RANKING: The best films with LGBTQIAPN+ characters

From major documentaries to dramas, comedies, experimental works and films that have gained prominence on screen, this movie guide with LGBTQIAPN+ characters is a comprehensive list of productions that have stories, protagonists and even secondary representation about the community. Check out the descending ranking, with the last film being the best of all!

Queer (2024)

77% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Set in the 1950s, the film follows William Lee (Daniel Craig), an American living in Mexico City, spends most of his days completely alone, with the exception of a few contacts with other members of the community. His encounter with Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a former expatriate soldier, makes him believe that it is possible to have an intimate connection.

Mutt (2023)

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

One of the best LGBT films on the list tells the story of Fena (Lio Mehiel), a trans man living in New York City. During one eventful day, three people from his past reappear: his foreign father, his straight ex-boyfriend, and his younger sister. Having had no contact with them since his transition, Fena needs to deal with the new dynamics of these relationships, while facing the challenges of everyday life.

Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)

Original title: Red, White and Royal Blue

75% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

Based on the book of the same name, the film follows Alex (Taylor Perez), the son of the President of the United States, who gets involved in a dispute with the British prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), which generates an international image crisis. The two are great rivals, but they pretend to be friends for the good of their countries. However, this cold relationship begins to melt and gives way to an intense and new feeling for both.

On the Other Side of Pain (2023)

Original title: Good grief

76% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

An artist grieving the loss of her famous writer husband takes her two best friends on a trip to Paris, where they unravel confusing secrets and face hard truths. The cast includes names such as Daniel Levy, Luke Evans, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel, Kaitlyn Dever e David Bradley.

Strange Life Form (2023)

Original title: strange way of life

Popular title: Strange way of life

78% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max e MUBI

After 25 years of separation, the farmer Silva (Pedro Pascal) crosses on horseback the desert that separates him from Jake (Ethan Hawke), now the sheriff of a small town. The long-awaited reunion is marked by a night of intimacy, memories and an apparent reconciliation. However, what seemed to be just a rescue of an old passion quickly reveals itself to be something more complex.

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video e Youtube

In history, Mike Waters (River Phoenix) is a young man who lives on the streets of Portland, immersed in a world of drugs and prostitution, and who suffers from narcolepsy. Alongside his best friend, the rebel Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves), who only seeks to shame his wealthy and influential family, Mike dreams of finding his long-lost mother. Driven by this desire and the unrequited passion of Mike by Scott, they embark on a transformative journey across Italy, searching for answers and, perhaps, a home.

Rotting in the Sun (2023)

82% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

After meeting the social media celebrity Jordan Firstman on a gay nudist beach, Sebastián Silva reluctantly agrees to direct his new project. But when Sebastián disappears, Jordan embarks on a mind-blowing journey through Mexico City.

Rustin (2023)

83% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The history of Bayard Rustin (Colman Domingo), advisor to Martin Luther King Jr. (Aml Ameen) who dedicated his life to the pursuit of racial equality and democracy. However, as a black and gay man, he was virtually erased from the civil rights movement.

Alex Strangelove – Love Can Be Messy (2018)

Original title: Alex Strangelove

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The young Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) is determined to lose his virginity to his lovely girlfriend, Claire (Madeline Weinstein). However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he meets the charismatic Elliot (Antonio Marziale). This meeting provokes in Alex a series of questions about his sexuality, making him reevaluate his desires and try to better understand who he really is.

Fire Island: Pride & Seduction (2022)

Original title: Fire Island

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

Fire Island: Pride & Seduction follows a group of best friends who reunite in Fire Island Pines for a week of fun. However, a sudden turn of events jeopardizes their summer in paradise and their bonds are stretched to the limit. The cast includes names such as Conrad Ricamora, Bowen yang, matt rogers, Joel Kim Booster e James Scully.

Beach Rats (2017)

Original title: Beach Rats

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

The young Frankie (Harris Dickinson), a 19-year-old man living in Coney Island, is struggling with his sexuality. Torn between loyalty to his friends, who encourage him to date girls and maintain a heterosexual façade, and the expectations of his family, he also secretly explores his attraction to older men he meets online.

Monica (2023)

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

Far away since adolescence, Monica (Trace Lysette) returns home after 20 years to care for her sick mother. With a troubled past between the two, she now has the chance to reconnect with her family.

I Saw the Glow of TV (2024)

Original title: I Saw the TV Glow

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

In the plot with LGBTQIAPN+ characters, Owen (Justice Smith) starts watching a mysterious program because of her friend's influence Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine). But what seemed like just a series, reveals the horrors of the supernatural world. In the dim glow of the TV, the bond of Owen with reality begins to break.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

80% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

In this classic that has become a cult classic over time, the lovers Brad (Barry Bostwick) e Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck on the road with a flat tire during a storm, decide to take refuge in the strange mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), a transvestite scientist. As the couple's innocence dissipates, they encounter several peculiar characters in the mansion, including the biker Eddie (Meat Loaf) e Riff Raff (Richard O'Brien), a creepy butler. Through well-choreographed dances and catchy songs, Frank-N-Furter reveals his latest creation: a muscular man in golden trunks named Rocky Horror (Peter Hinwood).

Bad Habits (1983)

Original title: Between tinieblas

Popular title: Dark Habits

75% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Play Market, Youtube e Prime Video

Em Bad habits, Yolanda Bell (Cristina Sánchez Pascual) is a nightclub singer who finds herself in trouble after losing her fiancé, who died of an overdose. Pursued by the police, she takes refuge in a convent. However, in the company of the nuns who welcome her, she finds the same life she knew in the outside world, including a lesbian mother superior who is addicted to heroin.

The Boys in the Band (2020)

85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

During a birthday party in 1968, a surprise guest and an alcohol-fueled prank make seven gay friends reflect on hidden truths and feelings. The cast brings together the actors Jim Parsons, Matthew Bomer, Charlie Carver, Andrew Rannells, Zachary Quinto e Tuc watkins.

Wedding Banquet (1993)

Original title: Xi yan

Popular title: The Wedding Banquet

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In history, Wai Tung (Winston Chao) and your boyfriend (Mitchell Lichtenstein) live happily as a gay couple in New York City. Wai-Tung is not open about his sexuality with his Taiwanese parents (Sihung Lung, Ah-Leh Gua) and decides to agree to both of their wishes for a traditional Chinese union by marrying Wei-Wei (May Chin), a woman desperate for a green card. But the simple arrangement turns into a major disaster when her parents Wai-Tung plan an extravagant wedding banquet.

Orlando, the Immortal Woman (1992)

Original title: Orlando 

84x% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

The nobleman Orlando (Tilda Swinton) is condemned by Queen Elizabeth I (Quentin Crisp) to remain eternally young. The curse is fulfilled and Orlando crosses the centuries experiencing lives, partners, feelings and gender changes.

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)

Original title: Dog Day Afternoon

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

When the inexperienced criminal Sonny Wortzik (Al Pacino) leads a bank robbery in Brooklyn, things quickly go wrong and a bizarre hostage situation automatically develops. Sonny and his accomplice, Natural Salt (John Cazale), desperately try to stay in control, but the media goes wild and the FBI arrives, increasing the tension even more. Gradually, the true motives for the robbery are revealed.

Spoiler Alert (2022)

Original title: Spoiler Alert

87% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Based on true events, one of the best gay films tells the story of the writer's moving journey Michael Ausiello (Jim Parsons) and the various feelings he faces when his partner, Kit Cowan (Ben Aldridge), is diagnosed with terminal cancer. The film sensitively explores the 11 months that follow his diagnosis. Kit, revealing the strength of love, the importance of family and the painful, yet inevitable, farewell.

The Cage of Fools (1978)

Original title: La Cage aux Folles

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: AppleTV +

In one of the best gay movies, Renato (Ugo Tognazzi) is the owner of a very popular gay nightclub and a lover of Zaza (Michel Serrault), Drag Queen and star of the house. Unfortunately, his son did not tell his father-in-law, a conservative politician, about his peculiar family and Renato Now you'll have to pretend to be straight.

layla (2024)

87% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In one of the best LGBT films, we follow Layla (Bilal Hasna) that is a non-binary British-Palestinian drag queen who falls in love with Max (Louis Greatorex), a marketing executive. Romance blossoms after a spectacle of Layla at a corporate Pride event, but she must confront her identity and face uncomfortable truths throughout the relationship.

Problematic (2024)

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: AppleTV +

Em Problemista, Alexander (Julio Torres) is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador who struggles to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. His work visa is about to expire and a job becomes his only hope. The cast also includes Tilda Swinton, Greta lee e James Scully.

The Five Devils (2022)

Original title: Les cinq diables

Popular title: The Five Devils

85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Em The Five Devils, Vicky (Sally Dramé) has a mysterious gift: she can recreate any scent she encounters, even that of her beloved mother, Joanne (Adèle Exarchopoulos). When her estranged aunt suddenly returns to town, the invocation of her fragrance plunges the young woman back in time to unravel a past filled with family secrets and romances.

Our Son (2023)

85% on Rotten Tomatoes | 5,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: Youtube

After 13 years of marriage and an 8 year old son, Nicky (Luke Evans) e Gabriel (Billy Porter) are forced into a painful custody battle over their son. The story explores the emotional complexities of divorce, past hurts, and the new realities of their lives, all while trying to protect their child in the midst of the turmoil.

The Intervention (2016)

Original title: The intervention

79% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: Youtube

What promised to be a peaceful weekend for four couples in a beautiful country house took an unexpected and tense turn. The friends secretly orchestrated the trip for one purpose only: to stage an intervention at their friend's wedding, Ruby (Cobie Smulders), and Peter (Vincent Piazza), which is visibly in crisis. As the truth about the “intervention” comes to light, the dynamics between everyone are put to the test. The cast also includes Jason ritter, Melanie lynskey, Clea DuVall, Natasha Lyonne e Ben Schwartz.

Right to Love (2009)

Original title: A single man

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

in the plot, George (Colin Firth) is a university professor who recently lost his partner, Jim (Matthew Goode), in a car accident. Very shaken, he plans to commit suicide. As the daily routine unfolds with coworkers, students and an old friend, he will make his final decision.

Uncle Frank (2020)

Original title: Uncle Frank

77% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

The gay literature professor Frank (Paul Bettany) reluctantly returns to his hometown in South Carolina for his father's funeral. To this end, his teenage niece, Beth (Sophia Lillis), accompanies him, curious about the life of his enigmatic uncle. The journey back home not only forces the man to confront ghosts from his past and his extremely conservative family, but also leads him to reveal long-kept secrets.

Punishers (2022)

Original title: Thu Revenge

86% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The life of Drea (Camila Mendes), the most popular girl at an elite school, is turned upside down when her boyfriend leaks an intimate video of her. Devastated and furious, she teams up with the outcast Eleanor (Maya Hawke), and together they devise a plan for revenge against those who destroyed their lives. Their unlikely alliance turns into a relentless journey to settle scores with their enemies, putting their friendships and reputations at stake.

Appropriate Behavior (2014)

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

Em Appropriate Behavior, Shirin (Desiree Akhavan) is a cool, bisexual young woman of Persian descent living in Brooklyn. After breaking up with her girlfriend, she finds herself isolated and lost, with no support from her family or friends. Facing loneliness and the difficulty of dealing with her own broken heart, Shirin tries to get back on his feet. The journey of self-discovery and overcoming will not be easy.

CRAZY – Crazy in Love (2005)

Original title: CRAZY

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In Quebec in the 1960s, Zachary Beaulieu (Marc-André Grondin) He is experiencing the awakening of his homosexuality. In order to come to peace with his own identity, he has to deal with a very religious mother and a demanding and conservative father.

All About My Mother (1999)

Original title: All about my mother

Popular title: All About My Mother

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine e Prime Video

After the death of his son Esteban (Eloy Azorin), who was hit by a car, Manuela (Cecilia Roth) experiences deep mourning and seeks answers in the midst of pain. Following a personal journey, she decides to look for the young man's father and then tries to deal with the past and the present, on a path of self-discovery and facing the complexities of life.

Saving Face (2004)

Original title: saving face

88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

One of the best sapphic films is set in a Chinese community in the United States, where Wil Pang (Michelle Krusiec), a closeted lesbian doctor, begins a relationship with Vivian (Lynn Chen), an admitted ballerina, at the same time as her mother, pregnant with a stranger, is thrown out of the house and asks her for shelter.

I've Never Been Santa (1999)

Original title: But I'm a Cheerleader

75% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

In one of the best sapphic films of all time, Megan (Natasha Lyonne) She lives a seemingly perfect life as a cheerleader, dates the captain of the football team and is popular at school. However, her routine is turned upside down when her parents and friends, suspicious of her sexuality, send her to a “gay rehabilitation and cure” camp. There, Megan is confronted with bizarre methods and colleagues who, like her, are forced to question and change their identity.

Hustler of the Year (2009)

Original title: I Love You Phillip Morris

71% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Play Market e Prime Video

Em The Scammer of the Year, Steven Russell (Jim Carrey) is a police officer who gets married and starts a family. But after a terrible car accident, he decides not to waste any more time and invest in his true identity as a gay man. When he moves to Florida, he finances a lavish lifestyle with bad checks and credit cards. In prison, Steven do you know Phillip (Ewan McGregor), a mild-mannered recluse who becomes the love of her life. Determined to build a beautiful life with Phillip, Steven embarks on another wave of crimes.

Hell Girl (2009)

Original title: Jennifer's Body

50% on Rotten Tomatoes | 5,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

When the popular Jennifer Check (Megan Fox) is possessed by a demon, her fury turns against the boys at school, who end up becoming victims of the creature thirsty for human flesh. Her childhood friend, the nerd Needy Lesnick (Amanda Seyfried), discovers the terrible truth behind the murders and decides to put an end to the carnage, in the midst of a troubled relationship that oscillates between friendship, passion and rivalry.

Pariah (2011)

95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

the feature film Pariah, considered one of the best sapphic films, follows the drama of Alike (Adepero Oduye), a teenager who struggles to accept her sexuality as she grows up. She finds herself torn between being who she really is and following the plans her parents have for her. In the midst of this process of self-discovery, the young woman faces the challenges of living in a society that does not fully accept her.

We Were Here (2011)

Original title: We Were Here

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

The documentary We were here takes a deep and reflective look at the arrival of AIDS in San Francisco, and how its inhabitants were affected and behaved in the first years of this calamitous epidemic.

Imaginary Loves (2010)

Original title: Imaginary lovers

Popular title: Heartbeats

74% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In this comedy, Francis (Xavier Dolan) e Marie (Monia Chokri) are inseparable friends who see their lives change when they meet Nicolas (Niels Schneider), an extremely charming boy who ends up winning both of their hearts, and what was a friendship becomes a huge dispute.

Looking: The Movie (2016)

Original title: L

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

After spending almost a year living in Denver, Patrick Murray (Jonathan Groff) returns to San Francisco in search of closure and a solution to his relationships with Richie (Raul Castillo) e Kevin (Russell Tovey).

The Normal Heart (2014)

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

The story of the beginning of the AIDS crisis in New York City in the 1980s. The efforts of several gay activists and their allies in the fight to expose the truth about the epidemic to a nation that refused to see the facts. The cast includes Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer, Julia Roberts  e J.

Today I Want to Go Back Alone (2014)

93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

In one of the best Brazilian gay films, Leonardo (Ghilherme Lobo), a blind teenager, tries to deal with his overprotective mother while also seeking his independence. When Gabriel (Fabio Audi) arrives at his school, new feelings begin to arise in Leonardo, making him discover more about himself and his sexuality.

All Over Me (1997)

87% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable 

In a homophobic society, the 15-year-old girl Claude (Alison Folland) falls in love with her best friend, who is dating a drug addict. However, a murder changes everything. It remains to be seen whether the young woman has the courage to fight for what she wants.

Supernova (2020)

Original title: Supernova

89% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Em Supernova, Sam (Colin Firth) e Tusker (Stanley Tucci), married for 20 years, travel around England in their old caravan visiting friends, family and places from their past after tusker being diagnosed with early-stage dementia. Now, the time they spend together is the most important thing they have.

Future Me (2024)

Original title: My Old Ass

90% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

In this coming-of-age story, a mushroom trip on her 18th birthday leaves Elliott (Maisy Stella) face to face with your sarcastic 39 year old self (Aubrey Plaza). When the future self of Elliott begins to advise his younger self on what to do, Elliott realizes he needs to rethink everything about family, love and what is becoming a transformative summer.

National Anthem (2023)

91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In one of the best films with LGBTQIAPN+ characters, Dylan (Charlie Plummer) is a young construction worker in New Mexico who joins a community of rodeo performers queer as he pursues his own version of the American dream. 

Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Original title: Boys Don't Cry

91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

The film chronicles the moving journey of Brandon Teena, a young transgender man, memorably played by Hilary Swank. The story follows the search for Brandon for love and acceptance in rural Nebraska as he tries to authentically live his gender identity in an environment that doesn't always understand and respect him.

Cassandra (2023)

91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

The story follows Saúl Armendáriz (Gael García Bernal), a gay wrestler from El Paso who achieves international fame after creating the character Cassandro, the Liberace of Lucha Libre. In the process, he subverts not only the world of this modality, but also his life.

Bottoms (2023)

91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In their senior year of high school, the unpopular students PJ (Rachel Sennott) e Josie (Ayo Edebiri) decide to form a fight club in order to impress the cheerleaders and gain popularity. Although the idea began as a way to gain the attention of the most popular and beautiful students in school, the club soon becomes a way for them to support each other through the difficulties of adolescence. The situation begins to spiral out of control, and the two face the unexpected consequences of their choices.

The Favorite (2018)

Original title: The Favourite

93% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

One of the best films based on real events explores events at the English court in the 18th century, focusing on the intense rivalry between two women over the Queen Anne (Olivia Colman). on the one hand, Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) maintains her position as confidant and secret lover of the monarch, until, on the other hand, Abigail (Emma Stone), an ambitious maid, approaches the queen and begins to win her attention. From there, the plot explores the power struggle and manipulation between the two women to guarantee the privileges that the sovereign provides for her favorite.

Matthias & Maxime (2019)

Original title: Matthias et Maxime

77% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Matthias (Gabriel D'Almeida Freitas) e Maxime (Xavier Dolan) are two childhood best friends who are invited to kiss for a student short film. Soon, a nagging doubt sets in, confronting both of them with their preferences, threatening the friendship in their social circle and, ultimately, changing their lives.

Pain and Glory (2019)

Original title: pain and glory

Popular title: Bread and Glory

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Youtube

Em Pain and Glory, Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas), a film director in decline, looks back on his life and career since his childhood in the city of Valencia in the 1960s. Salvador has vivid memories of his first loves, his first desire, his first adult passion in 1980s Madrid and his early interest in cinema.

You Can't Imagine (2020)

Original title: The Half of It

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The intelligent and introspective Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) finds herself involved in an unexpected love triangle when the athletic Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer) hires her to write love letters for Aster Flowers (Alexxis Lemire), the most popular girl in school, who they both have a secret crush on. 

Out of Series (2019)

Original title: Booksmart

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

On the eve of their graduation, the best friends Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) e Molly (Beanie Feldstein) are two exceptional students who realize that they have spent the last few years dedicating too much time to studying and not enough time to having fun. Feeling that they have missed out on the chance to experience their teenage years like their peers, they decide to do everything they missed out on in one night. So, determined to make the most of it, they embark on a mission to have fun and make up for lost time.

Shiva Baby (2020)

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

The bisexual college girl Danielle (Rachel Sennott) encounters a series of awkward encounters during shiva (a period of mourning in Judaism). In the presence of authoritarian relatives, she is frightened by the appearance of an ex-girlfriend and her sugar daddy secret, who arrives unexpectedly with his wife and baby.

Disobedience (2017)

Original title: Disobedience

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

in the plot of Disobedience, Ronit (Rachel Weisz) needs to return to her hometown after the death of her father, a rabbi. Once back, she recalls her forbidden passion for Esti (Rachel McAdams), her childhood best friend, who is currently married to her cousin. In this context, the two explore the limits of faith and sexuality.

Flee: No Place to Call Home (2021)

Original title: Flight

Popular title: Flee

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video e Youtube

in animation Flee: No Place to Call Home, Amin Nawabi lives with a painful past that he has kept for twenty years, which silently affects the life he is building for himself and his future husband. Now, Amin recounts her extraordinary journey as a child refugee from Afghanistan.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017)

Original title: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

In this documentary, while facing a wave of violence against trans women, the activist Victoria Cruz investigates the death of her friend Marsha P. Johnson, in 1992. She was of utmost importance to LGBTQIAPN+ activism and is still considered a notable figure in the history of the community.

Philadelphia (1993)

Original title: Philadelphia

81% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

The lawyer Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) works at a prestigious law firm. When he discovers he is HIV positive, he is immediately fired. He then hires another lawyer to sue the company.

Blue Jean (2022)

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

In 1988, a new law stigmatizing gays and lesbians required Jean (Rosy McEwen), a gym teacher, living a double life. As pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyzes a crisis that leads Jeans to the limit.

Close (2022)

91% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix e MUBI

At 13 years old, Leo (Eden Lambrine) e Remi (Gustav De Waele) are inseparable; they spend every waking moment together, playing in flower fields and sleeping over at each other's houses. But as they begin a new school year, the pressures of early adolescence challenge their bond with unexpected and significant consequences.

Benedetta (2021)

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Youtube

In 17th century Italy, Benedetta (Virginie Efira) is given to a convent at the age of eight as the bride of Jesus Christ. Eighteen years later, the austere routine of the convent is shaken by the arrival of a new nun, the young and innocent Bartolomea (Daphne Patakia). In the presence of bartholomew wake up in Benedetta overwhelming feelings and desires, a fact that makes her begin to question her faith, her vocation and the limits of her own spirituality amid visions, miracles and accusations of heresy.

Revelation (2020)

Original title: Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

The documentary offers an in-depth and essential look at transgender representation in the film industry throughout history. Here, big names come together to discuss the significant and often damaging impact of these representations on the real lives of trans people, exploring how the screen has influenced public perception of the community and the fight for recognition.

The Two of Us (2021)

Original title: Two

Popular title: Two of Us

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

In this exciting film, Nina (Barbara Sukowa) e Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) have been living a secret romance for years. However, an unexpected event turns this relationship upside down, taking their daughter Madeleine to discover, little by little, the truth about them.

Crossed Paths (2024)

Original title: Crossing

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Crossed ways follows the story of Leah (Mzia Arabuli), a retired teacher from Georgia, who learns from her young neighbor, Achi (Lucas Kankava), that her long-missing transgender niece, Tekla, crossed the border into Turkey. In search of Tekla (Tako Kurdovanidze), Lia travels to Istanbul with the unpredictable Achi, where they explore the hidden depths of the city.

Will & Harper (2024)

99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Harper and Will Ferrell have a long friendship. But when Harper comes out as a trans woman, the duo takes a trip to connect and introduce her to the country as she really is, resulting in this moving documentary.

Girl Picture (2022)

Original title: Girls girls girls

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In one of the sapphic films on the list, Mimmi (Aamu Milonoff) e Ronkkö (Eleonoora Kauhanen) are the best friends in the world. They work at a smoothie shop in a shopping mall, exchange gossip and have fun teasing their customers. But the arrival of Emma (Linnea Leino) is about to change everything between them.

Monster (2023)

Original title: Kaibutsu

Popular title: Monster

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

When a boy begins to exhibit increasingly worrying behavior, his mother, Saori (Sakura Andô) decides to talk to the teachers. Soon, she realizes that one of them may be the root of the problem. But as the mystery unfolds, the truth turns out to be more complex than she ever imagined.

Good Manners (2017)

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

Clara (Isabel Zuaa), a lonely nurse from the outskirts of São Paulo, is hired by the rich and mysterious Anna (Marjorie Estiano) as a nanny for her future child. A full moon night changes the lives of the two women forever.

Secret and Forbidden (2020)

Original title: Secret Love

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

In 1947, Pat Henschel and the baseball player Terry Donahue They met and began a relationship that would last more than 70 years. Despite everything, they both chose to keep their love a secret.

The Law of Desire (1987)

Original title: The law of Desire

Popular title:  Law of Desire

100% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: Play Market e Prime Video

no drama The Law of DesireDirected by Pedro Almodóvar, the film director Pablo Quintero (Eusebio Poncela) has a brief passionate and impetuous encounter with the young man Antonio Benítez (Antonio Banderas). After a night together, Pablo, still in love with Juan (Miguel Molina), tries to view what happened as a one-night stand. However, Antonio, taken by an unhealthy obsession, does not accept being just a fling and reveals a possessive side that will lead to drastic consequences.

Weekend (2011)

Original title: Weekend

95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

After a night out with straight friends, Russell (Tom Cullen) decides to go to a gay nightclub, where he meets Glen (Chris New). The two spend the night together and the next morning Glen asks to record a statement of Russell about the encounter, starting an unexpected intimacy. They continue together throughout the weekend, exploring bars, sharing intimate experiences and revealing details of their lives. However, their time is limited, as Glen is about to move to the United States.

Passages (2023)

Original title: Passages

95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

in the plot of Flights, the marriage of Thomas (Franz Rogowski) e Martin (Ben Whishaw) goes into crisis when Tomas impulsively begins a passionate affair with the young teacher Agathe (Adele Exarchopoulos).But when Martin also starts an affair, Tomas must face life decisions that he may not be prepared or willing to face.

Deserted Hearts (1985)

Original title: Desert Hearts

90% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

One of the best sapphic films transports the audience to a romantic drama set in Reno, Nevada, in 1959. There, a college professor Vivian Bell (Helen Shaver) seeks a divorce from her husband, but finds much more than she bargained for. Amidst the arid and liberating landscape, she becomes involved with Cay Rivvers (Patricia Charbonneau), a free and carefree young woman who works in a casino. 

Friend (2018)

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

Young Kenyan women Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) e Ziki (Sheila Munyiva) They are great friends and, although their families are political rivals, the two have remained together over the years, supporting each other in the battle to achieve their dreams. Their friendship turns into a romance that begins to affect the routine of the conservative community in which they live. They then have to choose between living this love intensely, defying the laws of Kenya, or distancing themselves to have a safe life.

Love, Simon (2018)

Original title: Love, Simon

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

At 17, Simon Spier (Nick Robinson) He appears to lead an ordinary life, but he suffers every day because he has to hide a big secret: his sexual orientation. And everything gets more complicated when he falls in love with one of his classmates, anonymously, on the internet.

The Watermelon Woman (1996)

92% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Among the best sapphic films indicated on the list is The Watermelon Woman, which accompanies Cheryl (Cheryl Dunye), an aspiring black lesbian filmmaker who works at a video store and is making a documentary about a black actress from the 1930s known only as the “Watermelon Woman.” As she unravels the meaning of the actress’s life, Cheryl goes through a big change in his life.

My Encounters with Amber (2020)

Original title: dating amber

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: HBO Max

In Ireland in the 1990s, Eddie (Fionn O'Shea) e Amber (Lola Petticrew), two teenagers, decide to start a fake relationship to avoid suspicions about their sexual orientation in a context of strong homophobia. Amber plans to live openly as a lesbian in a more liberal environment, and is saving up to move. Eddie, on the other hand, is still in doubt about his sexuality and tries to fit into the mold of his father, a strict man who serves in the Irish army. Together, they face the challenges of their identity in a country marked by prejudice and repression.

Kingdom of God (2017)

Original title: God's Own Country

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

On the isolated family farm, the young man Johnny Saxby (Josh O'Connor) lives a solitary existence, drowning his frustrations in alcohol and casual sexual encounters. His routine changes drastically when his father hires Gheorghe Ionescu (Alec Secareanu), a Romanian immigrant, to help with the daily work. The young man's arrival not only completely changes the dynamics of the farm, but also awakens in Johnny new feelings.

Paris Is Burning (1990)

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Set in New York City, 1980. In the Harlem drag ball scene, rival houses compete in fierce competition for trophies, featuring African and Latino drag queens and trans women, including Willi ninja, Pepper LaBeija e Venus Xtravaganza, reveal the rules and traditions of the scene.

Man with H (2025)

8,1 on IMDB

Where to watch: Netflix

The different phases of the singer's career Ney Matogrosso (Jesuit Barbosa), from his childhood, through adolescence and adulthood. A journey through time that follows a boy from humble origins who breaks prejudices and becomes an influential artist.

A Fantastic Woman (2017)

Original title: A Fantastic Woman

Popular title: A fantastic woman

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,2 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

Em A Fantastic Woman, Marina Vidal (Daniela Vega), a trans woman, faces prejudice from her ex-partner's family after his death. She deals with the pain of loss while being disrespected and marginalized by his family. The plot follows her struggle for recognition and dignity in the midst of suffering.

Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Original title: Call Me by Your Name

95% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: Netflix

Based on the book of the same name, the story follows the young man Elio (Timothée Chalamet) who is preparing for another lazy summer at his parents' house. However, the tranquility is broken with the arrival of Oliver (Armie Hammer), an American academic who comes to assist in the research of his father Elio. Amidst long sunny days, bathing in rivers and intellectual discussions, an unexpected attraction arises between the two.

Carol (2015)

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,3 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Set in the 1950s, the film follows Therese Belivet (Rooney Mara), a young woman who leads a monotonous life working in a department store. Her routine is transformed the day she meets Carol Aird (Cate Blanchett), an elegant and discreet client. The attraction is instantaneous and an intense loving bond begins to develop between the two women. However, in an era of rigid social conventions and prejudices, this forbidden love will have consequences for both of them.

Milk: The Voice of Equality (2008)

Original title: Milk

93% on Rotten Tomatoes | IMDb: 7,5

Where to watch: Prime Video e Youtube

Here, Sean Penn plays Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to public office in the US. In 1972, he and his boyfriend, Scott Smith (James Franco), move to San Francisco, where Harvey opens a camera store in the Castro district, which becomes a meeting point for the LGBTQIAPN+ community. In 1977, he is elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, but his relationship with his colleague Dan White (Josh Brolin) culminates in tragedy. The production functions as a celebration of the struggle of Harvey for equality and its legacy in the history of civil rights.

Kokomo City (2023)

99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

The documentary delves into the lives of four Black trans women who work as sex workers in Atlanta and New York City. Through the stories of Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell e Dominique Silver, the film dismantles stereotypes, revealing the raw and honest realities of resilience, survival and the search for identity. 

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Original title: Love Lies Bleeding

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 6,6 

Where to watch: HBO Max

Em Love Lies Bleeding: Love Bleeds, Lou (Kristen Stewart) is the manager of a local gym who falls in love with Jackie (Katy O'Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder on her way to Las Vegas to pursue her dream. However, their intense romance quickly turns violent when they are drawn into the dangerous web of Lou's crime family.

Water Lilies (2007)

Original title: Birth of pies

Popular title: Water lilies

81% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In the sweltering heat of the Parisian summer, the teenager Marie (Pauline Acquart) finds a way to get closer to Floriane (Adele Haenel) when joining the local synchronized swimming team. Between training in the pool and socializing with the other students, the two girls embark on a journey of discovery.

120 Beats Per Minute (2017)

Original title: 120 battements per minute

Popular title: 120 BPM

99% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video

In the effervescent France of the 1990s, the film 120 Beats Per Minute portrays the heart of the activist group Act Up Paris. Led by voices like that of Sean (Nahuel Pérez Biscayart), members intensify their tireless efforts to shock and raise awareness in society and the pharmaceutical industry about the urgency of AIDS prevention and treatment.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Original title: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

94% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,5 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine e Prime Video

Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) decides to take his show on the road. From then on, he invites the charismatic transvestites Felicia (Guy Pearce) and the veteran and sagacious Bernadette (Terence Stamp) to follow. Aboard their iconic pink bus, named Priscilla, the three embark on an unforgettable journey across the vast and breathtaking Australian desert, bringing their fabulous performances to enthusiastic audiences and, along the way, encountering much more than just a stage.

Tomboy (2011)

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

In the history of Tomboy, directed by Céline Sciamma, Laure (Zoe Heran), a 10-year-old girl with social difficulties, pretends to be a boy to make friends with the children in her new neighborhood, but her growing connection with one of the girls ends up causing an identity crisis.

Imagine Me & You (2005)

Original title: Imagine Me & You

75% on Rotten Tomatoes | 6,8 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

On your wedding day with Heck (Matthew Goode), the life of Rachel (Piper Perabo) takes an unexpected turn when he meets the florist Luce (Lena Headey). An immediate and undeniable connection arises between the two. As they reunite, their friendship blossoms, but it also sows doubt in each other's hearts. Rachel about your relationship with Rear. The revelation that Luce is a lesbian turns the world around Rachel upside down, causing her to begin to question her choices and her understanding of love.

All of Us Strangers (2023)

Original title: All of Us Strangers

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,6 on IMDb

Where to watch: Disney +

One night in his nearly empty London building, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), which ends up shaking the rhythm of their daily lives. As they get closer, Adam is drawn to his childhood home, where it appears his long-deceased parents are alive and appear to be the same age as when they died over 30 years ago.

City of Dreams (2001)

Original title: Mulholland Drive

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,9 on IMDb

Where to watch: Youtube

The blonde Betty Elms (Naomi Watts) has just arrived in Hollywood to become a movie star when he meets Rita (Laura Harring), an enigmatic brunette with amnesia. As they try to discover the woman's identity, the filmmaker Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux) faces sinister problems during the casting process for his latest project.

Happy Together (1997)

Original title: Chun gwong ja sit

Popular title: Happy Together

84% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: MUBI

Em Happy together, one of the best gay films ever made, Lai (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) and your boyfriend Ho (Leslie Cheung) travel to Argentina in search of a better life. Their highly contentious relationship turns abusive and results in numerous fights and reconciliations. Then, when Lai makes friends with another man, Chang (Chang Chen), he rethinks his relationship. Chang, however, is on his own personal journey and both Lai e Ho find themselves far from home and desperately lonely.

Tangerine (2015)

Original title: Tangerines

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: Play Market

The production directed by Sean baker follows the chaotic Christmas Eve of Sin-Dee (Kitana Kiki Rodriguez), a trans prostitute who, recently released from prison, discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her. On her journey in search of answers alongside her best friend, Alexandra (Mya Taylor), we see a vibrant and raw portrait of the streets of Los Angeles.

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Original title: Brokeback Mountain

88% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,7 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine

In history, Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) e Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) meet in the summer of 1963 in Wyoming while working as sheepherders. Amid the solitude of the mountains, an unexpected attraction leads them to a brief and intense sexual encounter. At the end of the summer, each moves on with their lives, marrying their respective partners, Lureen Newsome (Anne Hathaway) e Alma (Michelle Williams). However, the bond between Jacks e Ennis persists. For nearly twenty years, they maintain a secret love affair through sporadic encounters, fighting against social conventions and the dangers of their time to preserve the only place where they can be true to themselves.

Portrait of a Young Woman on Fire (2019)

Original title: Portrait of the girl on fire

Popular title: Portrait of a Lady on Fire

97% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,0 on IMDb

Where to watch: Telecine e Prime Video

On a lonely island in Brittany, France, in the late 18th century, the young painter Marianne (Noemie Merlant) is hired with the task of painting a portrait of Heloise (Adèle Haenel) for her wedding, without her knowing. Spending his days watching the young woman and his nights painting, as they spend the days together, the relationship between them becomes more and more intense.

The Handmaiden (2016)

Original title: Ah-ga-ssi

Popular title: The Handmaiden

96% on Rotten Tomatoes | 8,1 on IMDb

Where to watch: currently unavailable

In one of the best sapphic films ever produced, full of twists and turns, Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) is hired as a maid Hideko (Kim Min-hee), a Japanese heiress, with the secret goal of ruining her life. However, as the two interact, the plan Sook-hee begins to fail, as unexpected feelings arise between them. The plot unfolds in an environment full of intrigue and tension, where secrets and conflicting emotions come into play and make room for a complex game of manipulation, love and betrayal.

Moonlight: Under the Moonlight (2016)

Original title: Moonlight

98% on Rotten Tomatoes | 7,4 on IMDb

Where to watch: Prime Video e Youtube 

Winner of Oscar for Best Picture for 2017, Moonlight: Under the Moonlight portrays the journey of self-discovery of Chiron in three distinct phases: childhood as Little (Alex Hibbert), a fragile boy who finds refuge in John (Mahershala Ali) e Teresa (Janelle Monae) of his mother's drug addiction Paula (Naomie Harris); adolescence, where, already as Chiron (Ashton Sanders), deals with his own sexuality and complex friendship with Kevin (Jharrel Jerome); and adult life as Black (Trevante Rhodes), a hardened man who must confront the ghosts of his past, especially the lasting impact of his relationship with Kevin (André Holland).

See also other features

RANKING: Best series with LGBTQIAPN+ characters

RANKING: The 100 best international pop albums of all time

Text proofread by Alexandre Marques in 30 / 06 / 2025.

Sources: R, Vogue e Empire