Top 10 Mainstream Movies That Sound Like Porn Movies

Sometimes a film’s title can blur the line between pop culture and pornography. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 mainstream movies that sound like porn flicks. For this list, we’re focusing on large-scale movies with awkward names that could easily be confused with low-budget films of a specific genre.

#10: “Holes” (2003)

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Decades from now, it’s unlikely that film scholars will hear the name of this Disney co-produced adventure film and quickly associate it with early 21st centurymainstream filmmaking. In fact, most people today might believe “Holes” to be a lazily named flick from the porn industry. With a central narrative revolving around buried treasure at Camp Green Lake, the title simply does not do the film justice, nor does it effectively sell the film to mainstream consumers. For obvious reasons, “Holes” is not exactly a “first date movie,” as most wouldn’t expect an invitation to a film with such a name.

#9: “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” (2005)

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If you’re vaguely familiar with the titles of adult films, well, then you know that clever wordplay is part of the marketing. And let’s just say this: if “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” were “on-demand” in a hotel room, most people wouldn’t expect a mainstream flick, but something of the porno ilk. But no, this is not a clever piece of underground titling, but rather a mainstream film written by Shane Black – the same man behind “Iron Man 3.” It’s a tightly written black comedy set in the City of Angels… and its unique name also reminds us of the 1968 musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” yet another mainstream movie that sounds like a porn flick.

Given the cult following of this film, one could argue that many understand the backstory of “Shaft in Africa.” Even so, so-called “Blaxploitation” productions are obviously not for everybody, and certainly not one with such an evocative name. Older generations maybe don’t recognize the subtext of the title, but one could argue that the filmmakers knew exactly what they were doing. Just take a look at the poster, for crying out loud! For those not familiar with the franchise, this was the third installment of the John Shaft trilogy. And when all was said and done, “Shaft in Africa” wasn’t necessarily remembered for the plot, especially considering the lukewarm reviews, but more likely for the questionable title.

#7: “Winter’s Bone” (2010)

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Depending on where one lives, the phrase, “winter is coming,” could be taken literally or figuratively, much like the name of this critically acclaimed film starring Jennifer Lawrence. Set in the American Ozark Mountains, the movie’s title references someone determined to find what they are looking for - like a hungry dog in search of a winter’s bone. But had one never heard of this indie hit, one could easily correlate the title with a low-scale production of the sexy variety. Unsurprisingly, there has never been a “Winter’s Bone 2”… at least not in the mainstream film industry.

#6: “Stand and Deliver” (1988)

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The late ‘80s were a chaotic time in Hollywood. And just behind the famous Hollywood sign, numerous sexually explicit films were produced throughout the San Fernando Valley. But when we talk about someone like Lou Diamond Phillips, he was nowhere near that industry, especially after his 1987 hit “La Bamba.” But despite the deeply moving drama and based-on-a-true-story narrative of “Stand and Deliver,” the film could, in fact, be mistaken for what’s commonly known as a “porno,” particularly considering its relatively smal budget. Yet, Lou Diamond Phillips and company quelled concerns about the title, in a way, as the film ultimately found mainstream success and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

#5: “Dirty Harry” (1971)

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Sure, the title of this Clint Eastwood classic is concise and certainly well known, yet it’s still inherently troubling all the same. In the real world, typically nobody with the nickname “Dirty Harry” would be perceived as a suave character. Then again, one might not expect someone named Dirk Diggler to be all that popular either. Of course, he was a porn star in a mainstream flick. But inspector Harry Callahan, the antihero of “Dirty Harry,” is most definitely not involved with the adult entertainment industry. No, this man’s luck is of a different nature, and he plays by his own set of rules. He’s Dirty Harry, a man of the law and a man with a distinctive nickname.

#4: “The Bone Collector” (1999)

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In real life, one does not simply drop bones around town and expect nobody to notice. But in this thriller starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie, the film’s antagonist acts out in such a way for attention. Yet, when you step away from the narrative and think of just the title itself, it sounds less like a mainstream drama and more like an awkward adult film. Of course, the 48 million dollar budget is a telling sign that it’s NOT a porn flick, but not everybody is privy to such information when first learning of the film. Oh, to be a fly on the wall when Hollywood agents pitched “The Bone Collector” around Tinseltown…

#3: “Deep Impact” (1998)

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As one of the major box office sensations of the late ‘90s, this movie was not especially praised for its plot, but more so for its scientific authenticity. And with a title like “Deep Impact,” the producers must’ve known that they had to excel in the tech department, if only to minimize the inevitable jokes. Nowadays, plenty of folks can look back on “Deep Impact” and appreciate the film for what it is: a mainstream hit of the late 20th century. But one can also reflect on that moment when they realized that “Deep Impact” was indeed not a porno flick… it was a beautifully scored sci-fi disaster film with music by the late James Horner and direction by Mimi Leder.

#2: “Free Willy” (1993)

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So, a few of you may be curious about the inclusion of this entry, and we understand why, as not a lot of people still openly use the term “Willy.” But you know what? Back in 1993, a phrase like “Free Willy” meant something. In fact, the words still remind many of the strangely titled family drama about a relationship between boy and orca. If you’re not actually familiar with the film’s existence, one may easily make a correlation between it and a specific genre of “cinema” called porn however. For the mainstream film itself, the title reflects all the innocence and wonder of the plot. Yet, for a more intimate type of flick, it could be associated with something entirely different... Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. - “Wreck-It Ralph” (2012) - “snatch.” (2000) - “Gone in 60 Seconds” (2000) - “The Longest Ride” (2015) - “Balls of Fury” (2007) - “Big Daddy” (1999)

#1: “Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013)

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By now, the Coen Brothers have amassed a worldwide following thanks to their vast filmography. But it was a 2013 film about a struggling musician that brought casual moviegoers to the proverbial crossroads when the phrase “Inside Llewyn Davis” first came to attention. Was this a porno flick or a real mainstream movie? Well, nobody knew for sure. Until the trailer went online, a large portion of North Americans just might’ve believed the title to be straight outta the adult entertainment industry. Hey, you never know these days - not until the movies in question present themselves for what they truly are, with this one ending up an Oscar-nominated black comedy drama.   Do you agree with our list? Which mainstream movie title do you think most sounds like a porno flick? For more thought-provoking Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.