The belief that “sex sells” goes back as far as the 1870s. Whether it still holds true, it’s safe to say that sex and entertainment will continue to share a strong bond. The advent of streaming has given creators more control over their work, allowing them to feature steamier romantic content.
Shows aren’t afraid to tackle sex as a concept anymore and Netflix boasts more than a few steamy hits in its line-up. From female empowerment to an added sense of realism and education, television has expanded the conversation surrounding sex and its complexities.
Updated on May 15th, 2023 by Casey Coates: This list has been updated to reflect CBR’s current publishing style.
This article contains mature themes and the trailers are for mature audiences.
15 Outlander (2014—)
6 Seasons, 75 Episodes
Based on Diana Gabaldon’s eponymous book series, Outlander tells the story of Claire Randall, a 1940s nurse who accidentally time-travels back to mid-18th century Scotland. Confused and alone, she ends up marrying a Highlander from Clan MacKenzie called Jamie Fraser to blend in and survive in her new home.
Although Jamie and Claire get married quite quickly in Outlander, they take their time to fall in love. However, they’re stuck in a web of mistrust and uncertainty. Their love story leads to some of the steamiest moments in Outlander, providing Netflix viewers with some of the most swoon-worthy scenes in historical dramas.
14 Valeria (2020—)
2 Seasons, 16 Episodes
Valeria follows the titular character, a writer struggling with her marriage. Her three friends, Lola, Carmen, and Nerea are also followed on a journey of love, relationships, and self-discovery. The Spanish comedy is based on Elísabet Benavent’s novel, En Los Zapatos De Valeria, and stars Money Heist alumni Diana Gómez as the protagonist.
Valeria includes several entertaining and dramatic storylines with plenty of character development for its female leads. The series delves deeper into the power of female friendships, the importance and troubles of a healthy romantic life, and the rocky road to a successful career.
13 Sense8 (2015—2018)
2 Seasons, 24 Episodes
In 2015, the Wachowski sisters joined forces with comic book writer J. Michael Straczynski to create Sense8. The sci-fi drama follows people from different parts of the world who are mentally and emotionally linked to one another. Its multinational ensemble cast included Doona Bae, Jamie Clayton, and Miguel Ángel Silvestre.
Sense8 was universally praised for its LGBTQ+ representation, as it explored gender identity and sexual preference with a candidness that had yet to be shown on TV at the time. The show’s realistic and unfiltered depiction of same-sex steamy scenes was also groundbreaking for Netflix, starting a trend that continues to this day.
12 Dark Desire/Oscuro Deseo (2020—)
2 Seasons, 33 Episodes
In Dark Desire, award-winning Mexican actor and RBD member Maite Perroni plays Alma, a law school professor who falls for her student and begins an affair with him. The series follows Alma as she attempts to discover what her husband has been keeping from her while hiding her extramarital relationship from him.
As its name suggests, Dark Desire is one of Netflix’s most sensual and mature entries, with plenty of erotic scenes sprinkled in between plot twists. When the series’ first season premiered in 2020, it gained over 35 million views in less than a month and became the streaming service’s most-watched non-English show at the time.
11 Sexify (2021—)
1 Season, 8 Episodes
Sexify is a Polish comedy that centers on Natalia, Paulina, and Monika, a trio of university students who create an app that allows women to discover and experiment with their sexuality. Consisting of eight episodes, the series follows the three friends as they join a tech competition and explore the world of intimacy.
Given its subject matter, Sexify has also been favorably compared to Netflix’s Sex Education for its playful tone, engaging characters, and relatable storylines. While it approaches the topic of sex and relationships from a mostly educational standpoint, Sexify still has an abundance of steamy scenes.
10 Sex/Life (2021—)
1 Season, 8 Episodes
Sex/Life follows Billie Connelly, a suburban housewife who’s grown bored with her idyllic life. This yearning results in Billie daydreaming about her 20s in New York and participating in affairs. The audience is then introduced to Brad, a notable partner in Billie’s life.
While Sex/Life has come under fire for delivering nudity without much substance, the show does go deeper. Although it was all but critically panned, Sex/Life asks its characters important questions surrounding parenthood and marriage, as well as the identities that have been gained and lost.
9 Bridgerton (2020—)
2 Seasons, 16 Episodes
Shonda Rimes, creator of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, signed a deal with Netflix and brought fans Bridgerton. The series takes place during Regency era London and tackles the Bridgerton siblings’ struggle to find love.
Bridgerton uses the widened freedom of its platform to include more adult themes. Despite the nudity and sexual nature, the creators of Bridgerton use these tools to create a period drama that tells its story through a modern lens. Bridgerton’sfemale characters develop their own agency and learn how sex, and their bodies, can have great power when they claim ownership over them.
8 Money Heist (2017—2021)
3 Seasons, 41 Episodes
Money Heist became a hit show and cultural phenomenon. As much as its action set pieces and themes played a role in this success, the characters and their relationships are largely to thank. Money Heist captures the passion that lies in people who are fighting for something greater than themselves.
While the characters are criminals, the love and romance they find with each other isn’t something that can be locked away. Whether expressing their passion in the middle of an important heist or being vulnerable when hope seems all but lost, Money Heist gives audiences the danger and desire to keep them captivated from one episode to the next.
7 Grey’s Anatomy (2005—)
19 Seasons, 405 Episodes
As one of the longest-running series in American primetime television history, it’s easy for a show like Grey’s Anatomy to feel stale and redundant. That being said, Shonda Rhimes’ creation has managed to reinvent itself and keep viewers watching.
A large reason for Grey’s success is its cast. The chemistry in the ensemble has led to relationships ending in heartbreak or holy matrimony. The constant ebb and flow of the characters’ lives, professionally and personally, has given Grey’s creators many plotlines to pull from.
6 Elite (2018—)
5 Seasons, 40 Episodes
Elite explores the economical and social gap between the working class and the wealthy. After the murder of a fellow student, the main characters’ lives are transformed. Elite follows the same structure of many teen dramas, from its inclusion of sex to its exploration of relationships between characters and the drama that ensues.
However, Elite diverges from typical teen dramas by commenting on the characters’ socioeconomic status. The students continue to mingle with one another, but the difference in class adds another element and obstacle to the relationships that form and how they navigate them.
5 Sex Education (2019—)
3 Seasons, 24 Episodes
Sex Education brings the sensibilities of John Hughes’ work into the modern era. The show follows Otis Milburn (played by Asa Butterfield), a student who unintentionally follows in his mother’s footsteps when he starts giving sex advice to his peers. The service turns into a business once Maeve Wiley, the rebel of Moordale Secondary School, formalizes Otis’ operation.
Sex Education removes the taboos surrounding sex, especially among teens. While it’s filled with hilarity and hijinks, the series explores topics such as intimacy, sexual health, identity, and agency. What’s more, Sex Education works to create a diverse cast through its inclusion of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities.
4 The Witcher (2019—)
2 Seasons, 16 Episodes
The live-action adaptation of the novels by Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher tells the story of Geralt of Rivia. Geralt is a monster hunter who’s destined to protect Princess Ciri from the evil forces lurking within their world. However, while the action and fantasy elements are at the forefront, romance finds its way into The Witcher.
The most significant relationship in The Witcher is Geralt and Yennefer’s. The two have a complicated history in the novels, games, and series. As they’re bound by a final wish, Geralt and Yennefer often struggle to determine whether their love is real.
3 Dear White People (2017—2021)
4 Seasons, 40 Episodes
Dear White People, the Netflix series based on Justin Simien’s award-winning feature of the same name, examines the struggles of being Black in predominantly white spaces. The series follows a group of Winchester University students who are attempting to navigate cultural bias and social injustice that often plague the “post-racial” landscape.
Dear White People does well to balance the humor with the impact these moments can have on people. Likewise, the Netflix series depicts how sex can complicate friendships, sway power dynamics, and lead to self-discovery.
2 She’s Gotta Have It (2017—2019)
2 Seasons, 19 Episodes
The reboot of Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It follows Nola Darling (played by DeWanda Wise) as she tries to navigate life in Brooklyn and balance her job, friendships, and various lovers. Lee’s Netflix series takes the familiar struggles of Darling’s film counterpart and places them in the present day. This gives her character more emotional resonance with modern audiences and speaks to the lack of progress of society.
While there is a great deal of sexual activity, Lee and Wise have crafted a character who isn’t seeking any validation or explicit form of empowerment. Nola Darling is simply having casual affairs with multiple partners for the joy of it, which is a powerful decision in and of itself.
1 Lovesick (2014—2018)
4 Seasons, 22 Episodes
Lovesick explores love’s many obstacles and the impact each relationship leaves. The show follows Dylan Witter, who has recently been diagnosed with Chlamydia. In an effort to be a responsible partner, Dylan begins calling his former partners to inform them of this.
Lovesick primarily examines Dylan’s relationships through flashbacks. This allows audiences the chance to not only piece together a timeline of Dylan’s past relationships, but also his growth throughout each season. While there are many laughs to be had about Dylan’s sexual encounters, Lovesick delves into the more intimate moments between friends and lovers. This gives the series a charm akin to Richard Curtis’ work.
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