EntertainmentMoviesRomance MoviesThe 10 best LGBT romances in movies, rankedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentMoviesRomance MoviesThe 10 best LGBT romances in movies, rankedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Pyramide Films)
Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or you’re just in the mood for love, it’s always a good time to get stuck into one of the best LGBT romances in movies. Grand gestures on the big screen aren’t just the remit of traditional heterosexuality – the canon of queer cinema is full of gems, from foreign-language flicks to heartbreaking dramas and heartwarming comedies.
If you’re looking to expand your watch list, we’ve got you covered with a ranking of the 10 best LGBT romances to hit the silver screen, featuring movies from directors like the Wachowskis, Barry Jenkins, and Céline Sciamma. Whether you’re a romantic at heart or a bit of a cynic, there should be something here for you.
10. Anything’s Possible
(Image credit: Orion Pictures)
Billy Porter’s directorial debut centers Kelsa (Eva Reign), a trans girl navigating her senior year of high school and a crush on the guy her best friend likes. Part rom-com and part coming-of-age movie, this is a sweet, warm story about learning to open up your heart and feel comfortable in your own skin. A decidedly modern and Gen Z-esque take on the rom-com, the chemistry between the two leads makes the film a worthy addition to the genre.
9. Imagine Me & You
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
Lesbian movies have a reputation for unhappy endings, but that’s not always the case. ’00s rom-com Imagine Me & You is a fun and frothy affair, with just the right amount of tension. Rachel (Piper Perabo) doesn’t believe in love at first sight, but sparks fly when meets florist Luce (Lena Headey) for the first time – but it just so happens to be on her wedding day, when she’s marrying a man (Matthew Goode). The pair strike up a friendship and try to ignore their burgeoning connection – but how long can they pretend there’s no frisson between them?
8. Ammonite
(Image credit: Lionsgate)
7. Orlando
(Image credit: Momentum Pictures)
6. Bound
(Image credit: Summit Entertainment)
The Wachowskis sisters' directorial debut, Bound, was released in 1996. The movie follows Violet (Jennifer Tilly), a woman trapped in a relationship with her mafia boyfriend (Joe Pantoliano) who has an affair with an ex-con Corky (Gina Gershon) after she’s hired to renovate the apartment next door to theirs. Violet longs for freedom, and the pair hatch a plan to steal $2 million of mob money in Caesar’s care. This slick, funny crime thriller has action and sensuality in equal measure.
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5. All of Us Strangers
(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)
Andrew Scott is a lonely writer inAll of Us Strangers, the latest movie from director Andrew Haigh. He plays Adam, who’s trying to use his memories of his dead parents (killed in a car accident when he was 12) to pen a new screenplay. Seeking inspiration, he travels back to his childhood home, only to encounter his mother and father exactly as he remembers them. Meanwhile, he strikes up a romance with his mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal), seemingly the only other resident of their London tower block. A word of warning from us: don’t wear mascara to watch this one.
4. God’s Own Country
(Image credit: Picturehouse Entertainment)
Josh O’Connor plays Johnny, a young farmer in the north of England with a penchant for binge drinking and casual sex, in God’s Own Country, Francis Lee’s directorial debut. Johnny’s life is changed irrevocably with the arrival of Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu), a Romanian migrant farm worker. Intense feelings ignite between the two, rocking Johnny’s world and setting him on a new path. The movie marked a breakthrough role for O’Connor when it was released in 2017 – and for good reason.
3. Brokeback Mountain
(Image credit: Focus Features)
2. Moonlight
(Image credit: A24)
Barry Jenkins' Oscar-winning coming-of-age movie features a reserved and tender romance between Chiron (Trevante Rhodes) and his childhood friend Kevin (André Holland). Bullied in childhood for being perceived as gay, Chiron also struggles with his relationship with his mother, who struggles with addiction, but finds comfort as a teenager in his friendship with Kevin. One night, the pair share an intimate moment on the beach, but teenage bravado prevents anything from progressing further. As an adult, Kevin reaches out to Chiron, and their eventual reunion is a truly beautiful moment.
1. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
(Image credit: Pyramide Films)
Céline Sciamma’s 2019 period drama follows Marianne (Noémie Merlant), an artist sent to a remote French island to act as a companion to aristocrat Héloïse (Adèle Haenel). That’s not really why she’s there, though – Héloïse’s countess mother has hired her to secretly paint her marriage portrait, which she refuses to sit for. As Marianne spends more and more time with Héloïse, however, a tentative bond starts to form between the pair and romance begins to blossom, all the while with Héloïse’s impending marriage hanging over their heads. Set against a backdrop of Brittany coastline, this gorgeous, heartbreaking love story will have you swooning and crying in the same breath.
Not feeling so romantic? Check out our guide to thebest anti-Valentine’s Day movies.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”