The Best Gay Movies
This is my selection of the best gay movies out there, and believe me, I've watched a hefty amount of gay movies. They are listed in order, in my opinion. Most of them are primarily about a gay protagonist (such as "A Single Man), some of them simply have a gay theme to them (such as "Mysterious Skin"). Enjoy!
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- DirectorDaniel RibeiroStarsGhilherme LoboFabio AudiTess AmorimLeonardo is a blind teenager searching for independence. His everyday life, the relationship with his best friend Giovana, and the way he sees the world change completely with the arrival of Gabriel.Very difficult to choose my favourite out of all of these wonderful films, but speaking as a film lover and one who can appreciate a well-constructed, beautiful film, this one really takes the cake. The love story is tender and heartwarming, and no one dies, which is lovely for a gay film. Cinematography is great, acting is great. Very unique. A must-see.
- DirectorXavier DolanStarsAnne DorvalXavier DolanFrançois ArnaudA semi-autobiographical story about Hubert as a young homosexual at odds with his mother.I might be biased because I think the director of this film is phenomenal, but this is a great movie. It is more on the abstract side, but it tells a wonderful narrative about a gay teenager who doesn't always get along with his mother. I love the interactions between these two, but I also love the interactions between the main character and his boyfriend.
- DirectorBavo DefurneStarsBen Van den HeuvelEva Van der GuchtThomas CoumansA teenage boy's search for love finds him fixated on a boy who lives nearby.Simply put: artistic as hell. A beautiful movie, and a feel-good one, too. The love story is unique and very rare. The charisma between Gino and Pim is so adorable and believable that is makes this coming of age film stand out from the plethora of similar ones out there. It is a must-watch.
- DirectorJohn GreysonStarsIan D. ClarkMarcel SabourinAubert PallascioWhen a bishop comes to a prison to hear the confession of an old friend he is forced to watch a play, performed by the inmates, about their youth together, love and betrayal.This movie is also a bit on the abstract side, but it is wonderful. The tension between the two leads is addictive and the whole premise of the movie is as unique as they come. Please do yourself a favour and watch this amazing movie.
- DirectorTom FordStarsColin FirthJulianne MooreMatthew GoodeAn English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.Again, a very artsy one. It is evident that this movie was made by someone in the fashion industry because it is dripping in class and luxury. The acting is incredible, and the story is heart-wrenching. I was very distraught at the end of this movie, but it was still very much worth my time.
- DirectorAndrew HaighStarsTom CullenChris NewJonathan RaceAfter a drunken house party with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a gay club. Just before closing time he picks up Glen but what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special.One of the more popular indie gay movies, and deservedly so. This movie is not just a sloppy, raunchy gay sex scene with some mushy-gushy filler around it, it takes a realistic perspective of an actual gay relationship that can never be.
- DirectorAlan BrownStarsRyan SteeleReed LuplauCatherine MillerThe coming of age tale of an extraordinarily gifted young dancer recently arrived in New York City.If you like dancing, watch this movie. If you like fantastic chemistry and a beautifully paced love story, watch this movie. Not only is the choreography wonderful, but the tension between the two leads is so beautiful.
- DirectorGus Van SantStarsRiver PhoenixKeanu ReevesJames RussoTwo best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way.This film is also very well-known as one of the best gay movies ever. Although it is not very sexual, the way that the relationship between the two leads is explored is very unique and wonderful to watch. A good one to watch.
- DirectorGus Van SantStarsSean PennJosh BrolinEmile HirschThe story of American gay activist Harvey Milk, who fought for gay rights and was elected as California's first openly gay official.Honestly, I really hate any movies involving politics, but this true story is really different from others. It is inspiring, melancholy, but uplifting. I loved almost every character and the whole thing felt very believable. An important watch.
- DirectorEytan FoxStarsOhad KnollerYousef 'Joe' SweidDaniella Wircer"The Bubble" is the story of a group of young people who live in Tel Aviv, Israel. The movie follows the group's difficulties of living in Israel's reality. Their routine breaks when a young Palestinian man enters their lives.I'll warn you, this one induced so many tears. It is really painful at the end and throughout. It tells the story of forbidden love, but while also keeping the story and the characters believable. It is tough to watch at some times, though.
- DirectorTodd HaynesStarsEwan McGregorJonathan Rhys MeyersChristian BaleIn 1984, British journalist Arthur Stuart investigates the career of 1970s glam superstar Brian Slade, who was heavily influenced in his early years by hard-living and rebellious American singer Curt Wild.This one was an unexpected gem. It started off seeming wild and obnoxious, but it went on to really nail some of the more tender issues behind fame. There was a wonderful love triangle-type story going on. It also has one of my favourite soundtracks of any movie, ever.
- DirectorMarcel GislerStarsFrédéric AndrauVincent BranchetUrs Peter HalterFifteen-year-old Beni falls in love with Fögi, a singer in a Rock band. As Fögi seduces him, Beni is willing to follow him where ever he takes him. But Fögi is a drug addict and pulls Beni deeper and deeper into his addiction.Another music-heavy film. But this one is so much more raw than any other that I've seen. It deals with obsession, love, and hatred in such an amazing way that was so provocative my eyes were glued to the screen. I really liked this one, even though it was a bit more raunchy.
- DirectorJoseph GrahamStarsBenjamin BonenfantNick FrangioneArtem MishinA handsome young prostitute learns about life and love during a sex-filled odyssey in an apartment building filled with strange inhabitants.This was another one that surprised me. It almost seemed like it would be another cliché movie about a hooker falling in love, but it was so unexpectedly wonderful. The way he leapt from world to world, each so starkly different, showing how he has to alter himself to please others, ultimately finding someone he can be himself for, was just wonderful.
- DirectorAdrian ShergoldStarsTom BeardJames BellamyRobin BerryA chronicle of 36 hours in the lives of a number of interconnected gay men in Clapham, South London.There were very many stories going on during this movie. Some of them were disturbing and horribly sad, others were very erotic and had some magnetic tension going on. A tough movie to watch, but still very satisfying.
- DirectorGregg ArakiStarsBrady CorbetJoseph Gordon-LevittElisabeth ShueTwo pre-adolescent boys both experienced a strange event and later it affects their lives in different ways. One becomes a reckless, sexually adventurous prostitute, while the other retreats into a reclusive fantasy of alien abduction.This one is embodies the kind of movie that I love to watch, very raw, edgy, and artistic. Though, it might not be everyone's cup of tea. It is not a feel-good movie; it is very harsh and sad. It deals with the abuse of children, and even teenagers, but it is a very well-made movie that I enjoyed thoroughly.
- DirectorChookiat SakveerakulStarsSinjai PlengpanichSongsit RoongnophakunsriPimpan BuranapimTwo boyhood friends are separated due to the disappearance of the sister of one of them, then later meet again as teenagers, when one of them has become a pop singer, and they discover feelings that they did not know they had.Such a good movie. It is a bit juvenile, but man, is it heartwarming. The side story is a bit off and confusing, but the main plot is wonderful and lovely. A wonderful coming of age movie that you should not miss.
- DirectorMike MillsStarsEwan McGregorChristopher PlummerMélanie LaurentOliver, a graphic designer, is attracted to a free-spirited and unpredictable Anna. Memories of his father encourage him to open himself up to the potential of a true and long-lasting relationship.This one can barely pass as a gay movie because the only gayness in it is an older man who finally feels comfortable with his homosexuality as more of a side story, but it is a very touching movie. I still recommend it wholeheartedly.
- DirectorTom ShanklandStarsLee WilliamsMarc WarrenEmily HolmesYoung Tim Cornish's life has begun with great promise. Blessed with extraordinary good looks, Tim enjoyed much attention and cared little of broken hearts. At University he was a favored student in a prestigious creative writing course, but a chance meeting, a stolen kiss and a sudden flare of passion sets Tim on a journey of betrayal, heartbreak and murder. In a flashback, he tells his story of cruelty, love and a soul-destroying guilt that offers little chance for redemption.The downfalls of this movie is the somewhat subpar acting and overdone suspense, but generally, this is a great movie. I'm not one for thrillers, but I was hooked on this movie from the start to the finish.
- DirectorHettie MacdonaldStarsGlen BerryLinda HenryScott NealJamie is a shy teenager, often bullied at school. His neighbour Ste has a rough time at home, being beaten by his father and brother. This issues bring them together and they find that what they feel for each other is more than friendship.
- DirectorRobert CaryStarsJeremy GlazerChad AllenDavid PetruzziA sex and drug-addicted young man who is forced into a Christian-run ministry in an attempt to cure him of his "gay affliction," where instead he is faced with the truth in his heart and spirit.
- DirectorChristian FaureStarsCyrille ThouveninStéphan Guérin-TilliéÉva DarlanAfter his gay cousin dies from hepatitis, young Laurent, who lives with his best friend Carole, falls in love with Cedric, a plant scientist. He's afraid to inform his conservative parents that he is gay.
- DirectorDennis TodorovicStarsSasa KekezPredrag BjelacLjubisa GrujcicSasha is a piano prodigy under pressure to gain admittance to a prestigious music school. What is really stressing Sasha is his emerging sexuality, plus his piano tutor is moving away, because Sasha is in love with him, and no one knows.
- DirectorJean-Marc ValléeStarsMichel CôtéMarc-André GrondinDanielle ProulxZachary is confused about his sexuality and is in conflict with his Catholic upbringing which alienates his parents. Forcing himself to like girls, Zachary also has to cope with his older brothers, who don't make his life any easier.
- DirectorCory KrueckebergStarsTanner CohenMatthew CampRamon O. TorresA shy but smitten college boy pursues a NY go-go boy through the pretext of making a documentary film about him, with the guys knowing each other only as "Doc" and "Go."
- DirectorGeoffrey SaxStarsMatt SmithImogen PootsLindsay DuncanHow real-life British-American author Christopher Isherwood and his German boyfriend Heinz met and fell in love during the 1930s and the rise of Nazism.