


Besides pornographic films, a number of mainstream films have included sexual fantasy scenes, such as Business Is Business (1971), Amarcord (1973), American Beauty (1999) and others. In the case of films, the term may describe a part of the film, such as a fantasy scene or sequence. For example, women in prison films may be described as sexual fantasies, as are pornographic films. Such works may be appreciated for their aesthetics, though many people may feel uncomfortable with such works. Sexual fantasy can also pertain to a genre of literature, film or work of art. A person may not wish to enact a sexual fantasy in real life, and since the process is entirely imaginary, they are not limited to acceptable or practical fantasies, which can provide information on the psychological processes behind sexual behavior. It may be in response to a past experience and can influence future sexual behavior. A fantasy may be a positive or negative experience, or even both. A person may find validation of a sexual fantasy by viewing the depiction or discussion of the fantasy in film, usually of a pornographic nature. Some people find it convenient to act out fantasies through sexual roleplay. In some cases, even a discussion by a person of sexual fantasies is subject to social taboos and inhibitions. However, because of the nature of some fantasies, the actual putting of such fantasies into action is far less common, due to cultural, social, moral, and religious constraints.

Sexual fantasies are nearly universal, being reported in many societies across the globe. Anything that may give rise to a sexual arousal may also produce a sexual fantasy, and sexual arousal may in turn give rise to fantasies. A sexual fantasy can be created by the person's imagination or memory, and may be triggered autonomously or by external stimulation such as erotic literature or pornography, a physical object, or sexual attraction to another person. One of the illustrations to De Figuris Veneris by Édouard-Henri Avril portraying a male masturbating while sexually fantasizingĪ sexual fantasy or erotic fantasy is a mental image or pattern of thought that stirs a person's sexuality and can create or enhance sexual arousal.
