Not sure which gay movie to watch next? We're here to inspire you with 5 of our favorite LGBTQ movies. Over the course of many years and countless hurdles, the LGBTQ communities around the world are finally getting long-overdue appreciation and acceptance on and off screen. With more and more gay movies available, we can exercise our pride and indulge in LGBTQ content all year round.
Here are 5 gay movies to add to your watch list:
1. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s heartbreaking, beautiful, and sensuous adaptation of the André Aciman novel of the same name is unmissable. Any gay movie compilation would be incomplete without this gorgeous film, centering on the coming out of a teenage boy, Elio. Elio meets and feels an immediate attraction towards an older man, his father's graduate assistant, 24-year-old Oliver, who is visiting their house for the summer.
Set in the lush backdrop of northern Italy in the 1980s, this film is passionate, warm, and a hot favorite for anyone who enjoys a good cinematic experience- there is beauty, there is emotion, there is heartbreak, and there is passion. Moreover, it stars the gorgeous Timothée Chalamet as a hopeless lover. If this isn't enough to make you watch this romantic drama, the melodious, aching soundtracks of Sufjan Stevens surely will.
2. Moonlight (2016)
Be prepared to go on an emotional ride with this one - the tale of a young man growing and coming to terms with his sexuality, substance use, pain, masculinity, bullying, and joy. The film is divided into three chapters, namely: "Little," "Chiron," and "Black," where we follow the protagonist through his childhood, where he finds a father figure in a local drug dealer, who brings him back home.
He learns to make his own choices to navigate the world. Boosted by brilliant acting from the trio Hibbert-Sanders-Rhodes and the magical storytelling of Barry Jenkins of a poor, young, black boy in Miami, it is one of the best African-American representations in American cinema.
Here's a film that tells a great narrative, features fabulous character growth, and delivers dialogues that remain with you long after you finish watching. Who said gay movies can't be brilliant too? Well, this one has an Oscar win to its accord. Watch to find out why.
3. Love, Simon (2018)
The stunning and talented cast consisting of Nick Robinson, Alexandra Shipp, Katherine Langford, Jennifer Garner, Keiynan Lonsdale, Josh Duhamel, and the brilliant director Greg Berlanti weaves a familiar story of teen passion, heartbreak and more.
It will make you laugh, cry, blush, and get second-hand embarrassment. If you're gay, this fantastic ensemble of a romantic comedy will want you to live through your coming-out days. Relatable, hilarious, emotional, bold, and witty - the plot revolves around a closeted gay teen's bold coming out in front of his peers and the world. Based on Becky Albertalli's YA novel “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda,” it's a must-watch for teens and adults wanting a fresh, fun take on rom-coms. You can
Check out Actor Nick Robinson on the Ellen Show talk about the movie and how his brother came out while filming it:
4. God's Own Country (2017)
Looking for a film filled with emotional messages and heart-warming screenplay? Look no further, as this film delivers just that. Beginning on slower grounds, it gradually takes you on a gentle, yet beautiful, almost poetic ride along with the two lead characters.
Johnny Saxby (Josh O'Connor) is a lonely farmer, living in Yorkshire, North England, passing his lonely days with casual sex and night-time drinking. Romanian migrant worker Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) arrives on the farm and makes Johny feel a horde of emotions he has never experienced before – hostility, at first, at his competence in the farm, then transformed into an aching passion. The rustic charm of rural countryside, along with its flawed prejudices, is brought to life in this captivating drama with its magic elements.
5. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
This heartbreaking tale of gay romance graced the big screen about a decade before the legalization of gay marriages - not without a lost cause because the reception was tremendous, and the film went on to grab eight Oscar nominations.
Set in 1960s Wyoming, this is the tragic tale of two sheepherders played by the brilliant actors, late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal. In this bright, vivid film shot in the countryside, Ang Lee's clever and heartfelt direction brings the 1997 tragic love story to life.
Two men meet at the ranch and explore the spectrums of passion and denial in a conservative background. Their immediate chemistry, the passion shared as they kiss, and later, share a night is vivid and intimate. Social stigma forces them into tragic separation, and the cruel turns of fate, as they move out on their individual journeys and meet years later, are well portrayed in this film. It remains a top choice in most highly recommended films.
Conclusion
These five must-watch gay movies offer diverse perspectives on gay experiences, relationships, and identities, reflecting the complexities and nuances of LGBTQ+ lives. Whether exploring the complexities of first love, the journey of self discovery, or the joy of finding community, these films remind us of the universal human desire for connection and belonging. As we continue to champion LGBTQ+ representation in media, may these cinematic gems inspire empathy, foster dialogue, and pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate world.
What are some of your favorite gay movies? Let us know in the comments!