What are the best queer movies and shows?

Short Answer

The best queer films and shows span every genre — from Paris Is Burning for documentary to Pose for drama and Heartstopper for feel-good teen romance. Start with what moves you.

Films That Changed Everything

• Paris Is Burning (1990) — documentary on ballroom culture
• Brokeback Mountain (2005) — the film that mainstreamed queer tragedy (with a warning: it's devastating)
• Carol (2015) — 1950s lesbian romance, gorgeously shot
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019) — art, desire, and the female gaze
• Moonlight (2016) — Best Picture winner, Black queer coming of age
• God's Own Country (2017) — rural gay romance

TV Shows

• Pose (2018-21) — ballroom, trans women of color, history in every frame
• Heartstopper (2022-) — the wholesome teen queer show everyone deserves
• Feel Good (2020-21) — Mae Martin's raw comedy-drama
• The Owl House (2020-23) — yes, the animated show: genuine queer rep for kids
• Interview with the Vampire (2022-) — gothic, gay, gorgeous
• Our Flag Means Death (2022-23) — pirate rom-com
• Sense8 (2015-18) — a trans actress, global queer love, from the Wachowskis

International Gems

• Happy Together (Hong Kong, 1997) — Wong Kar-wai's queer romance
• A Fantastic Woman (Chile, 2017) — trans woman's grief and dignity
• Tangerine (2015) — shot on an iPhone, starring trans women
• Rafiki (Kenya, 2018) — banned in Kenya, then triumphant

Where to Watch

• Free: Kanopy (via libraries), Tubi (ads), many on YouTube/archive.org
• Streaming: Netflix (Heartstopper, Feel Good), HBO (Pose), Hulu, Criterion (queer classics), Dekkoo (queer streaming service)

Content Warnings

Many older queer films center tragedy — "bury your gays" is a real pattern. If you want joy instead of heartbreak, go with Heartstopper, Red White & Royal Blue, Fire Island, or The Birdcage. Queer cinema today is finally allowed to be happy.