It’s coming, and there’s nothing we can do to stop it: the Fifty Shades of Grey effect is going to make fans worldwide crazy. Even though we already know that some people will hate it, and some other people will love it, that it will be harshly criticized by some, and highly praised by the rest, we think that this release is the perfect excuse to take a look at the sexiest, hottest, films in the whole history of cinema. We can only hope that Mister Grey’s adventures will take a spot in this top ten in no time.

 

10 – The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Based on Milan Kundera’s deeply sensual and philosophic novel, this 1988 film turned the heat of movie theatres world wide. Daniel Day Lewis plays to perfection how Tomas struggles between his monogamous relationship with Tereza -played by Juliette Binoche-, and the bohemian, sensual Sabrina, masterfully portrayed by Lena Olin. The 1960s Czechoslovakian background adds an exotic and thought provoking background to this fascinating tale of sexual politics and personal discovery.

 

9 – Basic Instinct

In 1992, Michael Douglas was still considered one of the hottest actors in the planet. Pairing him with Sharon Stone in this torrid thriller was one of the smartest decisions director Paul Verhoeven’s ever made. The plot was simple and straight forward, something that would just give the audience the sense of danger and intrigue, and justify the inherent sexual chemistry of the couple. What nobody expected was for Sharon Stone to steal the film the way she did, just by crossing her legs in front of two policemen.

 

8 – Gia

Angelina Jolie has always been an incredibly attractive woman. In 1998, the 23 year old tattooed punk rebellious girl was just breath taking. During this film, she spends quite a long time naked, giving life to the top fashion model Gia Carangi, and taking the audience through a tragic, haunting trip from the rise to the ultimate fall of America’s first supermodel. The story line is dark and twisted, and it can be slightly off putting, but Angelina’s magnetic presence makes it all worth it.

 

7 – Magic Mike

One for the ladies. What can be sexier than throwing together Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Matthew McConaughey in a film, making them play professional strippers? The dance routines, and their perfect bodies make up for the predictable plot. Steven Soderbergh is a genius when it comes to cinematography and visual story telling, and he manages to keep the inherent hotness at its right level while feeding the audience with amazing imagery.

 

6 – Spring Breakers

This film was bashed by critics and members of the audience since it’s release, in 2012, but it has gathered a cult following since then. One thing is certain: Harmony Korine’s coming of age tale is not easy to ignore. Story wise, it’s a confusing amalgam of flashbacks and repetitions, making it hard to fully understand what is going on. However, there is a clear artistic intention beneath that, and it’s obviously shown in the cinematography, and in the way every shot is thoughtfully composed. Like an artisan, Mr. Korine crafts every scene, and every stroke of color, to achieve his desired work of art. James Franco’s performance is spot on, as expectable. But the most surprising thing about this film, and the biggest hook for the audience, is the presence of Disney princesses Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez. These two, along with Pretty Little Liars’ Ashley Benson, and Rachel Korine, show the audience that they are able to play more than delicate flowers. The violence, sexual tension, and sheer transgression that they transpire is a proof of their courage and talent as artists, and that is to be admired.

 

5 – 9 1/2 Weeks

Once upon a time, in 1986, there was a sexy, magnetic man called Mickey Rourke. People tend to mistake that man with the contemporary Mickey Rourke, that strange creature, so full of muscles and plastic surgeries it is nearly scary. That man, the original Mickey Rourke -the guy we loved back then-, was involved in one of the sexiest films of all times: Nine 1 / 2 Weeks. With him, the alluring Kim Basinger, that incredibly attractive woman. They instantly became the couple of the year, hands down. But what was the movie about? That is not important at all. It was an exciting collection of sex and power games between the two of them, that made a whole generation dream, and lust.

 

4 – Bitter Moon

Some say that this 1992 classic is Roman Polanski’s reflection of his own love life. If that is true, then Mister Polanski’s love life is just a twisted mess. Fiona and Nigel -played by Hugh Grant and Kristin Scott Thomas- are a young and optimistic British couple travelling to Istambul. In their trip, they meet an older, and more jaded married couple, Oscar and Mimi, portrayed by Peter Coyote and Emmanuelle Seigner. Oscar, crippled and darkly ironic, tells Nigel the story of his relationship with Mimi, making it apparent that his love is not an usual one, but one that breaks the rules of what is conventional and socially admissible. The flashbacks of his narration lead to some of the hottest and most provocative moments in film history. The film is deep and captivating, forcing the audience to think deeply about their own relationships, and their way of understanding love and passion.

 

3 – Dangerous Liaisons

Putting the concepts “John Malkovich” and “Sexy” in the same sentence is a dangerous proposition; not entirely off the mark, but in the limit. However, director Stephen Frears made a wonderful choice of cast, when selecting Mister Malkovich for the role of the Vicomte de Valmont. With him, Glenn Close, Michelle Pfeiffer, Keanu Reeves, and a very young Uma Thurman, make the cast a stellar one. Based on the novel by Choderlos de Laclos, this 1988 film tells the sexual adventures of a group or aristocrats in Baroque France. The Marquise de Merteuil -Glenn Close-, bets with her friend and lover the Vicomte de Valmont that he can’t seduce and corrupt the young and innocent Cecile de Volanges (Uma Thurman). From there, the love triangle grows and mutates, giving way to a sensual and provoking tale of sexual politics and emotional manipulations.

 

2 – Eyes Wide Shut

The password is fidelio. Stanley Kubrik’s last film is a masterpiece in visual storytelling and high temperature imagery. The film tells the story of Doctor William Harford (Tom Cruise), and his wife, the art curator Alice Harford (Nicole Kidman), as they go through a trip of self discovery in New York, that leads them to ask themselves essential questions about their lives. Mr. Harford spends a long part of the movie trapped inside an S&M macro swingers party, with masked naked women crawling about, and all sorts of degenerate behaviours taking place in every room of the mansion. That, and Kidman’s long topless sequence, makes this striking masterpiece one of the top films in this list. A must see for film lovers, and for those who just want to take a peek through the darkness of the other side.

 

1 – Secretary

In 2002, James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal made film history with this strange and twisted comedy. A recently released mental hospital patient (Gyllenhaal), gets a job, working as a secretary for a very demanding and strict lawyer (Spader). Their relationship becomes more and more complex, as a strong sexual sadomasochistic elements tension to appear between them. The story gets more torrid as it advances, maintaining an extreme level of sensuality and suspense. The parts are played to perfection, and the storytelling manages to keep a light touch in a very heavy and sensitive subject. This film could have gone wrong in so many ways, it’s just amazing it is so good. If we are talking about the imminent release of Fifty Shades of Grey, Secretary deserves a very well earned number one on this list.

Now you know what are the ten films you need to watch before submitting yourself to the overpowering will of Christian Grey. Watch them in order to achieve a greater effect.

 
 

Want more?
Check out our second list: 10 More of the Sexiest Movies Ever