Plus, check out our favorite gay romance movies, LGBTQ+ TV shows, and LGBTQ+ books. Here are our picks for the best LGBTQ movies on Netflix right now.
1. I Am Jonas (2018)
Some stunning eye candy (those cheekbones on star Félix Maritaud!) punctuates this powerful, acclaimed coming-of-age drama. Young gay love is part of the plot, so is devastating tragedy. Like the bodies on display, this plot is a beauty, told in non-linear fashion with some suspense and surprise. To ruin it would be a disservice. Just watch it already.
2. Circus of Books (2019)
West Hollywood’s world-famous porn and goodies shop is immortalized even further in this fun, illuminating documentary, a Netflix original.
3. The Boys in the Band (2020)
Joe Mantello and Ryan Murphy’s screen adaptation of a smash revival of a landmark play centers on a gathering of gay men in 1968 NYC. The ensemble cast includes Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Jim Parsons.
4. Monsoon (2019)
Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding and Parker Sawyers are terrific in Hong Khaou’s moving drama centered on a young Vietnamese British man’s return to his homeland. A romance with powerful messages about discovering one’s roots, Monsoon received widespread critical acclaim.
5. Your Name Engraved Herein (2020)
The highest-grossing LGBTQ in Taiwan’s history is now streaming on U.S. Netflix! Inspired by real events, Patrick Kuang-Hui Liu’s drama tells of first love between schoolboys amidst the fall of martial law.
6. Handsome Devil (2017)
This upbeat, somewhat fluffy yet undeniably charming Irish comedy is about a turbulent friendship between two schoolboys. Handsome Devil stars Finn O’Shea and Nicholas Galitzine, and won the award for Best Irish Feature from the Dublin Critics’ Circle. Sherlock and SPECTRE star Andrew Scott plays a supporting role as the boys’ English teacher.
7. Alex Strangelove (2018)
All at once joyous, raunchy and disarmingly poignant, this Netflix original movie stars Daniel Doheny as Alex Truelove, a deeply closeted high school senior who loves his girlfriend Claire (Madeline Weinstein), but is overwhelmed with confusion when he falls for a handsome, comfortably out boy named Elliot (Antonio Marziale).
8. The Prom (2020)
Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Kerry Washington and Jo Ellen Pellman star in Ryan Murphy‘s splashy adaptation of the 2018 Broadway musical of the same name. The feel-good story follows four former Broadway stars who travel to the small conservative town of Edgewater to assist a lesbian teen banned from bringing her girlfriend to the prom. Corden’s performance has received considerable backlash, but most audiences and critics agree this is frothy fun that will put a smile on your face.
9. Other People (2016)
A splendid tragicomic performance from Molly Shannonis the big draw in this dramedy, a semi-autobiographical look at writer/director Chris Kelly’s family life. Shannon won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work here.
10. The Danish Girl (2015)
Alicia Vikander won an Oscar for Tom Hooper’s period drama centered on Lili Elbe, one of the first known recipients of sex reassignment surgery. Some critics hailed the picture; others called it shameless sham awards bait. You be the judge.
11. Loev(2015)
This affecting love story relied partially on crowdfunding for its modest $1 million budget. An Indian production, Loev was nothing short of revolutionary, given the country’s penal code for homosexuality at the time of release. Loev won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film in 2016 at the Tel Aviv International Film Festival. This is the first Indian film ever to be shown at the South by Southwest Film Festival.
12. I Care A Lot (2020)
Rosamund Pike won a Golden Globe for a ripper of a performance in J Blakeson’s comic thriller about a sketchy con artist who becomes entangled with gangsters. Also factoring in her Oscar nod for Gone Girl a few years back, Pike has enjoyed one of the most fruitful careers of a Bond girl after appearing in the storied franchise.
13. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
A breakout critical and commercial hit of the pandemic era, Michael Rianda‘s animated sci-fi comedy is about a road-tripping family who must defend each other and all of Earth from uprising technology. The Mitchells vs. the Machines was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 94th Academy Awards. The film has been commended for relatable, inspirational inclusion of LGBTQ character Katie (voice of Abbi Jacobson).
14. Elisa & Marcela (2019)
AKA Elisa y Marcela, Isabel Coixet‘s erotic historical drama is an account of Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga, and the first same-sex marriage of Spain’s modern era. A Spanish production (in Spanish and Portugese with subtitles), Elisa & Marcela was selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 69th Berlin Film Festival, and received a limited theatrical release via Netflix.
Honorable Mention: Tales of the City (2019)
It’s more than worth mentioning that all 10 episodes of Netflix’s followup to Armistead Maupin’s landmark series are now available for streaming. Laura Linney, Paul Gross, Olympia Dukakis, and Barbara Garrick all reprise their roles from the 1993 TV miniseries. What is your favorite movie centered on LGBTQ characters of all time? Let us know in the comments. https://parade.com/889394/samuelmurrian/15-best-lgbtq-romance-movies/
