For a very long time, it was difficult (and sometimes near-impossible) to see LGBTQ+ people or storylines in the movies, and, even once such stories became more commonplace, it was unfortunately common for these tales to end in tragedy or death. That made it tough for the LGBTQ+ community to feel represented properly on screen.
However, the last decade has seen great strides in of representation, and there are now a number of movies that showcase the broad diversity of the LGBTQ+ experience. Fortunately, the s of Ranker have helpfully compiled a list of just which of these movies available on Netflix deserve to be seen as among the best.
A Perfect Ending (2012)
A Perfect Ending is the touching and resonant story of two women who unexpectedly fall in love with each other. One, Rebecca, is trapped in a marriage that has ceased to give her the emotional fulfillment she needs; the other, Paris, is the sex worker employed by Rebecca’s friends to help her explore her sexuality.
Through their unexpected romance, both characters begin to learn more about themselves. While the movie does have a bittersweet ending, it still allows these two characters to grow and change as their relationship develops.
Three Generations (2015)
Three Generations is a mixture of comedy and drama, focusing as it does on Ray, a young trans man who wants to begin transitioning but has to contend with his parents and with his domineering grandmother.
The movie manages to blend together its comedic and dramatic elements effectively, and it is grounded by some stellar performances from Elle Fanning (it’s one of Fanning's best roles), Naomi Watts, and Susan Sarandon. It is a timely story about one young man’s quest to be his true self, even if that points him at odds with his family.
To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
The 1990s was a pivotal decade in of LGBTQ+ movies, and To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is widely seen as a pivotal entry in the genre. It focuses on a group of drag queens who, en route to California, get stranded in a small town, where they become enmeshed in the lives and dramas of its citizens.
It’s a movie that wears its heart on its sleeve, and it also features memorable performances from the likes of Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo. It manages to be both touching and very funny at the same time.
Alex Strangelove (2018)
There have been many excellent recent movies focusing on young love, and Alex Strangelove is one of these. Told largely from the point of view of Alex, it follows him as he starts dating his childhood friend Claire, only to realize, after meeting an openly gay student named Elliott, that he might not be as much in love with Claire as he thought.
There’s undeniable chemistry between the two male leads, and the movie ultimately becomes a sweet and poignant take on the quest for identity and romantic fulfillment.
Moonlight (2016)
The Best Picture-winning best movies of the 2010s. Directed by Barry Jenkins and told in three acts, it focuses on the character of Chiron, a young gay Black man who confronts the beauty and the ugliness of life in America.
It is a hauntingly beautiful movie, and the three actors who play Chiron throughout his life allow the viewer to see how desperately he yearns for connection and for love. It’s the type of movie designed to stay with the viewer long after the credits roll, and it is a reminder of the peril and the power of love.
Holding The Man (2015)
Holding the Man, like many other movies which take AIDS as their subject, can be difficult to watch at times. However, it’s for just that reason that it is such a necessary movie to watch. The film, like the memoir on which it’s based, focuses on the powerful love between Timothy and John.
With its frequent shifts in time, it allows the viewer to see how their relationship formed and blossomed and, as a result, it also allows for the audience to feel the profound grief as they each succumb to AIDS.
A Girl Like Grace (2015)
A Girl Like Grace s the numerous other coming-of-age dramas that have always been popular in Hollywood. Ryan Destiny delivers a powerful and affecting performance as Grace, a troubled young woman growing up in unpleasant circumstances who is also dealing with the suicide of her friend.
Gradually, as the movie proceeds, she discovers important things about herself, including her sexuality, and though the movie has some deeply troubling moments, Destiny is worth watching, as she excavates the layers and depths of her character.
Handsome Devil (2016)
It’s easy to see why the movie Handsome Devil would be ranked by the s of Ranker as one of the best LGBTQ+ movies. Though its premise–including its setting in an all-boys boarding school–might seem like something viewers have seen before, it actually takes some risks in of its storytelling.
In particular, the story is told from the point of view of a straight character, Ned, whose life is changed when he meets a young gay man, Conor.
The Half Of It (2020)
Like so many of the The Half of It is a coming-of-age story. However, what sets it apart from such a crowded genre is its central conceit, which is essentially a retelling of the story of Cyrano de Bergerac.
In this case, however, the Cyrano character is Ellie, who writes eloquent love letters to another young woman on behalf of her male best friends. It is a thoughtfully told and well-acted take on the classic literary story, and there is undeniable chemistry among the various leads.
A Single Man (2009)
There's no doubt that A Single Man is definitely one of these. Based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Isherwood, it follows Firth’s George Falconer as he contends with the aftermath of his longtime lover’s death in a car accident.
It is a movie that is almost heartbreaking in its beauty, and Firth delves deep into his character’s despair and angst, showing the immense power grief can hold. Though its ending is bittersweet, it is still a testament to the power of love.
