You know those nights when you want to watch something sexy —but not a soft-focus rom-com where the sexual tension is mostly just prolonged eye contact and one dramatic kiss in the rain? No shade to The Notebook, but sometimes you just want something with a little more edge. Enter: BDSM movies. We’re talking whips. We’re talking chains. We’re talking power dynamics that will absolutely guarantee you a sex dream about your boss. Apologies.
And while Fifty Shades of Grey is usually the first title people think of, it’s far from the only—or even the most interesting—option. From arthouse classics and erotic thrillers to buzzy newer releases, there’s a whole world of kink-forward cinemaworth exploring.
Before we dive in, though, a quick refresher: BDSM stands for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. But contrary to what movies sometimes suggest, BDSM isn’t just about pain, leather, or elaborate dungeon setups. “I think of BDSM as a structured framework for consensually exploring intense sensation play,” says relationship coach and kink professional Ally Iseman, founder of Passport 2 Pleasure. “The foundation is trust, clear communication, and negotiated roles. If there’s no real choice or ongoing consent, that’s not BDSM; that’s abuse.”
One important thing to keep in mind while watching: movies (like porn) are fantasy, not instruction manuals. “This is edited entertainment, not education,” Iseman explains, noting that many films skip over the less cinematic—but very real—parts of kink, like safe words, negotiation, and aftercare. So while not every movie on this list depicts BDSM in a sex-educator-approved way, they can still offer compelling looks at power and control.
Whether you’re planning a spicy date night, curating a horny watchlist, or just feeling curious with your favorite vibrator on hand, these are the best BDSM movies worth adding to your queue.
1. The Fifty Shades Trilogy
(Okay, yeah, so we just roasted these a little. But look, we couldn’t not include them.) Chances are you’ve already seen Ana and Christian’s love story play out on-screen, and while it might not be the most realistic depiction of a BDSM relationship, it sparked mainstream viewers’ curiosity about the lifestyle. From shower sex to bondage to the use of Ben Wa balls, these scenes will forever occupy real estate in my mind. No matter how many times you’ve indulged, the soundtrack still slaps, and the leads’ chemistry still sizzles.
2. Dogs Don’t Wear Pants
Don’t let the title fool you—this Finnish film goes to some surprisingly dark (and surprisingly funny) places. After the death of his wife, a grieving surgeon named Juha finds himself drawn into a relationship with a dominatrix named Mona, where BDSM becomes an unexpected outlet for processing loss, intimacy, and desire. Equal parts unsettling, emotional, and incredibly erotic, Dogs Don’t Wear Pants is one of the more nuanced portrayals of BDSM on this list—and proof that kinky movies can be surprisingly heartfelt, too.
3. Babygirl
Yes, it’s that movie. The one where a powerful CEO (Nicole Kidman) realizes she might not be as in control as she thought once a much younger intern enters her life. While Fifty Shades brought kink into the mainstream, Babygirl offers a more modern take on power, desire, and who’s actually holding the reins. Are the metaphors heavy-handed at times? Absolutely. Will you wonder WTF is going on with the dog references? Sure. But between the charged dynamic, the unapologetic sexuality, and that now-infamous carpet scene (IYKYK), it will definitely make you look at hotel floors a bit differently.
4. Sanctuary
Christopher Abbott stars as Hal, a man with a humiliation kink who has degradation sessions with a dominatrix named Rebecca (played by Margaret Qualley). But when he becomes CEO of his company, he tries to end the arrangement to protect his job. And Rebecca…well, let’s just say she does not handle it well.
5. Belle de Jour
As one of Belle de Jour director Luis Buñuel’s most influential works, you’ll not only feel very aroused while watching Belle de Jour, but you’ll feel cultured as well. The eternally sexy Catherine Deneuve plays Séverine Serizy, a woman in a conventional marriage who craves sexual exploration. So what does she do? She gets in contact with the madame of a high-class brothel and begins living a double life as a sex worker. While her husband is away, Séverine explores the world of bondage and domination with people who are very much not her husband.
6. 9 1/2 Weeks
Few movies have done sexual obsession quite like this one. The ’80s film starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger follows a Wall Street trader and an art gallerist who have an instant connection that quickly becomes all-consuming, both emotionally and sexually. The flick touches on everything from power and control to food play to public masturbation to learning how to define your personal boundaries. And if that doesn’t get you going, the retro style will definitely do the job.
7. Secretary
Before Christian Grey and his red room of pain, there was actually another Mr. Grey whose BDSM desires were even more defined. The 2002 film starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader was one of the first mainstream movies to introduce everyday viewers to the lifestyle. What sets Secretary apart—aside from the legendary cast—is its impressive blend of humor and heat. While many of the other movies on this list are a little more serious, this steamy classic showcases sadomasochistic activities in ways that’ll have you giggling between your orgasms.
8. Love and Leashes
Two coworkers enter into a consensual BDSM arrangement that slowly transforms their professional relationship into something much more intimate. This charming South Korean romantic comedy, directed by Park Hyun-jin and available on Netflix, stars Seohyun and Lee Jun-young. The story follows Ji-hoo, who secretly enjoys BDSM, and Ji-woo, his coworker, who discovers his secret and eventually becomes his domme. Equal parts sweet, funny, and surprisingly sexy, it's a great pick for a girls' night or a playful date night.
9. After Fall, Winter
You’ve been warned: After Fall, Winter is a little heavy, but also poignant and undeniably sexy. It follows the suicidal writer Michael (Eric Schaeffer), who leaves New York for a fresh start in Paris after falling into massive debt. There, he meets Sophie (Lizzie Brocheré), a nurse caring for a young girl dying of leukemia. But Sophie has a second job: she's a dominatrix. The two enter an obsessive, combative, and passionate relationship loaded with seriously hot sex scenes. If you're looking for something sexy, dark, and intellectual, consider your date night planned.
10. 365 Days: This Day
The 365 Days franchise, based on the novel trilogy by Blanka Lipińska and starring Anna-Maria Sieklucka and Michele Morrone, doesn’t exactly have great reviews, if we’re being honest. But if you’re looking for a fun, kinky, erotic thriller (and something lighter than some of the other titles on this list), you’ve found a winner. Following the 2020 Polish film 365 Days, Netflix released 365 Days: This Day in April 2022, followed by The Next 365 Days in August 2022. If you’re into dominant Sicilian mobsters, you’ll be over the moon.
11. Venus In Fur
If you’re looking for a salacious film that just begs to be discussed, Venus in Fur by Roman Polanski will absolutely give you something to talk about. The 2013 erotic French drama is based on the Tony Award-winning play by the same name, and is about a writer/director named Thomas who’s casting the lead role for his upcoming play about sexual domination and submission. When an actress named Vanda Jordan arrives on the scene just as Thomas is closing up shop, she does everything she can to convince him she’s the right person for the role. The two engage in different scenes from the play, acting out various sexual situations while arguing about BDSM. It’s equal parts funny, empowering, and sexy, in case you weren’t yet convinced.
12. A Dangerous Method
Spanking? An unlikely relationship? Keira Knightley in 19th-century gowns? Check, check, check. Set around World War I, Knightley stars as a student of Dr. Carl Jung (Michael Fassbender), who associates pain with pleasure. After getting a nod of approval from his pal Sigmund Freud (Viggo Mortensen), Jung embarks on an affair with his student to learn more about human sexuality from a very hands-on perspective. If you’re looking for some solid spanking, it doesn’t get much better than this.
13. The Story of O
Yes, another French film is making the list because it’s clear the country knows how to make some seriously erotic movies. In this 1975 drama, a woman (Corinne Clery) who goes solely by “O” is taken by her boyfriend to a château in the French countryside. But this is no couple’s retreat… It’s a society that specializes in indulging all kinds of sexual fetishes and BDSM practices. It’s there that O is trained to be a submissive and learns the ins and outs of bondage and sadomasochism.
14. Nymphomaniac
Lars von Trier’s two-part film follows a self-proclaimed sex addict as she recounts her sexual explorations and experiences throughout her life. The star-studded films include celebs like Charlotte Gainsbourg, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Uma Thurman, and Willem Dafoe (just to name a few), and offer a raw (and very explicit) look at someone immersed in BDSM. Both volumes are on Amazon and make for one very sultry double feature.
15. The Duke of Burgundy
It honestly doesn’t get much more BDSM than The Duke of Burgundy. The 2014 film centers around Cynthia and Evelyn, a dom/sub couple, and showcases their scenes and struggles as they try to find ways to meet each other’s needs. Evelyn—who cleans the house and acts like a maid—wants more punishment, while Cynthia kinda wants to chill out a little bit. The erotic film showcases a female domme and will absolutely make you want to buy a new pair of knee-high boots.
16. Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!
The sheer fact that Antonio Banderas stars in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! is reason enough to watch, but after seeing him tie up the woman he thinks is his true love, you’ll totally feel the heat. The problem is, Marina (Victoria Abril)—a porn star—doesn’t feel the same way. The film explores all kinds of themes like bondage, control, and dominance, but somehow works to create a humorous and wonderfully raunchy movie.
