Since 2000, sex in cinema has taken a tumble. Movies frequently depicted a multitude of romantic interactions between characters, as it was a prevalent and anticipated element of storytelling. If you’ve paid attention, recent movies have fewer scenes like these.
Movie makers are being more cautious about including sex scenes in films. There’s a cycle about the approach to sex in films. In the early days of film, in the 1920’2 and 30s, films hinted at sex.
Then, in the mid-20th century, films came under strict censorship. A man and a woman might appear in a bedroom but not in the same bed. Gradually, public expectations swayed filmmakers to include more sex.
1968 Hollywood replaced the old censorship rules and implemented the current voluntary rating system. The rating system gave the public guidelines for deciding how much sex, violence, or foul language they wanted.
In 1971, a film called Carnal Knowledge had a romantic plot and faced issues with the law. But after legal debates, was allowed to be shown in theaters. And now, filmmakers show frontal nudity of both sexes. But not as many sex scenes.
Why is Sex in Cinema Changing?
![Sex in Cinema](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/607405120/photo/american-actors-kim-basinger-and-mickey-rourke-on-the-set-of-nine-1-2-weeks-directed-by-adrian.jpg?s=612x612&w=0&k=20&c=uQ2PKHuqpn9HnhEQU1qkuCZYu-GirF0xRvLoxR1Tn-w=)
From It Happened One Night to 9 ½ Weeks, the film world went from separate beds to sultry intimacy on screen. And now, the full frontal nudity that appears in films like Saltburn, depicting sex on the screen, has diminished.
The #MeToo movement affected Hollywood, and filmmakers began paying attention to the safety and comfort of actors. A new on-set role appeared: intimacy coordinator. Intimacy coordinators cooperate with the director and actors to choreograph intimate scenes and even question whether the scene is necessary.
Studios wanted to expand international distribution to countries like China. And, there, censors do not allow sex scenes. This is another reason why steamy intimacy dwindled in Hollywood.
Add Gen Z to the mix. The Centre for Scholars and Storytellers at the University of California polled young people with startling results for filmmakers, asking them to rank 19 factors in film and television. Two statistics stand out as cautionary for Hollywood.
First, of the 19 topics, “romance and/or sex” ranked number 13. So, in general, romance and steamy sex aren’t a big draw. And second, ranking number seven was “content that doesn’t include sex or romance.” In other words, they are just not interested.
The Economist cranked the data and found that between 2000 and now, the level of sexual content in films has fallen 40%.
Are we headed for PG13 viewing?
What Does This Mean for Movies?
![Sex in Cinema: Gen Z viewer](https://totalapexentertainment.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GenZclay-elliot-2f9iFDl78TE-unsplash-scaled.jpeg)
Are we seeing the end of steamy scenes in films? Not exactly. Though less common, these scenes still appear. Filmmakers are more discerning about whether the scene is important to the story.
Movie makers are changing their attitude about sex scenes just to titillate. The scenes are being created respectfully. Two examples are films like Fair Play and Poor Things, where the adult scenes are handled carefully and integrated with the story.
Technology has changed how people watch movies. Films streamed at home may unintentionally reach children, so parents are careful about what they watch at home.
With the decline in sex in cinema, we see films with not just less sex but movies that consider its importance and why those scenes are included. This is a good thing because filmmakers think more creatively about how they tell their stories.
Weigh in. Leave a comment with your thoughts about the swing in sex in cinema.
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About the Author
Zara Altair is a writer and author of historical mysteries set in 6th Century Italy. She is passionate about books, film, film history, and sharing her knowledge with others. Engage with Zara, her educational insights, and her tips for fellow writers by following her on X(Twitter) and Threads. Zara is a seasoned journalist and accomplished writer with deep expertise spanning entertainment, literature, film writing, neuroscience, and health. Zara blends critical analysis with a profound passion for storytelling.
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