The Best Lgbtq+ Films to Stream on Netflix Right Now
In recent years, representation of LGBTQ+ stories in cinema has seen a remarkable increase, showcasing a diverse range of experiences and narratives. Netflix, as a pioneering streaming service, has been instrumental in this change by providing an array of films that span genres and resonate with audiences. Here are some of the best LGBTQ+ films available to stream on Netflix right now:
1. “The Half of It” (2020): Directed by Alice Wu, this coming-of-age comedy-drama revisits the familiar trope of high-school romance through a fresh lens. The story follows Ellie Chu, a shy Asian-American teenager who helps a jock woo the girl they both secretly love.
2. “Disclosure” (2020): This thought-provoking documentary directed by Sam Feder delves into the depiction of transgender lives in film and television, revealing both positive portrayals and media-driven myths that have perpetuated stereotypes.
3. “I Am Jonas” (2018): A French film by director Christophe Charrier, it tells the story of Jonas, who confronts his past and the tragic love affair he had as a teenager. It’s an evocative narrative about finding oneself and reconciling with past choices.
4. “Alex Strangelove” (2018): Directed by Craig Johnson, this film follows high-school senior Alex Truelove who is planning to lose his virginity to his girlfriend until he meets Elliot, who makes him question his sexual identity.
5. “A Secret Love” (2020): This documentary captures the enduring romance between Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel. Their relationship lasted over six decades, spanning from the time when their love had to be hidden to the present day.
6. “Moonlight” (2016): Directed by Barry Jenkins and winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, ‘Moonlight’ is a moving portrayal of a young African-American man grappling with his identity and sexuality while growing up in a tough Miami neighborhood.
7. “The Boys in the Band” (2020): Joe Mantello’s adaptation of the groundbreaking play takes viewers to a New York City apartment in 1968 where a group of gay friends gather for a party. The night becomes intense when buried truths are revealed.
8. “Dance of the Forty One” (2020): A Mexican drama directed by David Pablos which narrates the true story of Ignacio de la Torre y Mier, a congressman who was involved in a scandal after attending an illegal gay party in Mexico City at the turn of the 20th century.
9. “Circus of Books” (2019): Director Rachel Mason documents her conservative Jewish parents who became unlikely pioneers in the gay pornography industry by running Circus of Books, a famous Los Angeles bookstore and gay haven.
10. “Paris Is Burning” (1990): This classic documentary directed by Jennie Livingston delves into New York’s drag scene in the 1980s, examining race, class, gender, and sexuality in America through candid interviews with drag queens and culture analysis.
These films not only provide entertainment but also echo voices often unheard or marginalized and deserve attention for their insightful portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences.