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35 Movies Like Fifty Shades of Grey for More Steamy Drama

Sarah Parker February 23, 2026

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The Fifty Shades series, beginning with Fifty Shades of Grey, was one of the most widely mocked of the 2010s, consisting of three films released between 2015 and 2018, based on three books all published in 2011 and 2012. The novels were considered guilty pleasures by some readers and bafflingly awful by others, though it could well have been the case of there being no such thing as bad publicity, given the notoriety got people talking.

As such, a trashy trilogy of erotic novels became a cultural phenomenon, and then the movie adaptations proved similarly successful (at least when it comes to the box office; neither the book nor the film series did well critically). Whether they’d like to admit it or not, some people are undeniably interested in finding other movies like Fifty Shades of Grey. Movies like the Fifty Shades trilogy are likely to provide more silly romantic drama and thrills, though there are also quality movies based around erotic/sexual themes that more or less show the right way for such things to be handled in film. For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey, or anyone wanting comparable films (because of similar themes, smuttiness, or to scratch a so-bad-it’s-good itch), the following movies may well be worth cautiously recommending.

35

‘In the Realm of the Senses’ (1976)

Sada with a knife between her teeth in In the Realm of the Senses

You know you’re doing something right as a provocative/challenging filmmaker if you direct something in 1976 and, nearly 50 years later, it’s still quite shocking, not to mention worthy of an NC-17 rating. This is the case for In the Realm of the Senses, which could be called an erotic drama in the sense that sex plays a big part in the narrative, but as for whether it’s titillating… well…

In the Realm of the Senses is probably more disturbing than anything else, but one’s mileage may vary. It explores a sexual relationship that begins intensely and only grows more so as the film progresses, with things gradually getting more and more violent, not to mention psychologically harrowing. It’s a lot to take in and then sit with, once the film’s over, but you do have to admire the confidence and commitment found in something like this.

34

‘Summer with Monika’ (1953)

A woman standing under the sun in Summer With Monika

Causing a stir in 1953, but being relatively tame by today’s standards, Summer with Monika is still worth mentioning as a significant film within the category of movies that can be described as “erotic.” It was an early Ingmar Bergman film, and far from one of his best, but nonetheless contains compelling qualities, telling the story of a young man and woman pressured into living together after the latter becomes pregnant.

What was initially just a “Summer” begins to look like a lifetime, which naturally causes drama and emotional turmoil for the two main characters. Summer with Monika was daring for its time and still feels pretty effective as a drama about societal pressures and the fragility of love, especially as the latter relates to young people who might still be trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives.

33

‘Room in Rome’ (2010)

Image via Paramount Spain

If it had been made more recently, Room in Rome probably would’ve caused more of a stir and been more controversial. As it stands, it came out in 2010, and wasn’t seen by very many people either… so, hey, maybe it would’ve come and gone had it been made in 2025, too. As for the plot? There really isn’t any plot. It’s kind of like Before Sunrise, but with gratuitous nudity.

The two lead characters are attractive women who meet in a hotel room and spend a lot of time naked and/or having sex. It’s directed by a man, and that – if not criticized in 2010 – would’ve made Room in Rome open to lots of criticism if made in more recent times. Defenders might call it a purely sensual film, while others might say it’s too close to being a feature-length excuse to show lots of sex and nudity. Does the truth lie somewhere in between? Does anyone care?

32

‘Crash’ (1996)

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James Spader looking through a smashed window in Crash (1996)

Image via&nbsp Alliance Communications

David Cronenberg has made his fair share of movies appropriate for sickos, withCrash feeling overall like one of his most twisted and provocative. It follows the lives of various people who have what most would consider to be an unusual fetish: that of car accidents ; people who seem to become sexually aroused by either the idea of cars crashing , or actually being involved in accidents.

It’s empathetic on top of being disturbing , and there’s an unusual atmosphere present throughoutCrash that’s easy to appreciate when you’re watching it , but harder to properly put into words once it’s over . It’s certainly not a film for the faint of heart , by any means , but anyone aftera character-focused drama that’s unafraid to explore a darker side of sexuality might well findCrash intriguing.