LGBT Films Moonlight
Moonlight | A24

LGBTQIA+ FILMS HOLD a special place in cinematic history. Largely because they’ve pushed conventional boundaries, celebrated diversity, and provided on-screen representation in an industry (and world) previously devoid of it. In early films, LGBTQIA+ narratives were often relegated to the peripheries, reserved for niche, arthouse indie productions or portrayed through coded symbolism rather than direct representation. Yet, with each passing decade, filmmakers have slowly carried the movement one step further, to the point where LGBTQIA+ films are now as widely watched and talked about as mainstream cinema.

From the clandestine subtexts of classical Hollywood to the raw, unapologetic narratives of the new queer cinema movement, the evolution of LGBTQIA+ films mirrors the seismic shifts in societal attitudes towards gender, sexuality, and human rights. Today, the importance of LGBTQIA+ films resonates more deeply than ever. They serve as lifelines for those grappling with their own identities, as well as windows into worlds that may be unfamiliar to many. They challenge us to confront our biases, celebrate our differences, and embrace the kaleidoscope of human existence and sexuality.

So, whether you’re seeking heart-wrenching dramas that illuminate the struggles of coming out, uproarious comedies that revel in the absurdity of life, or tender romances that defy convention, there’s something for everyone in LGBTQIA+ cinema. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best LGBTQIA+ films available to stream right now so you can get in the spirit just in time for Mardi Gras.


What are the best LGBT movies to stream?

LGBT Films Bottoms
Bottoms

Bottoms

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

The most recently released entry on this list, Bottoms only hit theatres late last year, but it’s already making a push for cult classic status—and it has the devoted required to do so. In its simplest form, Bottoms is a reimagining of David Fincher’s Fight Club, but it’s so much more than that. Where Fight Club is contemplative and brooding as it delves into the masculine psyche, Bottoms is a quick hitting comedy packed with laugh out loud moments. Starring Ayo Edebiri and Rachel Sennott, Bottoms follows two unpopular teenage girls who start a fight club in a convoluted attempt to meet girls. We think that premise speaks for itself.

LGBT Films Moonlight
Moonlight

Moonlight

Available to stream on Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime

Moonlight was done a massive disservice when La La Land was accidentally announced as the Best Picture winner at the 2017 Oscars. Moonlight is, truly, one of the most impressive films we’ve seen, so it was unfortunate when it was overshadowed by the wildly controversial moment which will long be remembered in the annals of Oscars history.

To label Moonlight as a film about an impoverished, black gay man and assume that because you don’t fit into any of those categories, the film isn’t for you would be a mistake of the highest degree. Moonlight is an exploration of identity, a social commentary on the world we live in and a case study on masculinity and sexual repression. Quite simply, the film is director Barry Jenkins’ magnum opus. Centred around main the character of Chiron through three distinct acts, Moonlight is a coming-of-age film at its core, positing that no one is cast on a predetermined path, but that the decisions we make define our identity and who we are.

LGBT Films Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Available to stream on Stan

A romance for the ages, Céline Sciamma’s 2019 film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire raised the standard of the genre. The film focuses on Marianne, an artist commissioned to paint the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a wealthy young woman in an arranged marriage. During the course of their limited time together, Marianne and Héloïse’s relationship grows from one of thinly veiled enmity to requited infatuation to an all-out love affair with heartbreaking results.

Call Me by Your Name

Call Me by Your Name

Available to stream on Stan and Binge

Call Me by Your Name was a smashing box office success when it premiered in 2017, playing no small part in launching the then-fledgling career of one Timothée Chalamet. An adaptation of André Aciman’s novel of the same name, Luca Guadagnino’s film follows 17-year-old Elio during his descent into devotion to his father’s older assistant, Oliver. Set against the picturesque backdrop of 1980s Northern Italy, Call Me by Your Name is perhaps most remembered for a cameo appearance from a very juicy peach. Make of that what you will.

The Birdcage

The Birdcage

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

The Birdcage is undeniably a classic LGBTQIA+ film. This uproarious 1996 comedy was released right around the time when it became acceptable—as opposed to career killing—for a straight actor like Robin Williams to play a gay character (and while we’ve progressed since then to cast gay people as gay characters, this was in fact groundbreaking at the time). Set in Miami’s vibrant South Beach, The Birdcage follows the chaos that ensues when a conservative politician seeks to meet the parents of his daughter’s fiancée, unaware that they run a flamboyant drag club.

Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain

Available to stream on Amazon Prime, Binge, Paramount+

Brokeback Mountain actually seems fairly tame by today’s standards, but given that it was released in 2005, it’s surprising the film was as well received as it was—even earning an astounding eight Oscar nominations. While it had its share of detractors, Brokeback Mountain played an important role in bringing LGBTQIA+ cinema to the mainstream. Couple that accomplishment with unforgettable performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and the late, great Heath Ledger and you’ve got one of the most impactful films of all time. Side note: this might be our favourite Western too.

Love, Simon

Love, Simon

Available to stream on Netflix and Disney+

Love, Simon is an LGBTQIA+ film, yes, but its appeal and moral message is universal. A coming-of-age rom-com about self-discovery and the complexities of identity, Love, Simon is about the journey of Simon Spier, a high school student grappling with his fear of revealing his true self to his friends and family. Saccharine in its nature, Love, Simon will resonate with audiences of any background.

Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy

Available to stream on Amazon Prime

If we’re talking pioneering LGBTQIA+ films, it’s impossible to look past Midnight Cowboy, which not only shaped the future of LGBT cinema, but mainstream cinema too, as one of the most influential films of the Hollywood renaissance. Midnight Cowboy is a portrait of a male prostitute on the ruthless streets of New York City. Joe Buck, played by Jon Voight, envisions a future as a classy male escort living a life of luxury while servicing the ladies of the upper class when he first comes to the city. Instead, he’s confronted by how much more attention—and solace—he finds in the gay community. A true trailblazer, Midnight Cowboy was the first—and remains the only—X-rated film to ever win the Oscar for Best Picture.

Rocketman

Rocketman

Available to stream on Stan, Amazon Prime, and Paramount+

Fans could expect nothing less than flamboyant sexuality from a biopic about the life of Sir Elton John, but after the straight-washing of Bohemian Rhapsody a year prior, nothing was guaranteed. Thankfully, Rocketman was suitably over the top and extravagant, just as Elton wanted.


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