Which Are The Best Gay Movies?

In the early days of cinema, there was plenty of gay subtext in movies but very few overtly gay characters. Reflecting the changing nature of society, we now have movies that portray the rull range of gay men and the lives that we lead.

There is something special about watching a movie that somehow relfects your experience or your aspirations – to see characters embarking on a journey that mirrors some aspect of your life, or to watch a love story that you can emotionally connect with.

Not all gay movies are great movies, but in their own way they have all contributed to the way that the world sees us and, more importantly, the way that we see ourselves.

This is not a definitive list, but here are a few of our favorite gay movies and why we love them.

The Boys in the Band (1970)

Playwright Mart Crowley adapted his off-broadway production for this movie directed by William Friedkin. Set in New York City in the late 1960s, the film was seen as groundbreaking because it was pretty much the first major movie that revolved around gay characters.

Cabaret (1972)

Set in the heady of days of the 1930s in Berlin, this musical directed by Bob Fosse helped establish Liza Minnelli as a star. The decadent glamor, the bohemian lifestyle, and the sexual ambiguity make this a fascinating and exciting movie.

My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

Stephen Frears took on a complex and clever screenplay by Hanif Kureishi to create a compelling commentary on issues of sexuality, race, culture, and the socio-political context of the UK in the early 1980s. This was one of Daniel Day-Lewis’s early roles and helped establish his reputation as an actor willing to take risks with difficult characters.

Maurice (1987)

Adapted from the novel of E.M. Forster, director James Ivory presents a beautiful period piece starring Hugh Grant, telling the story of gay love in Edwardian England.

Law of Desire (1987)

Almodovar’s first explicitly gay movie, this is the story of an intense love triangle between three men – charged with obsession, jealousy, and dark secrets.

Torch Song Trilogy (1988)

Harvey Fierstein adapted his play, telling the story of gay relationships and family in New York City in the 1970s. The movie stars Anne Bancroft and Matthew Broderick.

Longtime Companion (1989)

This was the first major movie to deal with the impact HIV and AIDS, chronicling the first years of the AIDS epidemic through the stories of a group of friends in New York City in the early 1980s.

Paris Is Burning (1990)

If you love RuPaul’s Drag Race then you ned to watch this documentary from Jennie Livingston that chronicles the 1980s drag scene in New York City. The balls, the voguing, the people. Category is? Sickening!

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

Gus Van Sant’s screenplay drew its inspiration from the Henry IV plays of Shakespeare. This was an important movie because it cast two prominent Hollywood actors – Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix – as gay hustlers. Despite its relatively edgy subject matter, the movie was a mainstream critical and commercial success.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Following the traditional formula of the classic road movies, writer/director Stephan Elliott’s twist is that he is following the adventures of two drag queens and a trans woman. Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terence Stamp are bedecked in some spectacular costumes as they stomp through the choreography and Australian outback.

To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything Julie Newmar (1995)

Notable for seeing Hollywood stars Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo getting their drag on. Directed by Beeban Kidron, this movie is billed as a road-trip by three drag queens, but the three main characters are played more as trans rather than drag. Also in the cast are Stockard Channing and Blythe Danner.

The Broken Hearts Club (2000)

Written and directed by Greg Berlanti, this is an ensemble piece telling the story of a group of gay friends in West Hollywood. This is seen as an important movie as it was one of the first to show a group of normal gay guys living pretty normal lives.

Hedwig and the angry inch (2001)

Adapted from the stage musical of the same name, John Cameron Mitchell’s story follows the trials and tribulations of a singer who survives a botched vaginoplasty, escapes East Germany, and tries to find love, fame, and fortune.

Yossi & Jagger (2002)

A touching and tragic love story between two Israeli soldiers. Director Eytan Fox keeps the melodrama to a minimum, using subtle storytelling and moments of intimacy to convey the connection between the two men.

Mysterious Skin (2004)

Gregg Araki directs a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a carefully constructed movie that explores the impact of sexual abuse. Strong performances and a well-told story.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Adapted from a short story by Annie Proulx, Ang Lee’s movie stars Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal and tells the story of an intense but tragic relationship between two American cowboys. It was a beautiful, heart-wrenching short story and the movie more than does it justice.

Were the World Mine (2008)

A romantic musical fantasy inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this is slightly surreal but ultimately empowering as the residents of a homophobic small town are transformed into passionate lovers.

A Single Man (2009)

An assured directorial debut from Tom Ford, this is a beautifully stylish movie depicting the decline and redemption of a grieving English professor. Based on a novel by Christopher Isherwood, the story is set in the early 1960s. With a cast that includes Colin Firth and Julianne Moore, this is a polished movie in every respect.

Weekend (2011)

An English movie exploring what can happen with a one-night-stand, this is notable as it was written and directed by Andrew Haigh who has gone on to create the successful Looking television series for HBO.

The Normal Heart (2014)

Written by Larry Kramer and directed by Ryan Murphy, this tells the story of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s. With a stellar cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch, Jim Parsons, Alfred Molina, Jonathan Groff, and Julia Roberts, this is an incredibly moving story with heart-breaking performances.

Love, Simon (2018)

This landmark film, directed by Greg Berlanti, became the first major studio production to center on a gay teenage protagonist. It tells the story of Simon Spier, a high schooler navigating the challenges of coming out while falling in love with an anonymous classmate online. Heartfelt and uplifting, it offers a joyful and accessible portrayal of gay identity.

Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Luca Guadagnino’s lush adaptation of André Aciman’s novel explores a passionate summer romance between Elio (Timothée Chalamet) and Oliver (Armie Hammer) in 1980s Italy. The film’s tender, poetic approach to first love and self-discovery earned widespread acclaim and cemented its place as a modern gay classic.

Moonlight (2016)

Barry Jenkins’ Academy Award-winning masterpiece chronicles the life of Chiron, a young Black man grappling with his sexuality and identity across three pivotal stages of his life. Intimate and emotionally powerful, it stands as a deeply moving exploration of love and acceptance.

God’s Own Country (2017)

Set in the rugged Yorkshire countryside, this poignant drama by Francis Lee follows a young farmer who finds unexpected love with a Romanian migrant worker. Raw and authentic, the film explores themes of loneliness, vulnerability, and healing through connection.

Supernova (2020)

This emotional drama stars Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci as a long-term couple on a road trip through England as they face the devastating effects of early-onset dementia. Their tender bond and the bittersweet moments of their journey offer a heartbreaking yet beautiful portrayal of enduring love.

The Danish Boy (2020)

This independent film tells the story of two childhood friends who reconnect as adults and discover an unexpected romantic connection. A reflective and emotional exploration of reconciling the past and finding love, the film provides a quieter, introspective take on gay relationships.

Falling (2020)

Directed by and starring Viggo Mortensen, this film tells the story of John, a gay man caring for his aging and homophobic father. The narrative explores generational conflict, reconciliation, and the complexities of familial love, with a focus on resilience and identity.