40 Realllllly Freaking Good Movies You’ve Never Seen Before That Are Sooooo Gay And Underrated
I’m tired of seeing the same 10 films on every website’s LGBTQ+ movie roundup (hey, I still love Call Me by Your Name and Moonlight just as much as the next person, so don’t come for me!), so, as a queer person myself, I wanted to shine a light on some underrated movies that simply don’t get the attention or credit they deserve. Below are 40 that I genuinely think you’ll love, and if you want even more suggestions, you can check out my running list on Letterboxd with nearly 250 films. Enjoy!
1.
Young Hearts (2024) is a modern coming-of-age story about two 14-year-old boys who fall in love for the first time. This Belgian movie is awkward and sweet and painfully real. I can’t rave enough about it, and the only downside is that it wasn’t released 20 years ago when I was their age and needed it most.
2.
National Anthem (2023) is one of my favorite movies from the last few years, so I’m sort of hoping (well, demanding) that you watch it. It’s a tender, refreshing look at queerness and chosen family and what it means to actually belong. Too many people are sleeping on Charlie Plummer, but I need the world to know that he is, was, and always will be a star.
3.
Other People (2016) is centered around a gay comedy writer (Jesse Plemons) who moves home to take care of his dying mother (Molly Shannon). It was written and directed by Chris Kelly, who co-created The Other Two and was an SNL head writer, and it’s equal parts funny, sad, and heartfelt.
4.
The Wedding Banquet (2025) is a remake of the iconic 1993 film. This one stars all your favorite people (Bowen Yang! Lily Gladstone! Kelly Marie Tran!), and they’re all queer but have to fake a straight wedding to appease their traditional family. It’s modern and fun and funny and a breath of fresh air.
5.
A Secret Love (2020) is a documentary about two women who fell in love but kept their lesbian relationship a secret for nearly 70 years. Their names are Pat and Terry, and Terry used to be a pro baseball player in the 1940s, á la A League of Their Own. At one point I was audibly sobbing so hard that I literally had to pause the movie to collect myself, so good luck.
6.
Deathtrap (1982) is a campy murder mystery about a washed-up playwright (Michael Caine) and his hot, young student (Christopher Reeve). It’s twisty and full of surprises and will have you laughing out loud. Ugh, I just love this black comedy so much.
7.
Stranger by the Lake (2013) is an erotic French thriller that you should NOT watch with your parents. It’s set at a nude beach where men like to cruise, but things get especially intense after a murder occurs. Y’all want to see some penises? Well, this movie is for you!
8.
I Saw the TV Glow (2024) is a surreal movie about queer identity that may leave you with more questions than answers. This one is the ultimate fever dream, and it’s probably best if you go into it blindly, so have fun.
9.
All of Us Strangers (2023) is a realllllly tender, emotional story about love, loss, and the ghosts that linger in our lives. Andrew Scott somehow didn’t get an Oscar nod for his performance (but he should have won the entire thing!), and I’ll never forgive the Academy for not giving Jamie Bell a nomination either.
10.
Mysterious Skin (2004) stars a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a devastating, raw, and powerful look at how trauma can impact you and your life forever. This one is DARK yet stunning, and it will absolutely wreck you.
11.
Passing (2021) is an adaptation of the Nella Larsen novel. It follows two Black women (one who’s passing as white) who reunite in 1920s New York. It’s tense and haunting but also so gorgeous that you can’t help but look away.
12.
Parting Glances (1986) is a groundbreaking movie because it was one of the first to address AIDS in a realistic way. It features Steve Buscemi in one of his first acting roles ever, and the best part is that this movie treats its gay characters like ~real~ people. This is a tiny film that the general population doesn’t even know exists, but, wow, it sure does pack a punch.
13.
Tragedy Girls (2017) is a campy slasher film about two death-obsessed teenagers who become serial killers in an effort to boost their social media following. It’s super fun and funny, and I’m mad that more people haven’t heard of it.
14.
Tea and Sympathy (1956) follows a “sensitive” prep school teen who’s bullied by the other students and teachers for being different. He finds solace in an older woman, played by Deborah Kerr, and the whole thing is just sooooo pretty to look at.
15.
Beach Rats (2017) stars my king, Harris Dickinson, in an intimate, messy look at what it’s like to grow up and struggle to find your place in the world. He plays a closeted teen in Brooklyn who hangs out with his friends during the day but cruises older men online at night. If you want something quiet yet hypnotic, then this is for you.
16.
The Gospel According to André (2017) is a documentary about André Leon Talley, the larger-than-life Vogue editor who helped shape (and redefine) the fashion industry. The whole thing is a celebration of excellence and style and being unapologetically yourself.
17.
Passages (2023) is easily one of the spiciest movies from the last few years. It’s about toxic love (one of the men in a gay relationship has an affair with a woman!), and things get wilddddddddd. You will see every single inch of Ben Whishaw in this film, and, wow, I’m still so mad that he didn’t get an Oscar nomination for his performance.
18.
Flee (2021) is a breathtaking animated documentary about a gay Afghan refugee who’s telling his story for the first time. This movie has so much emotional depth, and it was actually nominated for three Oscars (Best Animated Feature, Best Documentary, and Best International Film). It’s a must-watch.
19.
Torch Song Trilogy (1988) is an unapologetically queer story about a gay drag performer in New York City. This one will make you want to beg Harvey Fierstein to write more movies. It also stars Anne Bancroft and a young Matthew Broderick, so I guess dreams really do come true.
20.
Of an Age (2022) is a romantic drama that’s centered around a young guy who has an unexpected hookup with his best friend’s older brother. There are a bunch of cool twists that occur, and I promise they’ll make you feel every emotion possible.
21.
Love Lies Bleeding (2024) is a super intense rom-thriller (I’m coining that term) starring Kristen Stewart as a gym manager, and her character gets involved with a female bodybuilder who’s trying to go pro. There’s murder and sex and drugs, and the movie was made by A24, so that should be convincing enough for you.
22.
Femme (2023) is centered around a drag performer who tries to get revenge on the closeted man who attacks them. The acting in it is fantastic, though the subject matter is pretty heavy, so consider this your warning because the film deals with some pretty traumatic subject matters.
23.
Compulsion (1959) follows two hot, wealthy, and secretly queer college boys who commit a murder and think they’re too smart to get away with it. It’s loosely based on a real-life murder trial, and it’s a lot of fun, so just trust me on this one.
24.
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood (2017) is a scandalous documentary that follows Scotty Bowers, the real-life man who basically served as a pimp for every secretly gay celeb from the ’40–’80s. The stories in it are so freaking wild, and if you love Old Hollywood or celebrity gossip then, you need to watch this.
25.
The Dreamers (2003) is about an American in 1960s Paris who becomes extremely close with a brother-sister duo. It’s rated NC-17 for a reason, and you’ll see why. Again, don’t watch this one with your parents.
26.
The Pass (2016) stars Russell Tovey as a closeted pro soccer player who hooks up with his teammate, and we see how their relationship changes over the years. They’re basically shirtless for most of the movie, so you’re welcome.
27.
The Way He Looks (2014) is a Brazilian coming-of-age movie that follows a blind teenager and a school’s new student as they try to navigate life, love, and independence. It’ll genuinely have you smiling sooooo much.
28.
Handsome Devil (2016) is a coming-of-age film that stars Nicholas Galitzine as a school’s secretly gay rugby star. It’s just super heartfelt, and Andrew Scott is also in it, so I promise you’ll like it.
29.
Another Country (1984) is a drama where Rupert Everett and Colin Firth play outsiders at a boarding school in 1930s England. It’s beautiful, smart, and an instant classic. If you like Maurice or Call Me by Your Name, then you’ll love this one.
30.
Crush (2022) is a really cute teen rom-com about a high-schooler who joins the track team to get closer to her crush. The best part is that all of the characters are already out and proud, and there’s no trauma or anything involved, which is so rare in YA queer movies.
31.
Tangerine (2015) is so chaotic in the best way possible. It follows two trans sex workers on Christmas Eve in Hollywood, and things get so overwhelming and hectic. The movie was actually shot entirely on an iPhone by Sean Baker, the four-time Oscar winner who made Anora and The Florida Project, in case you needed yet another reason to watch.
32.
Edge of the City (1957) is a gritty drama about the friendship between Sidney Poitier and John Cassavetes’ characters. It’s rough and tough and has a lotttt of queer subtext. Ruby Dee is also in this movie, and she’s especially fantastic.
33.
Closet Monster (2015) is centered around a graduating senior who desperately wants to escape his small town and his family’s complicated dynamics. It stars Connor Jessup, who I have SUCH a crush on, so back off!!! Also, Isabella Rossellini voices his hamster’s imaginary thoughts, so, like, what the heck are you waiting for?
34.
Taekwondo (2016) is a sleeper hit, and by that I mean not much actually happens in the movie (but the payoff is incredible!). Go into it blindly, and just know that all of Marco Berger’s films are queer and spicy.
35.
Sauvage (2018) is a super raw movie that follows a twentysomething sex worker on the streets of Paris who really just wants to find love. Some scenes are especially intense and NSFW, so you’ve been warned.
36.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) is a French period drama about forbidden love, and it’s so hot that it’ll melt your face off. I randomly think about the ending at least once a month. Like, please just watch it.
37.
Disclosure (2020) is a fascinating documentary that examines how Hollywood has depicted trans people in TV and movies throughout the years. Via interviews with experts and celebrities, it uncovers what sort of impact that portrayal has had on society and American culture. This one should be required viewing for everyone.
38.
I Am Jonas (2018) is a French drama that’s centered around a queer man at two key points in his life: first as a teen and then in his 30s. There are some wild plot twists that might emotionally wreck you, so just get ready.
39.
The Haunting (1963) is a revolutionary horror movie that features one of the only lesbian characters of its time to be feminine and not predatory. The film is based on the book The Haunting of Hill House, which was ultimately turned into a hugely popular Netflix series, so if you like either of them, then you should watch this, too.
40.
And finally, Fire Island (2022) is basically a gay, modern remake of Pride and Prejudice, and it’ll star all your new favorite people. We all need more fun movies in our lives, so what more could you want?
Do you have any favorite LGBTQ+ movies that didn’t make the list? Feel free to share them in the comments below!
