Published by Anonymous on December 31st, 1969

Adult Movie Buying Guide

So, you’re interested in buying an adult movie, but you’re not sure where to start? With over 11,000 movies produced each year (wikipedia), as well as many genres and subgenres of erotica out there, it’s common for consumers to be overwhelmed with the sheer selection of porn. That’s why I’m writing this guide, to help you choose the movies that are right for you or you and your partner. As a watcher and reviewer of erotica, I aim to help others who are interested in bringing erotic films into their bedrooms by defining and explaining the different genres and including specific examples that you might enjoy.

What is an Adult Movie?

An adult movie goes by many names: erotica, erotic movie, porn, pornographic video, porno, explicit movie, etc.  They portray sexual content for the purposes of sexual excitement, erotic satisfaction, and/or arousal (wikipedia).  Porn is often divided into two major categories, "hardcore" and "softcore."  

A hardcore pornographic movie portrays explicit and graphic sexual content such as erections, open vulvas, and sexual acts such as vaginal and anal intercourse and oral sex. 

"Softcore" porn is less explicit than hardcore porn and generally does not include graphic representations of sexual acts such as intercourse or oral sex, though softcore films may include full nudity.  Both hardcore and softcore erotic movies can sometimes even help teach you something new or give you ideas to try in the bedroom. Viewers that are uncomfortable watching explicit sexual activity might be more comfortable watching a softcore adult movie such as  All About Anna, Man of My Dreams, or The Joy of Erotic Massage.

This remainder of this guide focuses on "hardcore" adult movies. 

 

Hardcore Adult Movie Genres 

Most porn movies are created with a theme or genre in mind. Of course, themes often overlap.  We've divided themes into three major categories: the physical characteristics of the performers, such as age or hair color; specific types of sex acts, such as group sex, gay sex or BDSM; and and film format such as Feature or Educational.  Below is a list, although not exhaustive, of major porn genres, their definitions, and examples of each.

Physical Characteristics of Performers

 

Age

MILF or Cougar: these movies usually feature older, more experienced women and the women and men who enjoy being with older women.

Young Performers: these movies are mainly about younger women, though all performers--by law--must be at least 18 years old. 

 

Ethnicity/race

Asian: Best Little Horny Asians, Kaylani Lei’s Fornic-Asian, Red Dragon, Pussy Kat, Wicked MVP: Asians Katsumi vs Roxy

Latina: Latina Island Girls, Latin Hollywood Hookers, Mikayla Tonight, Caliente, Exxxtasy Island (1-4 and Trilogy), Chop Shop Chicas, Backdoor to Brazil, MVP South of the Border

African-American: Indigo Noir, Star 69 All Sistas, Exposed: Dee,  All That Jass, Afrodite Superstar, Ghetto Fabulous, Hot Chocolate, SILFS, Bubblin Brown Sugar, Black Biker Babes

Interracial: usually defined as African-American and Caucasian performers engaging together in sex.

 

Physical features

Hair color for viewers who prefer one hair color over another, there are movies whose themes focus specifically on performers (usually women) who have blonde, brown, or red hair.

Tattoos and Piercings: that feature performers who have many prominent tattoos and/or piercings.

BBW/Larger Women: these movies usually feature performers (mostly women) who are “plus sized” or larger than the average actress. Also known as “Big Beautiful Women.”

Big Boobs: the focus of this movie would be large breasts and thus the performers in this feature would all have big boobs.

Big Butts: the focus and themes of this movie would be larger-than-average derrieres. These films highlight and celebrate big booties.

Feet: For foot enthusiasts, some movies focus on other parts of the body such as feet and shoes.

Natural: features women that tend to have less cosmetic surgery, make-up, etc.

 

Specific Types of Sex Acts and Fetishes

 

POV: Point-of-view films are filmed from the viewpoint of (usually) the male performer in each scene. He or she uses a hand-held camera to film the scene. The sexual activity filmed is so up-close and personal, that it appears as though the viewer is participating in the scene. POV movies can also fall into several other categories.

Squirting: movies that revolve around female ejaculation, a.k.a. squirting.

Anal Sex: an adult move that showcases, among other things, anal sex.

Pegging: when a woman penetrates a man anally, usually with a strap-on dildo.

DP/Double Penetration: double penetration is simultaneous penetration of the vagina and anus of a performer by two male performers.

Oral Sex: certain films mainly feature oral sex, with little or no intercourse. These could be oral sex on men or on women, or both.

Solo/Masturbation: these films feature performers masturbating for the camera, usually alone, but occasionally 2 or more performers masturbate in one scene.

Threesomes: in the world of adult movies, a threesome is usually a sex scene that involves 2 women and 1 man, although sometimes 2 men and 1 woman are featured as well.

Foursomes/Swinging: A foursome is usually 2 couples; sometimes partners are switched, which is called swinging.

Orgy: a movie about orgies will have sex scenes that feature multiple performers having sex with one another, in front of one another, and switching partners with each other.

Gay: movies that feature only male adult performers. These movies will also fit into other categories such as feature, interactive, wall-to-wall, or multiple performers.

Lesbian: movies that feature only female adult performers. These movies will also fit into other categories such as feature, interactive, wall-to-wall, or multiple performers.

Bisexual: In adult film, a bisexual adult movie features 2 men and at least 1 woman in each scene; not only will the men have sex with the woman, but the men have sex with one another as well. These movies will also fit into other categories such as feature, interactive, wall-to-wall, or multiple performers.

BDSM/Kinky: movies that feature BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance, and submission) and/or other pain experiences that push the sexual edge. Experiencing different roles of submission and dominance can provide sexual satisfaction for some people. These movies also showcase bondage accessories such as wrist ties, latex clothing, facemasks, ball gags, etc.

Rough: along the lines of bondage/BDSM films, there are some movies that feature rougher, kinky sex that pushes sexual boundaries with actions such as spanking, more vigorous sexual activity, tying of wrists, etc.

Fetish: In world of adult movies, fetish movies revolve around an action or body part that is of particular sexual interest to a certain group of people. For example, certain viewers achieve sexual satisfaction from watching Feet, Lingerie or stockings, clothing, shoes, etc.

 

Film Format

 

Wall-to-Wall Sex: a wall-to-wall adult movie features nothing but sex from beginning to end. There is no storyline and not much dialogue. Although scenes may have “themes” or settings, there is no storyline to follow. This is a very popular adult movie format.

Reality: Though some "reality" films may appear to have caught performers off-guard, all performers in our films are professionals in the adult movie industry and have given their explicit permission to be filmed. 

Instructional/Educational: Instructional adult films have something to teach the viewer. Most educational films have one or several themes or ideas throughout the whole movie. These types of movies not only have something to show and teach viewers, but they can also prove to be arousing and interesting to the viewers as well. Many legendary adult stars or educators have their own instructional adult DVDs such as Nina Hartley, Tristan Taormino, Penny Flame, or Penthouse. Examples include:

Sex and Pregnancy: The Better Sex Guide to Sex and Pregnancy

Anal Sex for men or women: Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Anal Sex, The Better Sex Guide to Anal Sex, Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Anal Pleasure for Men

Oral Sex for men or women: Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Advanced Fellatio, Penthouse Guide to Blowjobs, The Better Sex Guide to Great Oral Sex, Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Fellatio, Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Cunnilingus, The Art of Oral Sex

G Spot: Maximizing G Spot Pleasures, The G Spot and Female Ejaculation, Unlocking the Secrets of the G Spot, Tristan Taormino's Expert Guide to the G Spot

Sexual positions: 101 Positions for Lovers, Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Positions, The Better Sex Guide to the Kama Sutra, The Art of Sexual Positions

Sex for people over 40: Better Sex for a Lifetime® , Couples Guide to Great Sex over 40, Great Sex over 50 for men and women, Great Sex for a Lifetime,

Sensual Massage: The Joy of Erotic Massage, 4-Hand Massage, Nina Hartley’s Guide to Erotic Massage

Threesomes/Swinging: Tristan Taormino’s Expert Guide to Threesomes, Nina Hartley’s Guide to the Perfect Orgy,

Masturbation/Hand pleasuring: A Lover’s Guide to Self-Pleasuring, 101 Masturbation Secrets for Lovers, Penny Flame’s Expert Guide to Handjobs for Men and Women

Erectile/Ejaculatory solutions: A Man’s Guide to Stronger Erections, You Can Last Longer

Other educational titles: How to be a better lover: Bedroom Basics, Midori’s Expert Guide to Sensual Bondage, The Better Sex Guide to Erotic Dancing, The Better Sex Video Series®, The Better Sex Video Series® for Black Couples

Interactive: interactive adult movies usually have different options that the viewer can choose, such as scene, performer, sexual positions, etc so that the movie seems much more interactive and the viewer feels less passive and more active in his or her choices.

Classics/Vintage: There are many adult movies from the 70s, 80s, and even 90s that have been relegated to classic, vintage, or legendary status. Or there are legendary performers that might be retired from the adult business that are still popular to this day. Even though these films are older, some of them continue to be popular and groundbreaking.  They often feature performers whose bodies are less stylized and more natural than most performers in modern adult film.

Gonzo: Gonzo adult movies are usually (but not always) all-sex releases in which the performers acknowledge the presence of the camera. Gonzo-style movies tend to be more “in your face” than most and attempt to place the viewer directly in the scene.

Vignette: a vignette-style movie will most probably fall into many different categories. These movies usually have a series of unconnected or unrelated scenes. Each scene has its own theme or wrap-around device.

Star Vehicles: “Star Vehicles” are movies that revolve around mostly one adult from beginning to end. Usually this performer’s name appears in the title so the viewer knows what to expect. A star-based movie will appeal to viewers who have a favorite performer.

Feature: An adult movie “feature” is said to have an actual storyline from beginning to end with sex scenes integrated throughout the story. Certain viewers prefer these types of adult movies because they are perceived as less threatening and more along the lines of mainstream blockbuster flicks. There are many different types of adult features but the most popular themes include:

Comedy- Fluff and Fold, For Love, Money, or a Green Card, Operation Desert Stormy, Not Another Porn Movie, Love for the First Time

Parody – check out the Parodies adult movie category

Drama – 30 Love, Krossing the Bar, The Watcher, Hooked, Bonny and Clide, Fallen

Adventure/Action – Pirates, Pirates 2, Conquest, The Pyramid, Manhunters, Jason Colt: The Mystery of the Sexy Diamonds, Carolina Jones and the Broken Covenant, Sex Lies & Spies, Speed

Romantic – Love & War, Scottish Loveknot, The Way you Kiss Me, The One, Dating 101, Mad Love, Awakening to Love, Don Juan’s Therapist, The Marriage Counselor, Looking for Mr Right Now

Couples oriented- The Masseuse, Dreamquest, An Office Romance, The Vow, An Eternal Love, Wedding Bell Blues, Hearts & Minds 2, Whack Job, Always and Forever, The Stepmother, Naughty Neighbors, My Mother’s Best Friend

Compilations: Compilations usually also fall into other genres as well, but are comprised of several or many sex scenes culled from separate films and placed together on one disc. These scenes usually share a common theme, i.e. all blondes, the same performer or star, all lesbian, etc

Animated: animated adult movies are either cartoons or made of computer generated imagery.

 

The sky’s the limit when it comes to adult movies, so there may be some more subgenres and categories of film that I haven’t mentioned here!

Now What?

So now you’ve spent all this time reading about adult movies and all these different genres and you think you know what appeals to you. What do you do with this information? I suggest you talk to your partner (if you have a partner and your intention is to involve him/her in your movie watching activities), figure out what you both like and can share together. Then you can buy your first adult movie and watch it with your partner, or you can use this article to give you ideas to try something out of your comfort zone and totally new. However you choose to use this information, just remember that communication and knowledge is key to an enjoyable adult movie watching experience!