Your Pride Month Is Not Complete Without Watching These 32 Films
Pride Month is a time to celebrate the freedom to love and to also acknowledge and honor the contributions queer people have made to society. In a world that often attempts to marginalize their existence, these films stand as a poignant reminder that queer lives hold equal worth and should be lived authentically. Some of the films in this list will warm your heart, while others will expose the harsh reality that queer people face in the world. It is important to also acknowledge that while some of the actors in these films may not identify as LGBTQ+, their portrayals have played a significant role in advancing LGBTQ+ stories. I hope the increased visibility of queer stories will lead to better living conditions for people in the LGBTQ+ community.
1.Close
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This film follows the story of two best friends, Léo and Rémi, who share a strong connection with each other and have a habit of sleeping in the same bed. Shortly after starting middle school together, their intimacy becomes noticed by other classmates and is called into question, creating a rift between the two boys. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and has been praised for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ issues and young love.
2.Call Me By Your Name
Based on the book by André Aciman, Call Me By Your Name tells the story of 17-year-old Elio who falls in love with his father's graduate student as an understudy for the summer. Initially, the two deny their affection for one another, but quickly find themselves drawn to each other and form a relationship.
3.Blue Is the Warmest Colour
Lauded as one of the best films upon its release in 2013, this French film follows the life of Adèle, a 15-year-old who begins to question her sexuality after meeting Emma, an aspiring painter, and fantasizes about being sexually intimate with her. The film received critical acclaim and won the Palme d'Or, the highest award given at the Cannes Film Festival.
4.Latter Days
A film that delves into the clash between Christianity and homophobia, Latter Days centers around the relationship that develops between a closeted Mormon missionary and his openly gay neighbor. The growing intimacy between the two characters raises questions about the struggles faced by homosexual Christians and the church's stance on homosexuality.
5.The Danish Girl
Eddie Redmayne's performance stands out in this film as he portrays a husband who questions his gender identity, ultimately leading him to live a double life as both a man and a woman. Frustrated by his male appearance, Lili undergoes a gender reassignment surgery that profoundly impacts her health in the long run.
6.Bros
If you're searching for a comedic romance film to watch, look no further than Bros. This film tells the story of two gay men who are attracted to each other but have commitment issues. Despite their initial icy interaction, the two men gradually develop strong feelings for each other, taking viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions and delivering plenty of hilarious moments along the way.
7.Fire Island
Fire Island follows a group of men who embark on their annual vacation to Fire Island, a renowned destination with a vibrant gay community. During their time on the island, the group of friends encounters other men, resulting in romantic entanglements and conflicts that test their relationships with each other.
8.Single All the Way
Who says you can't experience Christmas fun during the summer? In Netflix's first original gay Christmas film, Peter convinces his best friend to pose as his boyfriend for the holidays in order to deter his family's meddling. Little does he know, his mother has also arranged a blind date for him, leading to unexpected twists and humorous situations.
9.Handsome Devil
An Irish comedy-drama film, Handsome Devil centers around the friendship between Ned and his roommate, Conor, at an all-boys boarding school in Ireland, where rugby holds great importance. In a school that strongly condemns homosexuality, Ned and Conor's bond is put to the test when Conor's sexuality is revealed, which jeopardizes his position on the rugby team.
10.Milk
In this biographical film, Sean Penn portrays the real-life Harvey Milk, who made history as the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. The film authentically incorporates archival footage as it follows Harvey Milk's political journey, culminating in his tragic assassination by his controversial colleague, Dan White
11.Love, Simon
In this film, the protagonist, Simon Spier, a closeted gay teenager residing in the South, becomes infatuated with an anonymous online user named Blue. As Simon embarks on a journey to uncover the true identity of Blue, he must navigate the complexities of his relationships with friends while simultaneously grappling with his own sexuality and self-acceptance.
12.Moonlight
If you haven't watched this 2016 movie yet, make sure to catch it this month! The film revolves around Chiron (Trevante Rhodes) and portrays three pivotal stages of his life: childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. Throughout these stages, Chiron grapples with his sexuality and identity, while also facing the challenges of physical and emotional abuse during his upbringing. Critically acclaimed, the film received the award for Best Picture at the Oscars.
13.Boy Erased
Boy Erased delves into the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy, which aims to alter a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, often leading to detrimental effects on the individual. The film examines the repercussions when a young boy from an affluent and devout family is enrolled in a gay conversion therapy program, unraveling the profound impact it has on both the family and the individual.
14.Kill Your Darlings
Kill Your Darlings is a film about members of the Beat Generation. Allen Ginsberg, played by Daniel Radcliffe, has a chance encounter with Lucien Carr, who is being manipulated by David Kammerer (Michael C. Hall) for sexual favors. The manipulation gets out of hand and results in Kammerer's death, leading to legal implications
15.Boys Don't Cry
Based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena, the film centers around his life (portrayed by Hilary Swank) as a transgender man grappling with his identity and societal acceptance of his gender. Tragically, Teena's life is abruptly ended when he is brutally raped and murdered by two male acquaintances. The film delves into themes of social class, race, and the pervasive violence faced by queer individuals.
16.Alex Strangelove
High school student Alex Truelove grapples with his sexuality, attempting to decipher his feelings for his best friend Claire versus his attraction to openly gay teenager Elliot. The story follows Alex's personal journey as he navigates his emotions and explores his own identity and sexuality.
17.Your Name Engraved Herein
If you don't typically watch foreign films, you need to get into it by watching this Taiwanese romantic drama. Currently the highest-grossing LGBTQ+ film in Taiwan, it tells the story of two male students who meet and fall in love at an all-boys Catholic school, navigating the challenges posed by social pressures and homophobia. Give it a chance, and you won't be disappointed.
18.Front Cover
Are you a sucker for the haters-to-lovers relationship trope? Well, in this film, Ryan Fu, a gay Chinese American fashion stylist, who has renounced his Chinese heritage, is assigned to style actor Ning for a magazine photoshoot. The two initially clash on creative differences over Fu's Western styling. However, as they spend more time together, they realize they share commonalities, and a mutual attraction begins to develop.
19.Crush
Having a crush can be both exhilarating and exasperating, especially when it remains unrequited. In line with its title, this film follows the story of a teenage girl (played by Rowan Blanchard) who develops a crush on a fellow athlete on the track team. Determined to get closer to her crush, she decides to join the team, but unexpectedly finds herself developing feelings for someone else on the team.
20.Transhood
Transhood is a documentary film that follows the lives of four children as they navigate their gender identity and expression. The film provides valuable insights into their unique journeys, shedding light on the challenges they face, as well as the impact of their experiences on their families and friends. Through intimate storytelling, the film offers a powerful glimpse into the lives of transgender and gender-nonconforming children.
21.Tangerine
Think you can't shoot a movie on an iPhone? Think again! This particular film breaks the mold by being captured entirely using three iPhone 5S phones, while still receiving praise for its compelling storytelling. The movie revolves around a transgender sex worker who discovers upon her release from jail that her boyfriend and pimp has been cheating on her. Providing an intimate glimpse into the lives of transgender individuals, the film is notable for featuring a trans actor in the lead role — a rarity in the Hollywood landscape.
22.The Watermelon Woman
Released in 1996, this romantic comedy-drama revolves around Cheryl, a 25-year-old Black lesbian who watches a film titled Plantation Memories. Inspired by the movie, Cheryl embarks on a mission to create her own film, aiming to unveil the identity of the uncredited Black actress who portrayed the character of Mammy in the film — a common practice for Black actresses during that era. Notably, this film marks the directorial debut of a Black lesbian filmmaker and stands as a pivotal narrative within the realm of New Queer Cinema films.
23.Boys (2014)
Adolescence is a time for discovering who you are. In this particular film, a young teenage athlete grapples with the notion that he might be gay after a friendship with his relay race teammate evolves into something deeper. The film beautifully explores themes of first love, personal identity, and self-acceptance.
24.The Way He Looks
This Brazilian coming-of-age film centers around Leonardo, a blind high school student who grapples with his overprotective parents and a longing to be desired by others. However, everything changes when he encounters Gabriel, a fellow classmate, and their friendship blossoms into something more. By shedding light on the seldom-discussed experiences of disabled individuals, this film triumphs in representation, offering a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by the blind community.
25.Rafiki
In a country where homosexuality is forbidden, the stakes are high when two Kenyan young women, Kena and Ziki, daughters to two political rivals, fall in love and have to deal with the consequences of being together in a place where their love is prohibited.
26.God's Own Country
Johnny, a young sheep farmer residing in a rural town, undergoes a transformative shift when Gheorghe, a Romanian migrant worker, joins the farm as hired help during the lambing season. Known for his excessive drinking and casual sexual encounters with men, Johnny gradually discovers the capacity to love and care for Gheorghe.
27.Ma Belle, My Beauty
Ma Belle, My Beauty explores the complexities of a polyamorous relationship between Lane, Bertie, and Fred. Initially, their relationship was going smoothly until it became complicated, prompting Lane to leave. Years later, Bertie and Fred are married and have moved to the French countryside, but the return of Lane back into their lives complicates their relationship once again.
28.Egghead & Twinkie
Gen Z, this one is for you! The short film follows a teen Asian American girl called Twinkie who recently came out to her parents and persuades her best friend, Egghead, to go on a roadtrip to meet her online crush.
29.Carol
Looking for a forbidden romance to watch? Look no further than Carol. Set in New York, the film follows the affair that transpires between an older woman going through a divorce and an aspiring young photographer who is dissatisfied with her current relationship with her boyfriend. Carol has garnered numerous accolades, with standout performances by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara receiving well-deserved praise.
30.Imagine Me & You
Directed by Ol Parker, Imagine Me & You is a delightful British romantic comedy that revolves around the blossoming connection between Rachel and Luce, who meet on Rachel's wedding day. As their encounter unfolds, Rachel finds herself drawn to Luce, even though she is married to Hector. With Rachel grappling with her feelings for Luce, her marriage with Hector starts to crumble, leading to an emotional journey of self-discovery and love.
31.Brokeback Mountain
A captivating and poignant tale of forbidden love, Brokeback Mountain weaves a narrative that explores the complexities of two married cowboys in a secret affair. The remarkable performances of the cast captivated audiences and garnered immense acclaim, particularly for its groundbreaking portrayal of LGBTQ+ relationships upon its release in 2005.
32.Booksmart
Booksmart is a film about Amy and Molly, two ambitious young women destined for Ivy League universities, who realize on the eve of their graduation that their focus on academics left little room for high school fun. Determined to make up for lost time, they decide to go to a graduation party and have a wild night. This hilarious and heartfelt comedy offers a relatable exploration of friendship, self-discovery, and the exhilarating pursuit of memorable experiences.
