When Is '50 Shades' Coming To Netflix?

Unless you were living under a rock during the last few months, you know that the release of 50 Shades of Grey , the film adaptation of E.L. James' sex-filled bestseller, was a very big deal. For those who somehow missed the hype the first time around, a brief recap: The movie follows the innocent Anastasia Steele's (Dakota Johnson) romance with Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), a 27-year-old billionaire with more than a few BDSM inclinations. Over time, he brings Ana into his world, introducing her to a thrilling life of helicopter flights and lavish gifts — and a sexual subculture she hadn't before experienced. Add in direction by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy) and music by Sia, Beyoncé, and The Weeknd, it's no wonder the film is currently the fourth-highest-grossing of 2015. If you haven't seen it, you need to — so when will 50 Shades Of Grey be available be on Netflix?

It might not be long. Amazon Instant obtained the film last month, and it's already available for DVD rental, which means it's only a matter of time before it can be streamed instantly, too. There's clearly desire; judging by the excitement over the recent release of Grey, the fourth in James' book series and the only installment told from Christian Grey's perspective, the film's momentum is alive and well, and a Netflix release should be available before long. Until it is, though, we've compiled a list of eight other must-see films that confront sexuality — and sexual subcultures — candidly and sensitively. Movies that show that, at its best, film can be a powerful medium of education and empathy. All choices are available for streaming now.

1. Nymphomaniac, Vol. 1 (2013)

The first installment of the conclusion to Lars von Trier's "Depression Trilogy," a cycle that encompasses Antichrist and Melancholia (both also available on Netflix), Nymphomaniac tells the story of Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a self-professed nymphomaniac, and her sexual encounters beginning from an extremely young age. Any summary beyond that would be to miss the point of Nymphomaniac — its extreme yet subdued ambiance speaks more than a plot synopsis ever could.

2. Nymphomaniac, Vol. 2 (2013)

For those who make it through the challenging part one, there is always the equally interesting conclusion.

3. Whores' Glory (2013)

Bold and direct, the documentary Whores' Glory tracks prostitution in Thailand, Bangladesh, and Mexico through interviews with both the women and their clientele. It's aesthetically dark and moody and handles the issues with sensitivity, earning it across-the-board critical praise and a whopping 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. Boy Meets Girl (2014)

Lighter in tone than the previous selections, Boy Meets Girl stars young transgender actress Michelle Hendley as Ricky, a pre-operative woman growing up in Kentucky. Comparisons to Jeffrey Eugenides's Middlesex are inevitable.

5. Blue is the Warmest Color (2013)

This heartbreaking French film takes a nuanced look at a young woman (Adele Exarchopoulos) who explores love and her own sexuality after finding herself irresistibly attracted to a woman she passes on the street one day, played by Léa Seydoux. It received the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival for both the director and two lead actresses.

6. Hot Girls Wanted (2015)

This documentary, produced by Rashida Jones, premiered at Sundance this year to much acclaim. It recounts the short careers of five young aspiring porn artists in the notoriously exploitative "amateur porn" industry, which capitalizes on the aspirations of women from ages 18 to 24.

7. Lovelace (2013)

Amanda Seyfried stars in this biopic as Linda Lovelace, a famed '70s porn star who made a name for herself with the release of the 1972 film Deep Throat. It's revolutionary for portraying the same episode in Lovelace's life twice — the first time is the clean version, and the second, the dark story of a woman forced into sex work. Lovelace eventually became a spokeswoman against the pornographic industry she had been a part of so prominently.

8. kink (2014)

From James Franco comes this documentary about kink.com, the porn empire that produces the largest amount of BDSM content available online today. Another Sundance pick, kink sheds some light on the production of the website's content and the individuals it serves. "If you're looking at BDSM and you're getting freaked out about it," says one documentary subject in the trailer, "Just say to yourself, 'This isn't for me, but it is for someone.'"

So while you wait for Netflix to finalize the 50 Shades of Grey release, there should be more than enough here to help navigate the site's massive library and find its best sex-filled and thought-provoking films.

Image: Universal Pictures