From romantic dramas to raucous comedies, we've got something for everyone.
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WHILE PRIDE MONTH may be the most apt time of year to engage with art and storytelling from the LGBTQ+ community, you can watch queer media any day of the year. And there has never been a better time when it comes to finding an expansive range of queer cinema in theaters and on streaming services. While LGBTQ-themed stories still tend to be in the minority of mainstream studio output, there is less reticence among prominent actors to play queer roles, and slowly but surely, a growing number of out-and-proud performers starring in queer stories.
We've also come a long way from many of the lazy, damaging tropes and stereotypes that used to plague film and TV, from queer-coded villainy to movies that embrace the "bury your gays" cliché, and there's now a substantial amount of content out there championing the importance of finding love and embracing one's sexuality and gender identity.
For the past half-century, LGBTQ+ media has made major strides, from the pivotal 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning (the legacy of which lives on in the unstoppable RuPaul's Drag Race franchise)to the critical and commercial success of same-sex love stories like Brokeback Mountain and more recently Moonlight, which won multiple Academy awards and became the first film in history with an all-Black cast to win Best Picture. That's just to say, there's something for everyone who wants to see themselves represented on-screen
In an effort to celebrate these films, the team at Men's Health has put together a list of iconic LGBTQ movies which are currently available for streaming on major platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. And remember—even when Pride Month ends, there is still a wealth of LGBTQ cinema to explore. Enjoy these picks all year round.
All of Us Strangers (2023)
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Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal star in this haunting love story from director Andrew Haigh, about a lonely man who is drifting through life in London until he forms an unexpected connection with a stranger, and comes face to face with the ghosts of his past.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
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While just as dark and uncanny as his other works, David Lynch's Mulholland Drive is also a sensual and at-times unflinchingly intimate story of love and desire between two women as they navigate the seedy, possibly supernatural underbelly of Los Angeles.
Fire Island (2021)
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This modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice transports the romantic comedy from Regency England to the famous queer resort destination of Fire Island Pines, where thanks to the instagays, reputation still means everything, and society is just as stratified based on wealth and status.
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Moonlight (2016)
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Winning several awards, including an Oscar for Best Picture, the movie follows a man through three stages of life, while trying to understand his sexuality and identity.
All In My Family (2019)
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In this documentary, a gay filmmaker shows his Chinese family's road to accepting him and his growing family in the United States. It's both eye-opening and heartwarming—a film desperately needed right about now.
Monica (2022)
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Trace Lysette stars in this award-winning drama about a transgender woman who, despite deep reservations, returns to her hometown to care for her dying mother.
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Call Me By Your Name (2017)
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Based on Andre Aciman's novel of the same name, Timothee Chalamet and Armie Hammer star in this Oscar-winning coming-of-age film. And who could forget the iconic scene with a certain stone fruit?
Femme (2023)
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When drag queen Jules is brutally attacked, it leaves his life in tatters. Months later, he encounters his assailant Preston in a gay bathhouse. Unrecognizable out of drag, Jules begins to infiltrate Preston's life—and plan his revenge. A taut psychological thriller.
The Normal Heart (2014)
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Larry Kramer's semi-autobiographical drama comes to life in this HBO film, telling the story of the creation of the Gay Men's Health Crisis at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
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Love, Simon (2018)
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All of your favorite teen tropes are played out in this heartwarming romcom of a young boy trying to find his epic love through the discourse of emails. And if you haven't had enough, don't worry—Hulu has a TV spinoff that you'll love just as much as this.
Disobedience (2017)
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Based on Naomi Alderman's novel, the film follows two Orthodox Jewish women (Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz) as they attempt to hide their romance and reconcile their faith with sexuality.
Boy Erased (2018)
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Telling the true story of a young man who is subjected to a gay conversion therapy program, the film features a number of LGBTQ+ identifying stars, including Cherry Jones and Troye Sivan.
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Gods & Monsters (1998)
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Ian McKellen was nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance in this drama, which follows the unlikely, complicated friendship that forms between retired horror movie director James Whale and his handsome young gardener Clayton (Brendan Fraser).
My Own Private Idaho (1991)
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Considered an important film in the new queer cinema movement since its 1991 release, My Own Private Idaho has become notable for its then-taboo premise and avant-garde approach to storytelling.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
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Based on a short story by Annie Proulx, the movie tells the story of two cattle ranchers who form a romantic bond but must part ways at the end of the summer. The film received critical acclaim, including three Academy Awards.
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Milk (2008)
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Starring Sean Penn and Emile Hirsch, the 2008 movie tells the story of Harvey Milk, who became iconic in the LGBTQ+ community for being the first openly gay person to be elected to California government.
Rocketman (2019)
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So the film is more about the life of music icon Elton John than it is necessarily about LGBTQ themes, but it does feature the doomed romance with his manager, John Reed.
Rent (2005)
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If you're a musical theater geek, chances are you are probably very aware of this movie. Based on the 1996 groundbreaking musical, the film makes a point to celebrate all kinds of love.
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The Birdcage (1996)
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Robin Williams and Nathan Lane dress up in drag in the remake of La Cage aux Folles. Those two names alone should compel you to watch this.
Howl (2010)
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Garnering its title from LGBTQ+ icon Allen Ginsberg's famous poem, the film explores the writer's early life, his relationship with partner Peter Orlovsky, and how the poem "Howl" became a staple in beatnik literature.
