced app developer Boone, played by Chris O’Dowd, and the two embark on a tentative new relationship while nursing their respective heartbreaks.

The Incredible Jessica James is remarkable for its strong, fully-realized female lead. Jessica is unapologetically ambitious, opinionated, and self-possessed. The film lets her be sexual on her own terms, navigating casual dating and sex while prioritizing her career and friendships. Williams and O’Dowd have wonderful odd-couple chemistry, engaging in frank, funny conversations about sex, dating, and vulnerability. With a hip, diverse cast and a fresh take on rom-com tropes, the film is grounded in the authentic struggles of millennial creatives. Warm, witty, and empowering, The Incredible Jessica James is a modern love story that doesn’t compromise its heroine’s agency and independence.

11. Sleeping with Other People (2015)

This clever anti-rom-com stars Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis as Lainey and Jake, two serial cheaters and commitment-phobes who lost their virginity to each other in college. They reconnect years later at a sex addicts meeting and strike up a close friendship, determined to keep things platonic as they sort out their messy love lives.

Sleeping with Other People is a raunchy, razor-sharp comedy that’s refreshingly honest about modern dating, sex, and relationships. It frankly addresses issues like sex addiction, infidelity, and intimacy issues with insight and empathy. Brie and Sudeikis have electric chemistry and bounce off each other with quick-witted banter. The film is casually sex-positive, with characters openly discussing their sexual desires and dysfunctions. It’s a rom-com that doesn’t shy away from the ugly realities of love and lets its leads be flawed, complex human beings. Brutally honest, laugh-out-loud funny, and sneakily heartfelt, Sleeping with Other People is a rare rom-com that feels authentic to the millennial dating experience.

12. The Love Witch (2016)

This spellbinding horror-comedy stars Samantha Robinson as Elaine, a beautiful young witch who uses magic to seduce men in her search for the perfect lover. But when her enchantments work too well, she leaves a trail of dead bodies in her wake.

The Love Witch is a trippy, stylized ode to 1960s Technicolor thrillers. It’s a sly feminist satire that both celebrates and subverts the tropes of the genre. Elaine is a complex anti-heroine, using her sexuality as a source of power and agency in a patriarchal society. The film examines the ways in which women are objectified and fetishized, and how those dynamics can be weaponized. It’s a visually sumptuous, wickedly funny exploration of gender roles, female desire, and the myth of the “perfect” relationship. With its dreamy aesthetic, campy humor, and sex-positive messaging, The Love Witch is a one-of-a-kind film that casts a seductive spell.

13. The Feels (2017)

This charming indie comedy follows a group of friends who gather for a bachelorette weekend at a remote cabin to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Andi and Lu, a lesbian couple. But when Lu confesses that she’s never had an orgasm, it sparks frank conversations and awkward tension among the group.

The Feels is a funny, heartfelt exploration of female friendship, sexuality, and intimacy. It features a diverse ensemble of women openly discussing their sex lives, insecurities, and desires. The film normalizes queer relationships and sexual experimentation, treating its characters with warmth and humanity. It’s refreshingly honest about the ups and downs of long-term commitment and the importance of communication and vulnerability. With naturalistic performances and a witty script, The Feels is a relatable, sex-positive celebration of modern love and friendship. It’s a feel-good film that will make you laugh, cringe, and want to hug your besties.

14. Duck Butter (2018)

This experimental romantic comedy stars Alia Shawkat and Laia Costa as Naima and Sergio, two women who meet at a club and decide to spend 24 uninterrupted hours together, having sex on the hour, in order to fast-track intimacy. Over the course of their day together, they share stories, fears, and vulnerabilities, testing the boundaries of their intense new connection.

Duck Butter is a raw, unfiltered exploration of the exhilaration and challenges of forging intimacy and trust. Shawkat and Costa have palpable chemistry and bounce off each other with naturalistic ease. The film is frank and unapologetic in its depiction of sex, showing the awkward, tender, and silly moments. It’s a refreshingly authentic portrayal of queer female sexuality, capturing the specific nuances and dynamics. With a loose, improvisational style and a keen insight into human behavior, Duck Butter is a bold, provocative film about the risks and rewards of radical honesty and letting yourself be truly seen by another person.

15. Newness (2017)

This sexy, unconventional romance stars Nicholas Hoult and Laia Costa as Martin and Gabi, two millennials who meet on a hookup app and begin a passionate relationship. But as they grow closer, they decide to experiment with an open relationship, testing the boundaries of love and monogamy in the digital age.

Newness is a candid, unflinching exploration of modern dating, sex, and commitment. It doesn’t shy away from the ugly realities of jealousy, miscommunication, and the paradox of choice in app-based dating. Hoult and Costa have sizzling chemistry and bring nuance and vulnerability to their roles. The film is casually sex-positive, depicting a range of sexual experiences and orientations without judgment. It asks provocative questions about the sustainability of long-term monogamy and the challenges of cultivating intimacy and trust. With a stylish aesthetic and a pulsing electronic score, Newness is a sexy, thought-provoking film that captures the exhilaration and uncertainty of falling in love in the time of Tinder.

Conclusion

These 15 films offer a diverse, nuanced exploration of female sexuality and empowerment. From tender coming-of-age stories to raunchy comedies to experimental romances, they depict women unapologetically owning their desires and sexual agency. Sex positivity in film is about more than just explicit content; it’s about normalizing and celebrating the full spectrum of human sexuality without shame or judgment. It’s about letting characters be messy, flawed, and real.

These movies are funny, heartfelt, provocative, and most of all, relatable. They reflect the joys and challenges of sex and relationships in the modern world. They empower viewers to embrace their own sexuality and desires with honesty and authenticity. So grab some popcorn, get comfortable, and enjoy these bold, sex-positive stories. Let them inspire you to live and love unapologetically. Here’s to more movies that celebrate the beauty, power, and complexity of female sexuality!

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