Have you ever felt that cringe-inducing tension when a sex scene comes on during a movie, and your parents are sitting right there with you?
Now, imagine how much more awkward it could get.
You're likely aware that many things shown in movies aren't exactly real.
Consider "Independence Day." Contrary to what's depicted, the White House has never been destroyed.
Gerard Butler has never actually had to save the president from terrorists, as far as we know, and Christian Bale certainly does not lead a double life as a crime-fighting vigilante... at least, that's what we believe.
It's logical to think that those steamy movie scenes are usually simulated as well.
Yet, there are notable exceptions. A few non-pornographic movies actually feature real sex scenes between the actors.
Indeed, real sex has occurred in some films, and you might have seen these movies without realizing that the scenes were authentic.
Here is a list of non-pornographic movies that have included real sex scenes.
Pink Flamingos (1972)
"Pink Flamingos" was the first film to feature a scene of unsimulated sex, making it one of the most infamous films by director John Waters.
The movie is described as follows: "A bizarre fat woman (Divine) and her misfit family compete with a Baltimore couple (David Lochary, Mink Stole) to be named the filthiest people alive."
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesThere is a scene in the movie where Divine and Crackers (Danny Mills) have oral sex, even if it doesn't depict full sex.
The fact that the two characters were a mother and a son added to the controversy.
In The Realm of Senses (1976)
"In the Realm of the Senses," which is about an affair between a sex worker who becomes a hotel maid and her boss, is the next movie with real sex scenes.
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesBecause of its graphic violence, this Japanese film was heavily censored and banned when it first came out, drawing harsh criticism.
The Idiots (1998)
In 1998, Lars von Trier's film "The Idiots" brought real sex back to the big screen.
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesThis movie has an orgy scene that caused a lot of complaints to be filed with Ofcom when it debuted on terrestrial television in 2005 on Channel 4.
The Raspberry Reich (2004)
"The Raspberry Reich" was published in 2004. The protagonist of this movie is a lady who decries heterosexuality and exhorts her male followers to have sex.
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesThe film was characterized as "a highly awkward blending of gay porn and political satire" by one Rotten Tomatoes critic.
"The Raspberry Reich" is not considered pornographic despite its content.
Shortbus (2006)
Next is "Shortbus," which debuted in 2006.
This sensual comedy, which was directed by John Cameron Mitchell, also includes real sex scenes.
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesIn response to questions about genuine sex in the movie, Mitchell made the amusing observation that "[People] don't ask whether I could've done Hedwig [and the Angry Inch] without the songs."
Dogtooth (2009)
When it was released 14 years ago, the Oscar-nominated movie "Dogtooth" generated a lot of controversy, especially because of its sex scenes.
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesThese scenes were reportedly intended as "a way of showing the kind of relationships that are born out of these levels of extreme isolation."
The synopsis for Dogtooth reads: "A controlling, manipulative father (Christos Stergioglou) locks his three adult offspring in a state of perpetual childhood by keeping them prisoner within the sprawling family compound."
"The children are bored to tears in spite of distractions like Christina (Anna Kalaitzidou), an employee of their father's who makes regular visits to sexually service the son (Hristos Passalis). Increasingly curious about the outside world, the older daughter (Aggeliki Papoulia) hatches a plan to escape."
Stranger By The Lake (2013)
The most recent movie containing actual sex scenes is a controversial French film called Franck, in which the protagonist falls in love with a man he meets at a beach where people practice nudity.
As viewers and critics have pointed out, the film's sexual sequences are not overtly suggestive but rather "another example of real sex and artistic power coming together."
Seven Non-Pornographic Films Featuring Real Sex ScenesThis method enhances the creative expression of the film by suggesting a deliberate weaving of intimacy into the story.
