LGBTQ+ films have been propelled more into the mainstream over the past decade, with older films having a cult-like following and newer films gaining a greater community fanbase. Recently, the opportunity to stream more queer cinema has led to greater accessibility for all audiences. Conveying a wide variety of LGBTQ+ voices is integral to these films, hence why it is important to showcase them in the mainstream.
The films featured in this article come very highly recommended, as they portray same-sex romances and experiences in a gentle yet impactful way. They speak on a wide variety of LGBTQ+ experiences and focus on characters experiencing new love and developing confidence in their sexualities.
10 Desert Hearts (1985)
This 80s throwback film is a beautiful romantic drama film about two women who happen to meet in Reno, Nevada, in 1959. A professor, Vivian, gets divorced and subsequently has an affair with another woman, Cay. Well done and with gorgeous cinematography, the film speaks to positive LGBTQ+ representation that is well before its time.
Regarded as one of the first wide-release films to represent lesbian sexuality positively, it is certainly memorable as a ground-breaking 1980s release. Perhaps not widely known is that director Donna Deitch became the first lesbian director to depict love scenes between two women for a mainstream audience. The film remains very popular with queer audiences and has since adopted a 'cult classic' status more than thirty years after release.
9 I Can’t Think Straight (2008)
Directed by Shamim Sarif, I Can't Think Straight is a romantic comedy featuring a young British-Indian woman, Leyla, who meets Tala, a woman from Jordan, and falls in love with her. Another cult film for lesbian and queer audiences, Leyla and Tala's story is turbulent yet comedic and a breath of fresh air for the 2000s-era British rom-com genre.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics at the time, it is a perfectly enjoyable movie that expanded what it meant to be a queer woman at the time. Plenty of queer British-Indian queer women also sought solace in the film due to the positive representation.
8 About Ray / 3 Generations (2015)
Released as either About Ray or 3 Generations depending on the market, this film sees Elle Fanning portraying a young transgender character who is beginning his transition journey and seeks the support of his mother (Naomi Watts) and grandmother (Susan Sarandon). Fanning provides audiences with a captivating and deeply emotive performance as Ray and the challenges that he faces with his gender identity.
Upon its small release, the film received valid mixed reviews, notably concerning if the portrayal of a young transgender person was authentic enough. Suffice to say, it is a film that started many conversations over needing to see more positive portrayals of transgender characters on screen.
7 God’s Own Country (2017)
Starring Josh O'Connor on a farm, God's Own Country is a heart-wrenching film that sees an isolated protagonist, Johnny, trying to maintain his family farm whilst simultaneously falling in love with his fellow worker, Gheorghe. Johnny is left with a large amount of responsibility and is bitter, so he acts out aggressively towards everyone in his life until Gheorghe shows him another side to life.
Set in rural northern England, this is a tender film about loneliness, passion, and personal growth. Johnny and Gheorghe's chemistry as two men with complicated backgrounds is overwhelming and the romantic crux of the film.
6 Dating Amber (2020)
Set in Ireland during the '90s, closeted teenagers Eddie and Amber decide to pretend to be in a relationship to stop homophobic abuse towards them. As they both secretly dip their toes into LGBTQ+ culture, their friendship blossoms into a sweet and realistic depiction of what it was like to be young and gay in the 90s.
Beautifully written, Dating Amber depicts love in many different forms and in a very positive way. Eddie and Amber's connection as friends is palpable and deserves more recognition. Released onto Amazon Prime in 2020, this is a must-watch.
5 My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)
This British 80s cult classic sees former lovers Omar and Johnny reunite and manage a laundrette owned by Omar's uncle whilst encountering many social issues along the way. Set in South London during Thatcher's government in the 1980s, it was shot on a low budget and met huge critical acclaim which resulted in its international success.
Omar and Johnny's story is a heartfelt yet brutally realistic insight into the lives of two queer men seeking to make their way in the world. It shows London as few films have shown before. Despite the initial reception of the film being underrated, the British Film Institute (BFI) ranked the film the 50th greatest British film of the twentieth century.
4 Imagine Me and You (2005)
Starring Piper Perabo and Lena Headey, Imagine Me and You adopts the traditional British romantic comedy format and turns it into a sweet yet impactful lesbian love story. Recently married to her childhood sweetheart, Rachel (Perabo) suddenly finds herself falling for the florist down the street, Luce (Headey), in this hilarious and awkward film.
Placing a budding lesbian relationship at the center of this film subverted viewer expectations at the time, and Rachel and Luce shine with their undeniable chemistry. Unlike many similar films about queer women at the time, this one has a happy ending and is worth a watch just for that alone.
3 Pariah (2011)
Directed by Dee Rees, Pariah is a powerful film that speaks the truth of a young black lesbian teenager, Lee, who is on her journey towards feeling comfortable within her sexuality. She handles family issues, first loves, and heartache whilst navigating how best to express herself through her poetry and gender expression. It is an overwhelmingly raw film with a wonderful cast that tenderly tells a sympathetic story.
Dee Rees made plenty of deliberate choices within her direction of Pariah, notably through the overall look and feel of the film, especially with intentional lighting choices dominating every scene. Every scene has multiple levels to it and paints a clear picture of Lee's journey, from hiding herself away to allowing herself to exist openly and proudly.
2 My Brother… Nikhil (2005)
My Brother... Nikhil is an Indian film set in Goa based in part on the life of Indian AIDS activist Dominic d'Souza. It features Nikhil, a young swimmer with plenty of potential, who is suddenly diagnosed with HIV and finds his life spiraling out of control. The film is told from the perspective of his family, specifically his sister Anamika, and how they came to support Nikhil in 1980s India.
Despite the film claiming to be fiction, director Onir stated separately that the film is, in fact, truthful and that the disclaimer was made as part of a compromise made to get the film made. Nikhil's sister and boyfriend's unconditional support for him is undeniable, and it is a beautiful tribute to d'Souza's legacy.
1 The Half of It (2020)
Written and directed by the wonderful Alice Wu, The Half of It sees Chinese-American student Ellie Chu meeting Paul and helping him to get a date with a girl at school who they secretly both have feelings for. However, the film ultimately becomes a story about friendship as Ellie and Paul connect over their interests and feelings about life.
The film has been highly praised for not following the typical on-screen love story format and instead focusing on Ellie's journey of self-acceptance and opening herself up to her first true friendship. It is a painfully real film about teenage experiences and well worth watching on Netflix.