Yes, we’ll always save a spot in our hearts for Rhett and Scarlett and Buttercup and Wesley, but today, we’re talking about the sexiest, most believable duos to ever grace the silver screen. Some of these couples made true love look easy, while others just had a physical connection that was simply electric — but they all have one thing in common: We just couldn't wait to see them get it on.
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Jeff Bridges & Rachel Ward, Against All Odds
Although the plotline is pretty conventional, the whole forbidden love theme is a scorcher. The chemistry between these two is so hot it transcends into escapism, and the beach backdrop meant little to no clothing. Their relationship was sex; pure, unadulterated sex. We're fanning ourselves just thinking about it.
Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Although the plotline is pretty conventional, the whole forbidden love theme is a scorcher. The chemistry between these two is so hot it transcends into escapism, and the beach backdrop meant little to no clothing. Their relationship was sex; pure, unadulterated sex. We're fanning ourselves just thinking about it.
Photo: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
2 of 21
Mickey Rourke & Kim Basinger, 9 1/2 Weeks
If you haven't seen 9 1/2 Weeks, the notion of late-night snacking doesn't sound like the most romantic foreplay, which is a shame, because it is. The sexual relationship between Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger isn't exactly healthy, but it sure is hot. Did you know Mickey Rourke was a gorgeous specimen, once upon a time? Because he was.
Photo: Rex USA.
If you haven't seen 9 1/2 Weeks, the notion of late-night snacking doesn't sound like the most romantic foreplay, which is a shame, because it is. The sexual relationship between Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger isn't exactly healthy, but it sure is hot. Did you know Mickey Rourke was a gorgeous specimen, once upon a time? Because he was.
Photo: Rex USA.
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4 of 21
Kate Winslet & Leonardo DiCaprio, Titanic
From the moment Winslet demands DiCaprio draw her wearing the Heart of The Ocean necklace, and only the Heart of The Ocean necklace, the tension that had been building with all their sneaking around, steerage partying, and boat-deck spitting was finally getting released. Their chemistry was so hot, they literally steamed up a car, and left one smudgy handprint to prove it.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
From the moment Winslet demands DiCaprio draw her wearing the Heart of The Ocean necklace, and only the Heart of The Ocean necklace, the tension that had been building with all their sneaking around, steerage partying, and boat-deck spitting was finally getting released. Their chemistry was so hot, they literally steamed up a car, and left one smudgy handprint to prove it.
Photo: Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
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Jake Gyllenhaal & Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain
There was an air of honest innocence about Ledger and Gyllenhaal's relationship. They were coming into their own, and discovering themselves together in a world that chastised them. The secrecy of their relationship kept things interesting. Oh, and that tent scene? Yes. Just yes.
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features.
There was an air of honest innocence about Ledger and Gyllenhaal's relationship. They were coming into their own, and discovering themselves together in a world that chastised them. The secrecy of their relationship kept things interesting. Oh, and that tent scene? Yes. Just yes.
Photo: Courtesy of Focus Features.
6 of 21
Johnny Depp & Juliette Binoche, Chocolat
Depp and Binoche's classic game of cat and mouse is enthralling. Chocolate is, at its core, an aphrodisiac, and Binoche's obsession with trying to figure out Depp's favorite flavor puts this film in the running for best innuendo. Great chemistry, great food? That's pretty sweet.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.
Depp and Binoche's classic game of cat and mouse is enthralling. Chocolate is, at its core, an aphrodisiac, and Binoche's obsession with trying to figure out Depp's favorite flavor puts this film in the running for best innuendo. Great chemistry, great food? That's pretty sweet.
Photo: Courtesy of Miramax Films.
7 of 21
Maggie Gyllenhaal & James Spader, Secretary
That cliché bedroom role-play of boss and secretary was taken to new heights in Secretary. Spader was the OG Christian Grey, and Gyllenhaal's submissiveness was enough to make you bite your thumb, and adjust your blouse. Kink has never looked more refined, and the attraction between these two was so sinful, it was delicious.
Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
That cliché bedroom role-play of boss and secretary was taken to new heights in Secretary. Spader was the OG Christian Grey, and Gyllenhaal's submissiveness was enough to make you bite your thumb, and adjust your blouse. Kink has never looked more refined, and the attraction between these two was so sinful, it was delicious.
Photo: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
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8 of 21
Omar Sharif & Julie Christie, Doctor Zhivago
Love in the time of war, you slay us every time. There isn't just chemistry between these two, it's a love for the ages. We dream of having someone look at us the way Sharif looked at Christie. Even when they finally get in bed together, you don't see it, but you know — you just know by seeing the sheets move a little that it's passionate.
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Love in the time of war, you slay us every time. There isn't just chemistry between these two, it's a love for the ages. We dream of having someone look at us the way Sharif looked at Christie. Even when they finally get in bed together, you don't see it, but you know — you just know by seeing the sheets move a little that it's passionate.
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
9 of 21
Christian Slater & Samantha Mathis, Pump Up The Volume
Nothing captures the delicious angst of teenage desire quite like a brooding Slater and a sexually charged Samantha Mathis. The two have an intense, unflinching make-out session to Ivan Neville's "Why Can't I Fall In Love," and the trepidation of the pair almost matches the intense longing. Oh, and the music is pitch-perfect too, which makes sense in a movie about a pirate radio station.
Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema.
Nothing captures the delicious angst of teenage desire quite like a brooding Slater and a sexually charged Samantha Mathis. The two have an intense, unflinching make-out session to Ivan Neville's "Why Can't I Fall In Love," and the trepidation of the pair almost matches the intense longing. Oh, and the music is pitch-perfect too, which makes sense in a movie about a pirate radio station.
Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema.
11 of 21
Taye Diggs & Angela Bassett, How Stella Got Her Groove Back
These two could have just stood on the beach for the whole length of the movie, and it'd still be good. Luckily, they did more than that. Bassett was crowned queen cougar because of this film, and Diggs, the Adonis of sexual reawakening. Sighs all around.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Rex USA.
These two could have just stood on the beach for the whole length of the movie, and it'd still be good. Luckily, they did more than that. Bassett was crowned queen cougar because of this film, and Diggs, the Adonis of sexual reawakening. Sighs all around.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Rex USA.
12 of 21
Rita Hayworth & Glenn Ford, Gilda
No, you don't see copulation in Gilda. In fact, you don't even see a full-on kiss, because of censorship restrictions during the '40s. But the palpable hate/love between Gilda and Johnny is one of the most convincing during the film noir period. "I hate you so much…I think I am going to die of it." Ugh. Rita Hayworth sears with that line.
Photo: SNAP/Rex/Rex USA.
No, you don't see copulation in Gilda. In fact, you don't even see a full-on kiss, because of censorship restrictions during the '40s. But the palpable hate/love between Gilda and Johnny is one of the most convincing during the film noir period. "I hate you so much…I think I am going to die of it." Ugh. Rita Hayworth sears with that line.
Photo: SNAP/Rex/Rex USA.
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13 of 21
Ellen Barkin & Al Pacino, Sea of Love
The whole courting your suspect wins again. There's just something about Barkin and Pacino's initial meeting, the coy temptation she evokes at the restaurant is palpable. She set the ball rolling by refusing to take a drink. Hard to get, much? Yes. Hot? Definitely — even if she's a wanted woman.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Rex USA.
The whole courting your suspect wins again. There's just something about Barkin and Pacino's initial meeting, the coy temptation she evokes at the restaurant is palpable. She set the ball rolling by refusing to take a drink. Hard to get, much? Yes. Hot? Definitely — even if she's a wanted woman.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Rex USA.
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Catherine Deneuve & Susan Sarandon, The Hunger
The Hunger somehow knew that vampire sex was hotter than human sex way before True Blood was even a glimmer of an idea. Seriously, Sookie & Bill ain't got nothin' on a well-manicured, slightly-bloodied Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve.
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
The Hunger somehow knew that vampire sex was hotter than human sex way before True Blood was even a glimmer of an idea. Seriously, Sookie & Bill ain't got nothin' on a well-manicured, slightly-bloodied Susan Sarandon and Catherine Deneuve.
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
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Juliette Binoche & Jeremy Irons, Damage
The attraction between these two is painful in the best way possible. You know from the moment Irons and Binoche meet that they're future was doomed, but the road to their downfall would be a sinfully lustful one. Nothing about their relationship felt gratuitous. It was raw. It was carnal. You knew it was wrong; you knew Irons and Binoche overstepped the line since she was Irons' son's girlfriend, but you loved it anyway because the intensity between these two consumed you.
Photo: SNAP/Rex/Rex USA.
The attraction between these two is painful in the best way possible. You know from the moment Irons and Binoche meet that they're future was doomed, but the road to their downfall would be a sinfully lustful one. Nothing about their relationship felt gratuitous. It was raw. It was carnal. You knew it was wrong; you knew Irons and Binoche overstepped the line since she was Irons' son's girlfriend, but you loved it anyway because the intensity between these two consumed you.
Photo: SNAP/Rex/Rex USA.
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Warren Beatty & Julie Christie, Shampoo
Honestly, who hasn't thought of bedding their hairdresser? Aside from that, Shampoo was riddled with sexual politics — it was the country's post-summer-of-love sexual reawakening. That kitchen scene? C'mon, Jack Warden says it best when he and Goldie Hawn walk in on Beatty and Christie on the floor: "Now, that's what I call f&^@ing!"
Photo: Everett Collection/Rex USA.
Honestly, who hasn't thought of bedding their hairdresser? Aside from that, Shampoo was riddled with sexual politics — it was the country's post-summer-of-love sexual reawakening. That kitchen scene? C'mon, Jack Warden says it best when he and Goldie Hawn walk in on Beatty and Christie on the floor: "Now, that's what I call f&^@ing!"
Photo: Everett Collection/Rex USA.
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18 of 21
Humphrey Bogart & Lauren Bacall, To Have And Have Not
The filmic home of one of the most sexually charged lines in all of cinema ("You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and…blow") and one of the most intense couplings in all of cinema (Bogey and Bacall), this movie is a study in incredible chemistry. (Rumor has it Bacall's part was extended because she was simply so much fun to watch interact with Bogart.) On top of that, her character, Slim, has some of the best zingers of all time.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
The filmic home of one of the most sexually charged lines in all of cinema ("You know how to whistle, don't you, Steve? You just put your lips together and…blow") and one of the most intense couplings in all of cinema (Bogey and Bacall), this movie is a study in incredible chemistry. (Rumor has it Bacall's part was extended because she was simply so much fun to watch interact with Bogart.) On top of that, her character, Slim, has some of the best zingers of all time.
Photo: Courtesy of Warner Bros.
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Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, and Javier Bardem, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Penelope Cruz and ScarJo are the definition of sexy, and throwing in Bardem's accent and worldliness amps up the hotness factor tenfold. The artist/muse relationship is always hot to watch, and when there's three? Well, you're going to need a cold shower after this.
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .
Penelope Cruz and ScarJo are the definition of sexy, and throwing in Bardem's accent and worldliness amps up the hotness factor tenfold. The artist/muse relationship is always hot to watch, and when there's three? Well, you're going to need a cold shower after this.
Photo: Courtesy of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .
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Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling, The Notebook
Trying to figure out which came first, their fictional romance or their real life romance, is a chicken and egg debate. All that matters is these two had a connection that was so strong it extended beyond the film. They were literally magnets to each other, and instilled in us many unrealistically high expectations for our future relationships. We blame the intensity of these two for our romantic woes.
Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema.
Trying to figure out which came first, their fictional romance or their real life romance, is a chicken and egg debate. All that matters is these two had a connection that was so strong it extended beyond the film. They were literally magnets to each other, and instilled in us many unrealistically high expectations for our future relationships. We blame the intensity of these two for our romantic woes.
Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema.
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Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
One of the things about the new Star Wars movies is that they simply don't have the tension and banter of, say, Empire Strikes Back. The scene where Leia is frustratingly fixing the Falcon and she hurts her hand is practically on fire, and the charged banter between the duo is absolutely perfect. But nothing is as loin-tingling as the moment when Han is dipped in carbonite. Leia professes her love, and he doesn't take his eyes off of her. If only the Empire would release them so they could do it, right there, in Bespin.
Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
One of the things about the new Star Wars movies is that they simply don't have the tension and banter of, say, Empire Strikes Back. The scene where Leia is frustratingly fixing the Falcon and she hurts her hand is practically on fire, and the charged banter between the duo is absolutely perfect. But nothing is as loin-tingling as the moment when Han is dipped in carbonite. Leia professes her love, and he doesn't take his eyes off of her. If only the Empire would release them so they could do it, right there, in Bespin.
Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox.
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