35 Films Exploring LGBTQ+ Themes
35 titles
- 1
Prayers for BobbyMovie · 2009 · 89m · Drama, History, TV MovieGrowing up in Walnut Creek, California, Bobby Griffith was his mother's pride – the quintessential all-American son, raised with strong religious values. However, he harbored a secret: he was gay. Grappling with this hidden truth, Bobby eventually decides to come out to his family.IMDb 8.0TMDB 8.1 - 2
BugcrushMovie · 2006 · 34mA teenage boy becomes obsessed with the school's new rebellious student, and his infatuation draws him into increasingly dangerous territory.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.6 - 3
MauriceMovie · 1987 · 140m · Drama, RomanceSet in early 20th century England, this drama follows Maurice, a young man struggling with his feelings in a society with strict rules. He battles to accept who he truly is as his world falls apart when his lover rejects him. Forced to face the reality that love isn't always enough, Maurice confronts the limitations of convention.
The film examines self-discovery and growth within a rigid and repressive society. It portrays one man’s journey to understanding and acceptance, highlighting the inner conflicts people faced when societal norms controlled every aspect of life. Through his relationships, the story powerfully conveys Maurice's emotional struggles and reminds us of the universal fight for authenticity in the face of adversity and prejudice.IMDb 7.6TMDB 7.6 - 4
Because of a BoyMovie · 2002 · 86m · Drama, TV MovieAfter being publicly revealed as gay in high school, Vincent is forced to navigate the significant changes this brings to his life. He must adjust to the consequences of the outing and reshape his relationships with his friends and family.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.0 - 5
Christopher and His KindMovie · 2011 · 90m · Drama, Romance, TV MovieIn 1931, aspiring writer Christopher Isherwood travels to Berlin at the invitation of his friend W. H. Auden, drawn by the city's open gay culture. He becomes involved with a street sweeper named Heinz, helping to cover medical expenses for his ailing mother, a decision that earns him the disapproval of her other son, Gerhardt, who is a Nazi.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.3 - 6
Beneath the SkinMovie · 2015 · 87mWhen Joshua's family breaks apart, he moves to Canada. He meets Jay, a tattoo artist who left Alabama to escape his parents' abuse. Both boys, feeling isolated, develop feelings for each other. Their relationship is threatened when two high school students interfere.IMDb 4.4TMDB 5.2 - 7
Just a Question of LoveMovie · 2000 · 88m · Drama, RomanceFollowing the death of his gay cousin from hepatitis, young Laurent, who shares a home with his close friend Carole, develops feelings for Cedric, a botanist. Laurent is hesitant to reveal his sexual orientation to his traditional parents.IMDb 7.7TMDB 7.2 - 8
Out in the DarkMovie · 2012 · 96m · Drama, Romance, ThrillerA Palestinian graduate student and an Israeli lawyer connect and develop a romantic relationship against a backdrop of complicated personal lives and ongoing political tensions.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.8 - 9
I Am MichaelMovie · 2015 · 98m · DramaThis is the true story of a gay activist who later rejects his identity and becomes a Christian pastor.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.5 - 10
BridegroomMovie · 2013 · 80m · Documentary, DramaThis documentary follows the heartfelt story of Shane and Tom, two young men deeply in love and committed to each other. Their relationship is tragically ended by an accidental fall from a roof.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.3 - 11
King JackMovie · 2015 · 81m · DramaRaised in a rough rural town, Jack has developed a tough exterior to survive. With an absent father and a mother who doesn't see the world as he does, he's largely on his own. When his aunt becomes ill and a younger cousin moves in, the 15-year-old begins to understand the value of friendship and family, and starts searching for happiness amidst hardship.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.4 - 12
The Curiosity of ChanceMovie · 2006 · 95m · Comedy, DramaBack in the 1980s, amidst new wave culture and bold fashion, Chance Marquis, a new student, struggles to find his place. His unusual personality makes him a target for the school bully. Seeking help, Chance connects with two unlikely allies: a flamboyant drag queen and Levi Sparks, a popular jock, forging an unexpected friendship with both.IMDb 6.5TMDB 5.8 - 13
Holding the ManMovie · 2015 · 128m · DramaTim and John met and fell in love as teenagers at an all-boys school. John was the football team captain, and Tim was an actor with a small role in Romeo and Juliet. Their relationship lasted for 15 years, weathering separations, prejudice, temptations, jealousy, and loss. Finally, they face a problem that threatens to end their love.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.7 - 14
RomeosMovie · 2011 · 94mLukas, a 20-year-old transgender man, feels like he's living in the wrong body. His best friend, Ine, introduces him to Cologne's gay community, where he meets Fabio, a captivating and self-assured man. They begin a romantic relationship that challenges their perceptions of love. ROMEO'S offers a refreshingly honest and funny look at friendship, intimacy, and love itself, avoiding clichés.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.8 - 15
Judas KissMovie · 2011 · 94m · Drama, Science FictionA strange anomaly in time and space offers a struggling filmmaker a chance to alter his past when he returns to his unusual college.IMDb 5.4TMDB 5.4 - 16
Meet Joe BlackMovie · 1998 · 178m · Fantasy, Drama, RomanceWilliam Parrish, a successful media executive and loving father, is getting ready for his 65th birthday. But his milestone birthday takes an unexpected turn when Death appears as a man named Joe Black. At first, William thinks Joe is a hallucination, but Joe is actually there to take William's life. A series of accidents leads Joe to meet Susan, William’s captivating daughter. This encounter sparks Joe's curiosity about the world he's meant to manage. Unaware of Joe's true nature, Susan finds herself drawn to this unusual person, leading to a unique look at life, love, and death.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.4 - 17
Make the Yuletide GayMovie · 2009 · 89m · Drama, Comedy, RomanceOlaf "Gunn" Gunnunderson, a college student who is openly gay, retreats into hiding from his true self while spending the holidays with his parents. His carefully constructed facade is threatened when his boyfriend, Nathan, unexpectedly arrives. To avoid exposing their relationship, Gunn must pretend to be someone he's not. As pressure builds, will Gunn reveal the truth before his secret is discovered?IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.1 - 18
King CobraMovie · 2016 · 93m · Crime, DramaIn 2006, when YouTube is new and online pornography is mostly subscription-based, a young man named Brent Corrigan becomes a rising star in the adult film industry. He's guided and shaped by Stephen, a gay man who secretly controls the powerful pornography company Cobra Video from his normal suburban house.IMDb 5.6TMDB 5.9 - 19
Kill Your DarlingsMovie · 2013 · 103m · Drama, Romance, ThrillerIn 1944, a murder brings together the leading poets of the emerging Beat Generation: Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs.IMDb 6.4TMDB 7.0 - 20
Appropriate BehaviorMovie · 2015 · 90m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceShirin grapples with the expectations of being a perfect Persian daughter, while also navigating her identity as a politically aware, bisexual young woman in Brooklyn. She struggles to fully embody any of these roles.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.3 - 21
Edge of SeventeenMovie · 1999 · 104m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceIn 1984 Sandusky, Ohio, a 17-year-old boy navigates a coming-of-age journey. He explores his developing sexuality while seeking understanding and acceptance in a close-knit community. The story follows his emotional experiences as he confronts his desires against societal expectations. It's a poignant tale of self-discovery, first love, and the complexities of human connection during a time of transition.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.5 - 22
Closet MonsterMovie · 2016 · 90m · Drama, Fantasy, MysteryA talented and ambitious young person longs to leave their hometown behind, seeking refuge from painful memories of a difficult upbringing.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.1 - 23
Mambo ItalianoMovie · 2003 · 89m · Comedy, RomanceAn Italian man's decision to come out profoundly impacts both his personal life and the dynamics of his unconventional family.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.9 - 24
Keep the Lights OnMovie · 2012 · 102m · Drama, RomanceDocumentary filmmaker Erik and lawyer Paul connect unexpectedly and begin a relationship. Both are impulsive and prone to excess, using drugs and sex. Over nearly ten years, their relationship is marked by intense highs and painful lows, and by unhealthy dynamics. Erik grapples with asserting himself and staying true to his own identity within the relationship.IMDb 6.4TMDB 5.7 - 25
Those PeopleMovie · 2015 · 89m · Drama, RomanceIn Manhattan's wealthy Upper East Side, a young gay painter struggles with his intense feelings for his notorious best friend while developing a relationship with an older, foreign pianist.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.9 - 26
The Mostly Unfabulous Social Life of Ethan GreenMovie · 2005 · 88mEthan Green (Daniel Letterle) easily attracts attention, but finding a serious relationship proves difficult. Faced with three options – a young, attractive woman, a handsome athlete, and his soon-to-be-married ex – will he finally find the right person, or is a lonely future in store? Adapted from a popular gay comic strip.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.2 - 27
StonewallMovie · 1995 · 99mA close-knit group of gay friends strives for dignity and self-respect as the movement for gay rights approaches its pivotal moment.IMDb 7.1TMDB 5.7 - 28
Monster PiesMovie · 2013 · 85m · Drama, RomanceMike has always felt isolated, but everything changes when a new student joins his school. This arrival sparks unexpected emotions and opens up a world of possibilities he never imagined.IMDb 6.7TMDB 5.6 - 29
Boys Don't CryMovie · 1999 · 118m · Crime, DramaThis drama follows a young person in rural Nebraska as they explore who they are and the challenges of love. The story sensitively examines gender identity while depicting life away from big cities. With realistic acting and beautiful visuals, the film offers a look into a community rarely seen, providing a thoughtful and insightful experience for audiences.IMDb 7.5TMDB 7.4 - 30
BoyhoodMovie · 2014 · 165m · DramaThis film chronicles the experiences of a divorced couple as they navigate parenthood while raising their young son. The story follows the boy over twelve years, from first grade at age six through his teenage years, exploring his evolving relationship with both parents as he matures.IMDb 7.9TMDB 7.5 - 31
Naked as We CameMovie · 2013 · 84m · DramaAmidst a peaceful setting, the film explores themes of love, loss, and hope, prompting the question: What do you truly dream of? An unexpected phone call draws Laura and her brother Elliot to their family estate, where they discover their mother, Lilly, is seriously ill and living with a charming stranger named Ted. Their reunion forces Laura and Elliot to confront their own regrets. Lilly, having softened from her past, seeks to guide her children. Meanwhile, they grapple with resentment and unfulfilled aspirations while trying to understand Ted's role in their mother’s life. Elliot takes a drastic step by having a relationship with Ted. However, Ted harbors a secret of his own.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.8 - 32
The TripMovie · 2002 · 95m · Drama, RomanceIn 1973, nineteen-year-old gay rights activist Tommy and twenty-four-year-old Alan meet and discover they hold opposing political views.IMDb 7.0TMDB 6.1 - 33
White FrogMovie · 2013 · 93m · DramaA story about a teenage boy with mild Asperger's syndrome who feels overlooked by his family. His life takes an unexpected turn when his family experiences a devastating tragedy.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.8 - 34
Boy CultureMovie · 2006 · 88m · Drama, RomanceA successful gay male escort shares intimate stories of his complicated romantic relationships with his two roommates and a mysterious older client. He reveals the details of his emotional entanglements through a series of personal confessions.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.3 - 35
Holding TrevorMovie · 2007 · 88mFollowing a breakup with his partner due to their drug use, Trevor starts a new relationship. This new romance unexpectedly creates complications in his existing relationships.IMDb 5.4TMDB 4.9
