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Every now and then, a nude scene comes along that doesn’t just steam up the screen; it becomes cultural history. In this first batch of our countdown, we revisit 10 unforgettable performances where boldness met beauty. Whether they shocked you, mesmerized you, or made you a lifelong fan, all of these performances earn their spot on this list.
At just 19, Maria Schneider made waves (and headlines) with her controversial role opposite Marlon Brando. Last Tango in Paris is erotic, experimental, and deeply problematic, but it’s also impossible to ignore. Schneider’s full-frontal nudity and emotional rawness were groundbreaking at the time. That said, the behind-the-scenes reality makes this one hard to rewatch now. It's iconic, yes, but also a cautionary tale about consent in filmmaking.
If we said, “red bikini,” you already know. Phoebe Cates’ slow-motion pool fantasy scene burned itself into cinematic memory and into the imaginations of an entire generation. The scene is short but seared into film history thanks to its perfect blend of fantasy and playful tease. Sure, it’s a dream sequence, but it’s also one of the most legendary strip-downs in '80s movie history.
Vampire lovers, rejoice. The Hunger gave us a smoky, sensual Susan Sarandon opposite Catherine Deneuve in one of the most elegant and erotic lesbian love scenes ever put to film. Sarandon’s topless scene is slow, intentional, and absolutely electric. It wasn’t just hot, it was groundbreaking for queer representation, and she delivered it with spellbinding grace.
“Scream queen” turned ultimate tease, Jamie Lee Curtis surprised everyone with her topless reveal in this comedy classic. As a savvy sex worker with a heart of gold, Curtis strips down in front of Dan Aykroyd, and let’s just say, jaws hit the floor. It’s a blink-and-you ’ll-miss-it moment, but one that instantly rewrote her image and cemented her sex symbol status. Smart and busty? Yes, please.
Before she settled into more wholesome roles, hottie Kelly Preston lit up the screen with topless scenes in Mischief, a nostalgic sex comedy set in the '50s. Sweet and sultry, Preston exudes girl-next-door vibes… until she takes her shirt off. Her confident, breezy nudity in the film completely flipped the switch on her public image and became a defining scene in ‘80s cinema.
No explanation needed, but we’ll say it anyway. Sharon Stone’s leg-cross in Basic Instinct is the moment. While her fully nude scenes are absolutely hot, it’s that infamous interrogation room flash that remains legendary. Stone’s icy stare and raw confidence made the whole world stop. She didn’t just bare it all, she owned it.
When Madonna commits, she commits. In Body of Evidence, she whipped out wax play, bondage, and full-frontal scenes that were more explicit than most mainstream films dared. Sure, the movie was critically roasted, but Madonna’s fearless nudity and sex-positive performance gave the world something to talk about.
Now this is how you do character work. In Robert Altman’s ensemble drama, Julianne Moore performs an entire intense monologue, completely bottomless and totally unbothered. The brashness, the vulnerability, the red bob, it all made her the indie world's new obsession. Moore’s nudity wasn’t about titillation; it was about owning space, emotionally and physically, in a way we hadn’t seen before.
Former star-turned-sex-symbol Alyssa Milano made jaws drop with this late-night cable favorite. The gothic vibes, vampire lust, and a very topless Milano created a cult classic. Was the film good? Absolutely not, but her quiet confidence during some seriously sensual scenes made people take notice. It’s trashy, it’s softcore, and it’s precisely the kind of unexpected nudity this list was made for.
What a way to break free of Saved by the Bell. Elizabeth Berkley went all-in on this NC-17 Vegas drama, with nudity in just about every scene. Stripping, dancing, and pool sex, Berkley’s performance was fearless, for better or worse. The movie may have bombed on release, but it’s become a camp classic, and her commitment (and glorious body) are a huge reason why.
From art house to grindhouse, these ten moments redefined what nudity could be, whether pushing boundaries, making statements, or simply making our jaws drop. Each of these scenes reminds us that bold choices on screen can echo far beyond the bedroom. And guess what? We’ve only just begun. Stay tuned for #30–#21, where things get even steamer.
All images here are courtesy of Mr. Skin.
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