When you think of the term "sci-fi," the next word to pop into your head probably isn't "sexy." Despite being relatively close together in the dictionary, these two concepts seem to have little in common. However, I would argue that if you look a little deeper, you can see that they're not mutually exclusive. Sci-fi movies often place characters in dangerous or unfamiliar situations, leaving a lot of tension in the air. And, sometimes, there's a healthy dose of sexual tension to go along with it. Yes, believe it or not, science fiction movies can be sexy.
Now, when trying to identify sexy sci-fi movies that you might enjoy, it's helpful to remember that science fiction is a fairly wide-reaching genre. A movie doesn't have to contain robots to qualify as science fiction, nor does it have to feature a slimy creature, or a spaceship, or people in lab coats. Instead, a sci-fi movie can be a dystopian drama, or an otherwordly fantasy, or an alternate reality thriller. It's also helpful to remember that a movie can be sexy without containing any actual sex. For example, there was no sex in The Martian, but staring at Matt Damon for two hours was, in my opinion, a sexier experience than watching any recent Nicholas Sparks adaptation.
So take a look at these other sexy sci-fi movies that are worth checking out.
1. Barbarella
Jane Fonda slays in this overtly sexual sci-fi film that came out in 1968 and has become a cult classic in the years since.
2. Equals
Nichols Hoult and Kristen Stewart get in on a future dystopian society in this 2015 drama from director Drake Doremus.
3.Cloud Atlas
This sci-fi fantasy consists of six beautiful intertwining stories, more than one of which contain some sexual encounters. The film stars Tom Hanks and Halle Berry, among others.
4. The Adjustment Bureau
Steam The Adjustment Bureau here.
Picture Romeo and Juliet, except it's Matt Damon and Emily Blunt on the run from an ominous government intelligent agency that's determined to keep them apart.
5. Self/less
Ryan Reynolds is fantastic in this 2015 thriller, and, even though the second half of the movie is the more important part in terms of his character's personal growth, the first half contains some very sexy scenes.
6. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Stream Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind here.
Passionate, messy love meets mind-erasing in this classic, award-winning film, which stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.
7. The Matrix Reloaded
Stream The Matrix Reloaded here.
This iconic 2003 film includes a super-long sex scene, which, let's just say, might confuse some viewers but entice many others.
8.Mad Max: Fury Road
Stream Mad Max: Fury Road here.
Charlize Theron and apocalyptic drama. Need I say more?
9. Avatar
This 2009 fantasy box office hit featured a lot of intimacy, if not any actual sex, but take note that the re-release includes an extended "sex" scene.
10. Warm Bodies
Love is really hard when you're a zombie, but this 2013 film, starring Nicholas Hoult, proved that it's not impossible.
11. Holy Motors
This acclaimed foreign film from 2012 involves an abstract sex scene between two people in motion capture suits.
12. Insurgent
It's a thing of beauty when Tris and Four finally hook up in this YA dystopian adaptation, the second in the Divergent series.
13. Total Recall
This 1990 movie is known for its inclusion of a three-breasted prostitute, but it also features an undeniably sweet sexual encounter between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sharon Stone.
14. Star Wars
Let's be real — there was always sexual tension between Princess Leia and Luke and Han Solo, even at the very beginning. The Empire Strikes Back includes a particularly passionate kiss.
15. I, Robot
Will Smith in the shower is a highlight of this 2004 sci-fi thriller, about a battle between robots and humans.
16. Her
This acclaimed movie is notable for its voice-only sex scene between Scarlett Johansson and Joaquin Phoenix's characters — only one of whom is human.
17. Ex Machina
Stream Ex Machina here.
The acclaimed 2014 movie follows a programmer, a CEO, and a humanoid robot, played by Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, and Alicia Vikander, respectively. There's a lot of sexual tension.
18. Demolition Man
In this 1993 sci-fi blockbuster, Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock have sex using virtual reality helmets. The future is weird.
19. Lucy
There is actually no sex in this 2014 movie, but Scarlett Johansson's titular character is a sexy, brilliant badass.
20. Cocoon
The 1985 classic film has yet another psychic sex scene, this time set in a pool.
21. Under the Skin
Stream Under the Skin here.
Scarlett Johansson plays yet another otherwordly being in this dark, sensual 2013 sci-fi horror film.
As you can see, sex and sensuality are not as far off from the sci-fi genre as you might have assumed. These movies prove that sci-fi movies can be as sexy as they are thought-provoking.
This post was originally published on August 25, 2016. It was updated on June 6, 2019.
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This article was originally published on Aug. 25, 2016
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