10 MESMERIZING LGBTQ+ FILMS
Global Stories That Shook Us
Over the last several decades, the LGBTQIA+ community has been featured in many seminal films. Like the community itself, the films portray a spectrum of stories, families, and individuals with diverse backgrounds. Here are ten features we found particularly meaningful.
Moonlight (2016)
Moonlight. Courtesy of A24
Barry Jenkin’s stunning film creates a unique narrative using different actors to tell the main character’s story as a child, teen and adult, further elevated by an incredible ensemble including Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Trevante Rhodes, Janelle Monáe, and André Holland.
The Times of Harvey Milk (1984)
Harvey Milk. Robert Clay, Alamy
A wonderful and heartbreaking look at Harvey Milk’s too short life and political career narrated by icon Harvey Fierstein. The documentary utilizes archive footage and interviews to give great insight into the man Milk was and the legacy he leaves behind.
Tangerine (2015)
Tangerine. Courtesy of Magnolia Picture
Director Sean Baker creates phenomenal authenticity, casting unknown actors, many of whom bring personal experience as sex workers to their fictionalized characters working in the same space. Another fun fact: the film was shot entirely on iPhones.
Yossi & Jagger (2002)
Yossi & Jagger. Alamy
An Israeli drama that, despite focusing on two soldiers secretly falling in love while serving in a war, has real moments of joy and calm whenever the star-crossed lovers find time alone. Moments they deserved more of.
Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
Boys Don’t Cry. Courtesy of Fox Searchlight
Kimberly Peirce’s feature directorial debut is a dramatization of Brandon Teena’s life and ultimately their tragic murder. The movie has helped bring many conversations about the spectrum of gender to wider audiences.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Portrait Of A Lady. Courtesy of Gramercy Picture
A demure, yet colorful and passionate love story between two women that is a sensational exploration of self-discovery, then restraint, set against a gorgeous 18th century French countryside backdrop.
Disobedience (2017)
Disobedience. Courtesy of Bleecker Street
Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams play women struggling with their feelings and faith within a London Orthodox Jewish community. The story takes enthrallingly unexpected turns, ends in a fairly surprising place, and is all the more intriguing for it.
Paris Is Burning (1990)
Paris is Burning
The brilliant late 1980’s-set black-and-white documentary that introduced NYC Ball culture to audiences all over the world. Fantastically complex individuals with every background imaginable expressing themselves and their Houses, walking, vogueing, and posing.
The Handmaiden (2016)
The Handmaiden. Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Park Chan-wook’s steamy, sapphic South Korea-set thriller is full of twists and turns you’ll never see coming. Not to mention, every frame is a beautiful work of art, just like all of the director’s filmography.
Queer (2024)
Queer. Courtesy of A24
Based on William S. Burroughs’ novel, Luca Gudagnino’s film is at times trippy, seductive, awkward, steamy, but always gorgeous; the 1950’s Mexico City and Central American jungle setting help. Daniel Craig showcases incredible versatility and Drew Starkey shines.
These are just a few of the films amplifying important and necessary LGBTQIA+ stories.