15 Best Movies Like 365 Days
Fans of romantic films and erotic thrillers should enjoy these movies similar to Netflix’s 365 Days, from Fifty Shades to Call Me By Your Name.
Erotic movies like 365 Days usually make a big splash upon release, and the Netflix original joined a long list of films that gained attention because of their steamier content. The Polish romantic drama dropped on the streamer in 2020, and it follows Laura Biel (Anna-Maria Sieklucka), a young woman who is kidnapped by a Sicilian mafioso named Masimo (Michele Morrone) and given a year to fall in love with him. Immediately controversial for its plot, 365 Days gained loads of attention and delivered on its promise of steamy romance — albeit of a more problematic nature.
The film was summarily rejected by critics and even earned an elusive 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, movies like 365 Days are rarely popular with critics, and it managed to deliver everything that was promised. The first film proved popular enough to spawn several sequels, and every 365 Days movie was a steamy affair with plenty of sensuality, even if the overall quality hadn’t improved. And for those looking for movies with similar steamy love scenes and complicated relationships, there are plenty of movies like 365 Days.
Though erotic romance movies have been a staple of subversive cinema for decades, the international sensation that was the Fifty Shades trilogy brought it to the mainstream. Based on the novels by E.J. James, the Fifty Shades series concerns Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a literature student who begins a torrid romance with eccentric millionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan).
Like 365 Days, the Fifty Shades movies touch on a romantic relationship that isn’t exactly healthy, and the problematic way the series depicted BDSM drew ire, but its overwhelming success proved it was popular enough with audiences looking for the darker side of romance.
Betty Blue (1986)
A Romantic Thriller That Received An Oscar Nomination
Adapted for the screen by auteur director Jean-Jacques Beineix from author Philippe Djian’s novel, Betty Blue flipped the script from the typical erotic romance movies like 365 Days. Betty (Béatrice Dalle) begins a sexual relationship with a handyman (Jean-Hugues Anglade) that is complicated by her increasingly reckless behavior.
A pioneer of the cinéma du look movement of that time period, Beineix’s movies gained a reputation for their emphasis on atmosphere and stylization, with Betty Blue being a prime example. Scoring an Oscar nomination and earning applause for its gripping psychological thriller plot, Betty Blue didn’t skimp on the steamy romance either.
Secretary (2002)
James Spader & Maggie Gyllenhaal Star In This Romantic Thriller
Though Secretary contained elements that are commonplace in many erotic romance movies, it was the film’s brilliant execution that set it apart. An emotionally troubled woman named Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) begins a sadomasochistic relationship with her demanding boss, E. Edward Grey (James Spader). Setting the template for later films like Fifty Shades of Grey,
Secretary is similar to movies like 365 Days because of the romance derived from a seemingly dark situation. Still containing plenty of scintillating and steamy scenes, the characters’ relationship journey is much more wholesome, humorous, and satisfying than many other famous examples of the genre, and Secretary is ranked among James Spader’s best movies.
Though the steaminess was somewhat dialed down in The Twilight Saga, the complex romance of the series is very similar to that of 365 Days. Set in a small Pacific Northwest town, the series sees teenage Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) caught in a love triangle between vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner).
Though the films weren’t critical darlings, The Twilight Saga added elements of the supernatural to the romance formula,which made for an intriguing story on its own. The complicated love story is gripping enough to remain interesting throughout, even if the late aughts staple lacked the abundant sexuality of movies like 365 Days.
9 1/2 Weeks (1986)
Mickey Rourke Stars In This Romantic Thriller
9 1/2 Weeks
One of the most famous erotic movies ever made and among the best movies like 365 Days, 9 1/2 Weeks proved how successful the romance genre could be when taken to steamier places. Art gallery assistant Elizabeth McGraw (Kim Bassinger) begins dating Wall Street broker John Gray, (Mickey Rourke) but is troubled as their relationship goes to sexual extremes without any real emotional connection.
Often remembered as one of Mickey Rourke’s best films, the conventional story of risque boundary-pushing in a torrid affair is packed with the steamy style of director Adrian Lyne. Like 365 Days, the movie features plenty of sexual scenarios but goes deeper by using its erotic backdrop to deconstruct modern romance in the ’80s.
Below Her Mouth (2016)
The Canadian film Below Her Mouth is somewhat different from movies like 365 Daysbecause it deals with a torrid affair that is largely healthy. In it, Jasmine (Natalie Krill) is a successful fashion editor who begins an affair with a roofer named Dallas(Erika Linder) that forces them both to reevaluate their lives.
The introduction of an LGBTQ+ relationship made Below Her Mouth immediately stand out and the dramatic writing largely overshadowed the erotic elements of the story. While Below Her Mouth’s storyline was fast-moving and abrupt, the movie offered audiences an erotic thrill while also challenging their perceptions
Lie With Me (2005)
A Hidden Gem Among The Romantic Thrillers
Lie with Me was neither a critically acclaimed movie nor a popular one, but it’s an erotic gem for fans of movies like 365 Days. The story concerns Leila (Lauren Lee Smith) and David (Eric Balfour), a couple who have a deep sexual connection but lack effective communication skills to maintain a real relationship. Eschewing most common romance movie tropes, Lie with Me uses erotic imagery to break down the boundaries of what a healthy relationship is. While 365 Days also uses eroticism abundantly, Lie with Me explores the emotional nature of physical relationships.
After (2019)
While most viewers seek out movies like 365 Days because they push the boundaries of their R-ratings, After offers a slightly tamer alternative for those looking for steamy romance on screen. The story focuses on the college romance between studious Tessa (Josephine Langford) and rebel student Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin).
Offering a much more realistic alternative to 365 Days, After nevertheless provides a scintillating and troubled romance with many of the trappings of an erotic drama, well within the boundaries of a PG-13 rating. The After film series grew out of the success of the first film and has blossomed into a bona fide romantic franchise.
Basic Instinct (1992)
The Sharon Stone & Michael Douglas Classic
Basic Instinct is the film that catapulted Sharon Stone to superstardom and is considered the pinnacle of the erotic romance genre. Crime novelist and homicide suspect Catherine Tramell (Stone) becomes involved with homicide detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) who is investigating the murder. Made with director Paul Verhoeven’s signature over-the-top style, Basic Instinct not only had erotic romance but a compelling murder mystery as well.
Like 365 Days, Basic Instinct drew controversy because of its plot elements, and the film has diminished somewhat in the public eye because of its negative depiction of the LGBTQ+ community, specifically bisexual women.
