These 10 Films of the Last 20 Years Have Our All-Time Favorite Gay Sex Scenes

Gay films have come along way in the past few decades. And we’re getting more and more on-screen representation by the day. But what if we look at the best gay sex scenes on film, and specifically at how gay sex is represented on the big screen?

If you’re looking for a movie that’s all about hot gay sex scenes, well, you can head to PornHub. But when you’re seeking a poignant, powerful or humorous story that also features some of the best gay sex scenes caught on camera — and also some of the most realistic — we’ve compiled a handy list to help you out.

Here are 10 titles featuring some of the best gay sex scenes on film, in no particular order:

1. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

First, we gotta respect a classic. Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain broke the game when it came to gay representation. It was one of the very first mainstream movies to seriously depict gay love and gay sex. And even though that one scene — you know the one — can’t be praised as particularly realistic or practical (I mean, only a bit of spit? That’d hurt!) it’s still one of the best gay sex scenes on film. And the sexual tension between lead actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger — and that popped bubble of adrenaline and lust — still holds us to this day.

Watch the beginning of that one infamous gay sex scene here:

2. Shortbus (2006)

Now when I say “NSFW,” I mean NSFW with this movie! Shortbus was John Cameron Mitchell’s follow-up to his directorial debut Hedwig and the Angry Inch. This movie was created over a span of three years and was committed to an uncensored depiction of gay love. (And we mean uncensored.) The film included unsimulated gay sex scenes, meaning the actors really had sex on-camera. And the film also explores many sides of queer relationships, including throuples, kink, lesbian love and more. If you’re looking for something more daring — and which features some of the most outlandish gay sex scenes and gay sex acts ever caught on film — this is the one.

Watch Shortbus‘s extended (and very uncensored) trailer here:

3. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Say what you will about the casting of this film. I certainly will (like, despite how enthusiastic he is about this movie and its purported sequel, Armie Hammer looked too old to play 24 and gave the movie a creepy grooming vibe). But Call Me By Your Name has a very intense sexual energy. That was in part due to the actors’ commitment (I mean, who can forget Timothée Chalamet’s ‘sex eyes’?) and in part to a peach. The squishing noises still haunt my dreams.

Watch the trailer for Call Me By Your Name here:

4. Moonlight (2016)

Now for our other Oscar winner, we have Moonlight. You might argue this movie wasn’t particularly sexual, and you’d be partly right. While the film didn’t include many gay sex scenes, it did have one, in which teenager Chiron hangs out with his childhood friend Kevin, and the two share an intimate handjob on the beach. The moment was vulnerable and visceral, and very, very sexual. The movie alone is great, but that scene was truly something else, one of the most real, best gay sex scenes in any film we’ve seen.

Watch that Moonlight beach scene here:

5. Sense8: The Series Finale (2018)

Alright, I know I’m cheating here, but give me a break! If you’ve ever seen the Netflix series Sense8, you’ll know that it’s very sexual. (I’ll never get that very first sex scene with the wet dildo out of my head.) It seems like the Wachowskis finally got to realize their fantasy of that big club scene in the third Matrix film — you know, the one where everyone looked like they wanted to bang in one big club orgy? Well, that’s what the Wachowskis finally got to depict in what was technically the 2.5-hour series finale of Sense8. Only this time it wasn’t in a club but among a cluster of human beings connected to each other psychically — they could be having sex with their husband while simultaneously banging seven other people! With all its memorable orgy scenes, Sense8 regularly featured some of the best gay sex scenes shown on television, and with this finale episode/film, we were treated to even more at the story’s end.

Watch the Sense8: The Series Finale trailer here:

6. God’s Own Country (2017)

This film had gay sex galore! From the heavy grunting to the pale butts and full-frontal male nudity, you really get it all with this one. I mean, what other movie can make a gay sex scene in an outhouse come off as sexy? Your favorite film could never!

Watch a sexy montage from God’s Own Country here:

7. BPM (2017)

Taking place in Paris during the emerging AIDS crisis, this film followed activists in the extreme highs and lows of the time. And that includes gay sex. There were so many great gay sex scenes in this movie that you’ll be able to pick your favorites.

Watch the trailer for BPM here:

8. Eating Out (2004)

Let’s face it, this franchise of multiple films was basically softcore gay porn, but, we had to include it anyway just for its iconic-ness. If you’re looking for a hot but insanely teasing series of films to watch, this is it! These movies were all about watching guys (and sometimes girls) get it on while still being tame enough to not be labeled pornography. Some of its best gay sex scenes were backstage at theaters, at swingers’ getaways, with instructional strippers and more. These films will always get us hot and heavy.

Watch the trailer for the first Eating Out film here:

9. Another Gay Movie (2006)

Another cheesy, campy film with lots of gay sex scenes. Art house film, this is not. But if you’re looking for a cheap laugh while chugging some wine, this is the film for you. From the mid-2000s, this movie was gay men’s response to the American Pie franchise. With lots of cringe teen antics but also lots of gay sex talk, you’d think this movie wouldn’t get you hot and bothered, but a genuine connection build toward the movie’s end pays off in a surprising way, and things get steamy.

Watch a scene from Another Gay Movie here:

10. Weekend (2011)

This critically acclaimed film depicts guys meeting in a trashy gay bar and having a drunken night together. (Some things are just universal.) But from Weekend‘s hot, drunken, frenzied gay sex scenes to its sweet, groany morning gay sex scenes, we’ll take them all. Director Andrew Haigh was committed to being as explicit and real as possible, and when it comes to watching the best gay sex scenes on film, there’s no other way we’d want it.

Watch the Weekend trailer here:

Which of these 10 films do you think have the best gay sex scenes caught on camera?

This article was originally published on December 22, 2020. It has since been updated.