The Best LGBTQ Films To Watch During Pride Season | Great Queer Cinema

Visual Albums, Rom-Coms and Indies, Oh My!

Ok, so London Pride is about to take over the UK's capital and June (the International Pride Month) has just come to an end. It's probably the best time of the year to support queer cinema and watch a new LGBTQ movie, so allow me to take you through some of the best including ones you definitely haven't seen.

Pride [2014]

Pride follows the hysterical true story of the British-based 'Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners' group. The film introduces you to queer trailblazers as they unite with a community of Welsh Miners through their shared hatred of the Thatcher regime. This heartwarming and surprisingly moving tale of triumph and liberation is a must see for all.

Pride is available on Netflix.

God's Own Country [2017]

Reminiscent of Brokeback Mountain, this stunning romantic drama follows a British farmer's struggles as his internalized homophobia suddenly grapples with his blossoming feelings for Gheorghe, a Romani immigrant employed by his father.

God's Own Country is available on Netflix.

Tangerine [2015]

Highlighting and starring trans women of colour, Tangerine is one of the rare films to proudly and authentically explore the Trans community. This visually lush comedy-drama was filmed exclusively on an iPhone 5, making it's fantastic reception at the Sundance Film Festival even more exciting.

Carol [2015]

Based on a ground-breaking Lesbian novel, Todd Haynes' Carol is a gorgeous tale of love and tenderness in an age where women were required to be with men. This snow-dotted, forbidden romance is packed with heart and deserves to be seen by all.

Paris Is Burning [1991]

Love RuPaul's Drag Race? Then you should take the time to educate yourself and find out where the culture all came from. This particular documentary chronicles the world famous Ball culture and takes time to speak to the African-American and Latino icons that formed it in a time where their existence was almost never even acknowledged.

Paris is Burning is available on Netflix.

Love, Simon [2018]

Love, Simon is the most recent film on the list and also serves to be the most 'mainstream'. I say this not in terms of the movie itself, but in the way it was released. This family-friendly film heart-breakingly reveals the difficulties of coming out, the exhilaration of discovering love in the initially lonely queer world and the drama that accompanies it all. You can read my review of the movie here.

But I'm A Cheerleader [1999]

This cuttingly satirical rom-com stars Orange is the New Black's Natasha Lyonne as well as RuPaul Charles. Heralded as a queer cult-classic, the movie explores socially relevant topics like conversion therapy, trans identities and the place of queer stereotypes. They're heavy topics but this film never once loses the magic spark that makes this ride so fun. 

Beautiful Thing [1996]

Also a queer cult-classic, Beautiful Thing is a fantastic, uplifting rom-com set on a South East London council estate. The Channel 4 film was, according to Wikipedia anyway, initially only planned for a televised release. Despite that, it's massively positive reception led to a cinematic run and a following that continues to support the film to this day - in fact, the film is actually being shown today in London's Prince Charles Cinema in a 35mm format!

Milk [2008]

There is no doubt about it - you must learn who Harvey Milk was. His true story was dramatized for this Academy Award winning bio-pic starring Sean Penn (alongside James Franco and Josh Brolin). I won't say much more because the story is as remarkable as it is engaging, just go and watch it, okay?

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

This documentary uplifts the story of the oft-forgotten activist that helped start the gay rights movement. Marsha P., a trans-woman of colour and drag queen, was there the night of the infamous Stonewall Riot and, despite her tragic death in 1992 (a mystery which this film also focuses on), she will live forever more at the heart of the Pride movement.

The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson is available on Netflix.

Moonlight [2016]

The famous Best Picture winner Moonlight was always going to show up on this list. Barry Jenkins' masterpiece that chronicles the life (in three stages) of a young, gay, African-American man is sometimes difficult to watch, but the cinematography and stunning performances alone effortlessly entrance its audience.

Call Me By Your Name [2017]

Call Me By Your Name sits alongside Moonlight in the canon of modern queer classics. The film takes its time exploring (and not judging) the complex relationship that unfolds between Elio (17) and Oliver (24) while the latter was employed at the former's Italian home. Guadagnino's exquisite direction perfectly captures  the dream-like state of a first love and will have you floored by the time the credits roll.

BONUS: Dirty Computer [2018]

Dirty Computer isn't your traditional film - it's Janelle Monae's first visual album (or "emotion picture"). It features fantastic music like the catchy hit 'Pynk' and the Prince influenced 'Screwed', but the film's lush visuals almost overshadow the tracks. Following Monae's escape from a dystopian society which forces her to "comply with its homophobic beliefs", the visual album co-stars Thor: Ragnarok's Tessa Thompson who is kinda-sorta-maybe dating the singer in real life too. It's fun, sophisticated and definitely worth your view.

Written by James Green