200 Best LGBTQ Movies of All Time

It’s been a big few years for LGBTQ films. In 2016, Carol earned six Oscar nominations, and just a year later, for the first time in history, Moonlight became the first LGBTQ-themed movie to win Best Picture. At the 2019 Oscars, Olivia Colman was named Best Actress for playing the lesbian queen Anne in The Favourite, beating out Can You Ever Forgive Me?‘s Melissa McCarthy, who played lesbian writer Lee Israel. In 2020, Pedro Almadóvar’s Pain and Glory would make a dent on the awards circuit, as would Celine Sciamma’s romance Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, one of the best-reviewed movies of recent years. Meanwhile, Love, Simon made history in 2018 as the first mainstream, wide-release teenage rom-com to focus on a gay character (a spin-off TV series, Love, Victor, hits Hulu this June). And it wasn’t the last: A lesbian romance lies at the center of critically acclaimed high school flick, Booksmart, while comedy Midas Judd Apatow is currently producing a gay rom-com starring Billy on the Street’s Billy Eichner.

All of these films stand on the shoulders of other LGBTQ films that have come before. Our list of the 200 Best LGBTQ Movies of All Time stretches back almost 90 years to the pioneering German film, Mädchen in Uniform, which was subsequently banned by the Nazis, and crosses multiple continents, cultures, and genres. There are broad American comedies (The Birdcage), artful Korean crime dramas (The Handmaiden), groundbreaking indies (Tangerine), and landmark documentaries (Paris Is Burning). In our latest thorough update of the list, we added films from the last year in cinema that qualified, among them the aforementioned Portrait of a Lady On Fire and Pain and Glory, as well as documentary Circus of Books and Swedish-Georgian Cannes sensation, And Then We Danced. When revising this list, we’ve looked to include more stories from outside of the U.S., and we’re excited for people to discover films like Taboo (Gohatto), a gay love story set during the waning years of the samurai era; The Wound (Inxeba), centered around three men during a tribal initiation ceremony in Africa; and Australian film 52 Tuesdays, about the relationship between a daughter and her mother who is undergoing a gender transition.

To be considered for the list, a movie had to prominently feature 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. And it had to be Fresh. The final list was culled from a longlist of hundreds, after which the films were ranked according to the Adjusted Tomatometer, which acts as a kind of inflation adjustment, taking into consideration the Tomatometer score, as well as the number of reviews a film received relative to the average number of reviews for films released that same year. We did not include miniseries, leaving out seminal works like Angels in America, nor movies made for TV. And we recognize that some of the films in the list will re-ignite healthy debates that have been fixtures of discussion around LGBTQ films — straight actors playing gay characters, cis actors playing trans characters, and the historical dominance of white male perspectives. We’d encourage those debates to continue, respectfully, in the comments section below. (And speaking of comments: yes, we know that But I’m a Cheerleader is missing — we love it too! — but it’s Rotten.) For now, join us as we celebrate the work of hundreds of filmmakers whose talents and risks have opened up the possibilities of cinema.

Best LGBTQ Movies

200-151 | 150-101 | 100-51 | 50-1



#196 Priest (1995) 70% #196 Adjusted Score: 70.765% Critics Consensus: A deft directorial debut from Antonia Bird, Priest handles its sensitive subject with care -- despite certain sanctimonious sentiments. Synopsis: A priest is torn between church dogma and his personal beliefs in this British drama. Father Greg (Linus Roache) is... A priest is torn between church dogma and his personal beliefs in this British drama. Father Greg (Linus Roache) is... [More] Starring: Linus Roache, Tom Wilkinson, Cathy Tyson, Robert Carlyle Directed By: Antonia Bird

#193 The Misandrists (2018) 72% #193 Adjusted Score: 72.672% Critics Consensus: The Misandrists mounts a memorably gonzo assault on the patriarchy -- one whose wild ambition and outré aesthetic are often enough to cover for its uneven execution. Synopsis: When an injured male leftist on the run discovers the remote stronghold of the Female Liberation Army -- a radical... When an injured male leftist on the run discovers the remote stronghold of the Female Liberation Army -- a radical... [More] Starring: Susanne Sachsse, Viva Ruiz, Kembra Pfahler, Caprice Crawford Directed By: Bruce La Bruce

#191 Shortbus (2006) 68% #191 Adjusted Score: 71.955% Critics Consensus: The sex may be explicit, but Mitchell integrates it into the characters' lives and serves the whole story up with a generous dose of sweetness and wit. Synopsis: The film follows a varied group of seven people, among them a dominatrix and a sex therapist, as they navigate... The film follows a varied group of seven people, among them a dominatrix and a sex therapist, as they navigate... [More] Starring: Sook Yin Lee, Paul Dawson, PJ DeBoy, Raphael Barker Directed By: John Cameron Mitchell

#190 Wilde (1998) 71% #190 Adjusted Score: 73.169% Critics Consensus: Wilde can't hope to communicate the entirety of its subject's fascinating life or outsize talent, but Stephen Fry's stellar performance offers abundant compensation. Synopsis: The life of Oscar Wilde, at least that part pertaining to his sex life, Lord Alfred Douglas and his ruinous... The life of Oscar Wilde, at least that part pertaining to his sex life, Lord Alfred Douglas and his ruinous... [More] Starring: Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle Directed By: Brian Gilbert

#188 Heartbeats (2011) 73% #188 Adjusted Score: 74.603% Critics Consensus: An art film to the max, Heartbeats intriguing and appealing premise is sometimes buried by director Xavier Dolan's filmmaking flourishes. Synopsis: Xavier Dolan's sexy and stylish HEARTBEATS is a comic exploration of a romantically obsessed menage-a-trois. HEARTBEATS was a hit at... Xavier Dolan's sexy and stylish HEARTBEATS is a comic exploration of a romantically obsessed menage-a-trois. HEARTBEATS was a hit at... [More] Starring: Monia Chokri, Niels Schneider, Xavier Dolan, Anne Dorval Directed By: Xavier Dolan

#187 Bent (1997) 73% #187 Adjusted Score: 73.582% Critics Consensus: Bent juggles heavy topics with style, though its heavy-handedness at times feels more like exploitation than exploration. Synopsis: Sean Mathias directed this screen adaptation of Martin Sherman's award-winning play about the persecution of homosexuals by Nazis during World... Sean Mathias directed this screen adaptation of Martin Sherman's award-winning play about the persecution of homosexuals by Nazis during World... [More] Starring: Ian McKellen, Clive Owen, Lothaire Bluteau, Brian Webber Directed By: Sean Mathias

#185 Adam (2019) 74% #185 Adjusted Score: 74.087% Critics Consensus: Much like its well-meaning but clueless protagonist, Adam occasionally seems to be in over its head -- but its good intentions make those fumbles easier to forgive. Synopsis: Awkward, self-conscious Adam Freeman (Nicholas Alexander) has just finished his junior year of high school in 2006. When his cool... Awkward, self-conscious Adam Freeman (Nicholas Alexander) has just finished his junior year of high school in 2006. When his cool... [More] Starring: Nicholas Alexander, Bobbi Salvör Menuez, Leo Sheng, Chloë Levine Directed By: Rhys Ernst

#180 High Art (1998) 73% #180 Adjusted Score: 74.91% Critics Consensus: A surprisingly sultry performance from Ally Sheedy elevates High Art from pretentious melodrama to compelling -- if still a little pretentious -- romance. Synopsis: Lisa Cholodenko's Sundance award-winning romantic drama about a photo magazine editor and the heroin-addicted former photo prodigy with whom she... Lisa Cholodenko's Sundance award-winning romantic drama about a photo magazine editor and the heroin-addicted former photo prodigy with whom she... [More] Starring: Radha Mitchell, Ally Sheedy, Patricia Clarkson, Bill Sage Directed By: Lisa Cholodenko

#178 The Runaways (2010) 69% #178 Adjusted Score: 74.521% Critics Consensus: Viewers expecting an in-depth biopic will be disappointed, but The Runaways is as electric as the band's music, largely thanks to strong performances from Michael Shannon, Dakota Fanning, and Kristen Stewart. Synopsis: The film follows two friends, Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, as they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock... The film follows two friends, Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, as they rise from rebellious Southern California kids to rock... [More] Starring: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Michael Shannon, Stella Maeve Directed By: Floria Sigismondi

#177 Personal Best (1982) 73% #177 Adjusted Score: 75.469% Critics Consensus: Mariel Hemingway has a career-making star turn in this highly physical drama about two Olympic athletes who find each other during competitive training. Synopsis: In 1982, there was a brief cycle of homosexual-relationship films, none of which were successful enough to form the basis... In 1982, there was a brief cycle of homosexual-relationship films, none of which were successful enough to form the basis... [More] Starring: Mariel Hemingway, Scott Glenn, Patrice Donnelly, Kenny Moore Directed By: Robert Towne

#176 Before Night Falls (2001) 73% #176 Adjusted Score: 75.776% Critics Consensus: An impressionistic, fragmented look at Reinaldo Arenas, Before Night Falls' imagery manages to evoke a sense of the writer's artistry, and Bardem's strong performance holds the film together. Finally, a biopic done well. Synopsis: This is the story of Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas. Raised in the Oriente Province of Cuba in the... This is the story of Cuban poet and novelist Reinaldo Arenas. Raised in the Oriente Province of Cuba in the... [More] Starring: Javier Bardem, Olivier Martinez, Hector Babenco, Johnny Depp Directed By: Julian Schnabel

#174 Concussion (2013) 75% #174 Adjusted Score: 76.552% Critics Consensus: Smart, nuanced, and sexy, Concussion transcends its more awkward moments thanks to Robin Weigert's remarkable starring performance. Synopsis: Written and directed by Stacie Passon in an auspicious directing debut effort, and produced by Rose Troche, CONCUSSION is a... Written and directed by Stacie Passon in an auspicious directing debut effort, and produced by Rose Troche, CONCUSSION is a... [More] Starring: Robin Weigert, Maggie Siff, Jonathan Tchaikovsky, Janel Moloney Directed By: Stacie Passon

#168 The Happy Prince (2018) 72% #168 Adjusted Score: 77.317% Critics Consensus: A passion project for writer, director, and star Rupert Everett, The Happy Prince pays effective tribute to Oscar Wilde with a poignant look at his tragic final days. Synopsis: In a cheap Parisian hotel, Oscar Wilde lies on his deathbed and recalls his past with wit and irony. Was... In a cheap Parisian hotel, Oscar Wilde lies on his deathbed and recalls his past with wit and irony. Was... [More] Starring: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Colin Morgan, Edwin Thomas Directed By: Rupert Everett

#166 Trickfilme (1999) 78% #166 Adjusted Score: 78.18% Critics Consensus: By portraying its love story as nothing less than conventional, Trick avoids genre tropes to create a simple, effective romance. Synopsis: In this comedy, Gabriel is a smart composer specializing in musical comedies. Mark is a real Adonis who works as... In this comedy, Gabriel is a smart composer specializing in musical comedies. Mark is a real Adonis who works as... [More] Starring: Directed By: Jan Hryniak

#161 The Intervention (2016) 78% #161 Adjusted Score: 79.189% Critics Consensus: The Intervention's familiar plot is enlivened by complex character dynamics and a likable cast. Synopsis: A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was... A weekend getaway for four couples takes a sharp turn when one of the couples discovers the entire trip was... [More] Starring: Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Vincent Piazza, Cobie Smulders Directed By: Clea DuVall

#159 Alex Strangelove (2018) 80% #159 Adjusted Score: 80.161% Critics Consensus: Alex Strangelove offers a refreshingly insightful -- and fittingly adult -- take on teen sexuality enlivened by smart humor and a fearlessly progressive approach. Synopsis: ALEX STRANGELOVE tells the story of Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny), a well-rounded high school senior with a wonderful girlfriend Claire... ALEX STRANGELOVE tells the story of Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny), a well-rounded high school senior with a wonderful girlfriend Claire... [More] Starring: Daniel Doheny, William Ragsdale, Joanna Adler, Isabella Amara Directed By: Craig Johnson

#157 Get Real (1999) 79% #157 Adjusted Score: 80.411% Critics Consensus: An authentic portrayal of homosexuality in high school, Get Real is an engaging dramedy that doesn't sermonize its audience nor trivialize its characters. Synopsis: Simon Shore manages the transition from television and documentary to feature filmmaking with great assurance in his debut, the captivating,... Simon Shore manages the transition from television and documentary to feature filmmaking with great assurance in his debut, the captivating,... [More] Starring: Ben Silverstone, Brad Gorton, Charlotte Brittain, Stacy Hart Directed By: Simon Shore

#152 Holding The Man (2015) 81% #152 Adjusted Score: 81.103% Critics Consensus: Heart-wrenching performances center Holding the Man, an achingly beautiful portrayal of love and death that may be too real for some. Synopsis: Tim and John fell in love and embarked on a forbidden high school romance that was to last a lifetime.... Tim and John fell in love and embarked on a forbidden high school romance that was to last a lifetime.... [More] Starring: Directed By: