Movies with LGBTQ+ themes now encompass hundreds of titles and dozens of genres, ranging from art cinema like Wong Kar-Wai’s “Happy Together” to Hallmark pictures like “The Groomsmen: Second Chances.”
To guide you through the possibilities, what follows is a baker’s dozen of highlights, including dramas, comedies, documentaries, international films, and even an animated movie. Although wide-ranging, the selection is by no means definitive. And for a day at the movie theater, see the Brattle’s pride celebration series, spotlighted by Gabriella Collin in our Pride events listings.
On your watchlist:
“The Queen” (1968)
Think of this as a mid-century predecessor of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” A documentary about a campy beauty pageant, full of backstage drama, the film also offers a fascinating glimpse into drag and gay life in pre-liberation New York City. On Hoopla, Kanopy, and Tubi.
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” (1971)
This elegantly written story of a romantic triangle has a young bisexual man (Murray Head) at its apex. His two lovers—played by Glenda Jackson (at the early height of her stardom) and Peter Finch (one of his finest performances)—struggle with the arrangement. Directed by John Schlesinger, a gay man who was also responsible for hits like “Midnight Cowboy” and “Marathon Man.” On Plex, Tubi, and MGM+.
“Desert Hearts” (1985)
Set in 1959, the movie follows an East Coast academic who heads to Reno for a divorce. While waiting for the final decree, she begins an affair with a provocative young woman. Director Donna Deitch’s passion project was the first film to reach mainstream America with a positive view of a lesbian relationship. Patricia Charbonneau, as the young lover, became an icon in the community. The Criterion restoration highlights Robert Elswit’s gorgeous cinematography. On Kanopy, the Criterion Channel, and HBO/Max.
“The Wedding Banquet” (1993)
An Asian immigrant —young, successful, and happily partnered with a man—arranges a fake marriage to appease his parents in Taiwan. But the situation gets much more complicated when his mother and father show up for the ceremony. This comedy brought director Ang Lee to international attention. He would later win an Oscar for directing “Brokeback Mountain,” another important gay-themed film. Subtitled. On Kanopy, Plex, and Tubi.
“The Watermelon Woman” (1996)
This shot-on-video fictional film supposedly concerns the making of a documentary about a Black actress in early Hollywood. But that’s just the pretext for depicting the loves, friendships, and work-life of the aspiring Black lesbian filmmaker who’s researching the subject. “The Watermelon Woman” is a pioneering work that goes down easily, with humor and glimpses into a sub-culture that had been rarely, if ever, explored in a movie. On Kanopy and the Criterion Channel.
“In & Out” (1997)
When Tom Hanks won his first Oscar for “Philadelphia,” he thanked a gay high school teacher who had helped him. That moment inspired humorist Paul Rudnick to concoct this madcap movie about a teacher who’s somewhat clueless about his sexuality and who must deal with being outed— mistakenly?—on national television. The terrific cast includes Kevin Kline, Tom Selleck, Debbie Reynolds, Matt Dillon, and a priceless Joan Cusack as the teacher’s fiancée, who eventually has some choice words about his obsession with Barbra Streisand. Fans of “The Pitt” can see hunky Dr. Abbot (Shawn Hatosy) here in an early role as a high school student. On Kanopy and Paramount+.
“Weekend” (2011)
Two British men hook up and immediately click. Unfortunately, one of them is moving to America in a few days. Writer and director Andrew Haigh, who also created the HBO show “Looking,” has a gift for intimate conversations. This lowkey drama captures the sudden potential of a love connection and is infused with the possible regret for a road not taken. On Kanopy, Philo, and AMC+.
“Carol” (2015)
A married socialite and a demure shopgirl meet in the early 1950’s, and soon their love affair upturns their lives. “Carol” features a splendid Cate Blanchett as a woman whose elegant façade hides a passionate heart, and an equally fine Rooney Mara as a young woman swept away by her feelings. The ending is delicately perfect. Director Todd Haynes provided the stylish backdrop for the story. On Plex and HBO/Max.
“Moonlight” (2016)
This Academy Award-winning movie shows us three critical periods in the life of a Black man who’s trying to understand his sexuality while contending with a personal history of trauma and prejudice. Ultimately transcendent, “Moonlight” is widely considered to be one of the great American films of the last decade. On HBO/Max.
“Call Me By Your Name” (2017)
Unbelievably, it’s almost ten years since Timothée Chalamet’s breakthrough performance as a young man besotted by a graduate student who lives with his family for a summer. You’ll be entranced by the sunny Italian countryside, and by Chalamet’s rich and sensitive work. And yeah, he should have won an Oscar for this one, too. On Tubi and Peacock.
“Flee” (2021)
“Flee” is an animated documentary about an immigrant (and gay man) from Afghanistan who lied about his family’s status to obtain asylum in Denmark. Years later, his choice still causes anxiety about exposure and fear about researching his family’s true fate. Often harrowing in its portrayal of immigration, “Flee” is the first and only movie to be nominated simultaneously for Academy Awards in the International Film, Documentary, and Animated Film categories. On Tubi.
“Will & Harper” (2024)
After Will Ferrell’s close friend Harper Steele transitioned from male to female, the two of them set off on a road trip across America to recalibrate their relationship. The journey has some bumps and scares, but beyond that, the movie is lightly comic, insightful, and hopeful. On Netflix.
“Pillion” (2025)
A shy young Brit learns about his “aptitude for devotion” when he becomes involved in a BDSM relationship with a strikingly handsome man. The material is explicit, so be forewarned, but the film’s tone is surprisingly sweet and non-judgmental. File this under “Life Lessons in Leather.” On HBO/Max.
If you are still looking for more options, here are twenty more titles to consider: “Beautiful Thing,” “The Birdcage,” “Bottoms,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “The Boys in the Band,” “Brokeback Mountain,” “But I’m a Cheerleader,” “God’s Own Country,” “Happy Together,” “High Art,” “The Kids are All Right,” “Love, Simon,” “Milk,” “Paris is Burning,” “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “Philadelphia,” “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” “Rustin,” “Tár” and “Twinless.”
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