“For some, Valentine’s Day is a day like any other; for others, it’s the most romantic day of the year,” says independent porn director Erika Lust. This can be true whether celebrating in the bedroom with a partner, or cuddled up on the couch, where you can sit back and watch some of the most erotic movies cinema has to offer.

Lust makes a career out of celebrating the beauty of sex—and for Document, she has searched far and wide to find the most seductive scenes to entertain you on Valentine’s Day night, perhaps even revealing untapped fantasies in the process. From helplessly horny to hopelessly romantic, Lust has you covered no matter what you’re looking for—and with each selection, she’s included a pornographic film to match, should you wish to take your evening from heart-melting to heart-racing.

L’Amant, Jean-Jacques Annaud (1992)

A classic from the ’90s, L’Amant (The Lover) is based on a story by Marguerite Duras. Much like the author herself, the protagonist of this story—a teenage girl from a humble family—was born in a French colony in Vietnam, where she dreams of a better life. In the midst of this, she meets a Chinese merchant who she immediately feels attracted to. The youngsters let themselves be carried away by their feelings and discover their first passion. Even if their love is real, there are endless impediments, like social standing and cultural differences that make their relationship difficult, to say the least.

L’Amant is a great representation of colonized Vietnam and the experience of love and sex in such a hostile and complicated context.

Pornographic Pairing: Pair this romantic classic with Coming of Age, a sexy short film about two teenage sweethearts who decide to explore their desires on their last afternoon together. Intimate, tender, and loving, it’s based on one person’s real-life confession of a sexual fantasy—the premise behind Lust’s XConfessions series, which sees her reimagine audience submissions as a fully-fledged adult film. “I was really touched by this confession,” she says. “Young people are so misrepresented in mainstream porn, and I felt a responsibility to portray what is true and tender about sexual exploration for young people.”

Shortbus, John Cameron Mitchell (2007)

Imagine a space where you can let go of fear and pain, and indulge alongside strangers. John Cameron Mitchell’s Shortbus explores the collective experience that exists after a major tragedy, seeing post-9/11 New York as the site for a musical orgy which defies the narrow-minded morality that prevailed in the city back then.

Shortbus is, in fact, the title of a cabaret where freedom of speech and sexual liberation are codes to live by. In the face of nostalgia, pain, and fear for recent events, the people in this movie succumb to hedonism, fun, and love in all sorts of polysexual experiences. Sex is a way to show the emotional journey that each character goes through. One of my personal favorites!

Pornographic Pairing: If the show must go on, turn your sights to Lust Cinema’s Going Up, an original series directed by Casey Calvert. Set on the opening night of The Voices Are Loud—the edgiest play the Curtis Theater Group has mounted in its 27-year history—it follows the chaos behind the scenes as, faced with a ticking clock and a sold-out house, the cast do everything they can to keep the show from falling apart… including each other!

Secretary, Steven Shainberg (2002)

The release of Secretary, a story based on the book Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill, was a shock in every country it landed in. A movie that shows BDSM practices as a way to achieve sexual liberation and personal freedom? How dare they!

In this story, the main character (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has only just been released from a mental health institution when she gets a job as a secretary for a mysterious lawyer. As time passes, she embarks on a relationship with him that goes beyond the purely professional. Secretary is an excellent take on sadism, masochism, and other kinky practices which shows how they can become a source of freedom and healing. (Yes, BDSM existed before Fifty Shades of Grey!)

Pornographic Pairing: Intended as an honest portrayal of the relationship between a dominant and a submissive, An Appointment with my Master is another Erika Lust film from the XConfessions series. In it, two real-life kinksters portray intense moments of lust, submission, domination, pain, communication, and complicity in a story about the trust required to experiment with whips, ties, clamps, and wax—a few of the implements real-life BDSM master Mickey Mod and experienced masochist Amarna Miller use in the film. “After reading this confession, I wanted to do something realistic [to illustrate] the accessible world of BDSM,” says Lust, calling the film “a great introduction for those of you curious about this universe.”

Disobedience, Sebastián Leilo (2017)

This adaptation of the novel Disobedience by Naomi Alderman explores the story of Ronit (Rachel Weisz), who, after the death of her father—a leading rabbi—decides to move back to an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Northwest London where she grew up. Ronit used to live in New York, where she chose a life removed from the mandates of religion. When she returns home, she reconnects with an old friend (Rachel McAdams), with whom she reignites a flame that they both thought was long-extinguished.

In this film, we see the desire and need for disobedience that both characters embody masterfully. The complications of two women loving each other while surrounded by a conservative religious context—it’s a must-watch for a romantic evening!

Pornographic Pairing: Another XConfessions original, Sisters of Pleasure poses the question: How does a nun commit herself to celibacy? In this case, the answer is “by having secret lesbian orgies with her fellow nuns.” Inspired by Italian horror films from the ’70s, Director Perlita Leon delivers a film that is both artistic and erotic—following the journey of a new nun and her struggles to commit her mind and body to religion, before discovering that pleasure gives her a greater sense of purpose.

Brokeback Mountain, Ang Lee (2005)

Most of us saw Lil Nas X’s video That’s What I Want, and got the reference! However, think hot cowboy summer in the ’60s, and you’ll get Brokeback Mountain, a queer classic in which two cowboys with similar aspirations (a stable job, getting married, starting a family) meet while waiting in line to be hired by rancher Joe Aguirre. They get assigned to work together, tending cattle at Brokeback Mountain, where their friendship soon leads to an intimate relationship.

I’d recommend this movie if you’re looking for a male-love-male trope, with a dramatic twist. If you enjoy a good cry when watching films, this one’s for you!

Pornographic Pairing: Directed by Travis Mathews for XConfessions, Intruders is a tender exploration of queer lust and desire set in the midst of political upheaval. “Shot in Brazil, this film is different from anything you’ve ever seen in gay porn,” says Lust. “Sensual, moving, and hot as hell, Intruders will move your soul and blow your mind… and get you a little hot under the collar, too!”

“For some, Valentine’s Day is a day like any other; for others, it’s the most romantic day of the year.”

Before Sunrise, Richard Linklater (1995)

Jesse is a young American journalist traveling on the Budapest-to-Paris train right after a breakup. There, he meets Celine, and they start a conversation that lasts all night, creating a unique, intimate bubble between them. They arrive in Vienna and decide to spend the night together, where they walk around the city to discuss life, aspiration, desire, life, death, and sex.

Before Sunrise is a simple but captivating movie: two people, one beautiful city, and a realistic script with fresh, lively dialogues. Sometimes, less is more!

Pornographic Pairing: Directed by Aleix Rodón for Else Cinema—Lust’s series of softcore pornographic films—The Night We Met is a story about two newcomers to Barcelona, who form a profound connection the instant they meet. Combining realistic portrayals of queer sex with themes of gender identity and representation, the film captures “the tenderness and trust of the first intimate moment between strangers.”

Jamón Jamón, Bigas Luna (1992)

All things sexy Spanish rural drama? Yes, please! This film tells the story of José Luís, the son of a couple who own a big men’s underwear factory. Silvia, one of their employees, is in a relationship with José Luís, and when she gets pregnant, he promises they will get married no matter her parents’ disapproval. To thwart this unwanted wedding, her mother hires a young aspiring bullfighter who works at a ham factory (Raúl) to seduce the young woman. What Raúl does not expect is that he will soon fall in love with Silvia.

This film explores themes like tradition and sexuality, and it is full of references to Spanish culture (especially its food!), which adds to the visual strength, sexiness, and authenticity of its characters. Definitely one to watch if you’re looking for a good story with spicy moments.

Pornographic Pairing: Created by queer Spanish filmmaker Perlita León for Else Cinema, Hazme las Uñas is a dreamlike erotic fantasy inspired by the work of Pedro Almodóvar. Set in a nail salon, this lesbian erotica pairs hand fetishization with Spanish folklore in a story about the romance between a manicurist and her favorite client.

Casablanca, Michael Curtiz (1942)

Obviously, Casablanca needed to be on this list! Considered one of the most beautiful feature-length films ever, this movie was a reference for romantic life in the ’40s for both sexes: Men wanted to be like Rick, and women wanted to be like Ilsa. It’s a romantic classic that needs to be watched at least once in a lifetime—and what better way to do it than on Valentine’s Day?

As a result of the Second World War, the Moroccan city of Casablanca was a hub for those fleeing from Nazism: Getting there was easy, but getting out was almost impossible. In this story, Rick Blaine runs Rick’s Café for the homeless, exiles from Nazi-occupied France, Reicht officers, and thieves. One day, an old lover named Ilsa appears at his bar. She previously left him in Paris for her husband, Victor Laszlo, who happens to be part of a resistance group and, therefore, on the Gestapo lists. The movie has one of the most memorable endings in cinema, and some of the most replicated dialogues.

This movie masterfully incorporates the fine line between love and hate, and you can genuinely feel that tension and longing between the two ex-lovers.

Pornographic Pairing: Directed by Montiel for XConfessions, Cane Honey is a theatrical Spanish movie that combines folklore and flamenco with a story of infidelity between a dancer and a younger man. Set in southern Spain—against the backdrop of a candlelit flamenco dancer’s dressing room, where adult performers Maria Riot and Tommy Cabrio meet for an erotic rendezvous—the film takes inspiration from the work of the painter Julio Romero de Torres and the song “Andalucia La Que Divierte” by the ’70s singer Pepe Suero.

Belle de Jour, Luis Buñuel (1967)

Belle de Jour tells the story of Séverine, a wealthy woman married to a doctor who loves and protects her. She, however, finds her life to be monotonous and gray. She suddenly starts having erotic and masochistic dreams where she is dominated and even humiliated, and feels a secret satisfaction, which she keeps to herself. These events are her first step towards living a double life: she’ll become a belle de jour—a prostitute by day, and a faithful wife by night.

Hand in hand with the golden age of erotic cinema, this film taps into the topics of kink and sexual agency, with a bit of romance between it all. Even today, more than 50 years later, this movie will be relatable to many sex workers who lead double lives due to stigma and criminalization.

Pornographic Pairing: A Lust Cinema original, The Listener is an erotic murder mystery about a woman, Nora (Maisy Taylor), who moves into an old Victorian house left to her by a mysterious aunt. At first, she can’t believe her luck, until things take a turn for the strange, and she starts to hear odd noises while masturbating one evening. She discovers she can hear the activities of her neighbors in HD sound. Soon, she is fueling her fantasies by listening in on their private lives—at least, until a mysterious murder upsets the building. Directed by Lidia Ravviso, “this comedic-thriller blends Cluedo and porn for a suspense-filled, cinematic, erotic movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat.”

In the Mood for Love, Wong Kar-wai (2000)

Last but not least, In the Mood for Love shows the need for care and affection between two Hong Kong citizens who just moved into the same building with their partners. Overwhelmed by loneliness, they begin to spend more and more time together, eventually opening up about how both of their partners are cheating on them. As the movie continues, we see them fall in love, while simultaneously encouraging each other to be honest with their partners. It’s a bittersweet take on a love story that never sees completion.

Pornographic Pairing: Directed by Neen Sever for Else Cinema, Can You See Me? is a short erotic film about a sensual encounter that captures the spark between two strangers. When Luna Silver and Bishop Black glance longingly at each other from across the street, the boundaries between fantasy and reality blur. The pair get lost in their imagination, where they can enact their true desires.