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20 Unforgettable LGBTQIA+ Movies To Stream On Pride Month

Spend this year’s Pride Month giving some love to queer cinema. Representation is important and fortunately, there is a growing number of really, really good movies with compelling LGBTQ+ themes. From heart-wrenching dramas to light-hearted romcoms, these 20 unforgettable LGBTQ+ movies are essential watching to both queer folks and allies alike.

 

 

1. Moonlight (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%

A groundbreaking coming-of-age drama that won an Academy Award for Best Picture, Moonlight follows a young African-American gay man Chiron through different stages of his life. Equal parts tender and heart-wrenching, it’s an empathetic and well-crafted film that a rare look at life often neglected, while exploring themes of race, masculinity, and sexual identity.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

2. Pride (2014)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%

Based on a true story, Pride is a feel-good comedy-drama that tells the story of gay and lesbian activists who endeavor to support miners on strike. Throughout the film, the two marginalized groups—LGBTQ+ and miners—find support and friendship in the unlikeliest of allies. Featuring an incredible cast with the likes of Bill Nighy, Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, and other notable British actors, the award-winning movie is worth watching for the performances alone—and the message of solidarity makes it an even more inspiring watch.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

3. Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%

Two cowboys fall in love and embark on a decades-long secret relationship in Brokeback Mountain, a film that features poignant performances by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. One of the first LGBTQ+ movies that earned mainstream and critical success, it’s a moving and ultimately tragic love story that depicts the passion and pain of forbidden love.

Watch on Netflix.

 

 

4. God’s Own Country (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%

One could say that Brokeback Mountain walked so God’s Own Country could run. The heartrending film is set in the remote farmlands of Yorkshire where a young gay sheep worker falls in love with a Romanian migrant worker. The hard lives of the protagonists make for plenty of loneliness, isolation, and anger, but it’s a tender love story at its core.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

5. Boys Don’t Cry (1999)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%

When Boys Don’t Cry came out in 1999, the transgender experience was largely in the shadows in mainstream media. This true-to-life story about the life, rape, and murder of transman Brandon Teena is painful to watch, but an important film that helped bring the struggles and dangers of transgenders to a wider audience. Although some now contest the casting of cisgender actress Hilary Swank, she gave a deeply moving performance—and she won an Oscar for her efforts in the film.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

6. Pariah (2011)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%

A semi-autobiographical take of writer-director Dee Rees, Pariah follows Alike, a young black poet in Brooklyn who is in the midst of coming out of the closet and looking for love. The powerful coming-of-age movie is steeped in empathy, even for her straight-laced and religious family who is completely at odds with Alike’s journey towards self-discovery.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

7. Rafiki (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%

Two young women in a Nairobi neighborhood fall in love with each other in this beautiful coming-of-age romance. Rafiki, a word that means “friend” in Swahili, expresses the universal jubilance of young love amid the struggles and pressures that the characters Kena and Ziki face in Kenya where homosexuality is illegal.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

8. Love, Simon (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%

There aren’t enough teen romcoms that feature a gay as the lead character, and it’s a gap that Love, Simon flawlessly fills. Secretly gay Simon begins to feel less alone when he and his pen pal “Blue” come out to each other, even though his new friend’s identity is a secret. The film captures the anxiety and awkwardness of coming out, combining it with all the charm of Hollywood’s best romantic comedies.

Watch on Amazon Prime or Google Play.

 

 

9. Alex Strangelove (2018)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 80%

Another teen romcom in a similar vein to Love, Simon is Alex Strangelove. Popular high school student Alex Truelove is planning to lose his virginity with his girlfriend Claire when he befriends openly gay Elliot and begins to question his sexuality. Heartfelt and funny, the movie is a genuinely pleasant addition to anyone’s Netflix watch list.

Watch on Netflix.

 

 

10. The Half Of It (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 97%

In this modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, shy and whip-smart Ellie helps bumbling jock Paul craft messages and love letters to the beautiful Aster—a girl at their school that Ellie is also smitten with. While Ellie warns early in the film that “this is not a love story,” it’s a sweet coming-of-age tale with likable characters and plenty of heart.

Watch on Netflix.

 

 

11. Booksmart (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%

Bookish best friends Amy and Molly go out for a wild night of partying before their high school graduation. Sexuality isn’t really the spotlight in the plot of Booksmart, even with queer Amy pursuing her longtime crush—and to be honest, that’s one of the reasons why this film is so awesome.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

12. Happiest Season (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%

The holiday season is a joyful time for love stories and in Happiest Season, queer love finds its place under the tree. Great performances all around by fan favorites Kristen Stewart, Mackenzie Davis, Alison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, and Dan Levy elevate this rom-com that’s all about keeping secrets from the family.

Watch on Netflix or Google Play.

 

 

13. Blue is the Warmest Colour (2013)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 89%

A French teen and an art student embark on a deeply emotional and sexual love affair in Blue is the Warmest Colour. The three-hour film is a gorgeous depiction of lesbian sexuality grounded on exceptional performances by Adèle Exarchopoulos and Léa Seydoux.

Watch on Amazon Prime.

 

 

14. Call Me By Your Name (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%

Relive the intoxication and melancholy of first love in this gorgeous movie starring Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer. Set in sun-soaked Italy, Call Me By Your Name follows teenage Elio and his father’s intern Oliver as they embark on a passionate love affair.

Watch on Google Play.

 

 

15. Transamerica (2005)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 77%

There’s valid criticism against Transamerica, most notably the casting of cisgender actress Felicity Huffman to portray transgender woman Bree. However, it doesn’t detract from the poignancy of the story that depicts the reunion of Bree with her son that she fathered long ago.

Watch on Google Play.

 

 

16. Chasing Amy (1997)

 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%

Bisexuality takes centerstage in Chasing Amy, a 1999 film directed by Kevin Smith that tackles the subject with honesty—albeit a little bit of clumsiness. The film follows comic book artist Holden who befriends and falls for lesbian Alyssa, which eventually leads to tension in his friendship with fellow artist Banky.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

17. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

 

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%

The historical French romance portrays a slow-burn love affair between an unhappy bride-to-be Héloïse and the artist commissioned to paint her, Marianne. Set on a secluded island villa in the 18th century, it’s an intensely romantic film that is both thought-provoking and a visual masterpiece.

Watch on Amazon and Google Play.

 

 

18. The Handmaiden (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%

Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook delivers an unforgettable cinematic experience in this extraordinarily erotic crime thriller. A Japanese heiress and her Korean maid in 20th century Korea fall for each other, making an elaborate plan to escape the men who keep them trapped. But fair warning: don’t watch The Handmaiden with your parents or with anyone uncomfortable with overtly sexual scenes.

Watch on Amazon.

 

 

19. The Boys in the Band (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%

The latest retelling of The Boys in the Band brings together the star-studded cast of the 2018 Broadway revival, including Matt Bomer, Zachary Quinto, Jim Parsons, Charlie Carver, and Andrew Rannells, among others. The film is a good time but also an authentic and unflinching portrayal of the lives of gay men.

Watch on Netflix.

 

 

20. Disclosure (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%

If you’re in the mood for a documentary, Disclosure is an incredible choice. The Netflix film is one that explores the depiction of transgender people in Hollywood throughout history. From problematic history to recent breakthroughs to all the work still left to do, Disclosure is an eye-opening look at the transgender experience.

Watch on Netflix.

 

 

 

What other queer-centric films are on your must-watch list? Before binge-watching, order a few yummy snacks to make the viewing experience even more memorable. From decadent desserts like lava cakes and brownies to soy-based milk drinks, Miss B treats won’t disappoint. Visit KKday for more food choices as well as excellent travel deals.

 

 

Happy Pride!

 

 

*Featured photo via Tumisu on Pixabay

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