Sex scenes have been a part of cinema for well over a century now, with the 1896 film The Kiss containing what is considered to be the first ever sex scene in cinematic history. The first LGBTQ+ sex scene in film would not appear until the lifting of the Hayes Code in 1968, when the first lesbian sex scene was shown in The Killing of Sister George. 

By the end of the 1960s sex scenes were even more common in film due to the onset of what is known as the ‘Golden Age of Porn’. Between 1969 and 1984, a number of American pornographic films celebrated theatrical releases, even receiving generally positive reviews from critics and the general public. By the mid-1980s however, the introduction of home video gradually brought about the end of pornographic films being watched in public theaters. 

Sex in cinema returned, however, in the 1990s, as a staple of the erotic thriller genre, in films like Fatal Attraction and Cruel Intentions. From there it’s been a bumpy ride for sex scenes in cinema, with a recent Economist report showing that sex and nudity in film has dropped by nearly 40 per cent since 2000. 

The report, which analyzed the 250 highest-grossing movies from each year since 2000, found that “in 2000, less than 20 percent of the highest-grossing movies had no sexual content at all. Today almost half lack it.”

Despite the seeming decline of sex scenes in cinema in recent years, queer sex scenes, as few and far between as they are, often leave a lasting impression on queer viewers who aren’t used to seeing that kind of representation in film and television. 

As such, we’ve compiled a list of some of the hottest and most memorable queer sex scenes from film and television that have been getting us all hot and bothered since we first saw them. Let’s check them out!

Bound (1996)
When we consider that Bound was directed by two trans women, specifically the Wachowski sisters, who would go on to direct The Matrix, it’s no surprise that the film has one of the most iconic queer sex scenes in modern cinema. 

This American neo-noir film follows the story of Violet (Jennifer Tilly) as she attempts to escape her relationship with her mafioso boyfriend Casear (Joe Pantoliano) in order to pursue a clandestine relationship with Corky (Gina Gershon), an ex-convict. Together, Violet and Corky hatch a plan to steal $2 million from the Mafia in this high-stakes thriller. 

While there are plenty of steamy scenes to choose from in the film, one that sticks out is Tilly and Gershon’s heavy petting session in the front seat of Corky’s truck. Decked out in leather jackets and severe ‘90s grunge hairstyles, the scene, while not as explicit as some of the others on our list, is just as enticing, sensual, and erotic, all without losing that unmistakable ‘90s feel. 

Gia (1998)
Apparently, the late 1990s was a great time for hard-hitting lesbian dramas, with films like Gia debuting just before the turn of the century. This film, based on the real-life story of the first American supermodel, Gia Carangi, starred major Hollywood power-hitters like Angelina Jolie and Elizabeth Mitchell, who portrayed the characters of Gia and Linda, respectively. 

In one particular scene, Gia and Linda join each other on set for a photoshoot, both stark naked. As the camera pans, the two women slowly start to move towards one another, separated by a chain link fence. Eventually, the two women are pressing themselves up against the metal, their skin touching through the gaps in the fence. The scene cuts away, revealing Gia and Linda falling into bed with one another, where their sexual exploration continues through erotic shots of their lips and hands. 

Brokeback Mountain (2005)
This Academy Award-winning film is just too good not to include on our list of the hottest LGBTQ+ sex scenes in cinematic history. Released in 2005 and based on Annie Proulx’s short story of the same name, Brokeback Mountain was a landmark film for LGBTQ+ representation in film. 

Not only did the film star high-profile actors like Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal, but it also portrayed homosexuality in a light that it hadn’t been seen in previously by showing the genuine love and care that blossoms between its main characters, Ennis Del Mar (Ledger) and Jack Twist (Gyllenhaal). 

In the film’s now-famous LGBTQ+ sex scene, we see Ennis and Jack sharing a tent to stay warm as they traverse the Wyoming mountains. As they sleep, Jack guides the still-sleeping Ennis’ hand onto his crotch under the blanket. While Ennis quickly retracts his hand once awake, the moment devolves into sexual mayhem as the two men start caressing one another before stripping themselves of their trousers. 

The film doesn’t shy away from the details either, showing Ennis gathering a mouthful of spit to use as lubricant as he prepares to penetrate Jack Twist. 

Black Swan (2010)
This psychological horror film, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, and Winona Ryder, follows the story of Nina (Portman), an aspiring ballerina auditioning for the lead role in a new version of Swan Lake. While there is plenty of strangeness in the film, the story truly dissolves into madness when Nina goes out for drinks with a younger dancer in the company, Lily (Kunis). Lily convinces Nina to take an ecstasy tablet to relax while they party, a decision that eventually ends with the two women sharing a bed together. 

The landmark LGBTQ+ sex scene begins with the two women, drunk and high, sharing a taxi as Lily begins to crawl her fingers along Nina’s thighs before settling her grip between Nina’s legs. The scene then cuts to the two women tearing their clothes off in a bedroom, kissing and caressing one another as the Black Swan and the White Swan fall into bed together. 

Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)
This French drama, starring Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos, follows the story of a French teenager, Adèle, as she explores her burgeoning sexuality when Emma (Seydoux) enters her life. 

The film spans a number of years, charting the two girls’ relationship from their teenage years into early adulthood, including their chance encounter at a local lesbian bar as Adèle attempts to discover more about her sexuality. 

While Blue Is The Warmest Colour offers an unfettered glimpse at the homophobia young queer people face on a daily basis, it similarly offers a stark and honest view of queer sexuality, including lengthy sex scenes, the longest of which comes in at nearly ten minutes in length. 

The film has faced some backlash since its release, particularly in regards to alleged harassment on set, but remains a landmark piece of queer cinema that has been awarded accolades such as the Palme d’Or and the FIPRESCI Prize, as well as earning nominations at the BAFTAs and the Golden Globes in 2013. 

Tangerine (2015)
Making its debut at the 205 Sundance Film Festival, Tangerine tells the story of Sin-Dee Rella, a transgender sex worker who has just completed a month-long jail sentence. Upon her release, Sin-Dee meets up with another trans sex worker, Alexandra, at a Hollywood donut shop on Christmas Eve. 

The comedy-drama received wide acclaim from critics for its screenplay, direction, and performances, as well as for its honest and open portrayal of trans individuals. That’s a lot of praise for a film that was recorded on three iPhone 5S smartphones!

At one point in the film, Sin-Dee is paid to give one of her regular customers, Razmik, a blowjob in a carwash. The scene’s banality, the contrast of LGBTQ+ sex and sex work, juxtaposed with the normality of getting your car washed, is part of what makes the scene so powerful and one that will be remembered for its groundbreaking portrayal of sexuality. 

Moonlight (2016)
This groundbreaking film, based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s unpublished semi-autobiographical play In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue, was absolutely everywhere in 2016, ushering in a new age of mainstream queer cinema that continued with films like 2017’s Call Me By Your Name.

It follows the story of Chiron through his childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood, as he struggles to come to terms with his sexuality as a Black man living in America. 

One scene in particular stands out as a cathartic moment for Chiron, as he meets his friend Kevin on the beach one evening. The two sit down to smoke a blunt, and talking soon gives way to kissing and touching, ending with Kevin giving Chiron a hand job. 

After the encounter, Chiron apologizes, but Kevin reassures him that there is nothing shameful in what they’ve done, nothing shameful in being attracted to men. 

The scene no doubt resonated with a number of queer men who have similar memories of their first sexual interaction with another man. 

Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
This 2023 straight-to-streaming flick might have passed under a lot of our gay-dars, but with hotties like Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez as its stars, it’s definitely worth the watch. Following the enemies-to-lovers romance of Prince of England, Henry (Galitzine) and son of the President of the United States, Alex (Perez), Red, White & Royal Blue is as sweet as it is spicy. 

While there are plenty of steamy moments between the Prince and the First Son, one of the film’s sex scenes in particular stands out, not only for its sensuality, but for its tenderness. As Henry and Alex begin to have penetrative sex for the first time, Alex admits that he is inexperienced in the area. The scene that follows is equal parts emotionally powerful and sexually scintillating. 

If you’re looking for a feel-good LGBTQ+ movie with plenty of steamy sex scenes (and a happy ending), then you definitely need to stream Red, White & Royal Blue on Prime Video.

All of Us Strangers (2024)
Filmmaker Andrew Haigh has a reputation for directing ground-breaking queer sex scenes with films like Greek Pete and Weekend in his catalog. 

Haigh’s latest film All Of Us Strangers is no exception. Starring Irish hunks like Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal as its leads, the film was sure to be a success even before it debuted to audiences late last year at the 50th Telluride Film Festival in the UK. 

The film follows screenwriter Adam (Scott) as he has a chance encounter with his neighbour, Harry (Mescal). While Adam initially rejects the younger man, Harry shows up at his door one night and tells Adam: “I’ve been thinking about you…I’ve been thinking about sucking your c*ck.”

The first of the film’s many LGBTQ+ sex scenes follows shortly after the conversation, culminating with Harry licking Adam’s chest post-coitous. Unlike other recent films, such as fellow-Irish actor Barry Keoghan’s Saltburn, the scene does not linger for shock value, focusing more so on the intimacy between the two characters.