Everyone loves a romantic night in. Getting comfy on the sofa with some popcorn and a good movie is unbeatable at times. For LGBTQ+ couples though, it can sometimes be harder to plan a movie night that really hits home. Where do you start when it comes to trying to find good LGBTQ movies on Netflix?
Fear not, we’re here to help! Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the best LGBTQ movies on Netflix, all ready for your next cute night in with your sweetie. From gripping dramas to tear-jerking romances, there’s something for everyone here!
The Best LGBTQ Movies on Netflix: Our Top 6 Picks
1. Handsome Devil
If Irish accents are your thing, you’re in luck. This sweet story is a comedy-drama set in a boarding school in Ireland and follows the story of a young man, Ned, as he comes to terms with his sexuality. When he’s put in a room with Conor – the new kid at school, and the star rugby player – there’s an unlikely slow-blossoming friendship between them.
With the help of a role model, both boys must stay true to themselves in the face of judgment and bullying. This movie is as heart-wrenching as it is funny, and the high school drama aspects are painfully realistic. All in all, a great movie that handles the tricky topic of adolescent homophobia adeptly. Oh, and this one gets extra points for the banging soundtrack too!
2. Ride Or Die
This is a must-have when it comes to our list of the best LGBTQ movies on Netflix. Japanese director Ryuichi Hiroki based the movie on a manga series and it tells the troubled story of friends Rei and Nanae. When Rei, a young lesbian, learns that Nanae’s husband is abusive, she sets out.
In an article for Variety, Maggie Lee describes the movie as a “glammed up, erotically-charged cocktail of amour fou and true romance.”
3. Your Name Engraved Herein
When it comes to award-winning romance movies, this is a top choice. Set in 1980s Taiwan, the story is inspired by real events and follows A-han and Birdy, two young men attending an all-boys Catholic high school. They fall for one another, but due to the conservative environment, there’re lots of blockades to the pair being able to act on their feelings.
This compassionate story follows A-han and Birdy as they struggle with their feelings and identities, in the backdrop of the lifting of martial law in Taiwan.
4. San Junipero
Okay, so this one is an episode of Charlie Brooker’s outstanding Black Mirror series as opposed to a movie. But, it’s a standalone story and is arguably one of the best gay shows on Netflix. It’s a cute love story and a tearjerker that’ll appeal to sci-fi fans, as well as those with a penchant for the fashions and music of yesteryear. Intrigued yet?
It follows two very different women, Yorkie and Kelly, who run into each other at a bar in a stunning and colorful coastal town. Sparks fly between the pair, but all is not as it seems in San Junipero. Their evening together is fleeting, but their connection is powerful, and Yorkie decides to try and find Kelly again.
Avoid spoilers and go in blind for this one if you can. Then, be prepared to be amazed by the unusual circumstances which bring these two women together.
5. I Care A Lot
Romance movies on Netflix aren’t for everyone, so if you’re not a fan of sweeter stories, this is one for you. Rosamund Pike stars as a sassy queen-of-mean con woman, Marla. As a court-appointed guardian, Marla preys upon wealthy elderly people, pocketing proceeds from the sales of their assets after needlessly placing them in assisted living facilities.
The plot thickens when a mysterious man appears at the house that Marla is renovating with her girlfriend and business partner, putting their lucrative scheme under threat. Outstanding acting from the whole cast certainly put this one up there as one of the best LGBTQ movies on Netflix. But, maybe avoid watching it with your granny!
6. The Danish Girl
Tom Hooper’s beautiful movie is one for you if you fall in love with opulent period pieces. Set in 1920s Copenhagen, a young married couple Gerda and Einar Wegener seem to have it all: a spacious art studio; a stunning social life; and one another.
But when Einar becomes curious about life as a woman after standing in as a model to pose for a painting, things move quickly from the realm of fantasy to reality. This tender and emotional story is a sensitive and sometimes harrowing portrayal of a transgender person grappling with identity against the odds.
Settle In for a Netflix Binge!
So there you have it, our list of some of the best LGBTQ movies on Netflix. Now it’s time to get your favorite takeaway place on speed dial, grab some blankets, and start planning a relaxing and indulgent date night at home with your partner.