A good sex scene, in many ways, is objective. Some take place in such unique settings that they've become iconic snapshots in film history. Some are notable in their unique depictions of what intimacy means. And some of them are just straight-up hot to watch. Whatever variety you're in the mood for this Valentine's Day, these are some of the best movie sex scenes throughout film history. 

1. Titanic 

When has car sex ever been so romantic? We're starting with a classic. After turning up the heat with a nude portrait session ("paint me like one of your French girls"), star-crossed lovers Rose (Kate Winslet) and Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) run off to the ship's cargo hold and prove that longing glances, a hand on a steamy window and a few seconds of choppy breath are all you need to convey intimacy. 
Where to stream: Disney+, Paramount+

2. Babygirl

Samuel (Harris Dickinson) grooving to George Michael's "Father Figure" is one of the less-explicit scenes of this film about an affair between a tech company CEO (Nicole Kidman) and her much younger intern, but a prime moment to thirst over regardless. It's a textbook lesson in filming for the female gaze, as the shirtless, tatted-up 20-something sips from a whiskey glass as he casually and confidently dances his way over to give his boss a lap dance in their hideaway hotel room. 
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

3. Red White & Royal Blue

The rom-com about a British prince (Nicholas Galitzine) and the son of the U.S. president (Taylor Zakhar Perez) falling in love is cheesy and by no means a major award-winner. When Prince Henry and Alex finally give in to their attraction to each other—even despite the international controversy implications—viewers can tell from their intentional hand movements, shaky breath, and adoring glances that the characters are having intense sex. And that they're super into each other. 
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

4. Love & Basketball

Childhood pals-turned-impending college basketball stars Monica (Sanaa Lathan) and Quincy (Omar Epps) finally explore their romantic relationship in a sweet depiction of young love. What starts as a makeout between their neighboring bedroom windows turns into a passionate love scene in Quincy's bedroom, no words necessary. The two convey years of pent-up desire with their eyes and actions alone. Even the way he gently pauses to grab a condom is a welcome reminder that using protection is sexy, too.  
Where to stream: Max

5. Fifty Shades Darker 

Maybe this franchise was the first that came to mind when you read this headline—the Fifty Shades franchise certainly built a reputation of being hypersexual. While various explicit scenes served different purposes across the three films, the first one in the second film, in particular, put Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) in the driver's seat of her own pleasure. There are no whips, chains, or sex dungeons here, just Christian (Jamie Dornan) in a bedroom, asking what she wants and taking direction. 
Where to watch: Peacock

6. Ghost

It's another classic and why you get a little hot and bothered upon seeing a clay wheel. Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are a couple madly in love with each other before Sam's untimely death, after which he's left as a ghost. This scene takes place before his death, where Molly is working on a clay wheel before Sam approaches her from behind, wrapping his arms around her to assist in shaping the clay before they turn to focus on each other, the clay forgotten in a messy clump. In real life, would you be too distracted by clay exploding everywhere? Probably, but Swayze and Moore bring such a perfect mix of sweetness and sensuality that we'll allow for the improbability of it all. 
Where to watch: Peacock

7. The Notebook

Who could forget the romance's classic kiss in the rain? After being separated by a world war and an interfering mother, Noah (Ryan Gosling) and Allie (Rachel McAdams) reunite, desperately tossing aside their rain-soaked clothes to prove it really wasn't over in a slow, backlit love scene full of pent-up longing and frustration. "Let's do it again," Allie says after the two finally get a chance to catch their breath. (We'd probably say the same thing to Ryan Gosling in that situation, too.) 
Where to watch: Hulu, Max, Disney+

8. Queen & Slim

A first Tinder date turns into a fugitive situation after Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) and Queen (Jodie Turner Smith) accidentally kill a police officer on their drive home. Not exactly the most romantic premise, but amid chaos, fear, and uncertainty, the two share a tender moment of refuge in their getaway car after an hour and a half of rising sexual tension. As Queen and Slim finally get hot and heavy in the passenger seat, shots of them making love are interspersed between a separate scene of a protest turned violent, an artistic choice that seems to fuel the couple's need for togetherness. Plus, Daniel Kaluuya—need we say more? 
Where to watch: Netflix, Hulu

9. Blue Valentine

Is it overkill to include two Ryan Gosling-led sex scenes? We don't think so. Gosling and Michelle Williams star in this romantic drama about a couple from their teens into adulthood. Here, they're young and in love, perfectly blending goofiness with sensuality as Dean plays a CD (remember those?) for his girlfriend that features a love song he picked out just for her. The part where he leans over her, necklace dangling, while he mouths along to the lyrics? A swoon-worthy moment if we've ever seen one. 
Where to watch: Prime Video