50 of the Best LGBTQ Movies You Can Stream Right Now
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
WHILE PRIDE MONTH may be the most apt time of year to engage with art and storytelling from the LGBTQ+ community, you can watch queer media any day of the year. And there has never been a better time when it comes to finding an expansive range of queer cinema in theaters and on streaming services. While LGBTQ-themed stories still tend to be in the minority of mainstream studio output, there is less reticence among prominent actors to play queer roles, and slowly but surely, a growing number of out-and-proud performers starring in queer stories.
We've also come a long way from many of the lazy, damaging tropes and stereotypes that used to plague film and TV, from queer-coded villainy to movies that embrace the "bury your gays" cliché, and there's now a substantial amount of content out there championing the importance of finding love and embracing one's sexuality and gender identity.
For the past half-century, LGBTQ+ media has made major strides, from the pivotal 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning (the legacy of which lives on in the unstoppable RuPaul's Drag Race franchise)to the critical and commercial success of same-sex love stories like Brokeback Mountain and more recently Moonlight, which won multiple Academy awards and became the first film in history with an all-Black cast to win Best Picture. That's just to say, there's something for everyone who wants to see themselves represented on-screen
In an effort to celebrate these films, the team at Men's Health has put together a list of iconic LGBTQ movies which are currently available for streaming on major platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. And remember—even when Pride Month ends, there is still a wealth of LGBTQ cinema to explore. Enjoy these picks all year round.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal star in this haunting love story from director Andrew Haigh, about a lonely man who is drifting through life in London until he forms an unexpected connection with a stranger, and comes face to face with the ghosts of his past.
See the original post on Youtube
Mulholland Drive (2001)
While just as dark and uncanny as his other works, David Lynch's Mulholland Drive is also a sensual and at-times unflinchingly intimate story of love and desire between two women as they navigate the seedy, possibly supernatural underbelly of Los Angeles.
See the original post on Youtube
Fire Island (2021)
This modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice transports the romantic comedy from Regency England to the famous queer resort destination of Fire Island Pines, where thanks to the instagays, reputation still means everything, and society is just as stratified based on wealth and status.
See the original post on Youtube
Moonlight (2016)
Winning several awards, including an Oscar for Best Picture, the movie follows a man through three stages of life, while trying to understand his sexuality and identity.
See the original post on Youtube
All In My Family (2019)
In this documentary, a gay filmmaker shows his Chinese family's road to accepting him and his growing family in the United States. It's both eye-opening and heartwarming—a film desperately needed right about now.
See the original post on Youtube
Monica (2022)
Trace Lysette stars in this award-winning drama about a transgender woman who, despite deep reservations, returns to her hometown to care for her dying mother.
See the original post on Youtube
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Based on Andre Aciman's novel of the same name, Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer star in this Oscar-winning coming-of-age film. And who could forget the iconic scene with a certain stone fruit?
See the original post on Youtube
Femme (2023)
When drag queen Jules is brutally attacked, it leaves his life in tatters. Months later, he encounters his assailant Preston in a gay bathhouse. Unrecognizable out of drag, Jules begins to infiltrate Preston's life—and plan his revenge. A taut psychological thriller.
See the original post on Youtube
The Normal Heart (2014)
Larry Kramer's semi-autobiographical drama comes to life in this HBO film, telling the story of the creation of the Gay Men's Health Crisis at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
See the original post on Youtube
Love, Simon (2018)
All of your favorite teen tropes are played out in this heartwarming romcom of a young boy trying to find his epic love through the discourse of emails. And if you haven't had enough, don't worry—Hulu has a TV spinoff that you'll love just as much as this.
See the original post on Youtube
Disobedience (2017)
Based on Naomi Alderman's novel, the film follows two Orthodox Jewish women (Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz) as they attempt to hide their romance and reconcile their faith with sexuality.
See the original post on Youtube
Boy Erased (2018)
Telling the true story of a young man who is subjected to a gay conversion therapy program, the film features a number of LGBTQ+ identifying stars, including Cherry Jones and Troye Sivan.
See the original post on Youtube
Gods & Monsters (1998)
Ian McKellen was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance in this drama, which follows the unlikely, complicated friendship that forms between retired horror movie director James Whale and his handsome young gardener Clayton (Brendan Fraser).
See the original post on Youtube
My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Considered an important film in the new queer cinema movement since its 1991 release, My Own Private Idaho has become notable for its then-taboo premise and avant-garde approach to storytelling.
See the original post on Youtube
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Based on a short story by Annie Proulx, the movie tells the story of two cattle ranchers who form a romantic bond but must part ways at the end of the summer. The film received critical acclaim, including three Academy Awards.
See the original post on Youtube
Milk (2008)
Starring Sean Penn and Emile Hirsch, the 2008 movie tells the story of Harvey Milk, who became iconic in the LGBTQ+ community for being the first openly gay person to be elected to California government.
See the original post on Youtube
Rocketman (2019)
So the film is more about the life of music icon Elton John than it is necessarily about LGBTQ themes, but it does feature the doomed romance with his manager, John Reed.
See the original post on Youtube
Rent (2005)
If you're a musical theater geek, chances are you are probably very aware of this movie. Based on the 1996 groundbreaking musical, the film makes a point to celebrate all kinds of love.
See the original post on Youtube
The Birdcage (1996)
Robin Williams and Nathan Lane dress up in drag in the remake of La Cage aux Folles. Those two names alone should compel you to watch this.
See the original post on Youtube
Howl (2010)
Garnering its title from LGBTQ+ icon Allen Ginsberg's famous poem, the film explores the writer's early life, his relationship with partner Peter Orlovsky, and how the poem "Howl" became a staple in beatnik literature.
See the original post on Youtube
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
Telling the story of a genderqueer German singer who fronted a rock and roll band, the movie's costumes are as iconic as the songs featured throughout. And fun fact—the star of the film is also its director and writer.
See the original post on Youtube
Tig (2015)
Comedian Tig Notaro stars in a documentary that follows her breast cancer battle while trying to start a family with her fiancée.
See the original post on Youtube
Philadelphia (1993)
Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington star in one of the first mainstream Hollywood movies to tackle the subject of HIV/AIDS, homosexuality, and homophobia. The film was so well-received that it garnered a Best Actor Academy Award for Hanks.
See the original post on Youtube
Professor Marston & the Wonder Women (2017)
Ever wondered how the Wonder Woman comics were created? Well, this movie explored the conception of the iconic female superhero, while also featuring the creator's polyamorous relationship with two women.
See the original post on Youtube
3 Generations (2017)
A touching drama featuring a small group of notable actors, the film explores what happens when three generations within a family deal with one going through the stages of transition.
See the original post on Youtube
The Kids Are All Right
Julianne Moore and Annette Bening star in this romantic comedy as a lesbian couple whose children decide to go find their biological father, portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.
See the original post on Youtube
Tangerine (2015)
Shot on three iPhones (an unusual yet impressive feat for cinematography), the indie drama explores the story of a transgender sex worker who discovers her boyfriend has been straying from their relationship.
See the original post on Youtube
Beach Rats (2017)
A movie that sells itself on coveted sexual urges, the film tells the story of a teenage boy (played by an up-and-coming Harris Dickinson) who either spends time with his girlfriend or hooking up with men that he meets over the internet.
See the original post on Youtube
Desert Hearts (1985)
Filmed during a pivotal time in LGBTQ+ history, the movie depicts an English professor and a young sculptor's romance while at a 1950s Nevada ranch.
See the original post on Youtube
Maurice (1987)
Based on the novel by E.M. Forster, Hugh Grant stars in the drama about gay relationship set in the repressed backdrop of Edwardian England.
See the original post on Youtube
Beginners (2010)
Starring Ewan McGregor, Cristopher Plummer (who won an Academy Award for his role) and a Jack Russell terrier, the movie deals with a son coming to terms with his dying father—who also just came out of the closet.
See the original post on Youtube
BPM (Beats Per Minute) [2017]
Taking place in the 1990s, the film explores a group of activists in Paris as they attempt to make strides in the effort to fight the AIDS epidemic. The film also features the work from ACT UP, an organization that continues to work for those fighting for their lives.
See the original post on Youtube
God's Own Country (2017)
While working on his family's farm, an Englishman has a romance with one of his father's workers. The film intertwines heartbreak with little gems of beauty and delicacy.
See the original post on Youtube
The Half of It (2020)
In this tender teen romance, shy, bookish Ellie makes money by writing essays for her more popular classmates. When jock Paul hires her to use her talents as a wordsmith to help him woo the beautiful Astrid, she sees it as just another job—until she realizes she also has feelings for Astrid, endangering her newfound friendship with Paul.
See the original post on Youtube
Carol (2015)
Based on the Patricia Haynes novel, Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett star as two women who take a road trip to confess their feelings for each other—those that could potentially ruin their lives and marriages.
See the original post on Youtube
Alex Strangelove (2018)
A film that comfortably sits in the Netflix teen comedy canon, the film tells the story of a high school senior, while planning on losing his virginity to his girlfriend, meets a handsome gay kid, making him question his identity.
See the original post on Youtube
Portrait of a Lady On Fire (2019)
One of the most recent movies to join the LGBTQ+ movie genre, the film looks at a complicated lesbian relationship during the repressed 1700s, when identifying as queer was taboo.
See the original post on Youtube
Looking: The Movie (2016)
Jonathan Groff stars in this film about a group of gay men living in California. A sequel to the popular HBO show, Looking: The Movie completes some of the loose threads from the series, and gives the characters from the show a final send-off.
See the original post on Youtube
Pariah (2011)
Dee Rees (also of Mudbound fame) wrote and directed this queer coming of age film about a young Black lesbian named Alike, who works to embrace her identity, despite facing opposition from her parents.
See the original post on Youtube
I Love You Philip Morris (2009)
Based on the real life story of incarcerated con man Steven Jay Russell, I Love You Philip Morris stars Ewan McGregor and Jim Carrey. Russell falls in love with another inmate and after the man's release, famously escapes from prison four times to reunite with him.
See the original post on Youtube
Paris Is Burning (1990)
This groundbreaking documentary brought the New York ball scene to the rest of America. Legendary ballroom houses star in the film, and reveal their joys and hardships in the 1980s.
See the original post on Youtube
But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
Natasha Lyonne stars in her breakout role as a cheerleader who's sent away to a conversion camp, where she actually learns to embrace her sexuality, rather than repress it.
See the original post on Youtube
How to Survive a Plague (2012)
This harrowing documentary chronicles ACT UP and TAG's fight for AIDS treatment in the 1980s. Documenting mass demonstrations and various meetings within the groups, the documentary is essential viewing for anyone interested in LGBTQ+ history.
See the original post on Youtube
The Miseducation of Cameron Post (2018)
When Cameron Post is caught with her girlfriend, she's sent away to a conversion camp. After arriving at the camp, Cameron becomes skeptical of the camp's ability to protect the teens sent there.
See the original post on Youtube
Happiest Season (2020)
In this holiday romantic-comedy, a lesbian couple travels for the holidays to meet one partner's parents. There's an unfortunate twist though...one woman realizes the other isn't out to her parents yet.
See the original post on Youtube
Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screens (2020)
Although there's been a number of movies and television shows depicting trans characters, there's never been a serious look at how these portrayals (often played by cisgender actors) affect the lives of trans actors, and how audiences see trans people. Netflix's Disclosure attempts to better understand the impact of how trans people are portrayed in media.
See the original post on Youtube
The Way He Looks (2014)
This Brazilian coming-of-age romance centers around two teenage boys, one of whom is blind, and their budding relationship.
See the original post on Youtube
The Handmaiden (2016)
In this erotic thriller, a woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress. As the two become closer, they realize the men in their life seek to steal the woman's inheritance.
See the original post on Youtube
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
A dark, stylishly told tale of envy and obsession on the Amalfi Coast, this adaptation leans hard into the homoeroticism of Patricia Highsmith's original novel—and features stellar performances from a young Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Cate Blanchett.
See the original post on Youtube
Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
Based on the bestselling novel, this romantic comedy tells the story of the President's son Alex (Taylor Zakhar Perez), who begins an ill-advised fling with a member of the British Royal Family, Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine). Watch it now before the recently-announced sequel drops on Prime.
See the original post on Youtube
You Might Also Like
