Can you hear the faint sound of Cher singing in the distance? Does the air look a little more sparkly than normal? Well, that’s because it’s June and Pride Month has arrived yet again. Yes, it’s the most joyous month on the gay calendar, filled with parties, parades, and for some reason, a lot of foldable fans.
But not everyone is interested in celebrating Pride by standing under the glaring sun in the oppressive summer heat. Some people would rather chill at home and watch movies with their friends. Luckily, there are tons of great LGBTQ movies out there that are perfect not just for the queer community, but for anyone interested in a great story. From comedies to dramas and even true stories, these five LGBTQ movies are perfect for Pride Month and beyond.
Red, White & Royal Blue (2023)
Based on the hit 2019 novel of the same name, Red, White & Royal Blue follows a very unlikely gay romance between the son of the U.S. president and the Prince of England. On the surface, the movie is a classic enemies-to-lovers tale, but what really sets it apart are the truly fantastic performances. Both leads, Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine, are fantastic and seem relatable and real, yet interesting and charming as well. Uma Thurman even has a fantastic supporting role as the American President who loves and supports her son.
But it would be unfair to talk about how great Red, White & Royal Blue is without mentioning that both Perez and Galitzine are incredibly handsome and have great chemistry together, which helps keep you glued to the story. It’s also great to see a proper feel-good gay rom-com since so many gay movies in the past always involved someone dying of HIV or the trauma of coming out. But in Red, White & Royal Blue, there’s nothing but good vibes.
Watch Red, White & Royal Blue on Amazon Prime.
Soldier’s Girl (2003)
Soldier’s Girl tells the true story of soldier Barry Winchell. While stationed at a base in Kentucky, he met Calpernia Addams, who was trans. As the two fell in love and began a relationship, Winchell started getting harassed by other soldiers. Their homophobia grew so strong that they even eventually plotted to kill him. Two soldiers murdered Winchell one night while he was sleeping, taking his life at just 24.
In the film, Lee Pace does a phenomenal job at playing Addams, presenting her as a warm and caring person, directly contrasting with the stereotypes and stigmas that many trans people face. Pace’s performance even earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Now that being trans has unfairly become a political issue and the community has been thrust into the spotlight, Soldier’s Girl is arguably more relevant now than ever.
Watch Solder’s Girl on Tubi.
The Birdcage (1996)
Adapted from the 1978 French movie La Cage aux Folles, 1996’s The Birdcage casts Robin Williams and Nathan Lane as Armand and Albert, a gay couple who own a drag bar in Miami. The film begins with their son telling them that he’s met a girl and is bringing her to visit. What they don’t know is that her father is staunch homophobic Republican Senator Kevin Keeley. Even worse, after a massive scandal hurts his reputation, Keeley decides to come along for the visit, hoping it will be a great PR stunt showcasing his “traditional family values.” To hide the fact that they’re gay, they decide to dress Albert (Lane) up in drag and present him as the family matriarch.
Being two comedy legends, it’s no surprise that Williams and Lane are absolutely hilarious throughout the entire movie. Their dialogue, their on-screen chemistry, and their mannerisms are flawlessly entertaining and they could have singlehandedly carried the film. But they are also joined by a great supporting cast that includes Gene Hackman, Calista Flockhart, Christine Baranski, Dianne Wiest, and Hank Azaria.
Watch The Birdcage on Pluto TV.
Zerophilia (2005)
Zerophilia focuses on a fictitious condition of the same name that results from people being born with an extra Z chromosome. Those with the condition start experiencing symptoms after their first instance of sexual arousal, and it causes the person to change their sex and sexual orientation. In the film, a young man discovers he’s a zerophiliac after developing a crush on the new girl in town. His constant sex-swapping leads to tons of problems … including that when he becomes a girl, he suddenly finds himself interested in his new girlfriend’s brother.
As you can probably tell, Zerophilia is just a big campy analogy for being LGBTQ+. But the movie is a lot of fun and has a good dose of humor too, making it an enjoyable watch no matter what letter of the acronym you identify with. The small indie film also had a surprisingly robust cast including Taylor Handley (The Mayor of Kingstown), Gina Bellman (Leverage: Redemption), and even former supermodel Kelly LeBrock.
Watch Zerophilia on Prime Video.
Paris is Burning (1990)
Both joyous and heartbreaking, the 1990 documentary Paris is Burning explores New York’s then-underground queer ballroom scene. The balls were a place for gay people, drag queens, and the trans and nonbinary communities to compete in a variety of competitions like voguing and fashion categories. Though ball culture was virtually unknown at the time, the rise of RuPaul’s Drag Race later helped popularize phrases like shade, reading, gagging, and serving.
As Drag Race rose in prominence, so did Paris is Burning. Shows like Legendary and FX’s Pose were directly inspired by the movie, and the issues explored in the film, like race, gender, and sexuality, remain relevant and important to this day. But most importantly, the personalities featured in Paris is Burning are larger than life and more captivating than any made-up character could be. Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, and Venus Xtravaganza remain iconic to this day and the movie is filled with hilariously quotable dialogue.
Watch Paris is Burning on Max.
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