- Last Tango in Paris (1973) $36,182,181
The list would not be complete without this cult classic starring Marlon Brando.
It's an uncomfortable watch about the erotic power dynamic between a young Parisian woman and a middle-aged American businessman.
- Bad Education (2004) $40,423,279
This drama, about the sexual abuse experienced in Catholic boarding school by two childhood friends, was met with critical acclaim.
Rotten Tomatoes reports that 88 percent of 144 reviews were positive, with an average rating of 7.55 out of 10.
- Lust, Caution (2007) $67,091,915
Lust, Caution, clinches the top spot on the highest-grossing NC-17 movies of all time.
The WW2 espionage film was produced on a budget of approximately $15 million and performed well across the world.
Though in a number of countries, including China and India, most of the sex scenes had to be cut before the film could be released.