Time to add to your Watch List!
Streaming services have become the ultimate go-to for entertainment, delivering tons of cinematic gems that cater to every taste and preference. For us who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community and for our allies, the digital landscape has unlocked a world of stories that truly reflect and resonate with our diverse identities and experiences.
Way back when, LGBTQIA+ friendly films rarely got a physically print due to their limited popularity and demand, making the search even more challenging—but there’s no longer a need to hunt down physical copies to find a film that represents us. Gone are the days of anxiously browsing through VCDs and VHS stores (Video City, anyone?) just to find a film that showcases same-sex relationships. Remember leaving those video rental stores feeling like you’d just committed a crime for wanting to watch a film that didn't fit heteronormative expectations?
With Pride Month spotlighting the celebration and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community, there's no better time to dive into queer media. Whether you're looking to expand your collection of queer-friendly films or you're exploring these stories for the first time, we've got you covered. We've put together a list of some of the best LGBTQIA+ films available on different Philippine streaming platforms that you absolutely need to check out. These must-watch movies celebrate and explore the vibrant spectrum of LGBTQ+ narratives, making them perfect for your next movie night.
Netflix
Nuovo Olimpo, 2023
This romantic drama set against the backdrop of the political violence in Italy follows the intertwined fates of two men who meet by chance at their local theater, aptly named Nuovo Olimpo. We follow the characters, Pietro and Enea, as they explore a passionate and tumultuous relationship over the course of several years.
Eldorado: Everything the Nazis Hate, 2023
A German documentary that explores the vibrant queer nightlife of Berlin during the Weimar Republic, juxtaposed with the rise of fascism. With the title referencing the name of a famous historical nightclub in Berlin, this film chronicles the queer community’s freedom and challenges brought about by the rise of Hitler.
The World to Come, 2021
Set in the 19th century American Northeast, The World To Come is a film where two farmers' wives find solace and passion in each other amidst the harsh landscape and their own repressive marriages.
Disclosure, 2020
An important documentary that examines Hollywood's portrayal of transgender people and the impact of those stories on transgender lives and American culture. Accompanied by notable actresses and actors who provide real life accounts of their experiences.
Happiest Season, 2020
A romantic comedy where Abby (Kristen Stewart) plans to propose to her girlfriend Harper (Mackenzie Davis) at the latter’s family Christmas gathering—only to discover Harper hasn't come out to her conservative parents.
Your Name Engraved Herein, 2020
Set in 1980s Taiwan, this film tells the emotional story of two high school boys who fall in love amid societal and familial pressures.
Love, Simon, 2018
Based on the 2015 Young Adult book titled Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, this coming-of-age film follows lead character Simon Spier (Nick Robinson), a 17-year-old high school student with a big secret: he's gay. When his secret is threatened, he must navigate conflicts with friends, family and his own self-acceptance.
Also available to stream on Disney+.
The Favourite, 2018
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring the ensemble cast of Emma Stone, Rachel Weisz, Nicholas Hoult and Olivia Coleman (who won the 2019’s Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role). This dark comedy, loosely based on real life events set in the early 18th century, follows the intense rivalry between two cousins vying for the favor of Queen Anne, exploring themes of power and sexual politics in the British Court.
Also available to stream on Disney+.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, 2017
This documentary is set in the tone of a murder mystery investigation, tackling the mysterious 1992 death of black LGBTQ activist, Marsha P. Johnson—which was declared a suicide by the NYPD. Chronicling the events of her life, her pivotal contribution in the Stonewall Riot and her untimely death, this film provides a condensed but crucial look into this prominent figure in queer history.
Brokeback Mountain, 2005
Set in 1960s Wyoming, this film tells a poignant love story about two cowboys named Ennis (the late Academy Award winning actor Heath Ledger) and Jack (Jake Gyllenhaal) who forge a deep connection over a summer working on Brokeback Mountain, only to struggle with their forbidden love over the years.
Disney
All of Us Strangers, 2023
A touching drama that takes inspiration from the 1987 Japanese novel Strangers, where a man named Adam (Andrew Scott) revisits his past after a chance encounter, which leads to a profound journey of self-discovery and rekindled connections. The film also stars Paul Mescal, best known for playing Connell in Normal People and Claire Foy from Netflix’s The Crown.
Fire Island, 2020
A modern-day adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, set on the iconic gay vacation destination of Fire Island, and follows a group of friends on their summer adventure.
HBO
Gia, 1998
A biographical drama about the rise and tragic fall of Gia Carangi (Angelina Jolie), one of the first supermodels who struggled with addiction and her identity as a lesbian in the 1980s.
Looking (The Movie), 2016
Directed by the critically lauded director Andrew Haigh, this film is a continuation of the popular HBO series with the same title. The movie may require a binge watch of the series prior to viewing, as it follows the reunion of the friends nine months after the original series’ ending. We watch them continue to navigate love, friendship and careers in San Francisco with a focus on their personal growth and relationships.
Amazon
Red, White & Royal Blue, 2023
A romantic comedy based on a book of the same title—which may seem dystopian with the level of imagination you have to exert to get past its premise—tells the story of the son of the American president and a British prince who fall in love, which causes an international uproar.
My Policeman, 2023
Starring Emma Corrin, who is best known for her portrayal of Princess Diana in Netflix’s The Crown, and former One Direction singer Harry Styles, this book adaptation of the novel with the same name tells the story of a tragic love triangle that spans for 40 years.
Set in 1950s Britain, we follow the characters of Tom, Marion and Patrick as they explore the forbidden love between a policeman and a schoolteacher, and its impact on their lives decades later.
Mubi
Happy Together, 1997
Directed by the legendary Wong Kar-Wai—best known for his films like 1994’s Chungking Express and 2000’s In The Mood For Love—Happy Together is a Hong Kong drama about a tumultuous relationship between two men who travel to Argentina seeking a fresh start, but find their love tested by hardship and distance.
The Bostonians, 1984
Starring Christopher Reeves, Vanessa Redgrave and Jessica Tandy, this period drama is based on Henry James' novel. The Bostonians details a suffragist's love and political struggle, highlighting themes of feminism and same-sex relationships in the late 19th century. An intimate and exquisite portrayal of forbidden love affairs in a battle between old-fashioned chauvinism vs new-age feminism.
Paris 05:59: Theo & Hugo, 2016
This French romantic drama follows two men who meet in a sex club and embark on a passionate, transformative night through the streets of Paris. What begins as a raunchy escapade soon takes a surprising turn, as the two main characters' journey unfolds against the backdrop of a Parisian dawn.
Mysterious Skin, 2004
A poignant drama about two boys whose lives are forever altered by a shared traumatic event, this film explores themes of abuse, sexuality and identity. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michelle Tranchtenberg and Brady Cobert, Mysterious Skin will leave you broken and in tears—but it's surely worth it.
Hide & Seek, 2013
A documentary examining the lives of LGBTQIA+ Muslims in urban Pakistan, their struggles for acceptance and the intersection of faith and sexuality. In a country where being queer is deemed a death sentence, we follow these amazing groups of friends face the stigma and taboos related to their sexuality head-on.
Paris is Burning, 1990
Hailed as the most important documentary for the LGBTQIA+ community, Paris is Burning captures the vibrant ball culture of New York City and the lives of African-American and Latino performers in the 1980s.
Paris Is Burning remains essential viewing for anyone seeking to understand the roots of contemporary queer culture and the ongoing struggles for equality and recognition. Its legacy endures, inspiring new generations to appreciate the richness of LGBTQIA+ history and the enduring power of self-expression.
So, grab your popcorn and settle in, because it's time to celebrate Pride Month in one of the best way possible—by immersing yourself in the best LGBTQIA+ films on streaming right now.
Whether you're revisiting beloved classics or discovering new favorites, these cinematic gems are ready to inspire, move and entertain you. Happy watching! Always remember: representation matters, and every story brings us one step closer to understanding and acceptance.
Words Charles Boswell
Art Alexandra Lara
