Entertainment
35 Best Gay/LGBTQ+ Movies of All Time, Ranked
Cinema lovers should always strive to celebrate diversity in film. It might’ve taken long – too long, in fact – but cinema is becoming more inclusive, celebrating stories about every identity in the wide and colorful sexual spectrum. Going back to the New Hollywood Age, stories about LGBTQ+ people have been around, often standing as groundbreaking and pioneering efforts, especially at a time when such films remained controversial and scarce.
Nowadays, representation is much healthier and standardized, with writers, directors, and producers making real and tangible efforts to increase LGBTQ+ presence in mainstream cinema. Fortunately, their efforts have paid off. From certified classics about the seemingly never-ending struggles facing the community to lighthearted comedies about the nuances of gay life, these efforts represent landmark achievements in representation and stand as the best LGBTQ+ films of all time.
35
‘Bottoms’ (2023)
Taking an LGBTQ+ approach to the classic style of raunchy, over-the-top coming-of-age romcoms that defined the 2000s, Bottoms acts as both a love letter to this classic era of teen movies and a love letter to modern LGBTQ+ film fans. The movie follows unpopular queer best friends PJ and Josie, who, in an attempt to gain some popularity and recognition from the hot girls at their school, decide to start a fight club. While their plan initially works, with the fight club rising in popularity, it doesn’t take long before the vicious jocks become the target of these self-defense lessons, with them going out of their way to destroy the club.
Bottoms feels tailor-made for the more zany, younger audience of LGBTQ+ youth that has grown up with this style of raunchy comedy and wants to see a version that’s both made for them and goes even farther with its chaotic antics. It’s no secret that the film has become an immediate fan favorite among younger, social media-centric film fans, with its relatable characters and instantly quotable dialogue cementing its status as a cult classic for years to come. – Robert Lee
34
‘My Own Private Idaho’ (1991)
Gus Van Sant came to the Hollywood scene in the late ’80s as part of the new wave of indie filmmakers about to take over the business.1991’s My Own Private Idaho, a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Henry saga, stars the late River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves as two friends on an extensive journey of self-discovery, nostalgia, and coming-of-age.
My Own Private Idaho was a breakthrough at a time when queer cinema was beginning to claim a spot in mainstream cinema. Powered by Phoenix’s quiet, subtle, melancholic performance, My Own Private Idaho is a delicate, introspective, and sad reflection on identity and self-discovery that stands as a pioneering achievement of queer cinema.
33
‘The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love’ (1995)
A beautiful story of love and passion that was a massive rarity among movies during the 90s, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love follows the blossoming love story between Randy and Evie. Both girls come from completely different worlds and economic classes, yet despite their differences, find themselves helplessly drawn to one another in a beautiful display of passion and romance. Despite the divides and pushback they receive from their community and even their own families, they stick to their guns in the name of this true, unexpected love that they’ve fostered.
While sapphic romances weren’t completely removed from making appearances during the ’90s in film, the culture of the era simply hadn’t grown to be as accepting as it is nowadays. This makes it all the more special that a film like The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love exists, being able to use the strengths of the romantic comedy genre in the ’90s to create an emotional and powerful lesbian love story. While many other films would have their LGBTQ+ relationships as the butt of jokes during the era or treat these characters in a bad light, this film treats this love as something pure, honest, and undeniable. – Robert Lee
32
‘But I’m A Cheerleader’ (1999)
The 1990s were great for campy movies, but few have become as influential for the millennial generation as Jamie Babbit‘s 1999 satirical teen comedy, But I’m a Cheerleader. Natasha Lyonne stars as Megan, a popular girl sent to a conversion camp after her parents suspect her of being a lesbian. Dealing with her sexual identity, Megan becomes close to Graham, a fellow girl at the camp played by Clea DuVall.
Deliciously funny and tongue-in-cheek, But I’m a Cheerleader is a clever and self-aware comedy about the intricacies and struggles of coming out. Opting for a campy approach to a deeply serious subject, the film finds humor in one of the most challenging moments in a queer person’s life, thus finding new power in the experience.
31
‘The Living End’ (1992)
The 1992 drama The Living End is another example of the New Queer Cinema of the 1990s. The plot centers on two men, Luke, a dissatisfied grifter, and Jon, a meek film critic, who embark on a journey of liberation and recklessness after Luke kills a homophobic cop.
Drawing inspiration from Ridley Scott‘s groundbreaking ode to feminism, Thelma and Louise, The Living End was an empowering and disruptive film, especially during the early 90s. The film deals with queer themes crucial at the time, including HIV and homophobia. Sexy, chaotic, and ultimately rewarding, The Living End is an achievement of queer cinema that paved the way for many future films.
30
‘To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar’ (1995)
The late Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo star in the 1995 comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. The plot follows three New York drag queens – Vida, Noxeema, and Chi-Chi – stranded in a small town while traveling to Hollywood.
Along with other films from around the same time, To Wong Foo was a major turning point for queer cinema. Swayze and Snipes were major movie stars known for their conventionally manly roles; seeing them starring in an LGBTQ+ film and spending the entirety of the film in drag was not insignificant. To Wong Foo is far from perfect, a tame and superficial look into drag culture; however, it remains a fun and impressive achievement that successfully brought drag into the mainstream.
29
‘I Saw the TV Glow’ (2024)
One of the most notable and exemplary transgender allegories in the genre, I Saw the TV Glow secures director Jane Schoenbrun’s status as a modern master of LGBTQ+ filmmaking. The film follows the story of anxious teenager Owen, who finds an unexpected refuge and escape from the pains of life through a spooky television show called “The Pink Opaque.” However, as Owen reflects upon his youth and experiences watching the show with his friend, Maddy, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur together.
While the film’s LGBTQ+ nature is much more tied to symbolism and themes than direct mention by characters, said symbolism and allegory manage to be so overwhelmingly confident that it’s near-impossible to not notice the film’s transgender themes. The film brilliantly uses the concepts of dysmorphia as fuel for its dread and horror, creating a cycle where its characters feel trapped inside a body and life that isn’t their own, slowly dying as a result. The film will only continue to be a mainstay for modern LGBTQ+ horror, as it has already amassed a massive and dedicated selection of fans. – Robert Lee
28
‘Pink Flamingos’ (1972)
John Waters is the arbiter of poor taste. The director is infamous for his inflammatory films that offer a campy, excessive, and often disruptive look at queer culture, mocking traditional values and finding the sweet spot between art, camp, and outright sleaze. Nowhere is this remarkable approach more obvious than in his 1972 classic Pink Flamingos.
The film follows notorious drag queen Divine, the self-described “filthiest person alive,” whose title gets challenged by the Marbles, a pair of cheap criminals. Pink Flamingos is not an easy watch – in fact, many might consider it among the all-time sickest movies. However, there’s plenty to admire in its ballsy approach and desire to willfully challenge conventions and notions about appropriate behavior. Pink Flamingos was a major hit in the underground circuit, helping to build a much-needed sense of community during a particularly challenging time.
27
‘The Boys in the Band’ (1970)
The 1970 drama The Boys in the Band was a stepping stone in queer cinema’s ongoing journey. Based on Mart Crowley’s eponymous play, the film follows a group of gay men gathering for a party at an Upper East Side apartment. Tensions rise after an unexpected arrival, leading the party into chaos.
Pessimistic, gloomy, and harrowing, The Boys in the Band is not exactly pleasant. However, the film is a major entry in queer cinema, standing as one of the earliest mainstream films to revolve around gay characters. The Boys in the Band offers a decidedly cynical portrayal of the gay community, but its insights into the characters’ self-loathing, doubts, and repression undoubtedly rang true to many in the original 1970s audience – unfortunately, it still rings true today.
26
‘The Favourite’ (2018)
A trio of mighty performers star in the deliciously wicked comedy The Favourite. Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, and Rachel Weisz star in the film about two cunning and manipulative women vying for the attention of the vulnerable, unstable, and fragile Queen Anne of England.
Sharp, unapologetic, biting, and darkly funny, The Favourite is a stellar achievement of modern queer cinema. Strengthened by a trio of titanic performances from its three leads, the film finds the ideal balance between dark comedy, period drama, and timely subtext, resulting in one of the most complex, layered, and outright hilarious queer films in recent memory.
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