Basic Instinct is a 1992 neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. The film follows San Francisco police detective Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) as he investigates the brutal murder of a wealthy rock star. During the course of the investigation, Curran becomes entangled in a passionate and intense relationship with Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), an enigmatic writer and the prime suspect.

The script for Basic Instinct was developed by Eszterhas in the 1980s, and it became the subject of a bidding war until Carolco Pictures secured the rights to the film. Verhoeven was then brought on to direct, and after considering several actresses for the role of Tramell, Douglas and Stone joined the project.

Prior to its release, Basic Instinct generated controversy due to its explicit sexual content and violence, including a rape scene. Gay rights activists criticized the film for its depiction of homosexual relationships and its portrayal of a bisexual woman as a murderous psychopath. The film's most infamous scene features Stone crossing her legs, with her vulva briefly visible, which she claimed was filmed without her knowledge. However, Verhoeven denies this claim.

Basic Instinct premiered in Los Angeles on March 18, 1992, and was released in the United States by TriStar Pictures on March 20, 1992. Although the film received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the performances of the cast, original score, and editing, but criticized its writing and character development, and despite public protest, Basic Instinct was a commercial success, grossing $352 million worldwide. It was the fourth-highest-grossing film of 1992, behind Disney's Aladdin, The Bodyguard, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Numerous versions of the film have been released on videocassette, DVD, and Blu-ray, including a director's cut with extended footage previously unseen in North American cinemas.

The film was later recognized for its groundbreaking depictions of sexuality in mainstream Hollywood cinema and was described by one scholar as "a neo-film noir masterpiece that plays with, and transgresses, the narrative rules of film noir."

A sequel, Basic Instinct 2, was released 14 years later, starring Stone but made without Verhoeven's involvement. It received negative reviews and was relatively unsuccessful.