ARTICLE
LGBTQ+ Films and TV Series You Can Stream Right Now!
By Rachelle / 11 Jun 2021 (Friday)
The presence of the LGBTQ+ community in film and television has been on the rise as of late. From queer stories making its way into mainstream film to transgender actors being cast in trans roles, queer entertainment is steadily becoming more and more readily available and we are here for it!
From comedies to compelling dramas and adventures, we made sure that the featured films and tv series had to prominently featured gay, lesbian, trans, or queer characters; concern itself centrally with LGBTQ+ themes; present its LGBTQ+ characters in a fair and realistic light; and/or be seen as a touchpoint in the evolution of queer cinema. Check it out below:
*P/S: There are clips of the best scenes (calling them YAAAS QUEEN! moments for this piece) from each entry to further entice you. Do approach with caution if you do not wish to be spoiled! You have been warned.
TV SERIES
Pose (2018 – 2021)
Pose is a drama series about New York City's African-American and Latino LGBTQ and gender-nonconforming drag ball culture scene in the 1980s and, in the second season, early 1990s. Featured characters are dancers and models who compete for trophies and recognition in this underground culture, and who support one another in a network of chosen families known as Houses. Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals, the series stars an ensemble cast including Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Billy Porter, Indya Moore, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Charlayne Woodard, Hailie Sahar, Angelica Ross, Angel Bismark Curiel, Dyllón Burnside, Evan Peters, Kate Mara, James Van Der Beek and Sandra Bernhard.
The series provided a platform for the largest transgender cast ever and was met with critical acclaim and subsequently received numerous award nominations with Billy Porter winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – the first openly gay black man to be nominated for and win in an Emmy lead acting category.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: Everything about this series is a whole mood but if I were forced to pinpoint a pivotal moment to represent the series, it would be when Queen Mother Elektra Abundance schools a transphobic woman and puts her in her place in a very public display of power and self-respect. If you can't stand up for yourself, who can?
Where to Watch: Netflix
Euphoria (2019 – present)
Euphoria is a teen drama series created and written by Sam Levinson, loosely based on the Israeli television miniseries of the same name created by Ron Leshem and Daphna Levin. It follows a group of high school students through their experiences of sex, drugs, friendships, love, identity, and trauma. Starring Zendaya in the lead role, alongside an ensemble cast consisting of Maude Apatow, Angus Cloud, Eric Dane, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Barbie Ferreira, Nika King, Storm Reid, Hunter Schafer, Algee Smith, Sydney Sweeney, and Colman Domingo.
The series received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its cinematography, story, score, acting (particularly that of Zendaya and Schafer), and approach to its mature subject matter. For her performance, Zendaya won a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, becoming the youngest winner of the award.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: "I hate everyone else in the world but you." wbk Zendaya gives a masterclass in acting for Euphoria but this scene. This scene.
Where to Watch: HBO GO
Queer Eye (2018 – present)
Queer Eye is a reality television series created for Netflix. It is a reboot of the Bravo series of the same name, featuring a new Fab Five: Antoni Porowski, food and wine expert; Tan France, fashion expert; Karamo Brown, culture expert; Bobby Berk, design expert; and Jonathan Van Ness, grooming expert.
The award-winning show has been a global success within audiences, and is known for its strong representation amongst the LGBT community and communities that include people of color. The Fab Five ooze charisma and personality beyond being hosts of the show, leaving viewers wanting to be their best friend – I apologise if that sounds like a stereotype but it's true.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: Literally every single ending of every one of their episodes because the Fab Five have once again successfully turned someone's life around (for the better of course). They are the epitome of YAAAS QUEEN Moments and I really can't upload 5 seasons of the reality series here so I will share the next best thing: a compilation of them just being themselves.
Where to Watch: Netflix
Love, Victor (2020 – present)
Love, Victor is a teen comedy-drama series created by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, inspired by and set in the same world as the 2018 film Love, Simon.
Michael Cimino stars as Victor, a teen from a half Puerto Rican, half Colombian-American family living in Atlanta, alongside George Sear, Rachel Hilson, Bebe Wood, Anthony Turpel, Isabella Ferreira, Ana Ortiz, James Martinez, Mason Gooding, and Mateo Fernandez. Nick Robinson, who starred as the titular Simon in the original film, produces and narrates the series.
The power of Love, Simon was so impactful that it validated a whole new chapter. The preceding film paved the way for the series to boldly attempt to shatter stereotypes and represent the diversity of personality types and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. Victor and Simon aren't your stereotypical effeminate, showtunes-obsessed gay teens.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: When Victor fully accepts himself for who he is and kisses Benji, on the bench, in their prom suits. The whole season was teasing this very moment and when it finally happened, invisible fireworks went off everywhere.
Where to Watch: Disney+
Looking (2014 – 2016)
Looking is a comedy-drama series created by Michael Lannan and produced by David Marshall Grant, Sarah Condon, and Andrew Haigh, it stars Jonathan Groff, Frankie J. Alvarez, Murray Bartlett, Lauren Weedman, Russell Tovey, and Raúl Castillo. The show follows the experiences of three openly gay close friends living and loving in modern-day San Francisco.
The series was praised for its writing, direction, the performances of the ensemble and its fresh take on an LGBT-centric narrative. Despite its critical success, it suffered a cancellation after its second season but a one-time special was ordered to serve as the series' finale. So technically, Looking is 18-episodes and a tv movie long.
The cancellation was a blow not only to the community it was representing but also the team behind it and fans alike. Gone too soon for sure but at least immortalised on a streaming platform that will allow for countless rewatches over time.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: "I was in love with you back then. I'm in love with you now except I was afraid of that feeling. I'm not afraid anymore." They really saved the best for last on this one. Richie and Patrick were a pairing meant to be and watching this scene just felt oh so satisfying! brb gonna start binging the series again..
Where to Watch: HBO GO
FILM
Booksmart (2019)
Booksmart is a coming-of-age buddy comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde in her feature directorial debut, from a screenplay by Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, and Katie Silberman. It stars Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever as two graduating high school girls who set out to finally break the rules and party on their last day of classes; Jessica Williams, Will Forte, Lisa Kudrow, and Jason Sudeikis also star.
The film serves a fresh new take on coming-of-age and gives us a leading lady from the LGBTQ+ community without ever shouting it out as a selling point. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, it'll make you want to hug your best friend and never let go. If this debut is any indication of Wilde's capabilities, we can't wait to see what else she's got in store! Also, Feldstein and Dever should be household names by now.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: That bathroom scene between Hope and Amy. Amy had just gotten her heart broken after she witnessed her crush making out with some guy so she runs to the bathroom in tears only to be ambushed by Hope. The scene progressed in a way I never saw coming and I live for it!
Where to Watch: HBO GO
The Favourite (2018)
The Favourite is a period black comedy film co-produced and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, from a screenplay by Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara. Set in early 18th century Great Britain, the film's plot examines the relationship between cousins Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz) and Abigail Masham (Emma Stone), who are vying to be Court favourite of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman).
The film received critical acclaim, especially for the performances of the three leads and Lanthimos' direction, and it received numerous awards and nominations, including ten Academy Award nominations, tying Roma for the most nominations of that year with Olivia Colman taking home the Best Actress Oscar.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: "You look like a badger." This scene doesn't necessarily stand out as a powerful one but it perfectly encapsulates Queen Anne's relationship with Abigail. Olivia Colman serves weak and emotional to in-charge in this quick minute, showcasing her talent like we've never quite seen before. I firmly believe that if it weren't for her brilliance, we wouldn't have truly felt for the queen at all.
Where to Watch: Disney+
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Brokeback Mountain is a Neo-Western romantic drama film directed by Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’s Ang Lee. Adapted from the 1997 short story of the same name by Annie Proulx, the screenplay was written by Ossana and Larry McMurtry. The film stars Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, and Michelle Williams and depicts the complex emotional and sexual relationship between two American male cowboys named Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist in the American West from 1963 to 1983.
The film received universal acclaim, in particular for Lee's direction, its screenplay, and the performances of the cast (especially Ledger, Gyllenhaal, and Williams). It has also been regarded as a turning point for the advancement of queer cinema into the mainstream.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: When Ennis finds his old shirt in Jack's closet from the time they had their first tense moment. It still had the blood on the sleeve that Ennis dripped all over when his nose got hit. He really kept it.. after all this time.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Prom (2020)
The Prom is a musical comedy film directed by Ryan Murphy and adapted to the screen by Chad Beguelin and Bob Martin, from their and Matthew Sklar's 2018 Broadway musical of the same name. It stars Meryl Streep, James Corden, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Tracey Ullman, Kevin Chamberlin, Mary Kay Place, Kerry Washington, and introducing Jo Ellen Pellman as Emma Nolan.
Despite garnering mixed reviews from critics, The Prom received praise for its the message, musical numbers and cast performances.
Of all the entries on this list, this film may be the most stereotypical of the lot. It's got glitz, it's got glitter, it's got jazz hands – basically everyone's stereotype of a musical! It may not have won the hearts of all its audience but we've decided to include it on our list anyway because it's got heart.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: It's a musical film so of course its gotta be one of many musical numbers and it's very obviously the "It's Time To Dance" number. Emma gets the prom she set out for and gets to dance with her girlfiriend! Who doesn't love a happy ending?
Where to Watch: Netflix
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Call Me By Your Name is a coming-of-age romantic drama film directed by Luca Guadagnino, with a screenplay from James Ivory based on the 2007 novel of the same name by André Aciman.
Set in 1983 in northern Italy, the film chronicles the romantic relationship between a 17-year-old, Elio Perlman (Timothée Chalamet), and Oliver (Armie Hammer), a 24-year-old graduate-student assistant to Elio's father (Michael Stuhlbarg), an archaeology professor. The film also stars actresses Amira Casar, Esther Garrel, and Victoire Du Bois.
The film received widespread critical acclaim, particularly for Ivory's screenplay, Guadagnino's direction, and the performances of Chalamet, Hammer, and Stuhlbarg. The modern gay classic advances the canon of gay cinema with its portrayal of first love that transcends the same-sex dynamic of its central couple. Chalamet cemented a place for himself in Hollywood for his raw and unhinged portrayal of a young teen discovering a summer romance that lingers well beyond the season.
"YAAAS QUEEN!" Moment: When Oliver leans over and kisses Elio for the first time while they were lounging in a secluded spot.
Where to watch: HBO GO
What other films would you watch in honour of Pride Month? Let us know in the comments below!