Basic Instinct is rated R for strong violence and sensuality, and for drug use and language. It was initially given an NC-17 rating by the MPAA, but under pressure from Tri-Star, Verhoeven cut 35 to 40 seconds to gain an R rating.[5] Verhoeven described the changes in a March 1992 article in The New York Times:

Actually, I didn't have to cut many things, but I replaced things from different angles, made it a little more elliptical, a bit less direct.
The film was subsequently re-released in its uncut format on video and later on DVD

The film generated controversy due to its overt sexuality and graphic depiction of violence. During principal photography the film was protested by gay rights activists who felt that the film followed a pattern of negative depiction of gay and lesbian people in the film industry. An April 29, 1991 Los Angeles Times article documents activists' protests,[15] and the book Family Values: Two Moms and Their Son by Phyllis Burke (New York: Random House, 1993. ISBN 0-679-42188-2) covers the protests over several chapters. Members of the lesbian and bisexual activist group LABIA protested against the film on its opening night. The group GLAAD released a statement protesting the film's stereotypical and homophobic portrayal of gays and lesbians.

Basic Instinct also received criticism from those who feel it portrays bisexuals as insatiable, untrustworthy, and homicidal (in the film, Tramell is an openly bisexual woman). Outspoken bisexual writer Camille Paglia, however, has not only defended Basic Instinct, but called it her "favorite film", even providing an audio commentary track on the various special edition DVD releases of Basic Instinct.

Basic Instinct opened in theatres in the United States and was one of the highest grossing films of 1992, after its March 29 release. In its opening week, the film grossed $15 million. It was the ninth highest-grossing film of 1992, adjusted for inflation, it grossed $352,927,224 worldwide.

This movie is famous for the beaver shot in the interogation room that un-nerved the detectives. The film is a pretty well done mystery and Sharon Stone was never more beautiful or sexy than in this film.

There's some basic maths here Sexy totty + up the skirt shot = sure fire winner

This is the movie that started Sharon Stone on her downhill slide. Cop Mike Douglas intertwined with possible murder suspect Stone. I don't know why there was so much bad reaction to the captive beaver scene, especially since Newman from Seinfeld was in the scene!

Frame by frame. lol

Sharon Stone clenches this movies at the Femme Fatale. I would have prefered to see someone else other than Michael Douglas other than the lead character. Loved Lelani Sorrell as Roxy and it was an intersting 'whodunnit' too.

this movie for me wasn't as good as the hype surrounding it. however sharon stone was at her absolute hottest in this film will probably never again equal this preformance in terms of pure senual appeal. i must state that she is also a awsome actress as well.

This is just a great movie! I get a little frustrated when people just talk about how sexy it is. It is sexy but that's not the main thing that makes it so good. It is very intense and suspenceful. I admit I rented it because I wanted to see Sharon Stone, but I soon forgot it was her and just got into the story. It is a well made movie.

I would have to say that I honestly enjoyed this movie 'because' of the sex scenes, and if I may be more candid -and I will, I like the gay lesbian sex scenes the best. I love it when two women have each other. I say god bless it. To me two, or three, or four women sexually satisfying each other is excellent. It's the American way. I say "Go girls!" America wants 'Basic Instinct 2', but this time Hollywood "more lesbian sex scenes!" I want the cast to be Sharon Stone, of course (she's the main psychotic sex master), Vanessa Williams, Gina Gershon, Famke Jensen, Jennifer Lopez, Uma Thurman, and Piper Perabo. Now that would be an entertaining movie, and the storyline could easily be developed into a legitimate tale of wicked women binding together to assume control over certain elements of the high society LA community. I am being a bit humorous, yet serious. I think that a lot of women, not all mind you, require that feminine touch from another woman. Their inner feelings are touched differently and are toyed with in a dominant, yet gentle, fashion from one woman to another. A lot of times you will hear some stupid man in a bar utter something like, "She wants to be with her?" He's drooling over a blonde somewhat heavy girl kissing the ear of a cute little redhead, much like a tiny sex kitten. Of course the little woman wants a one night stand with a somewhat larger dominant female. It is the new taste, the new odor, the new passion for women to be set free on the 'element of freedom' in America. Most women nowaday's seem to be weary of men, and I can understand why. It's easier and more comfortable for a woman, a pretty woman, to go out and pick up another woman, bring her back to her place and have casual sex. Men's ego's are just going to have to adjust, as well as my own. It's tough, but real men can handle it. See this movie, it's more than educational.

Sex sells...Sharon Stone is sex in this flick. Surprisingly, the plot is decent too. Even if it wasn't, the film would still be worth seeing.

This movie had everything. Sharon Stone is good looking and played a very good killer. This movie kept me guessing throughout. The end was good and surprising.

I love the opening scene in the movie, because there is a girl with a nice ass banging some guy. The movie keeps you in suspense.

This is a true example of a modern day sexual action classic. The storyline kept me on the edge as to whether she was or wasn't the killer. The sex scenes definitely gave me a hard on.

Very sexy thriller that involved a good murder story with a twisted ending that was very good.

This movie was the most sexually explicit movie I have seen. I saw it a long time ago, but that was the most sex I have ever seen in a movie. It was done in good taste throughout (the nudity and sex scenes).

scary and good

i love this one !

Where's the beaver!