Best LGBTQ+ Movies On Netflix Right Now | Screen Rant
There are thousands of movies on Netflix, but this list highlights the best of the best LGBTQ+ movies the streaming giant has to offer. With COVID-19 majorly interrupting Pride Month celebrations over the last two years, the community has found unique and safe ways to still celebrate and raise awareness for LGBTQ+ issues. This binge-able collection covers the spectrum of genres, meaning there's a movie inside for everyone.
LGBTQ+ representation in film is on the rise in the last several years. GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ media advocacy group, reported that 2019 was a record year for LGBTQ+ inclusion in major media; still, the amount of representation is far from optimal. Queer women, queer people of color — and particularly queer women of color — are still missing from the major studios. LGBTQ+ representation still largely comes from smaller media companies and independent filmmakers, including the films in this list. Progress has been made, but there is still work to be done towards proper representation and inclusion.
To see more LGBTQ+ representation in films, audiences need to support the films that do provide those narratives. Representation is a large part of finding acceptance in society and can provide relatable stories for people who usually don't see themselves reflected on the silver screen. For those looking to support LGBTQ+ films and celebrate Pride in safety, this list has everything; historical period pieces, coming-of-age stories, family animations, thrillers, and more.
This quirky documentary from director Rachel Mason tells the story of the Circus of Books, a gay pornography shop in Los Angeles. Mason highlights her parents' story and how they came to run an epicenter for the gay community. The documentary alternates between absurdly humorous and heart-touching moments as it discusses the AIDS crisis, obscenity, and queer history.
What Keeps You Alive is a thrilling horror featuring a recently married lesbian couple, Jackie and Julie, on a retreat to the remote mountains to celebrate their first anniversary. The trip quickly goes wrong as secrets are revealed and Julie is left fighting for her life as Jackie's true intentions for the trip come to light.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines follows the Mitchells, a slightly dysfunctional family, as they attempt to save the world from a robotic takeover. While The Mitchells vs. The Machines involves a more subtle LGBTQ storyline, it is a testament to love and acceptance. It's also a rare moment where a family-oriented animated film includes a confirmed LGBTQ+ character, Katie Mitchell.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson is a must-see documentary for Pride Month. Marsha Johnson and Sylvia Rivera are the queens of Stonewall and the LGBTQ Rights Movement. The documentary details how these women lived, how they started a movement, and how they died. It also explores the unanswered questions surrounding Marsha Johnson's death, as her advocates call out the NYPD for not discovering the truth.
Monsoon is a British drama about a British Vietnamese man named Kit. Kit was only 6 years old when his family fled Vietnam after the war; now, Kit has returned to his home country 30 years later to find the perfect place to scatter his parents' ashes. During his journey, Kit begins to reconnect with his roots while falling for an American man named Lewis.
This Spanish biographical drama tells the story of Elisa Sánchez Loriga and Marcela Gracia Ibeas, the first recorded same-sex matrimony in Spain. The pair disguise themselves as a heterosexual couple in order to marry in 1901. The film is visually intriguing as the period drama is filmed entirely in black and white.
I Care A Lot is one of the most recent additions to Netflix's LGBTQ+ collection. The movie is about a con woman, Marla Grayson (played by Rosamund Pike), who makes a living running guardian scams against the elderly. The movie also has a refreshing love story between Marla and her partner in crime, Fran. The movie breaks the mold and monotony that LGBTQ+ narratives have been shoehorned into, instead providing audiences with something new.
I am Jonas is a French coming-of-age film about a man named Jonas as he comes to terms with his past. The film artfully and seamlessly switches between the present and the past as Jonas's story is revealed, leaving viewers guessing as pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Though its running time is fairly short (only 82 minutes) the film manages to pack every moment with emotion.
Duck Butter is a quirky comedy about two women, Naima (Alia Shawkat) and Sergio (Laia Costa), who meet at a club. After being jaded by past relationships, the pair decides to create an experiment together; they'll get to know each other by having sex every hour, on the hour, for 24 hours. The film received praise for its refreshing take on lesbian relationships
Tig Notaro has recently made waves with her performance in Army of the Dead, but it wasn't her first movie to receive rave reviews. Her 2015 documentary Tig highlights the lesbian comedian's battle with breast cancer and her journey to parenthood with her fiancee, Stephanie Allynne with the humorous lens fans have come to expect from Tig.
Alex Strangelove is a coming-of-age comedy about an ordinary teenager, Alex Truelove. Alex is a straight-A student, has plenty of friends, and a loving girlfriend, Claire. But when Alex meets a boy named Elliott, his carefully planned future begins to fall apart as he struggles with his identity. Alex Strangelove is as charming as it is funny, all while discussing themes that young queer folk face while embracing their identities.
Handsome Devil is a coming-of-age story about Ned and Connor, two roommates at an elite Irish boarding school. The two boys seem to be from conflicting social circles; Ned is the school outcast, and Conor is the star rugby player. With the help of a gay English teacher (played by Andrew Scott), the two boys are able to accept their identities and challenge the conservative views of their peers.
A Secret Love tells the story of Terry Donahue, a former All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player, and her partner, Pat Henschel. The pair managed to keep their relationship a secret from their families for almost seven decades. The documentary follows their love story, which began in the 1940s and continued until Donahue's death in 2019.
The Boys in the Band is a revival of the 1968 Off-Broadway-turned-Broadway play of the same name. The movie follows the experience of being a queer man in 1960 and the struggles that came with the identity. The film features a few major names in its exclusively openly gay cast, including Jim Parsons, Matt Bomber, and Zachary Quinto.
Disclosure: Trans Lives On Screen is another must-watch documentary for Pride Month. The documentary looks into Hollywood's portrayal of trans people and how those depictions can influence culture and the lives of transgender people. The documentary features names like Laverne Cox, Chaz Bono, Angelica Ross, and other advocates for transgender rights.