5 Films That Celebrate Queer Love To Watch This Weekend

As Valentine’s Day is here, it’s the perfect time to reflect on films that celebrate love and queer representation as well as the powerful emotions they evoke. The journey of LGBTQ+ characters in cinema began to take shape decades ago with iconic performances, such as the first openly gay character in Rebel Without a Cause.

These films resonate deeply with audiences, tackling relatable themes of love, identity, and societal acceptance. By showcasing diverse experiences, they not only entertain but also foster empathy and understanding, reminding us of the ongoing relevance of these stories in our lives today.

Here are some queer films we think you should watch this weekend.

All Of Us Strangers (2023)

Staring Irish actors Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott, this film explores topics relating to grief, loneliness and the inability to move on. The story is about a screen writer named Adam who is still grieving the death of his parents who were killed in a car crash before Adam was 12 years old. He visits them in memories but as his 40-year-old self, opening up about the type of person he became later in life. We see the views that people upheld in the 80s when it came to people being gay as Adam’s mother commenting how it’s known to be a lonely life.

Also in the story we have the character Harry, played by Mescal, who lives in the same building as Adam. The two form a beautiful relationship built on feeling like outsiders in society. Harry talks about how his parents weren’t all accepting of his coming out and that has pushed him away, having no a relationship with them – a sad reality that a lot of queer people can relate to.

Streaming on Prime Video

Moonlight (2016)

Moonlight is the Oscar winning movie telling the story of a young gay Black man growing up. Starring Ashton Sanders as Chiron, we see his life in three segments. One where he is a child trying to get away from his drug addicted and abusive mother, one where he is a teenager being bullied in school, and one where he is an adult, reconnecting with people from his past.

This coming of age tale focus on the margins of queer society in a light we don’t often see portrayed in cinema. When we are born in a certain environment there comes with an expectancy to perform or act in a certain way. This film explores the expectation on Black masculinity and a ‘tough’ persona that Chiron must adapt to not to be seen as week. He struggles with his sexuality due to this expectancy as he fears it will make him weak if he is openly gay. The character Jaun, played by Mahershala Ali, is introduced in Chiron’s childhood and acts as a positive male role model that was absent in Chiron’s life.

Streaming on Apple TV

The Adventures of Pricilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

This must watch cult classic when it comes to gay cinema is a fun uplifting and inspiration story. The movie follows a trans person and two drag queens as they navigate their way through the Australian desert for a job opportunity at a casino. This movie has been long praised for its beautiful portrayal of queer people particularly in the 90s when gay characters were often only used for a comedic purpose.

This movie is not afraid to tackle the topics faced by many queer people even today such as transphobia or homophobia. But it is mostly a film rooted in the beautiful lives these people had and leaves space where they can grow into better opportunities and live prosperous lives.

Streaming on Prime Video

The Danish Girl (2015)

Set in Copenhagen in 1926 Einear, played by Eddie Redmayne, is married to Dutch artist Gerda, played by Alicia Vikander who gets her inspiration from portraits when her husband models for her. Through the film we see Einear become more comfortable dressing in woman’s clothes later presenting as ‘Lili’ in public. Gerda admires this new adventure her husband has taken and thinks as Lili as her friend.

The Danish Girl documents the life of transgender pioneer Lili, as she undergoes gender reassignment surgery. When Lili falls ill after the procedure, Gerda comforts Lili and accepts her for who she is.

This film is a strong tale about acceptance and the internal conflict one might endure when coming to terms of their gender and self identity. Redmayne portrays the struggle his character feels as we follow along Lili’s journey to becoming her true self.

Streaming on YouTube

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire presents lesbian relationships in the 1800s as a complex interplay of empowerment and constraint. The French film invites viewers to reflect on the dualities of passion and sacrifice within the context of historical and cultural limitations. The film follows Marianne, played by Noémie Merlant, an independent woman with her own trade – unheard of at the time. Heloise, played by Adéle Haenel, is a woman in opposite circumstance betrothed to man she doesn’t want to marry. The two become close during a weekend while Marianne is commissioned to paint Helouise’s wedding portrait.

Marianne’s choice to remain unmarried and Heloise’s resistance to an unwanted marriage illustrate a form of empowerment that defies societal expectations. Their relationship becomes a sanctuary where they can express their true selves and explore their desires, showcasing the liberating aspects of their love. Despite their profound connection, the relationship is ultimately constrained by societal norms. Heloise’s impending marriage underscores the limitations placed on women in the era. The pressure of societal expectations creates a sense of tragedy in their romance as their love wasn’t accepted at the time.

Streaming on YouTube

Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan