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First off, both films are about a shy brunette who falls for an elusive Mr. Grey and has S&M sex with him. Universal Pictures Lionsgate Secretary, starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader, came out in 2002. Fifty Shades (the book) came out in 2011 and the movie, starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, is scheduled for 2015. HMMMM.

So is Secretary, but it gets way more subtle. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Lionsgate / Via ungifable.tumblr.com Touching a thigh under a table is a trope we've all seen before. But that graze of Edward's thumb against Lee's pinky??? Legendary.

But in Secretary, Edward actually maintains a level of openness with Lee that makes her feel less alone. Lionsgate / moviecapturing.tumblr.com Lionsgate / moviecapturing.tumblr.com

Mostly though, Ana and Christian's romance (spoiler alert) doesn't ever blossom into a real, truly loving relationship. Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF ohmrgrey.tumblr.com Universal Pictures It ends with Ana learning that she's incompatible with Christian and leaving him.

But that's exactly what happens in Secretary, and not in a super slipshod way either. Lionsgate / Via vrtoglavicazanosa.tumblr.com Along the way, both characters grow and explore their own personalities in ways they haven't before.

Sure, Ana grows from her experience with Christian Grey, but not much beyond, Oh, this guy probably wasn’t the best choice." Tap to play GIF Tap to play GIF Universal Pictures / Via truetothend.tumblr.com