2018 has been a banner year for movies and television: creative concepts, snappy scripts, breakout stars . . . and some very steamy scenes. From rom-coms [1] to sci-fi, from the big screen to Netflix [2], there have been a ton of scenes that have heated up our screens this year. Whether you were cheering for long-awaited hookups or surprised by an unexpected pairing, there have been so many swoon-inducing or just plain sexy [3] scenes on film and TV this year that we had a hard time choosing just a few. Here are our picks for the sexiest scenes that movies and television [4] had to offer in 2018.
Note: we couldn't find footage for every single one (sorry, Insecure fans), but we still wanted to mention them!
Insecure
Issa and Nathan's [5] romance was pretty sexy from the start — skinny dipping on a first date! — but when they get it on in a broken-down ferris wheel, it quickly turns into one of the hottest moments of television this year.
Jane the Virgin
Fans of Jane and Rafael [6] have been waiting years for the couple to consummate their complicated relationship. Even after they finally get together in the show's fourth season, the couple's attempts to get some alone time keep getting thwarted — until Jane joins Raf in the shower.
Crazy Rich Asians
The breakout rom-com of the Summer wasn't sexy because of some steamy, heightened scenes — it was sexy because, even among all the superextravagant settings [7], the central romance was funny and sweet in a very real way. Flying to Singapore in a luxury private compartment, Nick and Rachel share a few minutes of conversation before putting the convertible bed to good use.
The Resident
Nothing says "welcome back from hiatus" like a long-awaited hookup [8]. And that's what exactly what happens on the medical drama's second-season premiere. Grabbing a few rare free minutes, Conrad and Nic took their relationship to the next level in a steamy shower scene.
Timeless
After several almost-kisses in the first episodes of the second season, Timeless [9]'s Wyatt and Lucy [10] finally find their perfect moment during a trip to 1930s Hollywood. We're not sure what was the best part: their swoon-worthy kiss in the firelight [11], or their sweet, flirty banter the next morning that confirmed that they definitely did more than just kiss.
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's has had its share of groundbreaking moments over the years, so it's hard to believe that we're only just now seeing its first gay male romance [12] between Levi and Nico. After a few false starts and misunderstandings, the duo finally hook up [13] in an ambulance during a windstorm (it's a long story).
Outlander
Outlander [14] has always been a gold mine for serious passion [15], especially between its leading couple Jamie and Claire. The latest season is no exception, with a touching scene in which Jamie surprises Claire with a new ring turning into one of the show's patented, passionate love scenes [16].
Colette
Colette, the legendary writer, has her own story told [17] in this historical drama. After her marriage grows strained, Colette begins exploring her feelings for women — particularly with the beautiful Georgie, with whom she shares a beautiful intimate moment.
Riverdale
There's no shortage of sexy scenes on Riverdale [18] — this is so not your mother's Archie. It might be hard to top this scene, where Betty has a surprise for Jughead while they're at a lake house: lingerie and her "Dark Betty" persona.
Grey's Anatomy
We were told that this would be the "season of love" [19] on Grey's, but we didn't think one of the sexiest scenes would one that didn't happen at all! Meredith finds herself having some unexpectedly steamy dreams about DeLuca [20], leading into one of the most unexpected love triangles currently on TV.
Younger
The tension between Liza and her boss Charles has been brewing for years, and in Younger's fifth season, Team Charles [21] fans finally get their wish when Liza and Charles, after finally allowing all the truth to come out [22], hook up in an intimately shot, deeply-sexy scene.
A Star Is Born
The latest take on the classic showbiz romance [23] focussed heavily on the doomed, passionate romance between Ally and Jackson. When they finally take their sparks from the stage to the bedroom, it's everything you would expect.
A Simple Favour
The consensus out of the Summer was that Hollywood has found its newest heartthrob: Henry Golding [24], who starred both as Crazy Rich Asians's dreamy Nick Young and A Simple Favour's complicated husband Sean [25]. Sean and Stephanie grow closer after Emily's disappearance, and they grow a lot closer in this one scene rife with tension.
Jessica Jones
The Marvel heroine [26] has had her fair share of steamy scenes over the seasons, but this one — in which she and latest love interest Oscar knock over a paint can before knocking boots — definitely takes the cake.
This Is Us
We've been following the nonlinear progression of Jack and Rebecca's relationship [27] for three seasons now, but we just learned this season how they first met. Following the early days of their relationship has also let us see their firsts [28] — like this moment, where Rebecca goes to Jack's room on a road trip to sleep with him for the first time.
Westworld
Westworld [29]'s hookup between Dolores [30] and Teddy manages to be both heartbreaking and sexy all at once. The duo finally share a night together, but it's followed by a gut-wrenching choice on Dolores's part that makes it more of a goodbye than anything else.