Pornographic films are produced and distributed on a variety of media, depending on the demand and technology available, including traditional film stock in various formats, home video, DVDs, Internet download, cable TV, in addition to other media.

A distinction is sometimes made between 'erotic' and 'pornographic' films on the basis that the latter category contains more explicit sexuality, and focuses more on arousal than storytelling the distinction is highly subjective. Pornographic films present sexual fantasies and usually include erotically stimulating material such as nudity ( softcore) and sexual intercourse ( hardcore). Pornographic films ( pornos), erotic films, or sex films are films that present sexually explicit subject matter in order to arouse and satisfy the viewer. On the set of a pornographic film before the 'action'