The Best LGBT Movies on Netflix Right Now (June 2023)

Enjoy Pride anytime with the best queer, trans, bisexual, lesbian, and gay films

So many LGBT movies are available on Netflix now it's impossible to watch them all in a month. That's why we rundown the best gay and lesbian movies on the streaming service. You'll find award-winning films, historical dramas, documentaries, and coming-of-age stories on this list.

01
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The Panti Sisters (2019): An Age-Old Story With a Queer Twist

The cast of Panti Sisters

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 5.7/10

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Paolo Ballesteros, Martin Del Rosario, Christian Bables

Director: Jun Lana

Motion Picture Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 48 minutes

A dying man gives his three sons an ultimatum: give him grandchildren or get written out of his will. That sounds harsh enough, but the fact that all three sons are gay makes things even more complicated.

This Filipino comedy tells a story that many adult children can relate to, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.

02
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Valley of a Thousand Hills (2023): An Untraditional Coming Out Story

Sibongokuhle Nkosi and Mandisa Vilakazi in Valley of a Thousand Hills

IMDb Rating: 5.8/10

Genre: Drama

Starring: Sibongokuhle Nkosi, Mandisa Vilakazi

Director: Bonie Sithebe

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes

Nosipho (Sibongokuhle Nkosi) is betrothed to a man her traditional Zulu parents choose, but she only has eyes for someone else. Should Nosipho live a lie to please her family, or should she tell the truth and declare her forbidden love for another Zulu woman?

The Valley of a Thousand Hills takes its name from the region in South Africa where the movie was filmed and takes place.

03
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Anne+: The Film (2021): Best Dutch Lesbian Open Romance Story

Hanna van Vliet and Jouman Fattal in Anne+: The Film

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.3/10

Genre: Drama

Starring: Hanna van Vliet, Jouman Fattal, Thorn Roos de Vries

Director: Valerie Bisscheroux

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes

Based on a Dutch web series, Anne+ The Film follows a writer named Anne (Hanna van Vliet) who lives in Holland with her girlfriend Sara (Jouman Fattal). When Sara gets a job in Canada, Anne stays behind to finish her novel, and the couple decides to open up their relationship.

Filmed in Amsterdam, Anne+ captures the thrills and challenges of discovering who you are and what you want to do in life. Definitely watch this one after the kids have gone to bed.

04
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Summerland (2020): Best Historical LGBT Family Film

Gemma Arterton and Lucas Bond in Summerland

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 7.0/10

Genre: Drama, Romance, War

Starring: Gemma Arterton, Lucas Bond, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Director: Jessica Swale

Rating: PG

Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Heartbroken Alice (Gemma Arterton) lives alone on the British coast, where local children accuse her of being a witch. At the onset of World War II, she reluctantly takes in a young boy named Frank (Lucas Bond), who Alice later discovers has connections with her estranged lover, Vera (Gugu Mbatha-Raw).

Despite being set in wartimes, Summerland is a family-friendly historical drama with a happy ending.

05
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Super Deluxe (2019): Best LGBT Anthology Movie

Vijay Sethupathi in Super Deluxe

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama

Starring: Vijay Sethupathi, Samantha Akkineni, Fahadh Faasil

Director: Thiagarajan Kumararaja

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 2 hours, 56 minutes

This Tamil-language anthology film tells four interconnected stories about the complexities of love, gender, and sexuality in Indian society. The first segment about a transgender woman's relationship with her son earned Super Deluxe an Equality in Cinema Award at the 2019 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.

Indian anthology films are popular right now on Netflix, so if you enjoy Super Deluxe, check out movies like Ajeeb Daastaans and Ghost Stories.

06
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Bruised (2020): Most Inspiring Redemption Story About Family and Cage Fighting

Halle Berry in Bruised

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.2/10

Genre: Drama, Sport

Starring: Halle Berry, Adan Canto, Sheila Atim

Director: Halle Berry

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 9 minutes

Former cage fighter Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) longs for a triumphant return to the octagon. She might finally get her shot after impressing a promoter at an underground fight. However, life throws her a left hook when her estranged son Manny (Danny Boyd, Jr.) comes back into her life.

As its star and director, Halle Berry makes Bruised worth watching. Same-gender romance isn't the primary focus, but Bruised belongs on this list because it portrays a strong bisexual main character.

07
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Dancing Queens (2021): A Gender-Bending Side Hussle

The cast of Dancing Queens on Netflix

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 5.7/10

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Starring: Molly Nutley, Fredrik Quiñones, Marie Göranzon

Director: Helena Bergström

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Dylan (Molly Nutley) wants to dance professionally, but the best gig she can get is cleaning tables at a local drag bar. Fortunately for her, the struggling club needs new queens. The only problem is that she's a girl, which is something she'll have to hide from the patrons and her fellow performers.

Dancing Queens is a clever story about subverting gender norms. Some viewers take issue with a straight woman playing a drag queen, but that's the movie's point: Gender is performance.

08
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Pray Away (2021): Most Heart-Wrenching Exposé on Conversion Therapy

Rainbow colored stained glass window promoting Pray Away 2021 film

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.5/10

Genre: Documentary

Starring: Julie Rodgers, Randy Thomas, Yvette Cantu Schneider

Director: Kristine Stolakis

TV Rating: PG-13

Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes

Pray Away examines the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy, which religious activists openly championed in the U.S. until fairly recently. Survivors and practitioners of conversion therapy give harrowing accounts of how genuinely good intentions led to decades of turmoil for countless families.

The film rightfully denounces the so-called "therapy," but it doesn't condemn anyone. All subjects are approached with empathy and an emphasis on healing. Pray Away is not necessarily a fun watch, but it is necessary viewing for anyone interested in the topic.

09
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Call Me by Your Name (2017): Most Acclaimed International LGBT Romance

Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer in Call Me by Your Name

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Genre: Drama, Romance

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Motion Picture Rating: R

Running Time: 2 hours, 12 minutes

Italian teen Elio (Timothée Chalamet) has a crush on handsome American exchange student Oliver (Armie Hammer), whose family has agreed to host for the semester. Depending on how their friendship develops, it could be a fun or awkward summer.

Although Call Me by Your Name relies on common tropes, the film received international praise for its strong performances, stunning cinematography, and beautiful backdrops of the Italian countryside.

10
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Marco Simon Puccioni, Luca De Bei, Gianluca Bernardini in Invisible Thread 2022

IMDb Rating: 6.6/10

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family

Starring: Marco Simon Puccioni, Luca De Bei, Gianluca Bernardini

Director: Marco Simon Puccioni

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes

What's it like having two dads? In The Invisible Thread, a teenage boy decides to make a movie about life with his fathers and uncovers some surprising family secrets along the way.

The Invisible Thread (Il Filo Invisibile) is an Italian drama with a positive message and a few laughs. You can watch it in English on Netflix.

11
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Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story (2022)—A Tribute to a Trailblazing Transgender Athlete

Leo Baker in Stay on Board

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.1/10

Genre: Documentary, Sports

Starring: Leo Baker, Melissa Bueno-Woerner, Alexis Sablone

Director: Nicola Marsh, Giovanni Reda

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 12 minutes

Stay on Board follows professional skateboarder Leo Baker as he prepares for the historic 2020 Olympics. On top of relentless training, Baker must endure the immense public scrutiny of being trans in the highly gendered world of competitive sports.

In addition to documenting history, Stay on Board serves as a history lesson about the rise of skateboarding from the shadows of punk culture to a serious international sport.

12
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Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration (2022)—Best LGBT Standup Comedy Special

Wanda Sykes performs in Stand Out (2022)

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 5.2/10

Genre: Comedy, Documentary

Starring: Margaret Cho, Wanda Sykes, Eddie Izzard

Director: Page Hurwitz, Linda Mendoza

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes

In celebration of pride month, dozens of LGBT comedians came out to Los Angeles's Greek Theatre for a nonstop laughter marathon. Hosted by Billy Eichner, Stand Out features the comedy of Margaret Cho, Tig Notaro, Judy Gold, and many more.

You'll also see other notable LGBT+ celebrities like Sarah Paulson, Stephen Fry, and Ani Difranco.

13
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Front Cover (2015): Freshest Chinese American Rom-Com

Jake Choi and James Chen in Front Cover

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.4/10

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Jake Choi, James Chen, Jennifer Neala Page

Director: Ray Yeung

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 27 minutes

Fashion stylist Ryan Fu (Jake Choi) is less than impressed when he meets his newest client, Ning (James Chen), a proud and patriotic Chinese actor. Their styles couldn't be more different, but after working together, they learn they have much in common.

Front Cover was a hit on the film festival circuit when it came out. While it adheres to the basic rom-com formula, there are enough twists on the concept to make the movie still feel original years after its release.

14
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Dance of the 41 (2020): For Fans of History and Fancy Dresses

Alfonso Herrera and Emiliano Zurita in Dance of the 41

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Starring: Alfonso Herrera, Emiliano Zurita, Mabel Cadena

Director: David Pablos

Motion Picture Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes

Decades before Stonewall, police in Mexico City raid a private gathering of gay men to terrorize the local gay community. Unexpectedly, law enforcement is forced to sweep the incident under the rug when one of the party-goers is revealed to be Ignacio de la Torre y Mier (Alfonso Herrera), the handsome son-in-law of President Porfirio Díaz.

Inspired by true events, Dance of the 41 is a powerful period piece with a timeless story about persecution and perseverance. If you are interested in early 20th-century history or are fascinated with fancy ball gowns, check this one out.

15
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Operation Hyacinth (2021): Best Police Procedural About LGBT History in Poland

Tomasz Zietek in Operation Hyacinth

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.7/10

Genre: Crime, Drama

Starring: Tomasz Ziętek, Hubert Milkowski, Marek Kalita

Director: Piotr Domalewski

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

During the final years of communist rule in Poland, a serial killer targets gay men in Warsaw. While the secret police try to sweep the murders under the rug, Officer Robert Mrozowski (Tomasz Ziętek) goes undercover to find the culprit.

The movie's title comes from the real-life campaign of violence and blackmail enacted by Polish police to terrorize the LGBT community in the 1980s. The murder plot is fictional, but the historical reality is even darker.

16
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Closet Monster (2015): A Twisted Tale of Internalized Homophobia

Aaron Abrams in Closet Monster

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 7.0/10

Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery

Starring: Aaron Abrams, Jack Fulton, Joanne Kelly

Director: Stephen Dunn

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Have you ever gotten that funny feeling in your tummy when you see someone you like? It might not be what you think it is. There could be a monster inside you waiting to claw its way out. That's how Oscar (Connor Jessup) feels when he meets Wilder (Aliocha Schneider).

Closet Monster is a trippy tragedy with elements of horror and comedy. Best described as genre-bending, it's the most disturbing movie featuring a talking hamster you'll ever watch.

17
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Cobalt Blue (2022): A Love Triangle Turned into a Family Feud

The cast of Cobalt Blue 2022

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.8/10

Genre: Drama, Romance

Starring: Neelay Mehendale, Prateik Babbar, Neil Bhoopalam

Director: Sachin Kundalkar

Motion Picture Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes

In mid-1990s India, siblings Tanay (Neelay Mehendale) and Anuja (Anjali Sivaraman) compete for the affection of a handsome houseguest (Prateik Babbar). Torn between the brother and sister, the suitor has no choice but to break someone's heart.

Based on a book by director Sachin Kundalkar, Cobalt Blue is an emotional period piece with a story that still resonates today while highlighting how much more accepting society has become in just the past few decades.

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Alaska Is a Drag (2017): A Master Class in Fighting Back Against Bullies

Martin L. Washington Jr. and Matt Dallas in Alaska is a Drag

Netflix

IMDb Rating: 6.5/10

Genre: Drama

Starring: Martin L. Washington Jr., Maya Washington, Matt Dallas

Director: Shaz Bennett

TV Rating: TV-MA

Running Time: 1 hour, 23 minutes

Aspiring drag queen Leo (Martin L. Washington Jr.) is tired of being bullied. So, with the encouragement of his sister Tristen (Maya Washington), Leo decides to take lessons from a handsome boxer named Diego (Jason Scott Lee).

Based on a 2012 short film by the same director, Alaska Is a Drag has a positive message about standing up for yourself.

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