Sabrina Lantos/Crave/HBO Max; Netflix; Josh Stringer/Hulu
These shows are turning up the heat, but they might need you to turn down your volume.
It's the dead of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but you'd never know it to see all the windows fogging up as people stream these heartwarming yet raunchy romances. Whether it's the riveting rivalry-turned-relationship between Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov inHeated Rivalryor the toxic situation you can't look away from inTell Me Lies,these series will hook you and never let go.
PEOPLE staffers shared their favorite steamy romantic comedy and drama shows, and for your easy browsing, rated them based on spiciness, from "okay to watch with your parents" to "maybe don't put it on in your family living room."
'Heated Rivalry'
Courtesy Bell Media
Will you come to my cottage? Ever since the first season ofBridgerton, it feels like there hasn't been a show that's reached the same level of hushed-buzziness asHeated Rivalry.The show proves why enemies-to-lovers might be the steamiest trope, with two super star hockey players, Canada's Shane Hollander and Russia's Ilya Rozanov, going face-to-face on and off the ice.
But it's more than just an exploration of each other. The show grapples with what it means to be closeted gay athletes in a historically highly masculine sport, and why that tension leads to some of the best musical cues and high-"skates" drama.
Viewer beware: When your sports-loving family asks you if you've heard about that "new hockey show" on HBO, you have to be prepared to feign ignorance. There isn't enough actual hockey for plausible deniability if anyone walks past the screen. Listen: The ice may be cold, but the show is hot, hot, hot.—Meredith Wilshere,Writer-Reporter
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
'Bridgerton'
Dear Gentle Reader … I do believe that there's one fact that every member of the virtual ton can agree on: All of the Bridgerton siblings are experts in the act ofyearning.The popular Netflix series follows Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) and her eight children as they navigate society duringEngland's Regency era. Starring an ensemble cast that includes PEOPLE's 2025 Sexiest Man AliveJonathan Bailey,Phoebe Dynevor,Luke Newton,Nicola Coughlan,Luke Thompsonand more, each season spotlights a different Bridgerton sibling's journey to finding true love.With some of the storylines structured around well-known fairy tales or popular romance tropes, there's no shortage of passionate moments and declarations of love within the series that are certain to fill anyone's stomach with butterflies. But, let's be completely honest: AvidBridgertonwatchers aren't simply there for the love, especially with all the of the intense moments of passion displayed on-screen. The period drama offers the perfect mix of romance and spice, and trust me, every episode will leave you wanting more.—Kayla Grant,Writer-Reporter
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
'The Hunting Wives'
Steve Dietl/Netflix
While the main plot revolves around a murder mystery (R.I.P. Abby, you seemed nice, albeit kind of dim), as many others have said, that's not why we're here. We're here for the sex. There's so much of it between as many duos (and trios!) and scenes likethatone with Callie and her husband will have you wondering if you really just saw what you think you saw (you did).
The sex is so graphic and raunchy that I had to laugh when I readan interview with Akermanwhere she said that the show is "reminiscent ofDynastyorDallas," two soapy '80s drama about rich people behaving badly. Even the most scandalous moments on those shows — which my parents would occasionally let me watch with them because that's how parents were in the '80s — would be too tame for the opening credits ofThe Hunting Wives.
Trust me, the last thing you want is your kids to wander into the room while you're watching Margot and Sophie "hang out" and ask why the ladies on the television are wrestling in bed without any clothes on.—Andrea Lavinthal,Executive Director of Special Integrated Projects
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
'Euphoria'
Courtesy of HBO
If you are looking for bold and oftentimes shocking depictions of sex, drugs and nudity,Euphoriais the show to watch. The HBO drama revolves aroundZendaya's Rue Bennett as she grapples with being a recovering addict in the midst of her life, which I can only describe as chaotic.Euphoriapushes the boundaries of a typical high school drama. The popular series, which sees Zendaya acting alongside an all-star cast that includesJacob Elordi,Sydney SweeneyandHunter Schafer, portrays the dark, unfiltered reality of toxic relationships, drug abuse and emotional trauma. While there are remnants of love and hope intertwined with the show, it tends to get overshadowed by all of the raw, shocking and intense moments in Rue and her friends' lives.—K.G.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️.5
'Forever'
Elizabeth Morris/Netflix
Mara Brock Akil'sForeverbrings viewers back to one of their earliest and sweetest memories: their first love. FollowingLovie Simone's Keisha Clark andMichael Cooper Jr.'s Justin Edwards, the series spotlights all of the twists and turns typically associated with the growing pains of young love and being a teenager.The show, based on Judy Blume's popularyoung adult novel, is sure to make you reminisce on your own experiences, transporting you back to the sweeping, all-consuming feeling of a first love. Simone and Cooper Jr.'s chemistry radiates through the screen, highlighting all of the vulnerability, passion and heightened emotions laced within each moment. Every episode is a breath of fresh air that will have you kicking your feet up in the air and reminiscing about that special time in your life.—K.G.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️
'The Summer I Turned Pretty'
Amazon Prime
Although it may rank low on the spice scale,The Summer I Turned Prettyhas enough swoonworthy romance to keep you constantly kicking your feet and giggling. The series centers the complex love triangle betweenLola Tung's Isabel "Belly" Conklin and the Fisher brothers (Christopher Brineyas Conrad andGavin Casalegnoas Jeremiah) as they navigate the ups and downs of life, trauma and, of course, love.The young adult series is filled with everyone's favorite thing in romance: endless amounts of yearning! Between the longing looks to Belly from both Fisher brothers to the back-and-forth drama surrounding their love stories, the show highlighted all of the glorious ebbs and flows of teenage love. After three seasons, the seemingly endless summers based in the fictional town of Cousins came to a temporary end withthe series finale.A moment that was supposed to mark the end of an era for devoted fans became a new beginning as it was announced a few hours after the finale that the saga will return for a film with Tung and Briney reprising their roles. If the upcoming film is anything like the series, then we are certainly in for a wild ride filled with passionate moments.—K.G.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
'I Love LA'
From the first scene,I Love LAmakes it clear that sex plays an important role in its story.
For a show set in Los Angeles, a city where transplants are often infamous for their superficiality,Rachel Sennott'sI Love LAuses sexual dynamics between its characters in a rather thought-provoking way. When Maia (Sennott) sleeps with her boyfriend Dylan (Josh Hutcherson), it's clear that there's a disconnect in chemistry between the two — compared to when she fantasizes about her former boss Ben (Colin Woodell). Meanwhile, Jordan Firstman's Charlie attempts to overcome his aversion to emotional intimacy in order to declare his love for a friend with benefits.
Although it's not the sexiest show on the streaming service, the HBO series — renewed for season 2 — will surprise you with its choices, connect you to its eclectic cast and certainly make you laugh.—Brendan Le,Writer-Reporter
Spice Level: 🌶️.5
'Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire'
Larry Horricks/AMC
Is there truly anything better than watching two people continuously find their way back to each other for eternity? InAnne Rice's Interview with the Vampire,Jacob Anderson's Louis de Pointe du Lac sits down with journalist Daniel Molloy (Eric Bogosian) to tell the epic story of his immortal life. Etched into every part, from the moments before he became a vampire to nearly two centuries later, is the dominating presence of his creator-turned-lover Lestat de Lioncourt, portrayed by Sam Reid.Despite their love for each other being mostly toxic and complicated, their bond and deep connection is everlasting and passionate. No matter where they are, how long they've been apart or how much they've hurt each other, they always seem to find a way back into each other's arms. The more Louis tells his story, the more viewers are pulled deeper into their messy, chaotic love, waiting with bated breath to discover what happens next.—K.G.
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
'Tell Me Lies'
It makes sense thathalf the main cast began dating in real lifeafter season 1, becauseTell Me Liesis undeniably steamy. I wasn't surprised to learn that there were designated "sex days" on set — in some episodes, you quite literally watch the lead move from one explicit sex scene straight into another.Following a group of messy, toxic college students in the mid-2000s over the span of several years, the show is fueled by bad decisions, lies, emotional chaos anda lotof sex. It's entertaining — if you can stomach the cheating — but don't expect a sweet, romantic candle-lit dinner orBridgerton-esque love declaration to go along with it. The intimacy is often dark, uncomfortable and hard to watch (even the lead has described it as "tragic"). Maybe watch it with your college friends if you're brave, but under no circumstances is this a family TV night pick.—Jordana Comiter,Associate Editor
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
'The Hitwoman'
AnythingReelShortmakes starring Seth Edeen, I'm pretty much game for, and this series is no different. It's very much like all their other content — short, dramatic andverysteamy — but this version ups the ante because we have a case of ex-lovers reuniting and the stakes are so high. Nicole Mattox stars as Madeline Archer, a hitwoman who's on a mission to find her lost sister. She's then contracted to kill Hayden Kent and that presents a conundrum because he's not only the District Attorney, but also her ex!—Stephanie Sengwe,Features Editor
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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