10 Movies & Shows Similar to Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Description: Belle de Jour, like Fifty Shades of Grey, explores themes of sexual fantasy and liberation. Both films feature female protagonists who explore their desires outside societal norms, leading to personal transformation and complex emotional journeys.

Fact: Catherine Deneuve stars in the lead role. The film won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. Director Luis Buñuel is a master of surrealist cinema.

Description: Basic Instinct shares with Fifty Shades of Grey a blend of eroticism and thriller elements. Both films feature strong, enigmatic female leads who wield their sexuality as power, and both explore themes of control, obsession, and dangerous liaisons.

Fact: The film is famous for its controversial interrogation scene. Sharon Stone's performance became iconic. Screenwriter Joe Eszterhas was paid a then-record $3 million for the script.

Description: Bound shares with Fifty Shades of Grey a focus on erotic tension and power dynamics, though within a lesbian relationship and a crime thriller context. Both films explore themes of trust, control, and sexual liberation.

Fact: The film was the directorial debut of the Wachowskis. Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon star in the lead roles. It is considered a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema.

Description: Cruel Intentions shares with Fifty Shades of Grey themes of manipulation, seduction, and power dynamics in relationships. Both films feature wealthy, controlling protagonists who engage in risky sexual games, though Cruel Intentions has a darker, more cynical tone.

Fact: The film is a modern adaptation of the novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe star in the lead roles. The soundtrack was a commercial success.

Description: Original Sin, like Fifty Shades of Grey, is a steamy thriller that revolves around a passionate, dangerous love affair. Both films feature themes of obsession, betrayal, and the blurring lines between love and control.

Fact: Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie star in the film. The film is based on the novel Waltz into Darkness by Cornell Woolrich. It was directed by Michael Cristofer, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his play The Shadow Box.

Description: Unfaithful, like Fifty Shades of Grey, delves into themes of forbidden desire and the consequences of extramarital affairs. Both films portray intense, erotic relationships that challenge the protagonists' moral boundaries and lead to dramatic outcomes.

Fact: Diane Lane received an Academy Award nomination for her role. The film is a remake of the 1969 French film The Unfaithful Wife. Director Adrian Lyne is known for his erotic thrillers, including Fatal Attraction.

Description: Similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, Secretary explores themes of BDSM and power dynamics in a romantic relationship. Both films feature a dominant-submissive relationship that evolves into a deeper emotional connection. The visual aesthetics in both films emphasize sensuality and control, with a focus on the psychological aspects of the relationships.

Fact: Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader's performances were critically acclaimed. The film won a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It was based on a short story by Mary Gaitskill.

Description: This film shares with Fifty Shades of Grey a focus on a passionate, sexually charged relationship that develops into something more profound. Both movies explore the complexities of love and intimacy, with a strong emphasis on physical attraction and emotional vulnerability.

Fact: Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal starred in the film. Hathaway received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance. The film is loosely based on the non-fiction book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman.

Description: The Reader, like Fifty Shades of Grey, features a relationship with a significant age gap and complex power dynamics. Both films explore themes of guilt, secrecy, and the transformative power of love and sexuality.

Fact: Kate Winslet won an Academy Award for her performance. The film is based on the novel by Bernhard Schlink. It was directed by Stephen Daldry, known for The Hours and Billy Elliot.

Description: The Handmaiden shares with Fifty Shades of Grey themes of eroticism, deception, and power struggles within a romantic relationship. Both films feature elaborate seduction scenes and explore the darker sides of desire and control.

Fact: The film is a South Korean psychological thriller directed by Park Chan-wook. It is loosely based on the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. The film won the BAFTA Award for Best Film Not in the English Language.