Top 25 Sexiest Movie Couples
What's the only thing better than a sexy movie star? Two sexy movie stars, engaging in meet-cutes, flirtations, first dates, love scenes and, occasionally, some good wholesome sadomasochism. We studied the chemistry and measured the heat factor to bring you this countdown of the sexiest movie couples ever to grace the silver screen. -- By Stacy Jenel Smith, Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster
Everett (2), Universal / Getty, 20th Century Fox
25. Antonio Banderas & Catherine Zeta-Jones
'The Mask of Zorro' (1998)
Now here's a man who knows how to use a sword! Sexy Spaniard Banderas won us all over when he undressed the beautiful Zeta-Jones with the simple slashing of his sword, then scooped her into his arms for a sensuous kiss. Call her a damsel in undress. Muy caliente!
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Sony
24. Matthew MacFadyen & Keira Knightley
'Pride & Prejudice' (2005)
Some insiders weren't sure if the young Knightley could keep up with the classically trained MacFadyen on-screen, but the two ultimately proved to be a perfect pair in this adaptation of the beloved Jane Austen novel. And who are we kidding, people? English accents are hot.
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Focus Features
23. Jack Nicholson & Jessica Lange
'The Postman Always Rings Twice' (1981)
They have an adulterous affair and off her husband, so we know that Frank (Nicholson) and Cora (Lange) are very, very bad. But what really got people going in this adaptation of the James M. Cain novel was the kitchen-table sex scene that looked so hot, audiences questioned whether or not it was actually simulated.
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Everett Collection
22. Richard Gere & Julia Roberts
'Pretty Woman' (1990)
Scenes like the one in which Gere's corporate raider is lying in a steamy bubble bath with Roberts' never-ending legs wrapped around him left moviegoers breathless. The fact that audiences could fall so hard for the story of a John and his hooker with a heart of gold speaks volumes about the stars' magnetism.
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Everett Collection
21. Naomi Watts & Laura Harring
'Mulholland Dr.' (2001)
What does David Lynch's neo-noir mind-bender all mean? Who cares, when the movie offers a scene as steamy as Watts and Harring's unexpected detour into girl-on-girl erotica. Though Watts hasn't done anything nearly as risqué since her star-making role, we're still holding out hope.
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Universal Studios/ZUMA Press
20. Denzel Washington & Sarita Choudhury
'Mississippi Masala' (1991)
"Hot and spicy, Miss Masala -- that's what I'm going to call you," says Denzel's Demitrius Williams, smitten with the Indian beauty he first encounters in a fender bender on the rural roads of the titular state. Their ensuing passion in this story about love and racism is sensual, sweet and, yes, hot and spicy.
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Everett Collection
19. Omar Sharif & Julie Christie
'Doctor Zhivago' (1965)
Sharif brought new meaning to the description "tall, dark and handsome" as Dr. Yuri Zhivago, the surgeon-poet torn between loyalty to his wife and true love for his mistress and muse, Lara (Christie), in this Oscar-winning epic tale set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution. And Christie wasn't too shabby herself.
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Bettmann / CORBIS
18. Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams
'The Notebook' (2004)
They're star-crossed lovers -- Allie (McAdams) is rich, Noah (Gosling) poor -- whose passion survives war, family betrayal, even betrothal to others. Gosling and McAdams make us believe in the young love that becomes the enduring bond able to bring them back from the abyss of Alzheimer's in their twilight years.
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Melissa Moseley, New Line
17. Robert Redford & Barbra Streisand
'The Way We Were' (1973)
Katie (Streisand) is a Jewish Marxist activist, and Hubbell (Redford) is a Goy Boy gadabout writer -- and together they prove opposites can attract, quite mightily. In one unforgettable scene, her face radiates with the sheer bliss of waking up and finding the super-studly Redford in her bed. Good morning, indeed.
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Everett Collection
Reader Comments (91)
Dan Gibson at 8:23PM on Jun 12th 2008
I STILL say that Joan Chen & Ann Heche are THE hottest couple, for their scenes in "Wild Side", an otherwise unforgettable film. They are so good together, you really question if they are "acting". I am one of the lucky ones to have the original VHS. mmmmmmmmm.
muppet at 12:49AM on Jun 25th 2008
The list is not complete without Dennis Quaid and Ellen Barkin in The Big Easy.
Scott Smith at 9:21AM on Jun 25th 2008
The list is not complete without Jeff Bridges and Rachel Ward in Against All Odds
gals53 at 9:41AM on Jun 25th 2008
I think the scenes between Viggo Mortensen and Diane Ladd in A Walk on the Moon were some of the steamiest ever. Thier waterfall scene was like pure animal lust, the stuff that dreams are made from. ;-)
Char at 2:40PM on Jun 25th 2008
What about Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, or the Thornbirds?
dwi55 at 12:18PM on Jun 25th 2008
Somehow you missed Mel Gibson and Michelle Pfeiffer in Tequila Sunrise. The hot tub scene was well, HOT!
How about Jennifer Tilley and Gina Gershon in Bound? Great girl on girl action! HOT! HOT!HOT!
P H Human at 4:02PM on Jun 25th 2008
Top 25 sexiest couples including cold fish Bogart? I don't think so ....
But how about Juliette Binoche and Jeremy irons in 'Damage' - beautifully choreographed, filmed and directed. Memorable for sure.
Rose Palmer at 4:38PM on Jun 25th 2008
This had to be the BEST of all the sexy movies I have ever seen & I have seen my share. They both are so believable in every scene & the love making was incredibley beautiful. Made me want to go out & find a lover.
Rose Palmer at 4:39PM on Jun 25th 2008
This had to be the BEST of all the sexy movies I have ever seen & I have seen my share. They both are so believable in every scene & the love making was incredibley beautiful. Made me want to go out & find a lover.
Rose Palmer at 4:36PM on Jun 25th 2008
This had to be the BEST of all the sexy movies I have ever seen & I have seen my share. They both are so believable in every scene & the love making was incredibley beautiful. Made me want to go out & find a lover.
Rose at 4:15PM on Jun 25th 2008
Unforgiven was, without a doubt, the sexiest movie I ever watched & I have seen them all. They both made it so real. The sex scenes were very loving & romantic, made it sooo enjoyable, I went out & bought the video & on the way, looked for some one to make love to.
Margot Hilaire at 6:48PM on Jun 25th 2008
Yes Rachel Ward in the Thornbirds was the ultimate build up.
Ruth at 7:25PM on Jun 25th 2008
Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in the Notebook,
Ellen Barken and Dennis Quaid in The Big Easy,
Johnny Depp and Charlize Theron in The Astronaut's Wife,
Richard Gere, Valérie Kaprisky in Breathless,
Antonio Banderas and Rebecca De Mornay in Never Talk to Strangers,
Warren Beatty and Natalie Wood in Splendor in the Grass,
Richard Gere, Julia Ormond in First Knight,
George Hamilton and Susan Saint James, Love at first bite,
Richard Gere and Debra Winger in An Officer and a Gentleman,
Brad Pitt and Geena Davis in Thelma and Louise,
Antonio Bandaresa and Salma Hayek in Desperado,
Two For the Money when Matthew McConnaughey And Jaime King and a third woman who's name escapes me. But who cares who else it was...It was with Matthew McConnaughey.
Merrily at 10:55PM on Jun 25th 2008
Two that are missing both have Antonio Banderas -- one with Angelina Jolie in "Original Sin" and the other with Salma Hayek in "Once Upon A Time in Mexico" -- HOT with beautiful bodies!
Dan at 1:06AM on Jun 26th 2008
bogart & Kate hepburn in african queen
Cindy at 2:59PM on Jun 26th 2008
Wow, I can't believe you overlooked Ralph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas in The English Patient. Am I the only one who thought their sex scenes were extremely hot? And their chemistry....I don't think I've seen Ralph Fiennes look at any actress the way he looked at her. Made me melt......
Sparkles at 7:27PM on Jun 26th 2008
Unfaithful wins hands (and pants) down.
Dorrie at 8:13PM on Jun 26th 2008
Jada Pinkett Smith and Blair Underwood in Set It Off.
dwi55 at 9:39PM on Jun 26th 2008
John Travolta and Debra Winger had it going on in Urban Cowboy.
Lets give it up for Elvis and Ann Margaret in Viva Las Vegas!
G-Man at 10:15PM on Jun 26th 2008
How can you have a list EXCLUDING Jim Brown and Requel Welch in 100 Rifles.
The list is suspect!