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Sex and film — oddly those are two topics that go hand in hand. Think of your favorite dramatic movie. There’s a really good chance that there’s a steamy sex scene in there. People doing the dirty is a natural part of life, but more importantly, sex scenes sell tickets.
The prevalence of erotic moments in movies means that there’s a good chance your favorite celebrity has gotten down and dirty for the camera. Whether they’re thrusting for an art house epic or a scandelous drama all about sex, lies, and manipulation, it’s still surprising to know what some of your fave celebs have done on screen and beneath the sheets. As another installment in our quest to guide you through pop culture’s most interesting hook ups, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most surprising scenes beloved actors and actresses have been involved in. Some scenes are surprising solely for the graphic nature of the scene, but more often than not, your favorite celeb sweetheart has at least one not-so-kid-friendly moment in his or her arsenal.
Reese Witherspoon and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s deceptions in ‘Cruel Intentions’
This teen drama is all about manipulating other people for sex, and it should come as no surprise that the doe-eyed Witherspoon plays the manipulated virgin. However, what is surprising is how conniving and willing to commit pseudo-incest our favorite vampire slayer is. Cruel Intentions’ Kathryn (Gellar) never has on screen sex, but she’s the reason for all of the movie’s tomfoolery, so it counts.
Mila Kunis goes down on Natalie Portman in ‘Black Swan’
The best thing about Black Swan is that if Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman were actually dating, they would be almost everyone’s favorite couple. Kunis has that edgy cool girl vibe that even the judgmental Jackie on That ‘70s Show couldn’t curb, and Portman seems so genuinely sweet. However, that is not at all the case between the most disastrous couple on this list, Black Swan’s Nina and Lily. Strategically placed at the 69-minute mark, this steamy hook up is still making us blush.
Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort’s accidental incestuous sex scene in ‘The Fault in Our Stars’
What makes this next scene so scandalous isn’t what’s going on on screen. More so, it’s these actors filmography that makes this genuinely sweet moment feel creepy. Woodley is best known for playing Beatrice Prior in the young adult movie series Divergent. Elgort also stars in this series — as Woodley’s brother. It’s kind of like it Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint hooked up with Bonnie Wright. Please no. The Fault in Our Stars got away with it because it’s the saddest movie ever, but still, the love interest was creepy for a second.
Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal’s hook up in ‘Brokeback Mountain’
Honestly, calling the deep love between Ennis (Ledger) and Jack (Gyllenhaal) a hook up is a disservice, but this was the on-screen gay sex scene heard (or seen) around the world. When Ang Lee’s beautiful film about cowboy romance premiered in 2005, Ledger and Gyllenhaal’s rump in the tent dominated conversations. It’s common knowledge now, but it earns a spot on our list for being so scandalous over a decade ago.
Ryan Gosling going down on his wife in 'Blue Valentine'
I feel safe saying that almost every woman has fantasized about at least dating Ryan Gosling. He’s not just hot; he’s one of the pinnacles of celebrity male sexiness. Keeping that in mind, Gosling’s performance in Blue Valentine is as steamy as it is authentic. Gosling and Michelle Williams play a couple struggling through their marriage, warts and all, but what adds this movie to the list is its extended sequence when Gosling goes down on his wife. What makes it even steamier? There’s no music in the scene — just moaning.
[Where to watch Blue Valentine]
Daniel Radcliffe's gay sex scene in ‘Kill Your Darlings’
Speaking of Harry Potter, did you know that Daniel Radcliffe was in a gay sex scene? And that it was incredibly powerful and emotionally charged? That definitely happened in this movie about great authors, where Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg shares a sexual moment with Dane DeHaan, playing Lucien Carr. This one isn’t surprising because it’s a sex scene between two men. It’s surprising because, as much as we try to force ourselves to grow up, we can’t help thinking of Radcliffe as just Harry.
Neil Patrick Harris’ sex-filled death in ‘Gone Girl’
David Fincher’s much-discussed mystery starred two big Hollywood actors, but only one of them has the maintained the status of universally beloved. Though everyone talks about Ben Affleck’s side peen, it’s Neil Patrick Harris’ death by sex that was probably the most surprising on a few levels. Harris’ portrayal of an actual villain instead of a webcast-obsessed one was genuinely haunting, and his death at the hands of Rosamund Pike’s character was brutal.
Everything in ‘Nymphomaniac ’
This four hour long art film stars Shia LaBeouf, Uma Thurman, and Stellan Skarsgard. Between those four actors, I’m sure you can find a celebrity you either passionately want to see or — dear god, do not want to see — in a sexual situation. For speed viewing sake (let’s be real — we don’t all have four hours to devote to art house sex), here’s your cheat sheet: Shia LaBeouf is in Volume 1, Chapter 5 (complete with straight up penetration). Uma Thurman is in Volume 1, Chapter 3 (she doesn’t have sex, but she does have an amazing scene). Christian Slater is in Volume 1, Chapter 1 (he doesn’t have sex, Joe lubricates in front of him), and Stellan Skarsgard is basically everywhere, but he attempts rape in Volume 2, Chapter 8.
Adam Scott, Jason Schwartzman, and Taylor Schilling's foursome in ‘The Overnight’
Between Taylor Schilling’s work in Orange is the New Black and most things that Jason Schwartzman has been in, we’ve definitely seen at least two members of this indie film’s cast engage in onscreen sex — a lot. But watching Schwartzman, Schilling, Adam Scott, and Judith Godreche build up to a foursome for essentially over an hour was every offbeat comedy fan’s dream. Also? The Overnight is surprisingly hot for how funny it is.
Maggie Gyllenhaal's love of S&M in ‘Secretary’
Before there was 50 Shades of Gray, there was Jake Gyllenhaal’s sister being introduced to the world of innovative sex by James Spader. It’s easy for Gyllenhaal’s roles in Donnie Darko and Christopher Nolan’s Batman to overshadow this film, but this happened just as certainly as Lee enjoyed spanking. Definitely the sexiest scene around that doesn’t involve removing clothes.
