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While Hollywood has a long way to go in terms of representation — and not just for the LGBTQ+ community — the past few years have seen an uptick in queer-centric movies, from Moonlight to Call Me By Your Name and Love, Simon. One of the most significant changes is that gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and non-binary people are no longer relegated to side characters, background roles, or included just as subjects for jokes and mockery. Instead, they’re leading the charge as sympathizable protagonists and heroes.

But what’s even more exciting is that this isn’t just a trend. It’s a lasting movement! The industry has made it clear that it’s getting committed to telling authentic stories (and not just for the sake of representation), making them relatable and real for all kinds of audiences. And with that, we’re seeing some of the most complex and compelling LGBTQ+ characters in film history — people who exist outside of their sexuality and gender identity. They aren’t tokens or accessories put there to meet the “diversity quota”; they’re important members of an ensemble cast.

This is a huge step forward for LGBTQ+ visibility in Hollywood. But it’s also important to note that these movies are just the tip of the iceberg. One of the challenges in LGBTQ+ cinema today is ensuring that queer actors get to play queer roles — roles that have historically been played by straight actors, undermining real representation of the community in fictional media.

While waiting for the change to happen, we can still enjoy these films for what they are: a huge step forward in queer history. From coming-out dramas to cult comedies and blockbusters — our list includes LGBTQ+ movies that are mostly authentic, nuanced, and honestly just super fun!

#1

Moonlight

Moonlight

2016 | 1h 51m | Directed by Barry Jenkins

Moonlight has been described as one of the best films of the 21st century, and it’s easy to see why. The movie explores masculinity, loneliness, and identity through the eyes of Chiron, who we see grow from a young boy to his adult life as a drug dealer in Atlanta. It became the first LGBTQ+ film with an all-black cast and the second-lowest-grossing film domestically to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

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#2

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire

Portrait Of A Lady On Fire

2019 | 2h 2m | Directed by Céline Sciamma

Set in the 18th century, Portrait Of A Lady On Fire is a French LGBTQ+ movie from the capable hands of Céline Sciamma. It’s centered on the affair between Héloïse, a well-to-do aristocrat, and the talented painter Marianne, commissioned to paint her portrait. The film won the Queer Palm at Cannes, making history as the first film directed by a woman to receive the award.

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#3

Call Me By Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

2017 | 2h 12m | Directed by Luca Guadagnino

A staple among the best LGBTQ+ movies. Set in 1983 in northern Italy, Call Me By Your Name chronicles the bittersweet romance between Elio, a precocious and artsy 17-year-old, and Oliver, an American doctoral student who temporarily moves to Italy to work for Elio’s father. As summer moves along, the fervent love between the two young men grows and deepens, impacting their lives forever.

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Chrissyfox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I absolutely love this movie. Everything about it from the direction to the actors to the location to the pace. Made me cry, and for me, that is a sign of total pleasure.

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#4

Booksmart

Booksmart

2019 | 1h 42m | Directed by Olivia Wilde

Ready for some lighthearted comedy? Booksmart is the story of Amy and Molly, best friends who realize, just before graduation, that they’d focused too much on studying and cast aside all the fun experiences two teenagers should enjoy. But it’s not too late: On their last day of classes, they set out to break all the rules and have the time of their lives!

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#5

The Handmaiden

The Handmaiden

2016 | 2h 25m | Directed by Park Chan-wook
 

In Japanese-occupied Korea, a con man plans to steal the inheritance of Lady Hideko, a wealthy Japanese heiress, by marrying her and then committing her to an asylum. To help him, there’s the young pickpocket Nam Sook-hee, hired as Hideko’s maid. Everything seems to go according to plan until Sook-hee and Hideko start developing feelings for each other.

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An Ry
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it's based on the book "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters

#6

Pain And Glory

Pain And Glory

2019 | 1h 53m | Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
 

If you’re a long-time fan of Almodóvar’s movies, you can surely recommend this one. It tells the story of Salvador, an aging film director who hasn’t worked on new projects for a long time. His decaying mental and physical health leads him to reflect on his past mistakes and the best moments of his life. Slow but incredibly heartwarming.

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#7

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Everything Everywhere All At Once

2022 | 2h 19m | Directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
 

Released in March 2022, this absurdist movie immediately received widespread acclaim. Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn, a Chinese immigrant dissatisfied and overwhelmed by her life. Everything changes the day she gets embroiled in a crazy adventure where she must connect with different versions of herself from other universes to save the multiverse.

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Johnnee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I watched it. Had no idea it was lgbtq cinema defining movie

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#8

Battle Of The Sexes (2017)

Battle Of The Sexes (2017)

2017 | 2h 1m | Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris

Emma Stone and Steve Carrell star in Battle Of The Sexes, a dramatization of the events that led up to the legendary 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The match turned into a media sensation and a cultural touchstone for the recognition of women’s worth in sports. Some movie critics considered this Emma Stone’s best performance in her career.

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#9

The Power Of The Dog

The Power Of The Dog

2021 | 2h 6m | Directed by Jane Campion

Based on Thomas Savage’s novel, The Power Of The Dog is one of the most interesting LGBTQ+ movies on Netflix. It’s the story of two wealthy rancher brothers who become increasingly estranged after one of them marries a widowed woman who already has a teenage son. It’s often cited among the best movies of 2021, and the outstanding performance of its main cast has a lot to do with it.

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#10

Love, Simon

Love, Simon

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#11

Parallel Mothers

Parallel Mothers

2021 | 2h 3m | Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
 

Pedro Almodóvar’s latest movie stars Penélope Cruz and Milena Smit as two single women who meet in a hospital room, both waiting to give birth. While one doesn’t regret it, the younger one is utterly scared and uncertain of what the future holds for her. The two form a strong bond as they try to navigate motherhood, and a new meeting months later takes their relationship to a new level of intimacy.

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#12

Flee (2021)

Flee (2021)

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#13

A Fantastic Woman

A Fantastic Woman

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#15

Mädchen In Uniform

Mädchen In Uniform

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#16

BPM (Beats Per Minute)

BPM (Beats Per Minute)

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#17

Welcome To Chechnya

Welcome To Chechnya

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#18

God's Own Country

God's Own Country

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#20

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend Of Walter Mercado

Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend Of Walter Mercado

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#21

The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert

The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert

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#22

The Birdcage

The Birdcage

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I first saw the original in French, then this version. Both are great movies.

#25

Boys Don't Cry

Boys Don't Cry

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#26

Victor/Victoria

Victor/Victoria

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Hey!
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That was a great movie which I saw with my oldest brother, twice.

#27

Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain

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Chrissyfox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What can I say... heartbreakingly poignant, especially since the death of Heath Ledger. Makes the ending so very ironic.

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#28

The Imitation Game

The Imitation Game

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Chrissyfox
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in Bletchley, about ten minutes from Bletchley Park. This movie is very dear to my heart especially as it is a true story and also when one realises what they did to Turing. SMH.

#29

Dallas Buyers Club

Dallas Buyers Club

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#30

Circus Of Books

Circus Of Books

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#31

The Crying Game

The Crying Game

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#32

Behind The Candelabra

Behind The Candelabra

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#33

Blue Is The Warmest Color

Blue Is The Warmest Color

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#34

Hedwig And The Angry Inch

Hedwig And The Angry Inch

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#35

Angels In America

Angels In America

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#36

The Half Of It

The Half Of It

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#37

A Secret Love (2020)

A Secret Love (2020)

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#43

Paris Is Burning

Paris Is Burning

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#44

Disclosure (2020)

Disclosure (2020)

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#45

We Were Here

We Were Here

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#46

The Kids Are All Right

The Kids Are All Right

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#47

Portrait Of Jason

Portrait Of Jason

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#48

Word Is Out: Stories Of Some Of Our Lives

Word Is Out: Stories Of Some Of Our Lives

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#49

All About My Mother

All About My Mother

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#50

My Beautiful Laundrette

My Beautiful Laundrette

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#52

The Old Guard

The Old Guard

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#53

Signature Move

Signature Move

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#54

Law Of Desire

Law Of Desire

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#55

No Hard Feelings

No Hard Feelings

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#56

Love Is Strange

Love Is Strange

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#58

How To Survive A Plague

How To Survive A Plague

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#60

Professor Marston And The Wonder Women

Professor Marston And The Wonder Women

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#61

Dog Day Afternoon

Dog Day Afternoon

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#62

Pride (2014)

Pride (2014)

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#63

Gods And Monsters

Gods And Monsters

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#64

The Wedding Banquet

The Wedding Banquet

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#66

Princess Cyd

Princess Cyd

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#67

The Death And Life Of Marsha P. Johnson

The Death And Life Of Marsha P. Johnson

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#68

The Celluloid Closet

The Celluloid Closet

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#69

The Times Of Harvey Milk

The Times Of Harvey Milk

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#70

The Normal Heart

The Normal Heart

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#71

Heavenly Creatures

Heavenly Creatures

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#72

Summertime (2015)

Summertime (2015)

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#73

Go Fish (1994)

Go Fish (1994)

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#74

The Boys In The Band (1970)

The Boys In The Band (1970)

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#75

Call Me Kuchu

Call Me Kuchu

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#77

The Duke Of Burgundy

The Duke Of Burgundy

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#79

In The Family (2011)

In The Family (2011)

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#81

Good Manners

Good Manners

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#82

The Queen (1968)

The Queen (1968)

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#83

Appropriate Behavior

Appropriate Behavior

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#84

Stranger By The Lake

Stranger By The Lake

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#85

Swan Song (2021)

Swan Song (2021)

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#87

Happiest Season

Happiest Season

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#88

We're All Going To The World's Fair

We're All Going To The World's Fair

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#89

Farewell, My Queen

Farewell, My Queen

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#90

Chris & Don: A Love Story

Chris & Don: A Love Story

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#91

My Name Is Pauli Murray

My Name Is Pauli Murray

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#93

The Watermelon Woman

The Watermelon Woman

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#94

The Way He Looks

The Way He Looks

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#95

My Summer Of Love

My Summer Of Love

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#97

A Single Man

A Single Man

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#100

Desert Hearts

Desert Hearts

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#101

Anaïs In Love

Anaïs In Love

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#102

Mysterious Skin

Mysterious Skin

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#103

Y Tu Mamá También

Y Tu Mamá También

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#104

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

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#106

Fire Island

Fire Island

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#107

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

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#110

Keep The Lights On

Keep The Lights On

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