Which Best Steamy Romance Books Have Been Adapted Into Movies?

Some of my favorite steamy romance novels have been made into movies and TV shows, which makes me so happy because I love to see my favorite daydreams come to life on the big screen. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James is another super steamy novel that has been made into a movie, which features Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Although many people hate this book, it’s definitely hard to deny the chemistry between the two leads. I also love The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks, which was made into a timeless movie with the perfect lead roles of Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Their kiss in the rain is still iconic to this day. Another novel that was turned into a TV series is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, which features many passionate and intense scenes between the two leads, Claire and Jamie. Although their relationship can be very complicated, there’s definitely a lot of tension between the two, which makes for some very interesting scenes. Most recently, the novel After by Anna Todd was made into a movie, which is the first in a long series of movies based on the very intense and steamy love story of the main character. Many of these novels are able to translate very well to the big screen, and can often even be much steamier than the book.

Comparing directors in intimacy scenes is so interesting! Adapting André Aciman’s Call Me by Your Name for example, was so brilliant in transfering the yearning and sensuality of the novel to the film by Luca Guadagnino. The peaches scene is so memorable and bold.

I also really enjoyed the film adaptation of ‘The Secretary’ by Mary Gaitskill. This was another ‘steamy’ book that again translated really well into a quirky darkly romantic film. The dynamics of power between the Secretary and Lee were fantastic and Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader were excellent in their roles.

There are many examples of ‘steam’ having been transferred to screen for classic adaptations. In 1986 ‘9½ Weeks’ was released based on the short story by Elizabeth McNeill. Adapted with charismatic performances from Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger the result is a cult classic with a distinctive edge to it.

As I mentioned before, most steamy romance novels are translated into visual experiences, and there are some better than others at sticking to the book. The new movie adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey takes some risk in portraying Christian and Anastasia’s relationship, and amping up the tension between them. The new scenes are hot, and the use of cinemagraphy and the score in the movie enhances the rest of the book’s sex scenes.

The other great adaptation of a ‘steamy’ novel is ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ by Helen Fielding. Although it is more of a romantic comedy than a purely ‘steamy’ novel, there are some great scenes of passion between the leads, in this case Renée Zellweger and Colin Firth, and it maintains the humor and vulnerability of the book so well.

I also realized the historical category of ‘steam’ is filled by novels like Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. This 18th c. novel was remade as the modern “Cruel Intentions” where again lots of seduction and manipulation goes on. I found Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillippe to be particularly enticing in their problematical scenes.

Lastly, 'The Unbearable Lightness of Being' by Milan Kundera is a sensual and philosophical novel set against the backdrop of political change. Again, it has been translated incredibly well to the screen in this wonderful film. Movies like these prove that amazing ‘steam’ novels can be made into amazing movies with the right vision.