Seeing queer characters in movies and on television is an important part of the LGBT community’s journey to gaining acceptance. And while LGBT representation has certainly ramped up in media over the past decade, a 2017 survey from GLAAD reported that only 18.4% of all movies released by major studios in 2017 contained any LGBT characters or storylines.
Despite the discouraging number, plenty of movies exist that do an incredible job of shining a light on the queer experience. Films with LGBT characters give young LGBT people confidence by allowing them to see themselves on screen, but they also provide an opportunity for straight people to gain insight into the queer community and see that we’re all the same at the end of the day.
No matter which category you fall into, there are plenty of LGBT-themed movies that should be required viewing for everyone. And best of all, most of them can be streamed for free if you’re a Netflix subscriber.
Check out FANDOM’s list of the LGBT movies that everyone needs to see.
The Birdcage
The Story: Armand (Robin Williams) is the owner of a Miami drag club and his flamboyant life partner Albert (Nathan Lane) is the bar’s star attraction. But when Armand’s son Val (Dan Futterman) announces his engagement to Barbara Keeley (Calista Flockhart), the gay couple is forced to pretend to be straight in order to please Barbara’s conservative father, Republican Sen. Kevin Keeley (Gene Hackman).
Why It’s A Must: With its perfect cast, which also includes Hank Azaria as housekeeper Agador, this movie is hilarious from start to finish. It’s also an interesting look at how even the most openly gay people still had to hide their sexuality in certain situations in 1996 (as many still have to today).
Paris is Burning
The Story: This classic documentary chronicles the drag scene in New York City during the 1980s. The film focuses on the queens and their “house” culture as they build a community for those who were socially shunned. Each house had performers compete in elaborate balls and the documentary interviews some of the most influential drag queens of the time.
Why It’s A Must: Are you a fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race? If you’ve ever learned a new catchphrase or picked up on some unique lingo on an episode of the reality show then chances are good that you can clock the same phrase in Paris Is Burning. The queens in the film, including Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey, serve as a huge inspiration for some of today’s most successful drag performers.
Carol
The Story: A young photographer named Therese (Rooney Mara) embarks on a forbidden affair with an older woman named Carol (Cate Blanchett) in the homophobic 1950s. The women embark on a road trip to the West Coast but are followed by a private investigator who was hired by Carol’s ex-husband.
Why It’s A Must: Both Mara and Blanchett received 2016 Oscar nominations for their portrayals of lesbians longing to peacefully be together in a time that forbade it.
Tangerine
The Story: This 2015 comedy-drama, shot completely on an iPhone 5s, tells the story of a transgender sex worker named Sin-Dee Rella (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez) who discovers her boyfriend/pimp has been cheating on her. She embarks on an adventure throughout Hollywood with her best friend to find her ex and his new lover to teach them a lesson.
Why It’s A Must: Despite telling its story through a comedic lens, Tangerine often takes a realistic look at life for trans sex workers. Plus it’s one of very few films about trans people that feature actual transgender actors in the roles.
Weekend
The Story: A one-night stand turns into so much more in this film about two gay men that garnered international praise. The movie takes place during the course of two days in which closeted Russell (Tom Cullen) spends a weekend with an artist named Glen (Chris New) that changes his life in unexpected ways.
Why It’s A Must: The film explores the struggles associated with living a life in the closet — a difficult, and often heartbreaking, experience that almost all gay people must endure.
Blackbird
The Story: Randy (Julian Walker) is a young choir singer struggling to accept his sexual orientation within a Southern Baptist community in Mississippi. While the boy struggles with his relationship with his mother (Mo’Nique) after the disappearance of his sister, his father (Isaiah Washington) tries to get Randy to accept his authentic self.
Why It’s A Must: The story deals with racism and religion on top of LGBT discrimination, highlighting a struggle that so many queer people of color or faith have to deal with.
Blue Is the Warmest Color
The Story: Young love is explored from the early honeymoon stage through all the highs and lows that follow in this coming-of-age film. Adele (Adèle Exarchopoulos) is on a journey of self-discovery when she stumbles upon a woman with blue hair (Léa Seydoux) that she quickly falls for.
Why It’s A Must: The film explores what it feels like to be in love, and although the long-term relationship is between two women, it’s clear that the feelings associated with love are universal.
Moonlight
The Story: The film takes a look at a young black man’s journey to adulthood through three defining stages of his life.
Why It’s A Must: The movie, which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2017, explores universal themes of sexuality, identity, race, and masculinity, and quickly became an American classic.
