70 Best Lgbtq Movies You Should Watch In 2022

Best LGBTQ+ Movies in 2022

Below is a list of the top gay movies categorized by their genres and languages. I bet you will find at least a few movies that will spark your interest, so use the table below to move to the section you find appealing.

Best LGBTQ+ Comedy Drama Movies

15. Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

IMDb: 8.3Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/89%Director: Dan Kwan, Daniel ScheinertWriter: Dan Kwan, Daniel ScheinertCast: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr.Runtime: 2 hours, 20 minutes

Everything Everywhere All at Once is an absurdist comedy-drama film with a tint of entertaining genres like black comedy, fantasy, science fiction, martial arts film, and animation. The story follows Evelyn Wang (Yeoh), a dissatisfied Chinese-American woman and her daughter (Stephanie) in an emotional journey of queer acceptance and identity.
Watch trailer here

2. The Boys in the Band (2020)

IMDb: 6.8Rotten Tomatoes: 83%/ 74%Director: Joe MantelloWriter: Mart Crowley, Ned MartelCast: Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Charlie CarverRuntime: 2 hours, 2 minutes

The Boys in the Band is a gay movie based on Mart Crowley’s eponymous drama from 1968. The movie stars well-known openly gay actors like Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, and more. The story revolves around a gathering of a few gay friends. However, the party is interrupted by a surprise guest, bringing chaos to the group. The Boys in the Band is a reboot of a 1970 movie by the same name (Watch trailer). It is cited as one of the first movies to talk about gay relationships and is considered a milestone in cinema history.  Watch trailer here

3. Call Me by Your Name (2017)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/86%Director: Luca GuadagninoWriter: James IvoryCast: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira CasarRuntime: 2 hours, 12 minutes

Call Me by Your Name is a coming-of-age romantic drama based on André Aciman’s 2007 novel. It is the final installment in director Guadagnino’s “Desire” trilogy, after “I Am Love” (2009) and “A Bigger Splash” (2015). It centers on Elio (Chalamet), a 17-year-old boy who falls in love with Oliver (Hammer), his father’s assistant in the archaeology department at school. Although the relationship runs for a brief time, it helps Elio realize his preferences and make terms with them.
Watch trailer here

4. Carol (2015)

IMDb: 7.2Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/74%Director: Todd HaynesWriter: Phyllis NagyCast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Jake Lacy, Kyle ChandlerRuntime: 1 hour, 58 minutes

Carol is a romantic drama period film based on the 1952 romance novel The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith. The movie is set in early 1950s New York where a young aspiring photographer, Therese (Mara), who works at a department store, encounters Carol (Blanchett). Carol is a beautiful woman going through a troubled divorce. Things take an unexpected turn when Therese develops strong feelings for Carol.
The movie won several accolades and was nominated in every renowned film award celebration. Carol is also cited as the best LGBT movie of all time by the British Film Institute. Watch trailer here

5. God’s Own Country (2017)

IMDb: 7.6Rotten Tomatoes: 98%/87%Director: Francis LeeWriter: Francis LeeCast: Josh O’Connor, Alec Secăreanu, Gemma Jones, Ian HartRuntime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

God’s Own Country is a romantic drama film and Francis Lee’s feature directorial debut. The plot here follows a young sheep farmer from Yorkshire played by O’Connor. His life changes when he meets a migrant worker from Romania (Secăreanu). They find love in each other’s company and learn to look at the world from a different perspective. 
Watch trailer here

6. Love Is Strange (2014)

IMDb: 6.7Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/66%Director: Ira SachsWriter: Ira Sachs, Mauricio ZachariasCast: Alfred Molina, John Lithgow, Darren Burrows, Charlie TahanRuntime: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Love Is Strange is a romantic drama film screened at Berlin International Film Festival. The movie follows Ben Hull (Lithgow) and George Garea (Molina), lovers of many years. When they both finally get married, George loses his job. Now, they are compelled to live separately until they find a cheaper house. The movie touches upon themes like following a commitment to adversity and holding onto those you love. 
Watch trailer here

7. Weekend (2011)

IMDb: 7.6 Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/86% Director: Andrew HaighWriter: Andrew HaighCast: Tom Cullen, Chris NewRuntime: 1 hour, 37 minutes

Weekend is a romantic drama movie starring Tom Cullen and Chris New as Russell and Glen, respectively. The story begins with Russell, a gay man who enjoys his night with Glen, another boy he met in a pub. What starts as a brief encounter turns into a beautiful relationship for the duo. Despite a limited release, the movie is highly praised and loved by audiences. It is among the best LGBTQ+ film with a smart, sensitive, and perceptive story.
Watch trailer here

8. Moonlight (2016)

IMDb: 7.4 Rotten Tomatoes: 98%/79%Director: Barry JenkinsWriter: Barry JenkinsCast: Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Jharrel JeromeRuntime: 1 hour, 51 minutes

Moonlight is a coming-of-age drama film based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s unpublished play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue“. The movie follows Chiron throughout his life as he grows up in Miami. Chiron faces emotional and physical abuse and finds it difficult to identify his orientation.
Chiron finds guidance from Juan, a drug dealer, who helps him find his own path. Juan’s advice leaves a lasting impression on him while growing up. The movie won the Oscar for Best Picture and became the first LGBTQ+ movie with an all-black cast to win the title.
Watch trailer here

9. Pariah (2011)

IMDb: 7.2Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/82%Director: Dee ReesWriter: Dee ReesCast: Adepero Oduye, Kim Wayans, Aasha DavisRuntime: 1 hour, 26 minutes

Pariah is a coming-of-age drama film about finding one’s true orientation. The plot follows Alike (Oduye), a 17-year-old Black teenager in a desperate search for sexual expression. The Brooklyn-based girl assumes paradoxical identities before identifying as a lesbian. However, it results in her family and friends distancing themselves from her and heartbreak. The movie shows the difficulties people from the LGBTQ+ community face while finding their identity and expressing it freely to loved ones.
Watch trailer here

10. The Normal Heart (2014)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/88%Director: Ryan MurphyWriter: Larry KramerCast: Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Julia RobertsRuntime: 2 hours, 12 minutes

The Normal Heart is a television drama film based on Larry Kramer’s 1985 play. The movie shows the onset of HIV-AIDS in New York in the early 1980s through the eyes of writer/ activist Ned Weeks (Ruffalo). The crisis led to increased homosexual activities and generated misconceptions about the disease. So, Ned forms an advocacy group to raise awareness but a difference in opinions among his colleagues and lover threatens their shared goals. 
Watch trailer here

11. Beach Rats (2017)

IMDb: 6.4Rotten Tomatoes: 85%/57%Director: Eliza HittmanWriter: Eliza HittmanCast: Harris Dickinson, Madeline Weinstein, Kate HodgeRuntime: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Beach Rats is a drama film screened at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The movie follows Frankie (Dickinson), an aimless teenager from Brooklyn living with his father, who’s on his deathbed, and mother poking him to find a girlfriend. He starts chatting with older men online for drugs and coitus to escape the monotonous life. However, he does not reveal any of these things to his friends. Frankie’s life takes a turn when he starts meeting his online friends on a nearby cruising beach while beginning a romantic relationship with a young woman. Beach Rats shows the discomfort about admitting one’s true orientation and the heights people can go to find acceptance.
Watch trailer here

12. A Single Man (2009)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 86%/81%Director: Tom FordWriter: Tom Ford, David ScearceCast: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Matthew Goode, Nicholas HoultRuntime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

A Single Man is a period romantic drama film based on Christopher Isherwood’s eponymous novel. The movie centers on George (Firth), a depressed British university professor who wants to kill himself after his partner of sixteen years dies in a car accident. On the day he wants to commit the act, he meets his students, colleagues, and best friend Charley by chance. These meetings help him make a final decision.
Although the movie talks about the repeated concept of love and loss, it still feels fresh with Firth’s impactful take on the character.
Watch trailer here

13. Disobedience (2017)

IMDb: 6.6Rotten Tomatoes: 84%/75%Director: Sebastián LelioWriter: Sebastián Lelio, Rebecca LenkiewiczCast: Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro NivolaRuntime: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Disobedience is a romantic drama film based on Naomi Alderman’s 2006 novel of the same name. The story follows Ronit (Weisz), a young woman who returns to her strict Orthodox Jewish community after her father’s demise. As the story slowly unfolds, we realize why she was cast out of the community as a child.
Despite heartbreaking judgments from the community, she reignites her passion for her childhood friend. The movie has received critical praise for its acting performances and screenplay. It is worth noting that the film is strictly made for a grown-up audience. 
Watch trailer here

14. Supernova (2020)

IMDb: 6.8Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/69%Director: Harry MacqueenWriter: Harry MacqueenCast: Colin Firth, Stanley TucciRuntime: 1 hour, 33 minutes

Supernova is a romantic drama film talking about hard choices. The movie follows a gay couple, Sam (Firth) and Tusker (Tucci). Sam is a musician preparing for his last piano concert, and Tusker is a novelist diagnosed with dementia. As the couple goes on a road trip to meet friends and family, tension arises between them when Sam discovers a huge decision made by Tusker. The movie is highly praised for its heartbreaking and moving plot and outstanding acting performance. 
Watch trailer here The movie is praised for its imagination, direction, and exploration of themes like existentialism, nihilism, and Asian-American identity. It is also important in today’s time, talking about the tensions and dilemmas of a queer child coming out to their parents.
Watch trailer here

16. The Half of It (2020)

IMDb: 6.9Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/81%Director: Alice WuWriter: Alice WuCast: Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire, Enrique MurcianoRuntime: 1 hour, 44 minutes

The Half of It is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film loosely adapted from the 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac. The movie follows Ellie Chu (Lewis), a shy and intelligent Chinese-American student. When the school jock asks her to help approach a girl, she agrees despite feeling the same way for the girl. When the situation gets out of control, they discover love’s nature. 
Watch trailer here

17. Love, Simon (2018)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 92%/88%Director: Greg BerlantiWriter: Isaac Aptaker, Elizabeth BergerCast: Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer GarnerRuntime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Love, Simon is a romantic comedy-drama film based on Becky Albertalli’s novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The movie follows Simon Spier (Robinson), who keeps his sexual orientation a secret from his friends and family. However, when a blackmailer threatens to reveal his truth, he finds himself on a rollercoaster of emotions trying to make terms with his identity.
Meanwhile, he develops feelings for an anonymous classmate he meets online. If you are looking for a charming crowd-pleaser, Love, Simon is the best LGBTQ+ movie for you. 
Watch trailer here

18. Three Months (2022)

IMDb: 6.7Rotten Tomatoes: 79%/88%Director: Jared FriederWriter: Jared FriederCast: Troye Sivan, Viveik Kalra, Brianne Tju, Javier Muñoz, Judy GreerRuntime: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Three Months is a comedy-drama film weaved around the complications of HIV tests. The story follows Caleb (Sivan), a South Florida teen who discovers he is exposed to HIV on the eve of his high school graduation. He has to wait three months to get a definitive test on his status. We follow Caleb through these months of stress and struggle as he finds love from unexpected places. The movie humorously shows the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and the problematic side of HIV tests.
Watch trailer here

19. Booksmart (2019)

IMDb: 7.1 Rotten Tomatoes: 96%/77% Director: Olivia WildeWriter: Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, Katie SilbermanCast: Kaitlyn Dever, Beanie FeldsteinRuntime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Booksmart is a coming-of-age buddy comedy film and Olivia Wilde’s feature directorial debut. The movie follows Amy (Dever) and Molly (Feldstein) in their last days before graduation. When they realize their peers cast them aside for being bookworms, they plan to let loose and party to make up for the lost time. Amy tries to ask out her crush, a girl named Ryan, but the party does not go as planned.
Booksmart is a fast-paced movie that feels fresh and adds an intelligent spin to coming-of-age comedy. If you’re looking for a good LGBTQ+ buddy comedy, watch Booksmart.
Watch trailer here

20. The Favourite (2018)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/70%Director: Yorgos LanthimosWriter: Deborah Davis, Tony McNamaraCast: Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma StoneRuntime: 2 hours

The Favourite is a period black comedy film set in 18th century Great Britain. The plot follows two cousins, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough (Weisz), and Abigail Masham (Stone). When Queen Anne of England falls sick, Sarah oversees all the crucial matters in the country. However, things take a dramatic turn when Abigail starts serving the queen. She discovers the queen physically pleasures herself with Sarah and utilizes this information to win the queen’s trust.
The movie is highly praised for its historical setting and excellent acting performances. It was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, out of which Colman won for Best Actress.  Watch trailer here

21. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/88%Director: Stephan ElliottWriter: Stephan ElliottCast: Terence Stamp, Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, Bill HunterRuntime: 1 hour, 43 minutes

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is an Australian road comedy film. The movie follows two drag queens, played by Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce, along with a transgender woman, played by Terence Stamp, on their road trip through Australia. The gang enjoys several adventures and unravels deep secrets on their journey while entertaining enthusiasts and homophobes alike.
The movie was a global hit and helped introduce the LGBTQ+ community to the world through cinema.
Watch trailer here

22. Tangerine (2015)

IMDb: 7.1Rotten Tomatoes: 96%/76%Director: Sean BakerWriter: Sean Baker, Chris BergochCast: Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, Mya Taylor, Karren Karagulian, Mickey O’Hagan, Alla TumanianRuntime: 1 hour, 28 minutes

Tangerine is a comedy-drama film entirely shot on iPhone 5S. The movie follows a transgender woman who comes out of jail after a month. She discovers that her boyfriend, a pimp, is cheating on her with a cisgender woman. So she plans to teach the new lover a lesson with one of her best friends. The movie is highly acclaimed for its screenplay, performance, and portrayal of transgender individuals.   Watch trailer here

23. Dear Ex (2018)

IMDb: 7.3Rotten Tomatoes: 90%/85%Director: Mag Hsu, Hsu Chih-yenWriter: Lu Shih-yuan, Mag HsuCast: Roy Chiu, Hsieh Ying-xuan, Spark Chen, Joseph HuangRuntime: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Dear Ex is a Taiwanese comedy-drama film about being in a dilemma. The story follows a teenager, Song Cheng-xi (Huang), who finds himself trapped in a stressful conflict between his mother (Hsieh) and a free-spirited man (Chiu). The man happens to be the lover and insurance beneficiary of Song’s recently deceased father (Chen). The movie is praised by critics for its story and acting performances. 
Watch trailer here

24. Handsome Devil (2016)

IMDb: 7.0Rotten Tomatoes: 84%/76%Director: John ButlerWriter: John ButlerCast: Fionn O’Shea, Nicholas Galitzine, Andrew ScottRuntime: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Handsome Devil is an Irish comedy-drama film screened at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. The story revolves around Ned (O’Shea), an overlooked teenager at an elite all-boys boarding school in Ireland. His life changes when Conor (Galitzine), the school’s new rugby star player, becomes his roommate. Their unlikely yet strong friendship goes through some tests when their peers start questioning the nature of their relationship. The film features themes of homosexuality while examining the hypocrisy and self-centered nature of the Irish private school system.
Watch trailer here

25. Fire Island (2022)

IMDb: 6.8Rotten Tomatoes: 95%/78%Director: Andrew AhnWriter: Joel Kim BoosterCast: Joel Kim Booster, Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, James ScullyRuntime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Fire Island is a romantic comedy film inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The plot follows a group of queer friends on their vacation on the Fire Island Pines. However, their annual week of laughter and love faces trouble with a sudden change of events. Watching how gay friends tackle the problems that push their bonds with the chosen family is charming and humorous. The movie brilliantly shows the need for acceptance in society and the limits we push for love. 
Watch trailer here

26. Beginners (2010)

IMDb: 7.2Rotten Tomatoes: 85%/77%Director: Mike MillsWriter: Mike MillsCast: Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer, Mélanie Laurent, Goran VišnjićRuntime: 1 hour, 44 minutes

Beginners is a romantic comedy-drama showing it’s never too late. The movie revolves around Oliver (McGregor), a graphic designer who reflects on his father’s life and death. He meets Anna, a free-spirited girl with father issues. Oliver finds his father’s memoir inspiring when it mentions that his father came out of the closet at seventy-five. It encourages him to open up to the possibility of a true and long-lasting relationship. Audiences love the movie for its heartfelt and charming theme. Meanwhile, the critics appreciated the breathtaking acting performances. 
Watch trailer here

27. The Kids Are All Right (2010)

IMDb: 7.0Rotten Tomatoes: 92%/74%Director: Lisa CholodenkoWriter: Lisa Cholodenko, Stuart BlumbergCast: Annette Bening, Julianne Moore, Mark Ruffalo, Mia WasikowskaRuntime: 1 hour, 47 minutes

The Kids Are All Right is a comedy-drama film and one of the first mainstream movies to portray a same-gender couple in the lead. The story follows Nic (Bening) and Jules (Moore) with their relatively perfect family. However, things get interesting when these children, conceived from the same donor (Ruffalo), want to find their biological father. The movie won several accolades for the stunning acting performance by the cast and a charming story. 
Watch trailer here

28. Boy Meets Girl (2014)

IMDb: 7.0Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/80%Director: Eric SchaefferWriter: Eric SchaefferCast: Michael Welch, Michelle Hendley, Alexandra Turshen, Michael Galante, Randall NewsomeRuntime: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Boy Meets Girl is a romantic comedy-drama film starring Michelle Hendley as a trans woman. The movie follows Ricky, a 21-year-old transgender young woman living in a small town in Kentucky. She dreams of attending the school of fashion and becoming a designer in New York. The story also explores her love affair with another woman from a town named Francesca. Audiences love the movie for its heartfelt story, full of emotions. 
Watch trailer here

29. But I’m a Cheerleader (1999)

IMDb:6.7Rotten Tomatoes:42%/74%Director: Jamie BabbitWriter: Brian Wayne PetersonCast: Natasha Lyonne, Clea DuVall, Cathy Moriarty, RuPaul Charles, Mink StoleRuntime: 1 hour, 32 minutes

But I’m a Cheerleader is a satirical romantic teen comedy movie sharing similarities with Boy Erased (discussed below). The story follows Megan Bloomfield (Lyonne), a high school cheerleader who finds it awkward to be with her boyfriend. When her parents realize that she’s queer, they send her to a residential conversion camp, hoping to cure her of lesbianism. However, the camp turns out to be a life-changing experience for Megan while she makes new friends and develops a love interest with another camp member. The movie is popular for talking about the initial confusion and the pressure of social conformity that people from the community have to endure. But I’m a Cheerleader is one of the best LGBTQ+ movies that has garnered a cult following.
Watch trailer here 

The Best LGBTQ+ Biographical Films

30. Milk (2008)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/89%Director: Gus Van SantWriter: Dustin Lance BlackCast: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna, James FrancoRuntime: 2 hours, 8 minutes

Milk is a biographical film based on the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. The movie follows Milk (Penn) through his life as an adult. The story is about an activist who faces several struggles is fighting for gay rights in America and experiences several difficulties doing so. He then goes on to become California’s first openly gay official to be elected to public office.
The film is critically acclaimed for its screenplay and Penn’s acting, for which writer Black and Penn both won Academy Awards in respective categories. 
Watch trailer here

31. Holding the Man (2015)

IMDb: 7.4Rotten Tomatoes: 81%/81%Director: Neil ArmfieldWriter: Tommy MurphyCast: Ryan Corr, Craig StottRuntime: 2 hours, 8 minutes

Holding the Man is a romantic biographical drama film adapted from Timothy Conigrave’s memoir. The story follows Tim (Corr) and John (Stott), who fall in love while being in the all-boys high school. We see how the couple keeps their relationship intact for more than 15 years even after facing separations, temptations, discrimination, jealousy, and losses. Since the movie is based on Timothy’s life events, it peeks into the real-life situation of the LGBTQ+ community.
Watch trailer here

32. Boy Erased (2018)

IMDb: 6.9Rotten Tomatoes: 80%/74%Director: Joel EdgertonWriter: Joel EdgertonCast: Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton, Joe Alwyn, Xavier DolanRuntime: 1 hour, 55 minutes

Boy Erased is a biographical drama film based on Garrard Conley’s 2016 memoir. The story follows Jared (Hedges), based on Conley when he discovers his homosexuality and tells his family. Instead of showing support, his baptist parents send him to a conversion therapy camp, where Jared discovers some unholy truths and is introduced to questionable philosophy and methods. The movie is highly praised for its acting performance and disturbing but true story.
Watch trailer here

33. Rocketman (2019)

IMDb: 7.3Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/88%Director: Dexter FletcherWriter: Lee HallCast: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas HowardRuntime: 2 hours, 1 minute

Rocketman is a biographical musical drama film based on the legend Elton John’s life. The movie tells the story of Elton’s (previously Reginald) early days as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music, England. After graduation, he plays at pubs for a while and later meets the lyricist, Taupin. They both join hands to create music. The movie shows Elton’s rise as a musician and his drug descent. The musical journey of one of the most renowned openly gay artists is a pleasurable watch. Plus, if you like musical biographies, you can also check out Bohemian Rhapsody (watch trailer), which depicts the life story of Queen’s frontman Freddie Mercury, his sexuality, and more. 
Watch trailer here

34. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: 92%/ 91%Director: Jean-Marc ValléeWriter: Craig Borten, Melisa WallackCast: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared LetoRuntime: 1 hour, 57 minutes

Dallas Buyers Club is a biographical drama film based on the life of Ron Woodroof. The story follows Ron (McConaughey), a rodeo cowboy who is diagnosed with AIDS. Ron smuggled experimental medicine to treat himself as there wasn’t any approved medicine for the disease. He later created the Dallas Buyers Club to get around the system and help those in need.
Audiences highly appreciate the movie for the acting performances. McConaughey and Leto end up receiving the Academy Award for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Watch trailer here

35. The Danish Girl (2015)

IMDb: 7.1Rotten Tomatoes: 66%/72%Director: Tom HooperWriter: Lucinda CoxonCast: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Ben Whishaw, Sebastian Koch, Amber HeardRuntime: 2 hours

The Danish Girl is a biographical romantic drama film based on David Ebershoff’s eponymous novel. The movie follows Elbe (Redmayne), one of the first known recipients of gender reassignment surgery. The story begins when Artist Gerda Wegener asks her husband Einar to pose for her portrait as a female model. The act reignites his suppressed identity as a trans woman, and he chooses female life by changing her name to Lili Elbe. The movie was criticized for its inaccurate portrayal of historical events. Still, it won several accolades at Academy Awards and BAFTA. 
Watch trailer here

36. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

IMDb: 7.5Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/87%Director: Kimberly PeirceWriter: Kimberly Peirce, Andy BienenCast: Hilary Swank, Chloë Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendan Sexton III, Alicia GoransonRuntime: 1 hour, 58 minutes

Boys Don’t Cry a biographical movie dramatizing Brandon Teena’s real story. The film centers on Teena (Swank), a young transgender person who adopts a male identity as he struggles to find his identity in society. He also experiences hate crime from two of his male acquaintances. The story further intensifies when he finds love but lies about his troubled past and gender identity. The movie talks about romance and platonic relationships while shedding light on violence against the LGBTQ+ community. 
Watch trailer here

37. The Celluloid Closet (1995)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/89%Director: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey FriedmanWriter: Vito Russo, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Sharon Wood, Armistead MaupinNarrator: Lily TomlinRuntime: 1 hour, 47 minutes

The Celluloid Closet is a documentary based on Vito Russo’s 1981 book The Celluloid Closet: Homosexuality in the Movies. The beautifully drafted documentary includes lecture and film clip presentations Russo gave in 1972–1982. It explores the role of LGBT figures in the cinema industry, how the community found trouble in the initial years, and the industry’s contribution to shaping perceptions around them. The documentary addresses secrecy, the demonization of homosexuality, and the misconceptions around the advent of AIDS. Lastly, it shows the modern world’s acceptance and positivity around love. Watch trailer here

The Best LGBTQ+ Movies in Foreign Language

38. BPM (Beats Per Minute) (2017)

IMDb: 7.4Rotten Tomatoes: 99%/84%Director: Robin CampilloWriter: Robin Campillo, Philippe MangeotCast: Nahuel Pérez Biscayart, Arnaud Valois, Adèle Haenel, Antoine ReinartzRuntime: 2 hours, 20 minutes

BPM (Beats Per Minute) is a French drama film about the AIDS activism of ACT UP Paris in 1990s France. The movie focuses on the ACT UP Paris group, who actively protests against the government due to their indifference toward the AIDS epidemic. Meanwhile, the film also explores a love story between Nathan (Valois), a gay HIV-negative man, and Sean (Biscayart), who is HIV-positive. The movie premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and won critical acclaim along with several awards.
Watch trailer here

39. The Way He Looks (2014)

IMDb: 7.9Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/89%Director: Daniel RibeiroWriter: Daniel RibeiroCast: Ghilherme Lobo, Fabio Audi, Tess AmorimRuntime: 1 hour, 36 minutes

The Way He Looks is a Brazilian coming-of-age romantic drama film based on director Ribeiro’s short film I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone. The movie revolves around Leonardo (Lobo), a blind teenager searching for freedom. His daily life, the way he sees the world, and his relationship with his best friend, Giovana (Amorim) change with the arrival of Gabriel (Audi). The story intensifies when Leonardo develops romantic feelings for Gabriel.
The movie is highly appreciated for the overall performance by the cast and its execution, including cinematography, direction, sounds, and more. If you are looking for a lightweight drama, The Way He Looks is one of the best LGBTQ+ movies you can watch. Watch trailer here

40. Jongens (2014)

IMDb: 7.4 Rotten Tomatoes: NA/80% Director: Mischa KampWriter: Chris Westendorp, Jaap-Peter EnderleCast: Gijs Blom, Ko Zandvliet, Jonas Smulders, Ton KasRuntime: 1 hour, 16 minutes

Jongens (Boys in English) is a Dutch coming-of-age romantic drama. The story follows Sieger(Blom), an introverted 15-year-old boy who is a member of the local athletic team. He lives with his widowed father and brother. One day while swimming in the lake, he shares a few kisses with his friend Marc ( Zandvliet) and gets confused about his feelings. Eventually, he learns to accept himself and his true identity. The movie brilliantly portrays the confusion the people from the LGBTQ+ community face while identifying themselves. 
Watch trailer here

41. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

IMDb: 8.1Rotten Tomatoes: 97%/92%Director: Céline SciammaWriter: Céline SciammaCast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle HaenelRuntime: 2 hours

Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a French historical drama movie that takes place in the late 18th century. The film revolves around Marianne (Merlant), a painter commissioned to paint a portrait of Héloïse (Haenel), a young woman who has left the convent. Héloïse is a reluctant bride, so Marianne must paint her without her knowing. She watches her through the day and paints her secretly. However, the hide-and-seek game leads to a lesbian affair between the two. 
Watch trailer here

42. The Handmaiden (2016)

IMDb: 8.1Rotten Tomatoes: 96%/91%Director: Park Chan-wookWriter: Park Chan-wookCast: Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woongRuntime: 2 hours, 24 minutes

The Handmaiden is a South Korean psychological thriller film inspired by the 2002 novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. The movie takes place in Korea under Japanese colonial rule. The plot follows a Japanese woman who hires a handmaiden. However, the maid is working with a con man to cheat the rich lady out of her wealth. The story intensifies when the maid develops feelings for the rich lady.
Ever since Squid Game (Season 2 announced) broke records globally, the fan following and demand for Korean dramas and movies has increased enormously. Proving the fans correct, The Handmaiden is one of the best gay movies coming from the Korean film industry.
Watch trailer here

43. A Fantastic Woman (2017)

IMDb: 7.2Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/78%Director: Sebastián LelioWriter: Sebastián Lelio, Gonzalo MazaCast: Daniela Vega, Francisco ReyesRuntime: 1 hour, 44 minutes

A Fantastic Woman is a Spanish drama film that takes place in Santiago, Chile. The plot follows Marina (Vega), a transgender singer and waitress who gets involved romantically with Orlando (Reyes), an older man. However, she then faces trouble after Orlando’s unexpected demise raises questions about her.
A Fantastic Woman is a highly acclaimed movie praised for carefully handling the sensitive matter of LGB identity. It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film along with several other accolades.  Watch trailer here

44. Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)

IMDb: 7.7Rotten Tomatoes: 89%/85%Director: Abdellatif KechicheWriter: Abdellatif Kechiche, Ghalia LacroixCast: Léa Seydoux, Adèle ExarchopoulosRuntime: 2 hours, 59 minutes

Blue Is the Warmest Colour is a French romance film based on the 2010 graphic novel by Jul Maroh. The story follows Adele (Adèle), a teenager who discovers freedom and desire as an aspiring painter. However, confused about her orientation, she breaks up with her boyfriend and admires a beautiful woman with a funky haircut. The movie spans from her early adulthood to her established career as a schoolteacher. 
Watch trailer here

45. End of the Century (2019)

IMDb: 6.8Rotten Tomatoes: 91%/71%Director: Lucio CastroWriter: Lucio CastroCast: Juan Barberini, Ramón Pujol, Mía MaestroRuntime: 1 hour, 24 minutes

End of the Century is an Argentine romantic drama. The plot follows Ocho (Barberini), a man from Argentina on vacation in Barcelona. He meets Javi (Pujol), a Spaniard from Berlin, and spends intimate time with him. Soon, they realize they met twenty years ago when both of them were in the closet and too afraid to pursue a homosexual relationship.
The movie won several awards in the Best Film category in film festivals. So, if you are looking for an underrated yet good LGBTQ+ movie, watch End of the Century. Watch trailer here

And Then We Danced (2019)

IMDb: 7.6Rotten Tomatoes: 94%/95%Director: Levan AkinWriter: Levan AkinCast: Levan Gelbakhiani, Bachi ValishviliRuntime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

And Then We Danced is a Georgian drama film that premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it received a fifteen-minute standing ovation. The movie follows Merab (Gelbakhiani), a male dancer, and his partner, who has been training to get into the National Georgian Ensemble. However, the arrival of another dancer distracts him, and an intense rivalry begins between them. Soon, it transforms into a romantic desire that may cause Merab to risk his future.
Overall, we would say that And Then We Danced is full of emotions and one of the best independent LGBTQ+ movies.
Watch trailer here

Best LGBTQ+ Movies in India

Badhaai Do (2022)

IMDb: 7.1Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/82%Director: Harshavardhan KulkarniWriter: Suman Adhikary, Akshat Ghildial, Harshavardhan KulkarniCast: Rajkummar Rao, Bhumi Pednekar, Sheeba Chaddha, Chum DarangRuntime: 2 hours, 27 minutes

Badhaai Do is a Hindi comedy-drama film and a spiritual sequel to Badhai Ho, which depicts the life and struggles of Shardul (Rao), a gay police officer, and Suman (Pednekar), a lesbian physical education teacher. The duo ties a knot in a lavender marriage to appease their families. However, their lives become more complex when Suman’s girlfriend moves in with them. The movie is greatly praised for normalizing LGBT characters in Indian cinema.  Watch trailer here

Aligarh (2015)

IMDb: 7.8Rotten Tomatoes: 100%/85%Director: Hansal MehtaWriter: Apurva AsraniCast: Manoj Bajpayee, Rajkummar Rao, Ashish VidyarthiRuntime: 1 hour, 54 minutes

Aligarh is a 2015 biographical drama based on the true story of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras. The movie follows Siras (Bajpayee), a professor at Aligarh Muslim University, who was a victim of a sting operation carried out to determine his sexual orientation. When the university suspends him, he forms a special bond with a journalist (Rao) who covers his story and takes the matter to court. The audience loves the movie for its acting performances and bringing the tear-jerking and true story out to the world.
Watch trailer here

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui (2021)

IMDb: 6.8Rotten Tomatoes: 82%/100%Director: Abhishek KapoorWriter: Supratik Sen, Tushar ParanjpeCast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Vaani KapoorRuntime: 1 hour, 56 minutes

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is a Hindi-language romantic comedy-drama film breaking the stereotype around trans women in India. The movie follows Manu (Khurrana), a gym owner, and Maanvi (Vaani), a Zumba instructor. They fall in love, and Manu decides to propose to her. However, he finds it hard to cope when Maanvi reveals her true identity as a trans woman.
The movie handles the hard-hitting subject with sensitivity and maturity. The film is available to stream on Netflix. If you love Bollywood movies, I suggest you read our detailed guide on the best Bollywood movies on Netflix. Watch trailer here

50. Shubh Mangal Jyada Savdhan (2020)

IMDb: 5.8Rotten Tomatoes: 93%/73%Director: Hitesh KewalyaWriter: Hitesh KewalyaCast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Gajraj RaoRuntime: 1 hour, 57 minutes 

Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan is a Hindi-language romantic comedy film and a spiritual successor to Shubh Mangal Saavdhan (2017). The movie follows two young gay men, Kartik (Khurrana) and Aman (Kumar). The story follow Kartik and Aman about the latter’s struggles to convince his family about his orientation. While the family takes it too hard on both of them, the supreme court rules in favor of the LGBT community and discards any criminal offense related to homosexuality. 
Watch trailer here

Bonus: 20 More LGBTQ+ Movies Worth Watching

Here are some of the greatest movies portraying the LGBTQ+ community. A few of these movies are made strictly for adults, while some show the situation in old times. Meanwhile, there are also some excellent movies in various genres that deserve a special mention. Please click the trailer link to see if the movie interests you. 

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) – Watch trailerHow to Survive a Plague (2012) – Watch trailerKissing Jessica Stein (2001) – Watch trailerBig Eden (2000) – Watch trailerBound (1996) – Watch trailerShow me love (1998) – Watch trailerMysterious Skin (2004) – Watch trailerPain and Glory (2019) – Watch trailerParis Is Burning (1990) – Watch trailerThe Fallout (2021) – Watch trailerParting Glances (1986) – Watch trailerHigh Art (1998) Watch trailerHappy Together (1997) – Watch trailerMy Own Private Idaho (1991) – Watch trailerPhiladelphia (1993) – Watch trailerDesert Hearts (1985) – Watch trailerThe Birdcage (1996) – Comedy – Watch trailerBut I’m a Cheerleader (1999) – Watch trailerWatermelon Woman (1996) – Watch trailerEvening Shadows (2018) – Watch trailer

Add These Best Gay Movies to Your Watchlist

LGBTQ+ films are now making their way to the mainstream, telling untold stories and creating a new place in the industry for themselves. If you like watching off-beat content and supporting the community, these movies are a great way to break the stereotype, understand the sentiment, and bring awareness to the issue. Most movies in the list belong to the romantic dramas and comedy films genre. Meanwhile, I have also included some biographical and international movies to show how the entire world accepts the LGBTQ+ community with open arms. I hope you find at least a few films that spark your interest and are worth adding to your watchlist. Which one’s your favorite among the movies listed above? Let me know in the comments below.