45 Best LGBTQ+ Movies Ever Made
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Whether you're looking for a relaxing flick to watch during a night in, a great LGBTQ+ romantic movie to encourage date night cuddles, a meaningful film to screen during a Pride Month event or you're simply looking to expand your media diet, this list of the best gay and LGBTQ+ movies ever made has something you're gonna love.
Every year, more and more gay, bisexual, queer and transgender films have been hitting the streaming airwaves. That's important, because watching movies that center these narratives can help people who belong to the LGBTQ+ community feel seen, heard and validated. That's incredibly meaningful, especially for teens and people who don't otherwise have a safe and supportive outlet to share their truth.
No matter what genre or style you're feeling, something on this list will fit the bill: We've got everything from history, documentaries, comedy movies, thrillers, love stories and even independent films. Whether showcasing the love between two people of the same gender, depicting the ongoing fight for equal rights or simply reminding us all that LGBTQ+ people are just trying to live their lives like everybody else, there are so many awesome gay and LGBTQ+ movies that you can stream right now.
Fair warning: Some of these movies do feature adult relationships and can get a little hot and heavy. We've noted that in our descriptions, so you know ahead of time, in case you're planning to watch one of these movies with a teenager or kid.
Rocketman (2019)
Did you immediately start humming the song when you saw the title? Then you already know this Elton John musical romp is worth a watch. Go ahead, sing along.
Viva (2015)
Jesus dreams of performing drag as one of Cuba's "transformistas," but his father is having trouble accepting his son. It's a beautiful father-son story that's as gorgeous to look at as it is touching.
Beginners (2010)
In this film about a Los Angeles artist (Ewan MacGregor) developing a bond with his newly-out father (Christopher Plummer) earned Plummer an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and also includes a talking Jack Russell terrier. Not to mention that adorable red kerchief. What's not to love?
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
Pride (2014)
When unionized workers and LGBTQ+ folks join forces, we get things done. And that's never been more evident than in this uplifting film about the 1984 summer when lesbian and gay activists mobilized to help striking miners' families.
Call Me By Your Name (2018)
Come for the idyllic Italian countryside scenery, stay for the heart-wrenching love story between an Italian teenager and the older American who comes to live with his family for the summer. This is what the Mediterranean was made for.
Tig (2015)
Fans of comedian Tig Notaro will love this moving documentary about life after a devastating cancer diagnosis. Those of us who cried our way through her stand-up set where she announced it should not miss this. For that matter, neither should anyone else.
Fire Island (2022)
In this rough adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, we get an honest look at gay friendship in the queer paradise that is Fire Island. It's inclusive, raw and feels fresh and real in this day and age.
Carol (2015)
A wealthy woman and a department store clerk begin an illicit affair in this classic LGBTQ+ film set in the 1950s. Adapted from the iconic book, The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith, it follows two very different women embarking on a romance neither of them saw coming.
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Milk (2008)
This moving documentary follows the career of Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official. While his story ends in tragedy, this film can remind us all how far we've come as a society (and how far we have yet to go). While it's a necessary depiction of LGBTQ+ history, it does have some adult themes and incidences of violence.
But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
This cult classic is laugh-out-loud funny and if you haven't seen it since you were a teenager (or at all), it's well worth revisiting. It's poignant, hilarious and endlessly quotable.
Moonlight (2016)
This moving film introduces us to a gay Black man and son of a drug-addicted mother who deals with bullying related to his family circumstances, his sexuality and his place in the world. With the help of a drug dealer who becomes his mentor, he starts to find his way.
Boys Don't Cry (1999)
This Oscar-winning film about the murder of Nesbraskan trans man Brandon Teena starring Hilary Swank originally got an NC 17 rating for even talking about trans issues. But even though it addresses some heavy topics, it's appropriate for teens and above.
Other People (2016)
A struggling comedy writer returns home to care for his mom as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer. His family's lack of acceptance of his sexuality has strained their relationship, but as they spend more time together, they remember how much those bonds really mean. Grab the tissues before you hit play — trust us.
Life Partners (2014)
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