40 Finest LGBTQ+ Motion pictures To Watch

I am uninterested in seeing the identical 10 movies on each web site’s LGBTQ+ film roundup (hey, I nonetheless love Name Me By Your Identify and Moonlight simply as a lot as the following individual, so do not come for me!), so, as a queer individual myself, I needed to shine a light-weight on some underrated films that merely do not get the eye or credit score they deserve. Beneath are 40 that I genuinely assume you may love, and if you’d like much more options you possibly can try my operating checklist on Letterboxd with almost 250 movies. Get pleasure from!

1.

Younger Hearts (2024) is a contemporary coming-of-age story about two 14-year-old boys who fall in love for the primary time. This Belgian film is awkward and candy and painfully actual. I can not rave sufficient about it, and the one draw back is that it wasn’t launched 20 years in the past once I was their age and wanted it most.

2.

Nationwide Anthem (2024) is certainly one of my favourite films from the previous few years, so I am form of hoping (effectively, demanding) that you simply watch it. It is a tender, refreshing have a look at queerness and chosen household and what it means to really belong. Too many individuals are sleeping on Charlie Plummer, however I want the world to know that he’s, was, and all the time will likely be a star.

3.

Different Individuals (2016) is centered round a homosexual comedy author (Jesse Plemons) who strikes dwelling to maintain his dying mom (Molly Shannon). It was written and directed by Chris Kelly, who co-created The Different Two and was an SNL head author, and it is equal elements humorous, unhappy, and heartfelt.

4.

The Wedding ceremony Banquet (2025) is a remake of the enduring 1993 movie. This one stars all of your favourite individuals (Bowen Yang! Lily Gladstone! Kelly Marie Tran!), they usually’re all queer however should pretend a straight marriage ceremony to appease their conventional household. It is fashionable and enjoyable and humorous and a breath of contemporary air.

5.

A Secret Love (2020) is a documentary about two girls who fell in love however saved their lesbian relationship a secret for almost 70 years. Their names are Pat and Terry, and Terry was a professional baseball participant within the Forties, a la A League of Their Personal. At one level I used to be audibly sobbing so exhausting that I actually needed to pause the film to gather myself, so good luck.

6.

Deathtrap (1982) is a campy homicide thriller a few washed-up playwright (Michael Caine) and his sizzling, younger pupil (Christopher Reeve). It is twisty and stuffed with surprises and may have you laughing out loud. Ugh, I simply love this black comedy a lot.

7.

Stranger by the Lake (2013) is an erotic French thriller that you must NOT watch along with your mother and father. It is set at a nude seaside the place males prefer to cruise, however issues get particularly intense after a homicide happens. Y’all wish to see some penises? Effectively, this film is for you!

8.

I Noticed the TV Glow (2024) is a surreal film about queer identification which will go away you with extra questions than solutions. This one is the last word fever dream, and it is most likely greatest in the event you go into it blindly, so have enjoyable.

9.

All of Us Strangers (2023) is a realllllly tender, emotional story about love, loss, and the ghosts that linger in our lives. Andrew Scott by some means did not get an Oscar nod for his efficiency (however he ought to have gained all the factor!), and I am going to by no means forgive the Academy for not giving Jamie Bell a nomination both.

10.

Mysterious Pores and skin (2004) stars a younger Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a devastating, uncooked, and highly effective have a look at how trauma can influence you and your life endlessly. This one is DARK but gorgeous, and it’ll completely wreck you.

11.

Passing (2021) is an adaptation of the Nella Larsen novel. It follows two Black girls (one who’s passing as white) who reunite in Nineteen Twenties New York. It is tense and haunting but in addition so beautiful which you could’t assist however look away.

12.

Parting Glances (1986) is a groundbreaking film as a result of it was one of many first to deal with AIDS in a sensible approach. It options Steve Buscemi in certainly one of his first performing roles ever, and the very best half is that this film treats its homosexual characters like ~actual~ individuals. This can be a tiny movie that the final inhabitants does not even know exists, however, wow, it certain does pack a punch.

13.

Tragedy Ladies (2017) is a campy slasher movie about two death-obsessed youngsters who turn into serial killers in an effort to spice up their social media following. It is tremendous enjoyable and humorous, and I am mad that extra individuals have not heard of it.

14.

Tea and Sympathy (1956) follows a “delicate” prep faculty teen who’s bullied by the opposite college students and academics for being totally different. He finds solace in an older lady, performed by Deborah Kerr, and the entire thing is simply sooooo fairly to have a look at.

15.

Seashore Rats (2017) stars my king, Harris Dickinson, in an intimate, messy have a look at what it is prefer to develop up and wrestle to search out your home on this planet. He performs a closeted teen in Brooklyn who hangs out along with his pals throughout the day however cruises older males on-line at evening. If you’d like one thing quiet but hypnotic then that is for you.

16.

The Gospel In response to André (2017) is a documentary about André Leon Talley, the larger-than-life Vogue editor who helped form (and redefine) the style trade. The entire thing is a celebration of excellence and magnificence and being unapologetically your self.

17.

Passages (2023) is well one of many spiciest films from the previous few years. It is about poisonous love (one of many males in a homosexual relationship has an affair with a lady!), and issues get wilddddddddd. You will notice each single inch of Ben Whishaw on this movie, and, wow, I am nonetheless so mad that he did not get an Oscar nomination for his efficiency.

18.

Flee (2021) is a panoramic animated documentary a few homosexual Afghan refugee who’s telling his story for the primary time. This film has a lot emotional depth, and it was really nominated for 3 Oscars (Finest Animated Characteristic, Finest Documentary, and Finest Worldwide Movie). It is a must-watch.

19.

Torch Track Trilogy (1988) is an unapologetically queer story a few homosexual drag performer in New York Metropolis. This one will make you wish to beg Harvey Fierstein to jot down extra films. It additionally stars Anne Bancroft and a younger Matthew Broderick, so I suppose goals actually do come true.

20.

Of an Age (2022) is a romantic drama that is centered round a younger man who has an surprising hookup along with his greatest buddy’s older brother. There are a bunch of cool twists that happen, and I promise they will make you are feeling each emotion doable.

21.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024) is an excellent intense rom-thriller (I am coining that time period) starring Kristen Stewart as a gymnasium supervisor, and her character will get concerned with a feminine bodybuilder who’s attempting to go professional. There’s homicide and intercourse and medicines, and the film was made by A24, in order that must be convincing sufficient for you.

22.

Femme (2023) is centered round a drag performer who tries to get revenge on the closeted man who assaults them. The performing in it’s improbable, although the subject material is fairly heavy, so take into account this your warning as a result of the movie offers with some fairly traumatic topic issues.

23.

Compulsion (1959) follows two sizzling, rich, and secretly queer faculty boys who commit a homicide and assume they’re too good to get away with it. It is loosely based mostly on a real-life homicide trial, and it is quite a lot of enjoyable, so simply belief me on this one.

24.

Scotty and the Secret Historical past of Hollywood (2017) is a scandalous documentary that follows Scotty Bowers, the real-life man who mainly served as a pimp for each secretly homosexual celeb from the ’40–’80s. The tales in it are so freaking wild, and in the event you love Previous Hollywood or celeb gossip then it’s worthwhile to watch this.

25.

The Dreamers (2003) is about an American in Nineteen Sixties Paris who turns into extraordinarily shut with a brother-sister duo. It is rated NC-17 for a motive, and you will see why. Once more, do not watch this one along with your mother and father.

26.

The Go (2016) stars Russell Tovey as a closeted professional soccer participant who hooks up along with his teammate, and we see how their relationship adjustments over time. They’re mainly shirtless for a lot of the film, so that you’re welcome.

27.

The Means He Seems (2014) is a Brazilian coming-of-age film that follows a blind teenager and a college’s new pupil as they attempt to navigate life, love, and independence. It will genuinely have you ever smiling sooooo a lot.

28.

Good-looking Satan (2016) is a coming-of-age movie that stars Nicholas Galitzine as a college’s secretly homosexual rugby star. It is simply tremendous heartfelt, and Andrew Scott can be in it, so I promise you may prefer it.

29.

One other Nation (1984) is a drama the place Rupert Everett and Colin Firth play outsiders at a boarding faculty in Nineteen Thirties England. It is lovely, good, and an on the spot traditional. Should you like Maurice or Name Me by Your Identify then you definitely’ll love this one.

30.

Crush (2022) is a extremely cute teen rom-com a few high-schooler who joins the observe staff to get nearer to her crush. The perfect half is that the entire characters are already out and proud, and there isn’t any trauma or something concerned, which is so uncommon in YA queer films.

31.

Tangerine (2015) is so chaotic in one of the best ways doable. It follows two trans intercourse employees on Christmas Eve in Hollywood, and issues get so overwhelming and hectic. The film was really shot completely on an iPhone by Sean Baker, the four-time Oscar winner who made Anora and The Florida Challenge, in case you wanted but another excuse to observe.

32.

Fringe of the Metropolis (1957) is a gritty drama concerning the friendship between Sidney Poitier and John Cassavetes’ characters. It is tough and difficult and has a lotttt of queer subtext. Ruby Dee can be on this film, and she or he’s particularly improbable.

33.

Closet Monster (2015) is centered round a graduating senior who desperately needs to flee his small city and his household’s difficult dynamics. It stars Connor Jessup, who I’ve SUCH a crush on, so again off!!! Additionally, Isabella Rossellini voices his hamster’s imaginary ideas, so, like, what the heck are you ready for?

34.

Taekwondo (2016) is a sleeper hit, and by that I imply not a lot really occurs within the film (however the payoff is unbelievable!). Go into it blindly, and simply know that every one of Marco Berger’s movies are queer and spicy.

35.

Sauvage (2018) is an excellent uncooked film that follows a twentysomething intercourse employee on the streets of Paris who actually simply needs to search out love. Some scenes are particularly intense and NSFW, so you’ve got been warned.

36.

Portrait of a Girl on Fireplace (2019) is a French interval drama about forbidden love, and it is so sizzling that it will soften your face off. I randomly take into consideration the ending a minimum of as soon as a month. Like, please simply watch it.

37.

Disclosure (2020) is a captivating documentary that examines how Hollywood has depicted trans individuals in TV and films all through the years. By way of interviews with specialists and celebrities, it uncovers what kind of influence that portrayal has had on society and American tradition. This one must be required viewing for everybody.

38.

I Am Jonas (2018) is a French drama that is centered round a queer man at two key factors in his life: first as a teen after which in his 30s. There are some wild plot twists which may emotionally wreck you, so simply prepare.

39.

The Haunting (1963) is a revolutionary horror film that options one of many solely lesbian characters of its time to be female and never predatory. The movie relies on the e-book The Haunting of Hill Home, which was in the end changed into a massively fashionable Netflix sequence, so in the event you like both of them then you must watch this too.

40.

And eventually, Fireplace Island (2022) is mainly a homosexual, fashionable remake of Delight and Prejudice, and it will star all of your new favourite individuals. All of us want extra enjoyable films in our lives, so what extra might you need?

Searching for extra LGBTQ+ content material? Try all of BuzzFeed’s posts celebrating Delight 2025!