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WeirdThe 20 Best LGBT Movies On Netflix
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Riveting documentaries, soaring dramas, and heartwarming romances are among the diverse selection of films the platform has to offer.
Photos: Everett Collection ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
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Paris is Burning
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This wildly influential documentary chronicles New York City's drag scene in the 1980s and focuses on the tight knit communities of their "house" culture, and the balls attended by the groups from each house that feature dazzling cues from the world of fashion. A stunning, intimate portrait of the time, the controversial flick continues to spark conversation years later.
[Stream Paris is Burning]
IMDb Rating: 8.1
This wildly influential documentary chronicles New York City's drag scene in the 1980s and focuses on the tight knit communities of their "house" culture, and the balls attended by the groups from each house that feature dazzling cues from the world of fashion. A stunning, intimate portrait of the time, the controversial flick continues to spark conversation years later.
[Stream Paris is Burning]
3 of
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The Way He Looks
IMDb Rating: 8
This wonderful Brazilian coming-of-age romance follows a blind high school student named Leonardo who fights for his independence with the help of his best friend Giovana. Things soon change, however, when a boy named Gabriel arrives, new feelings develop, and Leonardo begins to question everything.
[Stream The Way He Looks]
IMDb Rating: 8
This wonderful Brazilian coming-of-age romance follows a blind high school student named Leonardo who fights for his independence with the help of his best friend Giovana. Things soon change, however, when a boy named Gabriel arrives, new feelings develop, and Leonardo begins to question everything.
[Stream The Way He Looks]
4 of
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The Pearl of Africa
IMDb Rating: 8
This riveting documentary follows Cleopatra Kambugu, a Ugandan woman who makes the courageous decision to live openly as a trans woman despite the incredible hostile attitude towards the LGBT community and rampant transphobia present across the country.
[Stream The Pearl of Africa]
IMDb Rating: 8
This riveting documentary follows Cleopatra Kambugu, a Ugandan woman who makes the courageous decision to live openly as a trans woman despite the incredible hostile attitude towards the LGBT community and rampant transphobia present across the country.
[Stream The Pearl of Africa]
5 of
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Kumu Hina
IMDb Rating: 7.9
This inspiring documentary follows Hina Wong-Kalu, a native Hawaiian teacher and activist who lives her life "in the middle" - partially as Hawaii's indigenous third gender, and also as a modern transgender person. In the film, she passes on the indigenous culture to the younger generations and mentors the young people in transitioning periods of their lives.
[Stream Kumu Hina]
IMDb Rating: 7.9
This inspiring documentary follows Hina Wong-Kalu, a native Hawaiian teacher and activist who lives her life "in the middle" - partially as Hawaii's indigenous third gender, and also as a modern transgender person. In the film, she passes on the indigenous culture to the younger generations and mentors the young people in transitioning periods of their lives.
[Stream Kumu Hina]
6 of
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We Were Here
IMDb Rating: 7.9
A breathtaking look at the HIV/AIDS crisis in San Francisco, this documentary focuses on five key figures that played roles during the epidemic. They include a counselor who aided many gay men, a political activist, an HIV+ artist who lost 2 partners to the epidemic, a black dancer who ran a flower shop that provided flowers to many funerals, and a nurse who was part of the group administering clinical trials of antiretroviral drugs.
[Stream We Were Here]
IMDb Rating: 7.9
A breathtaking look at the HIV/AIDS crisis in San Francisco, this documentary focuses on five key figures that played roles during the epidemic. They include a counselor who aided many gay men, a political activist, an HIV+ artist who lost 2 partners to the epidemic, a black dancer who ran a flower shop that provided flowers to many funerals, and a nurse who was part of the group administering clinical trials of antiretroviral drugs.
[Stream We Were Here]
7 of
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Tab Hunter Confidential
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Tab Hunter, matinee idol of the 1950s, is the subject of this fascinating biographical documentary. Despite being romantically linked to many of the biggest female names of the industry at the time, the stable boy-turned-Hollywood star lived his life in the closet for years - until now. Hunter shares his story as a happy survivor of the roller coaster that was his wild Hollywood life.
[Stream Tab Hunter Confidential]
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Tab Hunter, matinee idol of the 1950s, is the subject of this fascinating biographical documentary. Despite being romantically linked to many of the biggest female names of the industry at the time, the stable boy-turned-Hollywood star lived his life in the closet for years - until now. Hunter shares his story as a happy survivor of the roller coaster that was his wild Hollywood life.
[Stream Tab Hunter Confidential]
8 of
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Blue is the Warmest Color
IMDb Rating: 7.8
This award-winning, controversial French romance follows a teenage girl named Adèle whose life is changed when she encounters a blue-haired girl named Emma (Léa Seydoux). The film follows their relationship from their teen years through early adulthood, through love and heartache, and it's stocked with emotionally raw, intense performances.
[Stream Blue is the Warmest Color]
IMDb Rating: 7.8
This award-winning, controversial French romance follows a teenage girl named Adèle whose life is changed when she encounters a blue-haired girl named Emma (Léa Seydoux). The film follows their relationship from their teen years through early adulthood, through love and heartache, and it's stocked with emotionally raw, intense performances.
[Stream Blue is the Warmest Color]
9 of
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Weekend
IMDb Rating: 7.7
After leaving a house party one night, Russell heads to a gay club, where he picks up another young man named Glen. While the two have their reasons for hesitating to get involved, they evidently decide to entertain the idea. This fresh drama takes the "could a one-night stand be something more?" concept and explores it more intimately than most films out there.
[Stream Weekend]
IMDb Rating: 7.7
After leaving a house party one night, Russell heads to a gay club, where he picks up another young man named Glen. While the two have their reasons for hesitating to get involved, they evidently decide to entertain the idea. This fresh drama takes the "could a one-night stand be something more?" concept and explores it more intimately than most films out there.
[Stream Weekend]
10 of
21
Milk
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk in this award-winning drama that documents Milk's role as a gay activist and as the first openly gay man to be elected to a notable public office. The film examines his romantic and political relationships and tragic assassination with a grace and patience that few biopics rarely achieve.
[Stream Milk]
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Sean Penn stars as Harvey Milk in this award-winning drama that documents Milk's role as a gay activist and as the first openly gay man to be elected to a notable public office. The film examines his romantic and political relationships and tragic assassination with a grace and patience that few biopics rarely achieve.
[Stream Milk]
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Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine
IMDb Rating: 7.6
This documentary is an intimate portrait of the gay young man who was brutally murdered in one of the most notorious hate crimes in the history of the United States. The film follows the people that knew and loved him as they take time to remember Shepard and process the intense aftermath of his loss and the changes that occurred in light of his death.
[Stream Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine]
IMDb Rating: 7.6
This documentary is an intimate portrait of the gay young man who was brutally murdered in one of the most notorious hate crimes in the history of the United States. The film follows the people that knew and loved him as they take time to remember Shepard and process the intense aftermath of his loss and the changes that occurred in light of his death.
[Stream Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine]
12 of
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A Single Man
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Colin Firth is absolutely heartbreaking as George Falconer, an English professor who has recently lost his partner of sixteen years in a tragic car accident, as he tries to cope with life without his love. As he plans his suicide, he encounters individuals who begin to affect his decision and change his outlook on things.
[Stream A Single Man]
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Colin Firth is absolutely heartbreaking as George Falconer, an English professor who has recently lost his partner of sixteen years in a tragic car accident, as he tries to cope with life without his love. As he plans his suicide, he encounters individuals who begin to affect his decision and change his outlook on things.
[Stream A Single Man]
13 of
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Outrage
IMDb Rating: 7.6
This eye-opening documentary from Kirby Dick examines political figures in American politics who routinely fight against pro-LGBT legislation - and happen to be gay themselves. The hypocritical double lives lived by these individuals are brought into the light as Dick figures out exactly what it is that makes these people tick.
[Stream Outrage]
IMDb Rating: 7.6
This eye-opening documentary from Kirby Dick examines political figures in American politics who routinely fight against pro-LGBT legislation - and happen to be gay themselves. The hypocritical double lives lived by these individuals are brought into the light as Dick figures out exactly what it is that makes these people tick.
[Stream Outrage]
14 of
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Big Eden
IMDb Rating: 7.4
This romantic dramedy avoids the problematic gay stereotypes that befall so many others and follows Henry Hart, a successful New York artist who returns home to Big Eden, Montana, to care for his ailing grandfather. Henry, who still harbors unrequited feelings for his high school best friend, soon finds himself the subject of a town conspiracy to bring him and Pike, the kind, unassuming owner of the town's general store, together.
[Stream Big Eden]
IMDb Rating: 7.4
This romantic dramedy avoids the problematic gay stereotypes that befall so many others and follows Henry Hart, a successful New York artist who returns home to Big Eden, Montana, to care for his ailing grandfather. Henry, who still harbors unrequited feelings for his high school best friend, soon finds himself the subject of a town conspiracy to bring him and Pike, the kind, unassuming owner of the town's general store, together.
[Stream Big Eden]
15 of
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Strike a Pose
IMDb Rating: 7.4
This surprisingly moving documentary tells the story of Madonna's infamous troupe of dancers who joined her on her controversial 1990 tour. These seven male dancers - 1 straight, 6 gay - reveal the truth about life during the tour and explore how they found the courage to leave shame behind and fully embrace themselves.
[Stream Strike a Pose]
IMDb Rating: 7.4
This surprisingly moving documentary tells the story of Madonna's infamous troupe of dancers who joined her on her controversial 1990 tour. These seven male dancers - 1 straight, 6 gay - reveal the truth about life during the tour and explore how they found the courage to leave shame behind and fully embrace themselves.
[Stream Strike a Pose]
16 of
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Holding the Man
IMDb Rating: 7.3
This Australian romance is truly a love story for the ages; the film follows Tim and John, who fall in love at their all-boys high school and form a romance that endures fifteen years of hardships, losses, and every other issue life throws at them - until one confronts them that love can't solve. The devastating effects of HIV/AIDS are explored head-on in this stunning, moving adaptation of Tim Conigrave's beloved memoir.
[Stream Holding the Man]
IMDb Rating: 7.3
This Australian romance is truly a love story for the ages; the film follows Tim and John, who fall in love at their all-boys high school and form a romance that endures fifteen years of hardships, losses, and every other issue life throws at them - until one confronts them that love can't solve. The devastating effects of HIV/AIDS are explored head-on in this stunning, moving adaptation of Tim Conigrave's beloved memoir.
[Stream Holding the Man]
17 of
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The Out List
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Patrick Harris, and Cynthia Nixon are among the slew of out LGBT celebrities who explore their role in society and the LGBT community in this honest, inspiring documentary. It candidly discusses the obstacles and discrimination faced by this community and educates its audience on the hardship - and eventual beauty - of being an individual.
[Stream The Out List]
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Ellen DeGeneres, Neil Patrick Harris, and Cynthia Nixon are among the slew of out LGBT celebrities who explore their role in society and the LGBT community in this honest, inspiring documentary. It candidly discusses the obstacles and discrimination faced by this community and educates its audience on the hardship - and eventual beauty - of being an individual.
[Stream The Out List]
18 of
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Pariah
IMDb Rating: 7.2
This beautiful, raw drama depicts a lesbian teen from Brooklyn who must hide her sexuality from her religious parents while beginning to share it with her friends. Full of stunning performances and a universal message of the longing we all feel to be accepted, appreciated, and loved, this moving film is truly unforgettable.
[Stream Pariah]
IMDb Rating: 7.2
This beautiful, raw drama depicts a lesbian teen from Brooklyn who must hide her sexuality from her religious parents while beginning to share it with her friends. Full of stunning performances and a universal message of the longing we all feel to be accepted, appreciated, and loved, this moving film is truly unforgettable.
[Stream Pariah]
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Beginners
IMDb Rating: 7.2
While this gorgeous film from Mike Mills focuses more on Oliver's (Ewan McGregor) life than his gay father's (Christopher Plummer), the realization that his father is gay, has cancer, and a new young lover is an important one for this father and son. The relationship and his now-out father's newfound joie de vivre are explored beautifully in this romantic portrait of life, love, and overcoming obstacles.
[Stream Beginners]
IMDb Rating: 7.2
While this gorgeous film from Mike Mills focuses more on Oliver's (Ewan McGregor) life than his gay father's (Christopher Plummer), the realization that his father is gay, has cancer, and a new young lover is an important one for this father and son. The relationship and his now-out father's newfound joie de vivre are explored beautifully in this romantic portrait of life, love, and overcoming obstacles.
[Stream Beginners]
20 of
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Being 17
IMDb Rating: 7.2
This French drama chronicles the sexual and romantic awakening of two seventeen-year-old boys as they discover that the initial animosity they harbor towards one another and the violence that they use to express it actually holds beneath it feelings of love and passion. This subtle, honest film will take you on a wild, emotional ride that's bound to get you thinking.
[Stream Being 17]
IMDb Rating: 7.2
This French drama chronicles the sexual and romantic awakening of two seventeen-year-old boys as they discover that the initial animosity they harbor towards one another and the violence that they use to express it actually holds beneath it feelings of love and passion. This subtle, honest film will take you on a wild, emotional ride that's bound to get you thinking.
[Stream Being 17]
21 of
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North Sea Texas
IMDb Rating: 7.2
A teenage boy searches for love and finds it in his male best friend in this moving Flemish drama. The two come of age together as they deal with the family drama occurring in both of their lives and the realization that these things can't last forever.
[Stream North Sea Texas]
IMDb Rating: 7.2
A teenage boy searches for love and finds it in his male best friend in this moving Flemish drama. The two come of age together as they deal with the family drama occurring in both of their lives and the realization that these things can't last forever.
[Stream North Sea Texas]
