Thanks to the hard work of activists around the world, LGBTQ+ rights are better now than they have ever been before. This has allowed for more freedom of expression and opportunities for more story-telling from the queer perspective. Though there are endless ways in which queer stories can be told, film is one of the greatest mediums available that appeals to a much wider audience than other niche forms of media.
While LGBTQ+ films have been in existence since the dawn of cinema, they were historically banned or hidden from audiences for being “obscene.” Over the past two decades, LGBTQ+ representation in cinema has improved dramatically. Not only is there greater diversity within filmmaking now, but more and more representation is being explored. Here are the best LGBTQ+ movies of the 2020s so far, ranked.
10 Knock at the Cabin
M. Night Shyamalan returns with this new horror film starring Dave Bautista, Rupert Grint, and Ben Aldridge. Knock at the Cabin tells the story of a young girl and her two dads when they are taken hostage by four armed strangers, who force the family to make an impossible decision. Knock at the Cabin performed well at the box-offic, and while the film was met with some criticism for the flaws in the plot, many embraced these faults, giving the film something to talk about.
9 The World to Come
The period piece set in the 19th Century follows the lives of two farmers’ wives who begin an affair after being unable to fight their deep-seated attraction to one another. The World to Come appeals to those searching for forbidden LGBTQ+ romance where love conquers all. Starring Katherine Waterston and Vanessa Kirby, The World to Come was met with a wonderful reception at its premiere, earning the Queer Lion award for best LGBT-themed film at the 77th International Venice Film Festival.
8 Uncle Frank
Uncle Frank tells the story of gay literature professor Frank who, accompanied by his niece Beth, goes home to attend his father’s funeral. On this road trip, Frank is forced to confront his past that he has done such a good job of avoiding. The film was well received by critics, with praise for the examination of the typical American family dynamic. Uncle Frank was nominated for several awards and took home the Prix du Public at the Deauville American Film Festival as well as the Golden Nymph Awards for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Creation.
7 The Old Guard
The Old Guard is a unique story that follows a group of immortal mercenaries who have the ability to heal themselves. When they discover that someone is about to uncover their well-kept secret, they must fight to protect their way of life. The Old Guard was praised for its performances, particularly that of Charlize Theron. The film saw such praise and popularity that it spawned the release of a sequel The Old Guard 2, which is set to be released on Netflix sometime in 2023.
6 Bones and All
A marginalized young woman and a drifter fall in love and travel 3000 miles across the country, experiencing Ronald Raegan’s America. Each road leads the pair back to their pasts, testing if their love can outweigh their differences from the rest of society. This horror romance is a one of a kind film that won the Silver Lion for Best Direction. Bones and All received a great deal of praise for the performances from Taylor Russell and Timothée Chalamet, as well as its effortless fusion of genres.
5 Titane
.jpeg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Titane is a French body horror psychological drama that was subject to universal acclaim and was nominated for countless awards. The film revolves around Alexia, a woman with a titanium plate in her head, who discovers herself when she is forced to go on the run. It’s here that she explores her sexuality alongside the troubled Vincent. Titane is an outstanding film that is not for the faint of heart. The film was nominated for countless awards and took home the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
4 Tár
Tár is Cate Blanchett’s newest LGBTQ+ conquest. Following the life of renowned musician and conductor Lydia Tár, Tár documents Lydia’s rise to fame as well as her abrupt fall from grace as her struggle for power tears apart her career and her family. Tár has been named the best film of the year by the New York, Los Angeles, and London Film Critics’ Circle in 2022. The film was nominated for a total of six awards at the Academy Awards including Best Picture.
3 Unpregnant
Telling the story of a young pregnant Veronica and her best friend Bailey, Unpregnant follows the pair as they travel to New Mexico from their home state of Missouri in order for Veronica to get an abortion without her parents’ knowledge. Unpregnant managed to receive a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, combining classic buddy comedy with a much more serious topic of teen pregnancy and abortion.The film was nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding TV Movie, gaining special attention for the unique chemistry between the main characters.
2 Everything Everywhere All At Once
Everything Everywhere All at Once tells the story of Chinese immigrant Evelyn Quan Wang who discovers that she must connect with versions of herself throughout parallel universes in order to save the multiverse from being torn apart. This film has garnered universal acclaim, taking the world by storm and becoming one of the most awarded films of all time. Everything Everywhere All at Once was nominated for a total of 11 Academy Awards and took home nine, including Best Picture and Best Actress. Needless to say, if you haven’t seen this gem yet, you’re missing out.
1 Bottoms
MGM
Topping our list is Bottoms, a unique film that follows a group of queer high school students who start a fight club to have sex before graduation. Upon its release, the film was subject to critical acclaim with special praise for its humor and satirical elements. Bottoms has also been seen as changing the game of high school comedies as its satirical nature allows for more laughs while still examining serious topics like victimization and violence.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
