On-demand platforms have certainly tapped into that romantic fare in recent years to produce original content for streaming services. With a built-in fan base ready to click and watch, Netflix, for example, drew huge numbers this year on content based on best-selling romance books, like Bridgerton (adapted from Julia Quinn’s popular series) and this summer’s Top 10 hit Sex/Life, inspired by romance author BB Easton’s memoir, 44 Chapters About 4 Men. If you are one of those viewers who couldn’t get enough of Bridgerton or Sex/Life, or faithfully DVR every Hallmark Channel rom-com, did you know that there is a streaming service solely dedicated to those who love love stories? Yep, it’s called Passionflix. And in addition to having a huge library of classic romance fare that you can watch whenever you want, the platform turns bestselling romance novels into faithfully adapted movies and series that stay true to the original book! Here is everything you need to know about Passionflix and the steamy original romance movies you can watch on the service!
What is Passionflix?
PassionFlix was founded in 2017 by film director and producer Tosca Musk—if her name sounds familiar, yes, she’s the sister of Elon Musk and daughter of supermodel Maye Musk. While the platform streams classic romance movies, its primary focus is on creating exclusive, original content based on best-selling romance novels. As Musk told TechCrunch back in 2017, the romantic comedies that are produced for theaters or other streaming services like Netflix seem to get lost amid the blockbuster action films. “There just aren’t a lot of romances done at all,” Musk said. “It’s the biggest-selling genre in the world, but every time they do release a romance [movie], they say, ‘I can’t believe it did well.’ So Tusk joined forces with other romance “superfans,” Jina Panebianco and Joany Kane, to create PassionFlix. “Working with a female team allows me to focus on telling the story in an engaging way that empowers women, shows love in a positive light, and reminds women to embrace their sensuality and sexuality,” Musk told Bustle. “We want you to celebrate being a woman. Or man. Men can celebrate too."
How Can You Watch Passionflix?
How Much is Passionflix?
There is a free one-week trial. After that, it’s $5.99 a month.
What Books Have Been Made Into Movies For Passionflix?
To date, Passionflix has produced a total of 23 original movies, short films (dubbed Quickies), and series from best-selling books. The streaming service also has curated an impressive library of all-time favorite romantic films and series, like the popular BBC series Coupling and Jane Eyre, and the films Ghost and Wuthering Heights. The licensed content in the Passionflix library cycles in and out regularly, so there are always new titles being added. The service even has a fire-flame rating system that breaks films down into heat levels like Oh So Vanilla, Mildly Titillating, Passion & Romance, Toe-Curling Yumminess, and NSFW! Want a list of Passionflix’s original feature films and series based on best-selling romance novels? Then look no further, because we have a run-down on the streaming service’s current exclusive original content—and even a peek at what Musk’s team will be working on next!
Passionflix Movies to Watch
Driven Series, adapted from the Driven book trilogy by K. Bromberg
Colton Donovan lives on that razor-thin edge toward out of control. Whether it’s on the track or off of it, everything he wants is at his fingertips: success, willing women, media attention. Everything, that is, but Rylee. She’s the exception this reckless bad boy can’t seem to win over. Her heart is healing. His soul is damaged. And even though he won’t let her in, there’s something about Colton she can’t walk away from. (The Season 2 finale of Driven, based on the book Fueled, drops on Aug. 12. Season 3, based on Crashed, is in post-production and will premiere next year.)
Gabriel’s Inferno Series, adapted from the Gabriel’s Inferno book trilogy by Sylvain Reynard
Enigmatic professor Gabriel Emerson is a well-respected Dante specialist who uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim. When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career but sends him on a journey in which his past and present collide. (Season 2, based on the second book in the series, Gabriel’s Rapture, is currently in post-production, and the third book, Gabriel’s Redemption, has also been optioned.)
Wicked, based on the paranormal romance Wicked trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout
College student Ivy knows humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter. After losing everything, she’s sworn to hunt the creatures who tore her world and heart apart. Ren is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. As Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. (The other books in the Wicked trilogy, Torn and Brave, have also been optioned.)
Hollywood Dirt, adapted from the book by Alessandra Torre
When a Hollywood production heads to a small-town Quincy to film a big-budget movie, the lives of entitled heartthrob Cole Masten and town pariah Summer Jenkins collide. Sometimes, opposites just aren’t meant to attract.
Afterburn/Aftershock, adapted from the book by Sylvia Day
Businesswoman Gia Rossi is determined to be successful in her new job, but when her ex-lover, Jax Rutledge, waltzes back into her life, their passionate connection ignites not only in the boardroom but the bedroom.
The Trouble with Mistletoe, adapted from the book by Jill Shalvis
When pet shop owner Willa Davis encounters the man who stood her up in high school, she fights both her head and her heart when she starts falling for him all over again ten years later.
The Matchmaker’s Playbook, adapted from the book by Rachel Van Dyken
After a career-ending accident, former NFL recruit Ian Hunter is back on campus—and he’s putting his extensive skills with women to work as one of the masterminds behind a successful and secretive dating service. But when Blake Olson requests the services of Wingmen, Inc., Ian may have landed his most hopeless client yet. As Blake begins the transformation from hot mess to smokin’ hot, Ian realizes he’s in danger of breaking his cardinal rule.
A Brother’s Honor, adapted from the book by Brenda Jackson
The Granger brothers left behind their family’s Virginia estate and the bad memories, but their grandfather’s dying wish brings them home: to a failing business. Shana Bradford is the right person for the job and turns Jace’s world upside down. Their passion is jeopardized when old secrets begin to emerge: a woman from Jace’s past and an explosive discovery that changes everything he thinks he knows. (Other books in the Granger brothers series have also been optioned.)
Dirty Sexy Saint, adapted from the book by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde
Clay Kincaid hates the nickname “Saint” he got for being too kind to stray animals and desperate people. Especially when it comes to women. With a rough and damaged past that has left him jaded, he doesn’t do committed relationships. Then he meets Samantha Jamieson, an heiress-turned-runaway in need of help. When Sam starts to work as a waitress at his bar, he discovers that she is someone truly special and amazing… someone that could warm his damaged heart.
The Will, adapted from the book by Kristen Ashley
For Josephine and Jake, there was one person who adored them, Josephine’s grandmother, Lydia Malone. One person who knew how to lead them to happiness. And one person who was intent on doing it. Even if she had to do it as her final wish on this earth.
The Protector, adapted from the book by Jodi Ellen Malpas
After fighting hard to be independent and happy, heiress Camille Logan finds her life threatened as a result of one of her father’s business deals. Camille isn’t prepared for the length her father will go to to protect her — or for the man he hires to do the job.
Mr. 365, adapted from the book by Ruth Clampett
When workaholic reality TV producer Sophie starts working on a holiday-season show about Will, a wildly sexy guy who celebrates Christmas every day of the year, she finds herself falling for her mysterious, unlikely new star, renewing her long-lost faith in Christmas in the process. (This film was picked up by Lifetime, retitled Forever Christmas, and aired as part of the cable network’s holiday programming last year.)
What Books Will Passionflix Turn Into Movies Next?
Passionflix has optioned more than 30 books to date that the service plans to turn into full-length features, short films, or series. While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted some of the plans that Musk had for filming movies over the past year and a half, Tara Sevic’s raunchy romcom Seduction and Snackswas filmed earlier this summer, and the adaptation of Tangled, a steamy workplace romance based on the book series by Emma Chase, is currently in production. Hopefully, those will be available for streaming before the end of 2021, so keep checking Passionflix’s Instagram and Facebook pages for updates! Next, read the 20 Most Romantic Movies on Netflix Right Now.
