Sex comedies have always dominated the comedy genre – from the late ’50s to the present, we have liked and appreciated those unforgettable nasty monologues and dialogues, punchlines, hot writhing women, and epic performances that these films provide. The sensuality of such films was typically very high, as was their impact. I may be crossing some lines here, but sex comedies have had a significant impact on pop culture in many nations, particularly in the Americas and Europe.
Judd Apatow, who worked on films such as ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin,’ ‘Knocked Up,’ ‘Funny People,’ and ‘This is 40,’ is one of the industry’s biggest names for bringing sex comedy to the forefront and making them uber-popular. And, of course, films like ‘American Pie’ and ‘The Hangover’ followed suit, fundamentally altering the way we used to watch and absorb sex comedies. Apatow is also credited with making films such as ‘Superbad,’ ‘Anchorman,’ and others, all of which are slapstick sex comedies. Aside from hardcore sex comedies, we’ve seen films like ‘Friends With Benefits,’ ‘No Strings Attached,’ and others that are various kind of sex comedy – more of a sarcastic take on relationships and casual sex.
Sex has sold more films than any other subgenre, directly or indirectly. Teen sex, incest, LGBTQ, sexual romances, or sex comedy – there are only a few unsuccessful films in this genre that we can think of. With that said, we bring to you a list of the best sex comedy movies of all time. Please remember to put your logic aside prior to this point before proceeding. Furthermore, some of the films on the list are teen sex comedies. Several of these sex comedy are also available to watch on Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime.
Revenge of the Nerds (1984)
‘Revenge of the Nerds,’ a film that is deservedly regarded as a classic in the “Snobs vs. Snobs” genre, is frequently cited as one of the funniest sex comedies of its time. The film, which stars Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards as Lewis and Gilbert, respectively (I know, it sounds like a stoner movie), centres around a group of freshman geeks and their experiences during their first year at college. Both are pitted against another campus fraternity called Alpha Beta, prompting them to band together with other freshmen to start their own fraternity to combat the so-called “evil,” if you know what I mean. ‘Revenge of the Nerds’ is both hilarious and reasonable, and it demands your attention.
Friends with Benefits (2011)
‘Friends with Benefits,’ a hugely famous romantic comedy starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake, tells the story of Dylan and Jamie. While Jamie is in New York working as a recruiter, Dylan is in Los Angeles working as a director for a tiny company. Their paths meet when Dylan is approached by Jamie about a job working for GQ in New York. Dylan decides to move to New York City, and because he knows no one else there, he creates a particular kind of connection with Jamie, one without attachments, and they simply “use” each other for solely sexual intimacies. ‘Friends with Benefits,’ with a lot of sexual innuendos and references to one’s private parts, as well as plenty of nudity, is your usual sex comedy/romance/love story that you should be watching right now.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008)
As you can see, the substance of the film is described in the title; there isn’t much more to say about it. Zack Brown (Seth Rogen) and Miri Linky (Elizabeth Banks) have been friends for a long time and are now roommates in suburban Pennsylvania. Financially stricken and unable to pay their bills, Zack persuades Miri to collaborate on a pornographic film based on cues from a viral video they’ve seen. They have a good time making these films while developing feelings for each other and falling in love, only to separate briefly and reconcile, which culminates in their marriage, with hilariously inventive names for their pornographic films based on the location of filming — for example, “Swallow My C**kuccino” for a movie being filmed in a coffee shop. ‘Zack and Miri Make a Porno’ was a box office triumph, grossing more than $40 million worldwide.
EuroTrip (2004)
‘EuroTrip’ is a near-perfect example of a film that critics despise but young fans adore. In a normal travel-adventure premise, it features sex, men’s jokes, sometimes objectification, and some very weird moments of fun. ‘EuroTrip’ basically has all the components of a fantastic sex comedy. That being said, the film’s main selling point is the exotic locations of Europe, where the film was shot, and the sultry naked women who are a sight for sore eyes for many. The plot centres around Scotty, an Ohio adolescent who travels across Europe to visit his German pen pal Mieke while encountering bizarre and amusing incidents along the route. For many, ‘EuroTrip’ is a guilty pleasure connected with a sex comedy since it is so terrible and hallucinogenic.
The Girl Next Door (2004)
‘The Girl Next Door,’ starring Emile Hirsch, Elisha Cuthbert, and Chris Marquette, was panned by critics when it was released for its resemblance to another sex-comedy, ‘Risky Business.’ However, because to its unique idea, it has subsequently garnered a cult following (however meager it could be). The narrative of the picture was every live man’s dream while growing up, especially while one is in high school, which is why it worked with males. The plot centres around Matthew, a high school senior whose world is flipped upside down when a stunning girl named Danielle, a former pornstar, moves next door. The plot revolves around Matthew and Danielle’s love-hate relationship.
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex *But Were Afraid To Ask (1972)
Exactly one word. This 1972 video comes from the vaults of famed filmmaker Woody Allen, and if you think it’s some type of guided porno, you’re probably incorrect. One of Allen’s early works, the film features a series of seven segments that are a satirical take on various sexual lingos, props, and attempts to solve common sex-related doubts in a humorous manner. Allen was universally praised for his unconventional approach, but this remains one of his oddest pictures. Contrary to popular belief, the film went on to earn $18 million in worldwide revenue on a mere $2 million budget — another another reason to watch it right away!
Risky Business (1983)
‘Risky Business,’ starring Tom Cruise in one of his first major successful works in Hollywood, is a fashionably sensual satire with crisp dialogue and typical teenage-sex comedy innuendos. The film is plenty of elegance, as Cruise, playing Joel Goodson, enjoys all the fun at his house when his parents depart for vacation. They have sex with a hooker, do drugs, get stumped, and their house is burgled, but Joel eventually finds his way to Princeton, where his father always wanted him to be. The guilty pleasures of being the lone adult guy in your house and setting everything straight before you’re detected are extremely amusing, and Tom Cruise performs admirably in the lead role.
The Sure Thing (1985)
‘The Sure Thing’ has frequently been referred to as “miraculous” since, at the time of its debut, obscenity and teenage sex comedy were nearly synonymous. ‘The Sure Thing,’ a road trip film at heart, tells the narrative of Walter Gibson, a high school senior, and his friend Lance, who meet Alison, one of Walter’s love interests and also the girlfriend of one of his pals, on a frantic road trip from New England to Los Angeles. The humor is refreshing, and the transformation of a standard rom-com into a teen comedy that is sensual in its own way without being explicit is also impressive.
Knocked Up (2007)
‘Knocked Up,’ perhaps Seth Rogen’s signature film before he became stereotyped into playing similar types of roles in sub-genres like sex comedies and stoner dramas, is also one of the most successful sex comedies of all time, grossing more than $200 million in worldwide box office revenues despite being made on a $30 million budget. The plot revolves around Ben and Alison. While Ben is a laid-back individual who spends his time drinking, smoking weed, and working for a celebrity porn website, Alison has recently been promoted while working for a cable television station. Ben and Alison meet in a nightclub, hook up, and have some fun. A few weeks later, Alison realizes she may be pregnant, and the rest of the film revolves around their love-hate relationship and whether or not they should pursue parenting. ‘Knocked Up’ has long been regarded as one of the best comedies of its generation, and it is without a doubt the best film in which Seth Rogen has appeared.
American Pie Franchise (1999-2012)
American Pie (1999) and the films that followed it as sequels redefined the period of sex comedies with crass comedy and was hailed as a game-changer in the sub-genre of sex comedies. In general, the franchise has teens who are cheering for sex, wanking their way out of high school no matter what, and who consume drugs and rave parties to feed their inner needs while ostensibly “trying” to find love. ‘American Pie,’ starring Shannon Elizabeth as one of the original film series’ key characters, is an unforgettable experience, including shabbily filmed sex scenes with over-the-top performances and sleazy language.
Easy A (2010)
‘Easy A,’ another adolescent comedy starring Emma Stone, recounts the story of Olive, a high school teenager who pretends and lies about being a stud but is actually a virgin. Only Olive’s friend Brandon is aware of her true “situation,” and in order to portray Brandon, who is gay, as a straight stud in the eyes of the entire college, Olive and Brandon pretend to have sex. While every guy in college is gradually using her to pretend to have sex with in order to boost his popularity in college, she is asked to leave school for her behavior. ‘Easy A’ is definitely the best-in-class teen comedy, and Emma Stone delivers the performance of a lifetime.
There’s Something About Mary (1998)
Following the popularity of ‘Dumb and Dumber,’ the Farrelly brothers created a film that combines fun, love, and sex in a way that makes us laugh out loud at the funny circumstances. The film, starring Ben Stiller as Ted and Cameron Diaz as Mary, tells the story of Ted, a single man who gets a chance to meet up with his high school dream girl, Mary, despite the fact that his date with her is a complete disaster, with his zipper stuck on “you know what” — something that doesn’t go well with Mary. In a another universe, 13 years later, Ted still has a crush on Mary and will go to any length to get her. When a detective investigating the girl falls in love with her, the simple plot takes a comically convoluted turn. The picture received deserved critical and financial acclaim, earning it multiple awards and nominations. Who can forget the amusing masturbating scene or the moment where Mary misidentifies semen as hair gel? At the very least, I can’t.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005)
In this Judd Apatow film, Andy plays the so-called 40-Year-Old Virgin. He is a nerdy know-it-all who works at an electronics store, and he admits to his coworkers during a poker game that he is forty and still a virgin. While making strange ideas to Andy, his coworkers are also eager to assist Andy in losing his virginity. While Andy’s attempts at sex are frequently underestimated or interrupted, he meets Trish, a girl he met during one of his sales pitches, and is quickly infatuated. While they initially struggle to initiate sex, Andy goes out of his way to seduce her and marry her, only to lose his virginity afterwards. ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin,’ a sex-comedy turned romantic love story, is well worth your time.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
‘Harold and Kumar’ is a mind-boggling experience; I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about it. From ecstatic sex to hallucinated marijuana scenes, ‘Harold & Kumar’ is a typical stoner comedy that also doubles as a sex comedy, and the balance it maintains in this film is what makes it so famous. The Harold & Kumar franchise, starring Kal Penn and John Cho, lends a sense of insanity to two Asian guys battling to stay out of prison. They frequently end up in the wrong locations and get into amusing misadventures. In addition, a slew of celebrities appear throughout cameo parts in the film.
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
‘The Seven Year Itch,’ starring Marilyn Monroe as The Girl, has one of the most memorable posters in contemporary film — a girl in a white dress whose skirt is being blown off by the wind. The plot centres around Richard, a middle-aged married man whose wife and child are on vacation. He is enamored by a new upstairs neighbor, a former model and actress (Monroe). While fantasizing about the girl, Richard is also concerned about the implications, and in another fantasy, he tells himself to reunite with his wife and child. Although it is not a sex comedy at first, ‘The Seven Year Itch’ sets the tone for one, which is why it is included on the list. Monroe is stunning in this film, as she always is.
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)
Welcome to one of the year’s most popular mainstream films. Ridgemont High is all about high-school drama, from Phoebe Cates’ sexy swimsuit scene (which many people paused and replayed) to Sean Penn’s classic surfing routine. The plot revolves around a group of high school students who are into drugs, surfing, sex, rock ‘n’ roll, and sexy women. The film, which stars children from somewhat older and younger generations as protagonists, explores how a few years gap in high school leads to shifting tastes for relationships, love, and sex. Sean Penn’s performance in ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ was critically lauded.
When Harry Met Sally…(1989)
‘When Harry Met Sally…’ stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in major roles as the titular Harry and Sally, respectively, and aptly attempts to address the subject of a man and a woman remaining simply friends in a comedic and pun-intended manner. It isn’t a pure romance film at first, but it finally becomes one. ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ follows several timelines in which Harry and Sally come across one other — whether on a flight, at a bookshop, or in a coffee shop — only to discover that these coincidental encounters have a deeper meaning. The entire story revolves around their acquaintance turning into friendship, which finally leads to their marriage. ‘When Harry Met Sally…’ is a nice and worthwhile feel-good film about love, hate, and relationships.
Superbad (2007)
We bring to you ‘Superbad,’ one of the most famous and crass sex comedies of all time, which also received a lot of critical acclaim. ‘Superbad,’ co-written by Seth Rogen (who also stars in the picture), follows Seth and Evan, two teens on a mission to lose their virginity before the end of high school. This coming-of-age picture includes booze parties, inebriated sexual encounters, and a summer full of active sexual experience, as well as a slew of innovative words and monologues. Not to mention a pretty foreseeable blunder throughout the entire process, which puts Seth and Evan in hot water. ‘Superbad’ was a huge commercial hit and should absolutely be viewed if you enjoy sex comedies.
The Hangover Franchise (2009-2013)
‘The Hangover,’ one of those great coming-of-age films that needs no introduction, is a truly brilliant work of humor, with Zach Galifianakis delivering a performance of a lifetime. All of the films in the ‘The Hangover’ franchise follow a group of four to five grown-up men who seek sanctuary in parties in exotic destinations, only to become addicted to drugs that cause them to forget what happened in the previous hours or days. What’s so amusing is that the identical mistake occurred three times in three movies, but each time under different circumstances, resulting in a whole distinct set of humorous happenings. The best aspects of the film series are, without a doubt, the performances and the writing.
The Graduate (1967)
‘The Graduate,’ widely regarded as one of the best comedies of all time, is the ultimate sex comedy film. ‘The Graduate,’ the film that popularized phrases like “Milf,” is a liberal yet balanced blend of vulgar sex and emotional struggle. Apart from the witty dialogues and unforgettable soundtrack, watch it for Katharine Ross and Dustin Hoffman’s great performances and terrific on-screen chemistry.