23 Top Rated Non-Pornographical Films Graded NC-17
Luca Guadagnino's movie "Challengers," featuring Zendaya in a bisexual tennis romance, is part of a growing trend of adult films that put love and sex front and center, moving away from the family-friendly superhero genre that once dominated cinemas. It's good to see more mature films are getting space in the industry. While "Challengers" doesn't show much explicit content, there are movies like "Saltburn," "Anyone But You," and "Poor Things" that explore sexuality openly yet managed to obtain the theater-friendly R rating instead of the more restrictive NC-17.
It's interesting to note that NC-17, initially introduced as a way to differentiate from the X rating it replaced, was meant to indicate that a film was full of adult content. However, due to the porn industry's appropriation of the X rating and its association with sexually explicit movies, NC-17 eventually acquired the same connotation. This shows how misleading these ratings can be.
The first movie to get the NC-17 rating was Henry and June, a 1990 docudrama featuring Henry Miller and Anais Nin. It coincided with a brief phase of adult-oriented films that were artistic in nature but had to deal with a restrictive rating, making them seem even more intriguing. However, it's essential to remember that an NC-17 rating does not automatically mean high-quality filmmaking. Here are a few standout films that managed to attain their limited-restricted qualities and critical acclaim:
Blonde (2022)
This Marilyn Monroe biopic, directed by Andrew Dominik and based on Joyce Carol Oates' fictionalized novel, received an NC-17 rating which supposedly surprised Netflix executives. The film focuses on the troubled life of Marilyn Monroe, with Ana de Armas delivering an Oscar-nominated performance. While the movie's concentration on Monroe's sexuality didn't sit well with everyone, many praised it.
Where to watch: Netflix
Bent (1997)
This movie is NC-17 due to a few tame sex scenes and fleeting violent moments, but the true reason for the rating might have something to do with the genre - queer content has historically received more severe policing from censors and ratings boards as compared to straight-themed films. The central love story involves two men not touching themselves or each other, making this a prime example of stigmatized film ratings.
Where to stream: Peacock, Tubi, Pluto TV
Matador (1986)
While this Pedro Almodóvar movie's NC-17 (received in 2005) might not seem unreasonable given its rape, bondage, porn, and snuff video themes - it also includes an unsimulated sex scene at the start. The film is a darkly humorous critique of repressed sexuality but still deserves recognition from viewers and critics.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The MPAA's move toward stringent labels like the NC-17 rating doesn't always ensure great filmmaking, but these films are undoubtedly worth watching. Also, note that some of the following films predate the introduction of the NC-17 rating and initially bore the X label but are now classified under it.
Blonde, a biography of Marilyn Monroe, directed by Andrew Dominik, features a strong performance by Ana de Armas despite being excessively focused on Monroe's victimization through her sexuality. Netflix was allegedly unhappy with the film's non-conventional approach, given the director's earlier work, but the film's the acclaim received countered these concerns.
Where to stream: Netflix
Bent, which explores the relationship between two men in World War II Germany with traditional ways of life, had numerous sex scenes, leading to an NC-17 rating. However, many saw this decision as unfair due to the content censors.
Where to stream: Peacock, Tubi, Pluto TV
Matador, a work of erotic thriller, was initially given an NC-17 (having been X since its initial release in 1986), underlining how society has taken a different stance towards mature themes over the years. Director Pedro Almodóvar considered it one of his weakest films, but an NC-17 didn't hinder its acclaimed status. The movie exposes the consequences of sexual repression in a satirical manner.
Where to stream: Digital rental
The concept of film ratings is controversial, and the case of these three movies reiterates this uncontroversial fact.
The image of Harvey Keitel's exposed, sobbing, pendulous dance is cached in our collective memory, causing it to grace the promotion materials for this film. Abel Ferrara's neo-noir-influenced directorial style, further bolstered by his experience within the realm of explicit pornography, led him to prominence during the adult industry's thriving era of the late 80s and early 90s. Movies like this one, along with "China Girl" and "Dangerous Game," exemplified true exploitation. Although "Bad Lieutenant" might not be his most acclaimed work, it's his most recognized. The original NC-17 classification was attributed to "sexual violence, intense sexual scenes, and upsetting drug use" - a rare occurrence for simply mentioning drug use as a criterion for this rating. If you're interested in the uncut version, complete with more Keitel masturbation, you'll find it in the 96-minute version.
To stream: Prime Video, The Criterion Channel, Tubi.
Bad Education (2004)
Pedro Almodovar's "Bad Education" was the last of his films to earn an NC-17 rating - a coincidence or an indication that the board was becoming more lenient? The provocative content in his films often revolves around sex, but it's rarely salacious by today's standards. This stylish murder mystery, with its portrayals of substance abuse and clergy sex abuse, is one of his darker offerings. Although it's not his finest work ("Dangerous Game" would take that crown), it's his best-known. Interestingly, the initial NC-17 rating was linked to "sexual violence, strong sexual content, and explicit language," but a rushed R-rated version was produced for Blockbuster.
Where to stream: Max.
The Evil Dead (1981)
Conceived and executed without regard for ratings or censorship, Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell's "The Evil Dead" unexpectedly gained success and spawned an entire multimedia franchise. Remakes, sequels, a reboot, a TV series, a musical, a plethora of games, and several comic books all arose from this humble beginning. This horror feature was splattered with an X rating for its bloody and viscous gore, but managed to thrive in the U.S. despite some troubles in the UK due to "video nasties" in the early 90s. The 2013 remake was initially steered towards an NC-17 mark, only for some judiciously trimmed content to alter it to an R instead.
Where to stream: Digital rental.
Female Trouble (1974)
In contrast to his more famous film "Pink Flamingos," John Waters' "Female Trouble" is my favorite of his works. Divine plays Dawn Davenport, a middle-aged juvenile delinquent with an ambitious desire for a pair of cha-cha heels, leading her down a life of crime and beauty (a similar concept). Given its divine filth, the X rating seems appropriate. It was officially re-rated NC-17 in 1999, but received a glorious 4k restoration and a Criterion edition - a testament to the timelessness of cultural trash.
Where to stream: Digital rental.
In the Realm of the Senses (1976)
Stationed between the realms of erotica and horror, Nagisa Oshima's psychological tour de force details a tantalizing story of love and violence, based on the factual tale of Sada Abe, a geisha, sex worker, and accidental folk hero. The visually arresting movie feels like a mesmerizing poem, climaxing in a deplorable act of violence. The filmmakers ingeniously bypassed Japanese restrictions by labeling it a French production and shipping the footage for development in France. The X rating was modified to an NC-17 in 1991.
Where to stream: The Criterion Channel.
Santa Sangre (1989)
Nagisa Oshima's captivating film, revolving around the interconnected realms of sex, psychological torment, and murder, was released under the label of "In the Realm of the Senses," showcasing his exceptional talent. Featuring explicit, unsimulated sex, this gruesomely captivating story pays homage to the genuine occurrence of Sada Abe, a renowned geisha, sex worker, and unanticipated hero. The film was circumvented around Japanese censoring laws by pretending it was French. The X rating was adjusted to NC-17 in 1992, but it has since received a lavish restoration and a Criterion release.
To stream: The Criterion Channel.
Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowsky is regarded as his greatest piece of work, a filmmaker known for his unique and sometimes controversial films. The plot revolves around Fenix, played by Jodorowsky's son Axel, who recounts his childhood in a rundown Mexican circus and the murder-suicide leaving his knife-wielding circus cult leader mother, devoid of arms. In the present day, Fenix performs as his mother's limbs, handling various duties, including homicides. Despite its disturbing subject matter, the film contains intriguing and thought-provoking messages about moving past the past. Although an edited version was made to achieve an R rating, the movie didn't receive a proper American release.
-Where to watch: Shudder, Tubi, Free
Shame (2011)
Fox Searchlight deemed the NC-17 rating a "badge of honor" for this dark drama starring Michael Fassbender as Brandon Sullivan, a sex addict to whom the rating thoroughly applies. Brandon's life is grim, with its fair share of sex tossed in. While it may be seen as a candid portrayal of addiction, the rating could also be attributed to the not-so-appealing depiction of sexuality. Fassbender and Carey Mulligan deliver exceptional performances, making the film a must-see.
Where to stream: Digital rental
A Dirty Shame (2004)
Directed by the ever-outspoken John Waters, this comedy has a delightful cast featuring Tracy Ullman, Selma Blair, Johnny Knoxville, and Mink Stole. Bizarre, involving the war between Hartford Road's puritanical residents and the sex-obsessed perverts, the film has plenty of nudity but is ultimately more fun than offensive. The NC-17 rating seems excessive unless you're among those Waters targets. The rating also bankrupted the filmmaker, limiting his ability to create future work.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Killer Joe (2011)
Wrapping up his career, William Friedkin's final film before the posthumous Caine Mutiny Court-Martial was Killer Joe, which features Matthew McConaughey as a hitman with a fixation on Juno Temple's Dottie, the drug dealer's sister. The NC-17 came down due to violence. The rating cost Friedkin, who up until then had an impressive career, as the movie underperformed at the box office.
Where to stream: Prime Video
Wide Sargasso Sea (1993)
This Jean Rhys adaptation tackles the reimagined "Jane Eyre" with a feminist and anti-colonial interpretation, focusing on Bertha Mason as the Caribbean heiress who marries Mr. Rochester before her exile in England. The film's eroticism earned it an NC-17, though not everyone agreed with the rating, condemning it as "coffee-table pornography with sound effects."
Where to stream: Digital rental
Arabian Nights (1974)
Pier Paolo Pasolini's erotic masterpiece has 16 episodes that pull from the sexual elements of the original romances while incorporating slapstick humor. Audiences enjoyed it for the most part, though the film did spark some minor censorship issues in certain places. The X rating in America became an NC-17 in 1990.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Tubi, MGM
Last Tango in Paris (1972)
Adapted from Jorge Luis Borges' story, the film has 16 shorts, each with unconventional eroticism grounded in Pasolini's imagination and humor. Directed by Pasolini, the film generated controversy over its "obscenity." However, audiences generally enjoyed the film and its X-rating was converted to an NC-17 in 1990.
Where to stream: Prim Ave Video, Tubi, MGM
The film "Last Tango in Paris" released in 1973 created a huge uproar upon its release, and despite the passage of time, it's still controversial, but for different reasons. Marlon Brando, a legendary actor, starred in this movie which drew angry crowds condemning the filmmakers as perverts. Meanwhile, some feminist critics viewed the relationship between the 19-year-old Maria Schneider and the nearly 50-year-old Brando as disturbingly retrograde. Years later, Schneider revealed her feelings of humiliation and anger about her treatment during the filming, which made the already uncomfortable sex scenes even more difficult to watch. Nevertheless, "Last Tango in Paris" was groundbreaking, representing a significant moment in the acceptance of foreign films in America and depicting frank sexuality. It's a complicated movie, but Brando and Schneider both delivered extraordinary performances. This movie first earned an NC-17 rating in 1997.
Watch Now: MGM
Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)
The lustre of "Blue is the Warmest Colour" has faded somewhat over the years as the aspects making it unique and memorable have also made it controversial. The questionable working conditions under director Abdellatif Kechiche are disputed, and the explicit sex scenes have been interpreted differently by different viewers. To some, the depiction of lesbian romance's frank sexuality is a great strength. Still, it can be seen as a director's overly male gaze turning the women's sexuality into a salacious spectacle. However, the performances by Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos are phenomenal, despite the film's excessive sexuality, which may simply be bringing some parity to the long history of movies with dubious straight sex scenes.
Streaming: AMC+, Mubi
Inside Deep Throat (2005)
Inside Deep Throat owes part of its legacy to Andy Warhol's "Blue Movie" in 1969. This documentary, narrated by Dennis Hopper, delves into the enigmatic rise and fall of legal pornography. Hopper, a counterculture icon himself, offers a thoughtful perspective on the genre's transformation. Inside Deep Throat is important because it examines the social changes that allowed films with explicit sexuality to be taken more seriously, even if they weren't always great examples of either explicit porn or cinema.
Where to Watch: AMC+, The Roku Channel, Mubi
Showgirls (1995)
The film "Showgirls" is a complex movie, with people finding different things in it – whether nostalgic '90s energy, a guilty-pleasure so-bad-it's-good experience, or a skillful "All About Eve"-esque satire. Starring Elizabeth Berkley, who rose to fame in TV's "Saved By the Bell," this erotic drama has endured as a cult classic, even earning a place as one of the highest-grossing NC-17 releases in the American box office.
Stream Now: The Criterion Channel, Tubi, MGM
Lust, Caution (2007)
In "Lust, Caution," sexuality is anything but incidental. Seeing the seduction of Wong Chia Chi (Tang Wei) by Mr. Yee (Tony Leung), a recruiter for China's puppet government, inducing him to his killing, is integral to the storyline. Lee, the director, fought hard to preserve the movie's eroticism despite the repercussions, remarking that it was all critical to the narrative. This effort led to record-breaking NC-17 drama in American box offices.
Rent Online: Digital rental
This isn't the 2004 Oscar winner from Paul Haggis. Instead, it's David Cronenberg's 1996 film with James Spader and Holly Hunter. The story follows a couple whose lives become intertwined after a car crash leaves them both with a unique movie fascination. Cronenberg explores the link between sexuality and the American love for cars in this controversial movie. It upset viewers at Cannes, and theaters in many parts of the world banned it. Until recently, it wasn't available to stream or buy. I believe this is unfair, especially when compared to films like "The Human Centipede."
Right now, you can't find it streaming anywhere. This seems to be a common issue with NC-17 rated movies, even years later.
One more Spanish film by Pedro Almodóvar. Not everyone has embraced his work immediately, and this comedy-horror movie divided audiences when it was released. The story is about a psychiatric patient who kidnaps an actress to start a romantic relationship. It's as unexpected and funny as you'd expect from Almodóvar. The NC-17 rating is mostly due to an extended sex scene, but also because it includes people sitting on the toilet while peeing - supposedly a weird thing to do. The film intended to be released without a rating after receiving an X classification, but instead chose to accept an NC-17 rating when that became an option.
Where to stream: Max, The Criterion Channel
"Man Bites Dog" is a Belgian mockumentary about a film crew following a serial killer and recording his crimes. At first, they try to stay unbiased and observe without judgment. But, they soon become entangled in the ongoing darkness. The graphic violence is powerful, but the movie also comments on our habit of distancing ourselves from the brutality we see in real life and in films.
Where to stream: Max, The Criterion Channel
In another case of the social impact of the NC-17, independent distributor Mubi opted to release this film without a rating instead of battling against the restrictive NC-17. The film centres on Tomas (Franz Rogowski), Martin (Ben Whishaw), and Agathe (Adèle Exarchapoulos), whose romantic situation is disrupted when Agathe enters their lives. Director Ira Sachs defended the scenes as not sexually explicit, but also highlighted that queer content is more likely to receive a harsher rating than straight content. He's got a point.
Where to stream: Mubi
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Source: lifehacker.com
