After seeing your fair share of X-rated movies, you’re probably wondering what goes on behind the scenes. If that is the case, it’s time to geek out and dive deeper (and harder) with porn documentaries.
This goes double if you’re considering an actual career in the industry — such as becoming a porn performer or starting a porn company.
So, if you want to bone up (pun intended), we recommend the following documentaries about porn:
- Ask a Porn Star
- Money Shot: The Pornhub Story
- Katie Morgan on Sex Toys
- Pornucopia: Going Down in the Valley
- Pornography: A Secret History of Civilisation
- Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On
- Verified Couple
- Kink
- Desperately Seeking Seka
- Porn to Be Free
- Rocco
- Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars
- Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy
- 9 to 5: Days in Porn
- After Porn Ends
Let’s see why each of them is worth watching.
1. Ask a Porn Star
Imagine you could invite the top porn stars to brunch and ask about everything you’ve been dying to know. Well, it’s not exactly brunch, but this docu-series-slash-talk-show is the next best thing.
Ask a Porn Star is a series of interviews where celebrities of smut answer questions. Some of these questions are risqué, others are vanilla, and a few are full-on whacky.
For example, Reily Reid shares if she orgasms in porn scenes (spoiler: she does).
Similarly, Charlotte Cross spills the beans on what vegetables she had sex with. We won’t tell you, but you can bet it wasn’t beans.
Sure, this series might not cover any historical background or inner workings of the industry. However, it will give you a clue of what your favorite stars deal with at work.
Plus, you’ll realize what adult performers really are — regular fun-loving people who happen to earn their living by making porn.
Watch it on YouTube.
2. Money Shot: The Pornhub Story
Do you remember the first porn you ever saw? Besides being a question loaded with pervy nostalgia, it’s also the opening line of Money Shot.
As Asa Akira and other interviewees reminisce about their porn firsts, we’re taken into a tale of the rise and success of the most famous smut platform, Pornhub.
As the movie goes on, sex workers, the company’s ex-employees, and porn industry advocates share their thoughts on the platform.
Admittedly, some viewers criticized it for being too pro-porn. But in reality, Money Shot paints a nuanced picture of Pornhub and the industry in general.
Notably, the movie addresses the 2020 scandal surrounding the nonconsensual pornography distributed by Pornhub. At the time, the platform reacted by banning unverified uploads and taking down over 10 million videos.
As you can see, Money Shot tackles the good, the bad, and the ugly. And you should absolutely know all of it, especially if you’re planning to cash in on the platform.
Watch it on Netflix.
3. Katie Morgan on Sex Toys
Despite what schoolgirl porn wants you to believe, there’s nothing sexy about real schools. Most of the time, dull teachers discuss even duller topics, and nothing even remotely sexy goes on.
But what if there was a subject that’s all about sex toys? And if the teacher is a blonde bombshell famous for making smut?
Well, in Katie Morgan on Sex Toys, the celebrated porn star takes a deep dive into the gadgets we all know and love. As opposed to, you know, the gadgets taking a deep dive into her.
However, it’s not all sexy talk. Katie goes into everything from the history of the toys to tips and tricks for unlocking their full potential.
So, if this is right up your alley, prepare a notebook and polish up your gear. By the time Katie is done with you, you’ll be using sex toys like a pro!
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Pornucopia: Going Down in the Valley
If you want to know what porn stars are like when they aren’t porning, this one’s worth a watch. Pornucopia: Going Down in the Valley will give you insight into the day-to-day of some of the world’s top smut artists.
Over its six episodes, you’ll see stars like Jenna Haze and Stormy Daniels go about their business as usual. As a result, you’ll get a glimpse of how the filming works, as well as what goes on behind the scenes.
Among other things, you’ll learn about auditioning, how much different scenes pay, and how porn performers balance relationships with work.
But what truly stands out is how casually the performers talk about what they do on the set.
So, If you’re anticipating mind-blowing, extravagant lifestyles, this series isn’t it. However, it does drive home the point that porn stars are just regular people once the cameras stop rolling.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
5. Pornography: A Secret History of Civilisation
For a more serious perspective, check out Pornography: A Secret History of Civilisation. Unlike most documentaries about the porn industry, this one is all about the facts.
As the title suggests, the series deals with the history of pornography, from the first erotic artworks to present-day porn. Of course, present day is 1999 when the film was made.
Over the course of six episodes, you’ll be taken from antiquity, through the rise of photography and magazines, to multimedia porn.
Admittedly, you won’t get the freshest of info. After all, a slew of porn sites that we have and love today didn’t exist back then.
Still, you’ll learn how porn changed over the years and why humankind is so wound up about erotica and smut.
And while this doc is far from titillating, its value lies in its matter-of-fact approach. Thanks to it, even conservative viewers will appreciate porn’s historical role — perhaps even warm up to it.
Order a DVD on Amazon.
6. Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On
Sure, most porn stars are women, but what’s the industry like for female photographers and directors? And how does a male performer enter the biz?
You’ll find answers to these and many other questions in Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On.
Truth be told, not all episodes focus on the adult industry. For example, the second one — Love Me Tinder — discusses the impact of Tinder on dating and relationships.
Nonetheless, you’ll hear six personal stories related to hot topics. For instance, one of them goes into what being a cam girl is like.
Another explores what happens to folks who break the law and livestream illegal content.
While not all stories are sunshine and roses, they provide an inside scoop on the reality of the industry. As such, they can help the rookies stay ahead of the game by avoiding common pitfalls.
Watch it on Netflix.
7. Verified Couple
When Nico looked for a job online, Google suggested that he could make porn. And so he did.
But he wasn’t alone — his girlfriend Jamie became his partner, not in crime but in front of the camera. Hence the title, Verified Couple.
The young twosome from Germany emanates youthfulness and even a sense of innocence in the documentary. But despite that (or maybe thanks to it), they managed to make $10,000 the very first month.
Today, they live in a tax haven, Cyprus, enjoying the fruits of their labor.
However, the documentary doesn’t only show the good. You’ll also get to see the obstacles they faced on their road to success and how they overcame them.
Ultimately, Nico and Jamie’s story proves that regular people can reach stardom as long as they follow their dreams. Of course, being young and hot helps.
Watch it on Vimeo.
8. Kink
Most people don’t associate the word kink with moral values. However, this documentary proves that porn and fetishes absolutely can go hand in hand with safe and ethical practices.
Produced by the famous (and infamous) James Franco, Kink demystifies the world of BDSM by shedding light on one of the greatest fetish porn producers, Kink.com.
As the movie progresses, you’ll come to appreciate an obscure and typically misunderstood subculture. In addition, you’ll be inspired by a group of people with unconventional career choices who truly enjoy their work.
And most importantly, you’ll get to see how an often stigmatized line of work can provide a safe space where consent is the top priority. So, even if kinks aren’t your thing, this doc is well worth your time.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
9. Desperately Seeking Seka
In Desperately Seeking Seka, Stefan Nylon, a Swedish journalist, travels to the US in search of his favorite porn star.
Seka, a platinum-blonde goddess, ruled the porn world during the golden age of pornography. Then, one day, she suddenly vanished, leaving her glorious career behind.
In an attempt to find her, Stefan first travels to Los Angeles and interviews several people who used to know Seka. Eventually, he tracks her down in Chicago.
By looking at Seka at this point, you’d never guess that she was once a porn legend. In fact, some viewers shared that Seka looked more like a babysitter or a teacher than a celebrated ex-porn star.
In any case, this breezy quest doc will give you a clearer picture of what the porn biz used to be like in Seka’s time.
Watch it on Cultpix.
10. Porn to Be Free (Porno & libertà)
Porn to Be Free tells a story of a group of rebels fighting against puritanism and censorship laws in the early 1970s. Most of these pro-sex-work advocates were either porn directors or performers.
And all of them were fighting the same enemies — the Church and other institutions across Europe and North America.
Although the doc is in Italian, it’s worth reading the subtitles. Namely, it’ll introduce you to remarkable people who did their part in making the world a less judgemental place.
Among other things, they paved the way for more open discussions about the topics that are still relevant today — feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and free speech.
Ultimately, this doc pays homage to a generation that made the world a more accepting place.
Watch it on Vimeo.
11. Rocco
If you’ve watched at least one porn movie starring Rocco Siffredi, you know that he is famous for rough scenes. Some even describe them as nasty and degrading to women.
In any case, Rocco follows the Italian Stallion in the final year of his career. From the early days, through his stellar success, to his family and reasons for retirement, Rocco lets it all hang out.
Expectedly, the doc also shows porn performers at work. And while you’ll be able to see an occasional penis or vagina in the frame, the real focus is on the close-ups.
Artistic and intimate, these scenes highlight the physical strain, as well as the pleasure on the performers’ faces. As such, they give the whole movie a warm and personal touch.
So, even if hardcore smut isn’t your cup of tea, Rocco offers so much more.
See the Trailer.
12. Louis Theroux: Twilight of the Porn Stars
Around 15 years before this movie, Louis Theroux showed us the California porn world as part of the Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends series.
At the time, the industry was flourishing. So, in Twilight of the Porn Stars, he decided to revisit it.
As it turns out, the situation has changed — big time. Namely, the once-thriving business has lost steam since free internet porn became available.
Throughout the movie, Theroux interviews porn stars, including Alexa Nicole and Tommy Gunn. In these heart-to-heart chats, they open up about how this change has affected their lives and careers.
All in all, this doc offers great insight into how new technologies influence the biz. At the same time, it’ll remind you that porn never stops changing and evolving.
Watch on BBC iPlayer (only in the UK).
13. Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy
Many people see this legendary porn star as proof that anyone can get laid. In fact, he said so himself in this doc.
With his less-than-flattering appearance and sleazy-looking pornstache, Ron Jeremy is far from your typical porn hunk. Yet, that didn’t stop him from reaching for the stars and eventually becoming one.
Of course, he found an ally in his 9.5 inch dong. But Porn Star: The Legend of Ron Jeremy focuses less on his famous pecker and more on Ron Jeremy, the man.
Namely, this doc explores the mind of a man who spent his entire life chasing after attention and fame.
The movie is funny at times and sad at others. In particular, you might find yourself sympathizing with someone who had sex with the hottest women in the biz but was ultimately lonely.
Admittedly, all that sympathy goes down the drain in light of the recent scandals.
Still, this doc is a must-watch. After all, you can’t get a full picture of the biz without learning about the indisputable porn king.
Watch it on YouTube.
14. 9 to 5: Days in Porn
This doc focuses on the people behind the adult entertainment industry in California’s San Fernando Valley.
Aside from movie crews and producers, you’ll also hear personal accounts from stars like Sasha Grey and Audrey Hollander. Each story is a deep dive into their hopes, dreams, and struggles.
Sure, 9 to 5: Days in Porn isn’t the first doc to try and demystify the biz by showing the real people behind the fantasy world of porn. However, its appeal lies in its unbiased approach.
Thanks to that, the stories range from glamorous and fascinating to weird and even grotesque. Yup, you get to see it all —- with zero sugarcoating and no prejudice.
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
15. After Porn Ends
The last on our list, After Porn Ends, is about a less discussed topic — what happens after porn stars retire.
This doc features several former porn stars, including Asia Carrera and Seka. Among other things, they look back on their careers and talk about how they ended up in the biz.
But the main focus, as the title suggests, is what these performers are doing now that their careers are over. Lastly, it raises an important question — can they go back to living normal lives after porn?
Watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, this list of porn documentaries has a bit of everything — success stories, spicy interviews, and cautionary tales.
Each will give you a taste of the porn world and prepare you in case you decide to grab a piece of that pie. So, pick your favorites and get your porn smarts in the best way possible — by watching movies!
